Author Topic: D&L swing blade saw mill (Read 5797 times)

usetalog · « **on:** March 08, 2015, 01:09:55 PM »

I'm new around here, so tell me. I'm looking pretty hard at the D&L 10/30 mill. One, because the dealer (Baileys) is sorta close to the home place. Two, I like the looks of it. I have helped work a Mobile Dimension mill, and I like it. I think the swing blade has more versatility in some ways. I'm not looking for mass production or to make a living with the saw. We do have about 30 to 40 thousand feet of fresh bug trees and I don't want to waste them. No interest from the local big mill, too many big fires in our area. So guys, what should a dude know about the D&L before plunking down 20k+??

Magicman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2015, 02:15:39 PM »

I have absolutely no knowledge about the mill in question but Welcome to the Forestry Forum, usetalog.

usetalog · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2015, 03:02:16 PM »

Thanks for the "Welcome" Magicman.

sawguy21 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2015, 03:07:40 PM »

They were an FF sponsor but parted ways some time ago. I have seen one work, it is a very simple concept although they had some quality control issues that may or may not have been resolved.

logboy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2015, 04:00:42 PM »

Personally I'd look at a Lucas instead. Theyre cheaper for starters, and theyve been on the market much longer and therefore have all the kinks worked out. Their customer service has been great to me despite being two time zones away. If youre close to Baileys, then youre not all that far from Left Coast Supplies that sells Lucas Mills. Id give them a hard look before I put down any money on something else. With the attachments available, especially the slabbing attachment, a Lucas is a lot more versatile.

47sawdust · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2015, 04:09:16 PM »

They look a little awkward to run,always stepping over the bunks.I think production wise the Mobile Dimension mill is hard to beat and relatively easy on the operator.

Jeff · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2015, 04:14:19 PM »

You should search the forum and message current owners on what they think. Do that before you lay any money out.

usetalog · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2015, 07:04:31 PM »

Thanks for the comments, I have checked out the Lucas and have seen it run in person. The one concern on the Lucas, almost every video I've watched the operator at some point will go to one end to set the height adjuster then pushes down on the rail. Is this common or something need to be lubed. Everybody swears about how accurate the Lucas mill is, maybe I'm over thinking what I see. As far as pricing they all are a little north or south of 20k.

logboy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2015, 09:51:27 PM »

The rail doesnt need to be lubed or anything, its gravity and basic physics. If the weight of the powerhead is sitting out on the extensions on one end, then the other end doesnt have any weight on it and is actually being leveraged upward like a seesaw. Because of that, you either have to put a knee on it as you crank it down, or just lower a little past where you want to end up, then raise it again to get the slack out. If you dont do that then the rail can settle as you start cutting and fall below where you set it. After you put your knee on it a couple times you dont think about it anymore because its second nature. Of course if youre milling shorter timber and not using the extensions then there is weight on both uprights and its not an issue. Ive been running a Lucas for ten years and dont even think about it anymore, I just put a knee on it when I lower the rails.

You might want to double check the prices. Due to the exchange rate you can currently buy a new 1030 for a little over 15k. For that price you could get one with the slabbing attachment and still be way under 20k.

http://leftcoastsupplies.com/product/model-10-30-efi/

usetalog · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2015, 12:23:41 AM »

Thanks again for the information. I will be headed to Baileys next weekend for their demo day to check out the D&L. I have had communication with the Lucas rep here in CA. I like hearing good things about the Lucas mill, it is still high on the list. I just want to cover all the bases and have no regrets at the end of the day.

longtime lurker · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2015, 03:11:28 AM »

Quote from: usetalog on March 08, 2015, 07:04:31 PM

Thanks for the comments, I have checked out the Lucas and have seen it run in person. The one concern on the Lucas, almost every video I've watched the operator at some point will go to one end to set the height adjuster then pushes down on the rail. Is this common or something need to be lubed. Everybody swears about how accurate the Lucas mill is, maybe I'm over thinking what I see. As far as pricing they all are a little north or south of 20k.

A Lucas is as accurate as the operator makes it be, which is a combination of how you adjust it, how you maintain the mill overall, and how well you sharpen your blades. I never do the knee thing - I drop the "near" end using the take it too far and bring it back method, take the carriage with me to the other end, go past the upright and onto the extension, turn around and do the same, and I'm cutting on the way back from there. I never get more then a step from the carriage at any point when sawing.

thecfarm · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:38:38 AM »

usetalog,welcome to the forum.
Whatever you buy,we would like some sawing pictures.

