first post, don't want to start any arguments

[brdmkr]

Greetings from a weekend sawyer-wannabe from the great sate of Georgia!

I want to purchase a mill to mill logs from my own land that I intend to use for my hobby woodworking, to 'upgrade' my home, and to sell a little on the side.  I may also start a part-time business sawing for others.  I do not intend to go full time, and I will really be just doing this as much for fun as anything (I actually enjoy cutting grass too).

I won't claim that I have ANY knowledge of saw mills, but I have been looking at the Lucas and Peterson mills.  I have seen several portable bandsaw mills, but I have never seen one of the swing blade mills.  Just looking at the swing blade models, I think that they may offer more for the type of sawing I will be doing than a band mill (seem to be more easily transported, handle really large logs, easily sharpened, set up over log without having to handle log, and for the price more bdf/day relative to band mills).  However, all of my assumptions are based on web-page ads.  While I am certain that these companies are honest regarding their products, I also know that to sell a product companies must put their best foot forward.

My questions (and here is where I don't want to start any arguments, but opinions are really appreciated) are:
1) are my assumptions concerning the swing blade relative to band mills correct?
2) are there significant differences among the entry level swing blade saws put out by Peterson, Lucas, and now D&L?
3) are there other swing blade saws I should consider?
4) for the type of cutting I am describing, would I be wise to reconsider and look at band saw mills in the $8000.00 range?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice

[Tom]

Don't get in a hurry.  Go to a show and watch them work.  Moultrie is in October and is one of the largest in the southeast.

1  Yes......   no..   a lot depends on the logs and the desired product.

2  Peterson and Lucas are similar.  D&L is a 4 post saw.   
    Mobile dimension is a beam saw.   
    All have similarities. 
    Each is different.

3.  There is one called BrandX 

4.  That's were the rub will come.   
     It depends on who you ask.   
     I want one of each.

[DanG]

Welcome, brdmkr!  Whirbouts in Ga are ya?  There's lots of opportunities to watch the different mill types working, within driving distance.  I'm running a Mobile Dimension Saw just over the Fla line, and you'd be welcome to visit any time.   Tom, who already replied, runs a big ol' Baker bandsaw in Jacksonville.  CustomSawyer has a Woodmiser bandmill spittin' out boards around the Dublin area.  GareyD is getting his MightyMite up and runnin' west of Atlanta.  There are a couple of members in Tennessee runnin' swingers.  As Tom said, all of'em will be struttin' their stuff at Moultrie in mid-October.  Take your time and figure out which type is best for your purposes.

BTW, don't worry about starting arguments here.  We've been through it before, and we understand that different folks have preferences for different types and colors.

[Captain]

Well rather than stir up anybody by fueling a swing vs band OR Peterson vs Lucas debate, I'll just say welcome and set back and watch.  It is actually kind of fun.

Ya know, DanG, I'm not sure we will be in Moultrie this year...you gotta call Teddles and tell her to git crackin'
 

Captain

[pigman]

Welcome brdmkr and DanG is slightly wrong about the argument thing. I don't think we have ever had an argument about any subject. We do sometimes have strong opinions that we like to support with powerfull words.   I can't give any advice on mills better than already been given.

[brdmkr]

I must admit that I did not expect so many replies so rapidly!  Thanks.  DanG, I am located pretty close to you.  I am in Bainbridge.  I wouldn't mind visiting with you sometime, I am sure I'd learn alot.

Again thanks for all opinions and I appreciate any other comments.  I am just now looking at older posts on swing blade mills.  Also, I look forward to meeting some of you in Moultrie.  I have never attended, but I'll do my best to be there this year!

[meazlejr]

brdmkr,
I am in the same boat with you so no advice or info from me.  Just wated to say that these guys have been super helpful and patient so far. 
Joe

[Bibbyman]

Welcome to the Forum brdmkr (what’a-be),

I’ve found out long ago when someone’s asks for your opinion,  they really don’t want your opinion,  they just want someone to agree with the decision they’ve already made.   

If you want to look at bandmills,  Wood-Mizer has a Service Center in Newnan, Ga.  I think that’s a little south and east of Atlanta.

Wood-Mizer - Newnan, Ga

[EZ]

What ever type of saw you get, dont forget to buy a LogRite cant hook. I bought one a couple weeks ago and its the best.
Get the blue one cause it works better. 
EZ

[Ianab]

Hi Brdmkr

1 - When you mention portable and big logs, thats what swingblades are best at. My mill can be towed on a trailer behind a quad bike, but can saw a 6' dia 16' length log.

