Author Topic: Any experience with Sequoia Mills? (Read 7803 times)

MartyTheMiller · « **on:** January 09, 2015, 02:23:58 PM »

Hi all, nice to be here. Nice forum with nice people and great information. I look forward to learning more as time goes on, and perhaps someday contributing to the collective knowledge. Now for my question.

I am going to build a house this summer, using my own fir logs, cut from my own property. I am looking at a couple of the small mills, one from Wood-Mizer and one from Sequoia Mills.

http://www.sequoiamills.com/sm-120-new.html

The Wood-Miser because of it's great reputation here and they have a dealer close to me, and Sequoia Mills, because of their simplicity and robustness. I have talked with the people at Sequoia, and they seem legit. Anyway, does any one have any experience with Sequoia? I couldn't find any reference to them by searching the forum. TIA

Marty

GAmillworker · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2015, 02:29:45 PM »

Marty

Welcome to the forum

I'm sure someone will be along with some help soon

beenthere · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2015, 02:55:47 PM »

Yes, welcome to the Forestry Forum.

From the looks of the Sequoia mill video, I'd suggest you are going to be comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended). Not much detail was forthcoming in the video on their website.
Just keep that in mind when you see them both sawing logs (which I'd assume you will do before buying).

Jeff · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2015, 03:42:04 PM »

Never heard of that brand. You might check out the other sponsors on the left for other choices as well.

MartyTheMiller · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2015, 05:11:18 PM »

I have Jeff, and while the products all seem fine, the fact is that they are all mid-west or east coast, except for the local Wood-Mizer dealer in Oregon and these guys. I like to deal local, so if I have problem, I can drive there in a day with the mill and fix it, and to save on shipping costs.

dgdrls · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2015, 06:17:17 PM »

Welcome to the FF MartyTheMiller
follow below, may be of some assistance
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,79945.msg1214980.html#msg1214980

Best
DGDrls

thecfarm · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2015, 07:02:16 PM »

MartyTheMiller,Probably like my Thomas Bandsaw mill,built here in Maine,not much out there on them.I do like their centrifugal clutch on the mills.
Welcome to the forum.
How will you get the logs to your mill?

MartyTheMiller · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2015, 07:52:55 PM »

Quote from: thecfarm on January 09, 2015, 07:02:16 PM

MartyTheMiller,Probably like my Thomas Bandsaw mill,built here in Maine,not much out there on them.I do like their centrifugal clutch on the mills.
Welcome to the forum.
How will you get the logs to your mill?

Well, I don't have the mill yet, but all the logs are currently living trees on my property, and I have a chain saw and a tractor!

MartyTheMiller · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2015, 07:54:50 PM »

Quote from: dgdrls on January 09, 2015, 06:17:17 PM

Welcome to the FF MartyTheMiller
follow below, may be of some assistance
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,79945.msg1214980.html#msg1214980

Well, it would have been nice to see a follow-up post or two. They picked up the phone today when I called them. One of the reasons I want to get a mill from a manufacturer within a day's drive.

Best
DGDrls

5quarter · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2015, 10:52:23 PM »

Hi Marty...If you're looking to get a manual mill for just personal use, it's not mission critical to have the Company nearby. Your riding lawnmower is a more complex machine. even if your mechanical knowledge is limited, you should be able to perform any maintenance and basic repairs. If you have engine trouble you can always take it to the local small engine repair shop. If I were you, I would not limit myself to those two choices only. The sawmill Mfrs. on the left may not be local, but they are built in the USA, just as important in my book. Best of luck and welcome.

redbeard · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2015, 11:49:15 PM »

Welcome Marty! The wide throat is very attractive on the Sequoia bigger model. You will need some heavy support equipment handling logs that size. Sounds like a great adventure building a home with a mill on your property. Beautiful area where you live. Giant Splinter lives fairly close to Spingdale he might chime in with some info on the Sequoia Mill. good luck on your Venture. Having a bandmill is a blast.

backwoods sawyer · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2015, 12:57:10 AM »

I have been seeing them on c-list for a while now but have not seen one run yet. Real simalor to the Burg mill and the Linn mill.
I have milled for owners of both and they were real happy with their mills just had more orders then time

The burl hunters like the wide throte as well.

BCsaw · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2015, 11:48:37 AM »

Marty, my one suggestion to you is, on the Sequoia model that you attached, I would pay the $325 upgrade and get the 14hp rather than 8 hp. It will make you a much happier sawyer! If i could, I would go and give the mills a try and see first hand.

Good luck with your search.

mikeb1079 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2015, 03:36:14 PM »

Quote

I would pay the $325 upgrade and get the 14hp rather than 8 hp. It will make you a much happier sawyer!

that is excellent advice.

MartyTheMiller · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2015, 12:14:37 PM »

I thought I would resurrect this thread, as a month ago I went over to Sequoia Mills and visted the owners, Neil and Lisa. I wanted to make sure they were the read deal, were building mills and wanted to watch one saw up a log.

They were gracious in their hospitality, considering they make the mills at their home. I was able to speak at length with Neil, ask him all the questions I had and he fired up one of the demo mills for me and showed me how they work.

Then he offered to build me a mill, deliver it to me, help me set it up and teach me how to use it. How can one beat a deal like that? So, I should be recieving my new mill soon, will post more about it then.

MartyTheMiller · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2015, 11:09:03 AM »

It looks like my mill is ready, and will be delivered this weekend. More to follow.

sawmilllawyer · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2015, 12:41:03 PM »

Been watching this thread. Also saw their video, I liked how the sawdust exited away from the operator and used a centrifical clutch. Post some pics your mill and the wood you saw. Welcome to the forum.

thecfarm · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2015, 06:48:18 PM »

Congrats on the mill. Looking forward to the more to follow part.

MartyTheMiller · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2015, 11:40:58 PM »

Sawmill delivered and set up by the owners, Neil and Lisa. They are very nice people, and very sincere in wanting to make a good product. They were very concerned though, when they arrived because the mill was damaged when they got here, because someone ran into them last night.. Auto accident, not their fault. My small mill was being transported on a bigger mill with trailer wheels, and the goomba who ran into them bent both the frame lf my mill and the larger trailer mill. Sheesh. Also, my mill was vaulted to the ground from the back of the truck, with fairly extensive cosmetic damage to the blade protector. So, they of course offered to take it back and start over, but I wanted to get to milling, and the bent track was pretty slight, but still noticable.

So, with either their insurance or the guy who hit them going to pay for the damage, I accepted the mill as is, with the understanding that they would deliver another track and blade housing in a month or so. In the meantime though, I have a mill to use, and that is good because I have some work to do.

A couple of things which were a blessing in disguise, is that I will end up with a sawmill track 40' long, which is pretty cool, not that I am going to be using long logs that much, but at least I can. I also found out the sturdiness of the mill, as it certainly looked like there was no damage, and when Neil set it up and showed me how to use it, it cut straight and true.

So, that is where we are at. I am very satisfied with the purchase, and these two sincere people who just want to produce good sawmills for a good price. I will post some pictures soon, I am really tied up with a bunch of business right now.

redbeard · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2015, 05:49:22 PM »

Looking forward to hearing and seeing more of your mill and your projects. Iam interested in the wide cut ones they make. I want to go visit there operation when he has a 145 there. Glad you got yours going at your site.

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Author Topic: Any experience with Sequoia Mills? (Read 7803 times)

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