Seaman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2015, 07:30:07 AM »

Ustalog,
I too would encourage you to take a hard look at Lucas. I have been running mine for five years, and love it. The slabber attachment leads to a whole new market for sales. LCS are great folks, you will not find better customer service.

Welcome to FF and good luck whichever way you decide to go !

FRank

dgdrls · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2015, 08:26:02 AM »

Quote from: usetalog on March 08, 2015, 07:04:31 PM

Thanks for the comments, I have checked out the Lucas and have seen it run in person. The one concern on the Lucas, almost every video I've watched the operator at some point will go to one end to set the height adjuster then pushes down on the rail. Is this common or something need to be lubed. Everybody swears about how accurate the Lucas mill is, maybe I'm over thinking what I see. As far as pricing they all are a little north or south of 20k.

Welcome to the FF.
Lucas builds a dandy mill and they are highly portable.
Accurate as it gets.
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,81943.0.html?PHPSESSID=a7ac1683c255bbf128a0bfff90be2e04

Best
DGDrls

Gasawyer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2015, 11:19:57 PM »

Welcome to the forum!

Another vote for Lucas. The mill is as accurate as the operator and as others have said highly portable. Good luck!

usetalog · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2015, 01:59:40 PM »

Geez, I was really hoping to hear from someone that owns a D&L mill, I'm thinkin that nobody ownes one or that don't want to admit that they do. (No insults intended, laugh a little) It sound like the Lucas is the machine of favor around here. The time for me to make a choice is real soon as the trees will not wait much longer. I'm starting to lean the way of the Lucas due to all the positive comments from all you folks out there. Keep em comming, and I let you all know what shows up.

terrifictimbersllc · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2015, 02:06:27 PM »

Not just Lucas owners but some Peterson ones too, I have one.

usetalog · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2015, 02:38:25 PM »

Dang, I liked the peterson mill too. So, how does that work out for you as far as parts and support. No dealers on left coast. I got pricing from Peterson, a little scary and the delivery time was way out there.

Ianab · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2015, 03:00:25 PM »

There aren't a lot of common wear parts. Rollers, drive belts, blades and normal engine parts which are Kohler or Briggs, easy enough to get parts for. Means you can just keep spares of 99% of the bits you are going to need.

The mills are sold all around the South Pacific. If they can support them in Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands, they can get parts to you in US. As opposed to an Island in the middle of nowhere that doesn't even have a small engine shop...

They cost a bit more because they use more stainless steel and alloy in the construction. Again so they can be used in the remote tropical jungle without rusting away as soon as the paint gets scratched. Delivery? Yeah, that's an issue. Takes the container ship a while to get there... Parts can go air freight, mill rails? Not so easy.

But Lucas and Peterson are the established leaders in Swing mills. They have been making them for a long time, and have all the bugs worked out. Just the little things like the ergonomics of setting them up and moving them by yourself.

terrifictimbersllc · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2015, 04:29:02 PM »

Quote from: usetalog on March 10, 2015, 02:38:25 PM

Dang, I liked the peterson mill too. So, how does that work out for you as far as parts and support. No dealers on left coast. I got pricing from Peterson, a little scary and the delivery time was way out there.

Hud-Sons in NY maintain a basic parts inventory from Peterson. Lucas and Peterson owners will tell you that the mills are quite basic compared to hydraulic band mills for example. So far I've only needed a few small parts in 4 years and the postage hasn't been much of a factor. I think the only real problems would come if I damaged the mill frame or rails in a major way, that would be expensive but I'm making money with it so I don't worry much about it. So far there's only one customer I let near it with a fork lift.

p.s. I suspect now's a good time to get one with the exchange rate being what it is, highest in a long time.
p.s.s. Support is not really an issue, can get them on the phone at their toll free number. Talk to your salesman or Kerris or Chris Browne the owners directly. But have to remember they're about 15 hr ahead, so can't get them till the end of my day. So I count on figuring things out myself in the field.

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Author Topic: D&L swing blade saw mill (Read 5797 times)

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