2 - The entry level swingers are similar, I prefer the Peterson design, but Lucas machine gets the job done too. Peterson have more advanced models (automatic etc) that are very nice, but more pricey.

3 - Thats 95% + of the swing mills sold at the moment. 

4 - Not if you want to saw BIG logs. With smaller logs a manual bandsaw is a good option, but moving big logs manualy is not fun. With a swinger the log isn't usually moved while sawing. The idea of quartering a big log with a chainsaw before loading it on the mill just doesn't appeal to me. By the time you have done that I would have q-sawn the whole thing and be loading the mill back on the trailer  Swingblade sawyers LOVE 4' and 5' logs, easier than small logs, except for the offloader that doesn't get to rest while you load a new log

Dont confuse the lower price of the swingers with them being just a 'hobby' mill. At the NZ Fieldays there were a number of mills on show. If I remember right that was 1 chainsaw, 2 bandmill, 3 twin circle and 7 swingblades on show. Probably just a reflection on the big logs and rough countryside we have here, but they do work.

Try and see some mills working, see how they would work in with what you are trying to do. There is no one perfect mill, but there are several that will do what you want .

Like Bibbyman says.. you have decided you want a swingblade.. I think you are right

Cheers

Ian

PS. you will want a good cant hook too. Mine is red, but I'm sure a blue one would work too

[DanG]

I may be even closer than you think, brdmkr...only 21 miles from the by-pass around Bainbridge.   I'll PM ya' my phone #.

[brdmkr]

"I’ve found out long ago when someone’s asks for your opinion,  they really don’t want your opinion,  they just want someone to agree with the decision they’ve already made. " 


Not really correct on my having made up my mind.  I say that I am considering a swing blade, but I certainly have not ruled out band mills.  While I have seen a few band mills, I have yet to see either in operation.  Cost is also a big factor.  If you were spending around 8,000.00, and portability and ability to handle relatively large logs was an option, what mill would you recommend?  Also, though large logs will definately be a possibility for me, many of the logs will be smaller 12" or so.  Is there a mill in this price range that can handle both?

[Buzz-sawyer]

Since your asking for opinions
I would take $8000 to an auction and buy a fully automated circular sawmill and set it up........It will cut small logs, and pretty big ones too.

[Bibbyman]

Like Tom said,  each mill type has it’s advantages and disadvantages.  There is no perfect mill for every use.

While I’ve very pleased with the versatility of our Wood-Mizer band mill,  (we make from survey stakes to beams and boards longer than the mill),  it does not handle large and odd shaped logs very well.   Fortunately those logs are few and far between for us.  Other band mills will have the same restrictions (with the possible exception of a couple odd mills with extra wide throats).

We have support equipment to handle our logs so moving the mill to the logs is not in the equation for us.

[countrysaw]

i agree with buzz must be an illinois thing

you would not have to worry about turning logs by hand either, for that kind of money you could probobally find a circle mill with a log turner

and you would be close to your swingblade too, just a little bigger blade, and you dont have to push the blade through the log, the log goes through the blade

not very portable though, unless you want to buy a flatbed for a semi

zach

[Jeff]

I would much rather tackle a 40 inch+ log with a swing blade rather then a standard circle mill.

[Dan_Shade]

i can quarter a 36" log with a chainsaw in probably about an hour, counting setup time and all of that.

[Ianab]

many of the logs will be smaller 12" or so.  Is there a mill in this price range that can handle both?

The swingblade mills will saw 12" or less logs easy enough, just dont expect the production figures that you would get sawing 4ft dia logs. You seem to spend more of your time loading a new log and not enough actually making boards.  They will get the job done, but they dont have the clear advantage over a band mill that they have with big logs.

Cheers

Ian

[Ron Wenrich]

I never saw a swingblade mill until I went to a show.  I've been around a few bandmills, and still haven't seen a dimension mill at work.  The nice thing about a show is that they will actually let you run their equipment to see how you like it. 

Another option is to get videos.  Many of those companies produce a small video to watch their mill run. 

As for small logs, I don't know of any mill that can get production on them. 

[Ernie]

Welcome

You will never start a serious arguement here, we're all family.  You will get the odd difference of opinion but never any nasty stuff.

Have you considered a twin saw?  I dont seem to get as many propellors as with anything else when cutting tensioned wood.

That should spark a few comments