Torn between two samills....................

[Arthur]

Swingers and Bandsaws arnt the only mills available.

Dont forget the quatersaws from manufacturers like D&L Doublecut.  They compete with bandsaws on the smaller logs for output and can handle large logs if you have the support equipment.

[FeltzE]

Burl,

The best way to quantify the right sawmill is to answer several questions on what your going to do first...

How much lumber are you going to saw?
  This has a direct effect on what kind of handling equipment you will need for lumber, slab, logs, dust, mill hydraulics, manual or power drive. Many mills boast a high production rate, if I were to go back and shop for a new mill I would look for an owner of several different types of sawmills and spend a day operating each one of them. You may find that a "man powered drive" is just fine for a couple hrs a day on a low end band mill or one of the swing mills but it dosn't allow for other work to be done while the saw head is in the log it's hands on ... all the time.

What is the size and quality of logs to saw?
   Primary saw logs of under 36 inches of clean grade logs will saw well on a band mill or circle mill, where as logs over 36 inches will need a swing blade, or multi blade mill like mobile dimension, mightymight, or double cut designed for the bigger stock. Logs recovered from resigential areas have a higher volume of tramp metal so blades should be considered either insert point circle blades or inexpensive 1 1/4 band blades.

Is it really necessary to move the saw to the logs?
    If not check the sawmill exchange or NC Ag Review or other listings for used circle mills, Even EBAY has them, I just sold a mill for $1,100 with 125 hp electric drive, and a hyd log turner. (52 inch circle mill) Keep your ear to the rail and you may find one of the older frick mills, or mellott mills which will run for another 100 yrs and can cut 10,000 board feet a day (with the right handling equipment) for less than a new low end mill.

Ohh so much more to say... not enough time... screen through old posts here on FF and you will find this discussion reiterated over several message threads over the past cpl yrs.

Good Luck


Eric

[Burlkraft]

Thanks guys,

I now have a lot more to think about!! I am in no hurry either, except I need to find a new guy to saw for me for now.

Hey Max Sawdust..........There are a few miles between us, I am from Northen Southen Wisconsin (DElls Area) but if you want to split a mill, we can keep it at my house!! Ha Ha Ha

I have been trying to load some pictures of some projects that I have done, but have had little success. I guess I have spent too much time making sawdust and not enough time honing my computer skills. We didn't even have electric typewriters when I was in school.

Steve

[Max sawdust]

Burlkraft,
Just wasn't sure where northern southern wisconsin was. :   Are you sure the dells are not in southern northern wisconsin.  Ya know portage claims that they are "up north" on a sign in town

Good luck with your research, if you go to see one of the Lucas demo's in wisconsin let us know about the experience.

I might buy a good used starter mill like the WM LT15.  I figure I can upgrade when I need to.  Sure do like those swing mills though!
Max

[beenthere]

There is a "Forestry Field Day" tomorrow and Sat. just south of Sauk City at the BlackHawk Wildlife area, and demonstrations are to include cable winching, horse logging, ATV 4 wheeler forestry, portable sawmills, tree pullers and shears, nut planter, saw sharpening and manitenance and 'cut-to-length' harvester.   Look in the 'calendar' (above for the button) and the brochure can be found by clicking on the item. 
  I'll be there tomorrow morning and have my FF hat on.

[Burlkraft]

Hey Beenthere,
I'll also be there....I'll be lookin' for ya.
Steve

[beenthere]

Great. My college roommate always said "You're not short, they just built the side-walks too close to your rear end", and referred to me as "short and squatty, all b___ and no body"   See if that fits.

[Frickman]

Welcome aboard Burlkraft! You've come to the right place to talk sawmills. I run a big old, rip snorting circle mill myself, but think about getting a portable band mill to run also. Anyway, be sure to enjoy yourself here and ask lots of questions.