When asked to do custom sawing what is the most common request

[lawyer_sawyer]

This will be another newbie question

For those who do custom sawing or contract sawing, either mobile or stationery what is the most common request that you recieve in regards to what they want their wood to be sawed up into. 

Likewise I know there are some limitations to equipment and what you own when you get called on a job.  How do you address that when a potential customer calls.  Like I know a swing mill is best at creating 4 sided lumber ranging from 6-10 inches with the ability to double cut up to 12-20.  I know a bandmill can slab most logs from top to bottom.  But what do your customers want usually and are there times you can't meet there needs with your equipment. 

thanks

[Kirk_Allen]

I have found that the majority of my cutting has been for 4/4 lumber.  6-10" wide and for the few that wanted WIDE boards I ALWAYS cut 8/4 or better.

Most folks know what they want out of the log for a specific project.  In the few cases they dont have a clue what to do with the log but know they cant cut it up into firewood it gives you a chance to get to know your customer and discuss all the options.

Im sure I dont need to tell you this but ALWAYS have them sign a contract! 

[Radar67]

Hey Kirk,
     Do you have a copy of a contract you could show us for an example?

[Kirk_Allen]

It will have to wait until Thursday. I am on the road for the next two days   Cant get that trailer done when Im in MO.

[brdmkr]

There is a sample cutting contract at the timberking site.  See below.

http://www.timberking.com/NS/ArticleDetail.cfm?ArticleID=10#Cutting-Contract

[ronwood]

Kurt,

Where are you in Mo. Stop by if you are around Warrenton. I sure Bibbyman would be happy to see you also. He is just outside Fulton.

Ron

[Radar67]

There is a sample cutting contract at the timberking site.  See below.

http://www.timberking.com/NS/ArticleDetail.cfm?ArticleID=10#Cutting-Contract

Thanks for the info brdmkr.

[Kirk_Allen]

Ron,
I will be in Columbia MO.  I am on the road today and will spend the night in Columbia and then I am there ALL day doing training.  Depending on what time I get out of there I may be able to visit on the way back. 

I will IM you with my phone number.  I am not taking my laptop so no access for a couple days unless the hotel has theres working.

[Rockn H]

Most of the lumber I am asked to saw is 1x's of random width and 2x4, 2x6, and 2x10.  I've been asked to saw everything from a beam on down to 1/4x1 1/2" strips.  So far no one has wanted any slabs wider than 24" so I haven't had to turn anyone down.  So far.

Radar, Wood Mizer has a sawing contract on their website that mine is based on.

[Timburr]

The majority of homeowners want 1"x stock for funiture, cupboards, flooring and other home-hobby projects, but because the mill site is rural,we get a lot of demand from farmers, who want construction timbers for farm buildings (2"x, 3"x and 4"x stock), and fencing material (various sizes).

Kirk's first post in this thread is pretty near the mark......when a customer has no idea what they want, make suggestions to them. Then let them believe the idea is theirs and you'll get on fine....the customer is always right!!

We went for the swingmill, 'cos we believe, in our situation, it's more versatile in meeting customer's needs.

Tim

[maple flats]

Haven't had the same request twice yet. Just figure out what they want, give a price that is good for you and fair for them and do it. After a little time you can fine tune your prices. I have gone to scalling the logs and after finding what they want I give a job price. The price is higher if the logs aren't lined up on skid rails, are smaller diameter, crooked or if they want smaller dimensions and so on. Prices are lower if the work looks good as in lned up, bigger, clean logs, good length and if they want bigger sizes (for me that means up to 8" both ways, if over 8" I need to double cut and that adds to the price since it takes longer.ect. They always must supply at least one good strong worker to off bear, help move logs and anything else that is not the actual sawing of the logs into lumber. Many of my jobs are because I can cut logs up to 60" diam and 20' long and for these I get a small premium too.

[woodbowl]

Most asked question is: How long will it take you to get here?  Most common request is: Dressed sized lumber that they can match to store bought sizes just in case they need to.  I ask what their building, how their building it and present to them all the options. Of course, I get more out of the log for them and I even make a little more money. 

[Minnesota_boy]

When I pull into their yard with the mill and they get to see it for the first time I'm often asked, "How long can you saw?"  I always tell them..


wait for it


about 6 1/2 hours.

  That usually gets me a funny look and then the talking starts.

[Chet]

I have been asked to saw just about everything. But the most uncommon was a couple of years ago. I was asked to cut 4/4 oak lumber from red pine logs.   

[pigman]

Most of my customers want me to saw all FAS lumber out of logs that the loggers left behind because they were not worth hauling.   I have a some farmers that want me to saw barn framing lumber out of the tops of red oaks the loggers leave. I tell them they will have a lot of shorts for braces.

[WH_Conley]

10" wide siding boards from 8" dib logs.

[Brucer]

In order of frequency.

1) "FOHC timbers, as big as you can get out of the log, don't worry about excess wane."
2) 3/4 x 6" plus 4x4 and 6x6 - WRC.
3) 4/4 x 6" and 4/4 x 8" - Spruce, Pine, Fir.

(1) is for a timber framer -- my biggest customer.
(2) is for a contractor who specializes in untreated cedar fences.
(3) is for various retail customers who don't like the "wimpy" 1 x that you get in lumber yards .

[Vermonter]

In order of popularity:
1. 5/4 pine trim stock (great cost comparison to slow depot and the others)
2. Clapboard Siding (almost twice the scale in coverage)
3.2x6 & 2x8 Spruce,Pine,Fir,Hemlock
4. Wide pine flooring
5. 8/4 hardwood & 4/4 quartersawn (tie)
6. Twice the log scale in finished lumber
7. Can you do a couple of extra logs? (Most customers almost double size of the log pile up to and after the point I arrive)

[woodbowl]

Most of my customers want me to saw all FAS lumber out of logs that the loggers left behind because they were not worth hauling.

10" wide siding boards from 8" dib logs.

  So.....................whats yall's problem anyways? I'm still striving to meet the customers needs! Had a fellow get upset with me the other day because my WM lt40 was not equipped with a cut off saw on each end so that his lumber could be all the same length.

[Part_Timer]

Vermonter I love #7

I went to give a bid on a job 2 weeks ago.  the guy had some 22" dia red oak logs with a 5" hollow spot in the middle and could not figure out why I could not get scale out of them.  He also could not figure out why half of the boards would not be 18" wide.

Oh well make for good stories

[Frickman]

I read in a woodworking magazine to only use kiln-dried lumber. Can you saw me kiln-dried lumber?

[woodbowl]

Yea................Just bring me some kiln-dried logs. I'll turn blade water up so that we're sure to get a good, clean cut.

[lawyer_sawyer]

thank you all for your answers. 
sorry I have had some papers that needed writing and this is the first break in awhile.
I agree with the contract.  They are necessary.  someday I hope to do it on a handshake because as much fun as the law is and nice to have behind you it can be very dirty at times also and no body wins when they get to court (not even if you win)  but I think the contracts are a great idea and thank you for the advice.

It is probably just me but I find it a little wierd that so many people want 4/4.  I had a feeling that 4/4 was a big item but in my mind I would have thought 8/4 would be a more sought after product since it would be harder to find.  though I guess all buyers are different.

I hope I never have to kiln dry someone's logs and then saw them but if the price is right who knows. 

thanks again