The $1700 band saw

[Ozarkian]

Hooray!    Or you can do like the Woodland Mill's people did in their video titled " 12" Walnut - Woodland Mills Portable Sawmill " on Youtube.  It's the operator's point of view through the entire process cutting a huge walnut tree.  Makes me wish I had a mill already  .

[hunterbuild]

 

  

  

  

  Had a little time to cut up a small birch. It was ruff been on ground a while. Got two 2x7s 10' and a 2x7 10'.

[Ozarkian]

Very nice, staying quite busy it looks like.  How's it holding up?  Thanks for the pics!

[hunterbuild]

So far it is taking what I give it. Hope to get a big log to put it to the test. I do love the saw. With the skid steer I can handle it by myself and not get worn out. I have to get it off the ground a bit more. The snow and sawdust built up under the track.

[WDH]

Raising it up about 18 inches to knee height will make a huge difference.

[thecfarm]

I would also keep the skid steer away from it. I would run into it first thing.  I put down 2 logs that I slabbed on one side. Left the slab side to put my logs onto,than roll them onto the mill. I have 2 pieces of 1/4 X 4 Inch flat stock to go from the slabbed logs to the sawmill. Have fun.

[Al_Smith]

There must be fourty-eleven makers of small mills in this country not to mention as many in Canada . I've seen them in all colors of the rainbow at the Paul Bunyan show and Ohio lumber show .

They are all light gauge stuff and use low horse power engines .They're really designed as "hobby " mills and as such from what I saw did okay on 14" stuff .Fact some will only handle up to 18" by maybe 12 feet long .

They aren't designed as stated for a production mill nor cutting 36" oak by any figment of the imagination .I suppose though an oak could  be ripped into cants with a chainsaw and solve that problem .

No way can a person compair one of these things to say a Woodmizer Lt 40 .That would be like a Yugo to a Cadillac .

[Ozarkian]

Al_Smith, I don't believe anybody is comparing this product to anything similar to a LT-40. 

This topic is regarding one of - if not - the cheapest entry level band mills on the market and a review of it from somebody who has purchased it.

Some individuals are only looking for something with the capabilities this and other mill's similar to it offer.  And those individuals have every right to get a fair user review without belittlement.  There are more "hobby" users, than there are high production users.  Their opinion matters.

-Ozarkian

[Al_Smith]

  Wow did I push a button and ruffle your  tail feathers .

Pardon me but at no time did I belittle a little mill now did I ? It was an  observation on my part not an ultimatum and certanly nothing to become overly dramatic about .

Fact if you really want to know I have two friends that have little mills and it does them just fine .One is a little Oscar I think and I believe one was made of components from Cooks .

I will not  nor   ever degraded how or what a person uses to reach an end goal .In the case of lumber if they want to use a pit saw that's just fine with me . 

[Ozarkian]

Tail feathers are fine, no ruffles.  Just stating the purpose to this topic.  By comparing the obvious, "Yugo to Cadillac", is a belittlement - whether intended or not.

For those of us who can not afford or have need for a mill of that scale, these are our options.

Text can and often is misinterpreted by the reader.  My initial reaction to that comment may have been misunderstood, yet, I still believe what I wrote. 

-Ozarkian

[Al_Smith]

Well Ozark it just depends on how one looks on things and ones sense of humor how things are taken as far as text .

Obviously your sense of humor and mine are  not on the same page .

A mini mill is one option.There are others but that deserves another thread so saying that please do continue your discussion .I'll sit quietly on the side lines 

[bedway]

So, my question is, is this mill made in china?

[Ozarkian]

is this mill made in china?

Good question...  I for one do not know!  I would think some of the part's are made in China (i.e. the motor).  However, I could not locate anywhere listed in the Downloadable PDF Manual or on the product website stating where the Sawmill is manufactured.

-Ozarkian

[rwthom279]

Hey all...I reckon I'll throw my 2 cents worth in.  Before this thread got started I had the same thoughts about the similiar construction of these mills.  I started look DEEP in the web and actually llocated and chatted with "customer service" at a chinese manufacturer.  I was told, "We cannot sell this mill to an individual because 2 companies in North America are the authorized distributors"   And I was then directed to make contact through the websites of each.   Guess who:  Harbor Freight and Woodland Mills.  Yes subtle differences...enough to allow a sellable item by a different company/country. 

A few years back northern tool Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company had issues trying to sell theirs here because Harbor Freight was already carrying them.  Northern had theirs painted red.  They were in the catalog and I was hell bent to buy one (price)...Waited 4 months "On Backorder" then they called and said it was no longer available.  Owners manual were almost a picture image.  I ended up buying a much larger mill instead....but always wanted to tryone to see. 

If you look at the parts list in each manual....look at the pics and numbers...a match.  At least the parts are on this continent.

If it was me I would go with Woodland Mills  (IMO).....customer service/support, speak english, parts, and they are a SPONSER!  I already showed their site to a couple people wanting to mill their own stuff.  Best of luck with your new mill!!

[hunterbuild]

A friend had use of a large diesel powered all hydraulic Woodmizer. I had 50 ton of maple logs some of which were 4' or bigger around.We had great fun and put up several thousand board ft of mostly 1" stuff 12 to 16' long. He took some for helping me and the rest is stacked in my garage.So I have drove the Caddie. It was with out any comparison to my HF. That being said it took two of us to keep up with it. I will be working alone cutting mostly pine. If I get a few big logs I can break them down with my Alaskan csm.If by any miracle I get into another find like the maple I will find a big mill to cut it for me. I don't know if the HF will make me any money but I'm having fun. I have two people to do some small cutting for.I"m starting a job next month redoing a store inside and out.My client found out I had a saw and want a rustic look. He Loves the ruff sawed pine and beams. Maybe I can pay for my saw in one job!

[paul case]

A saw sure can pay for itself in one job. Mine did and it cost about$7k.
The framing lumber for my house would have cost more than that and at the time my logs weren't worth cutting to haul to a pallet mill. I not only framed my house but I cut all my own paneling too. It has a unique rustic look and didn't cost me anything but the labor. The house was finished in 6 months and the mill has made me an income when farming is slow for 3 1/2 years now.
Call me real pleased.  PC

[Ozarkian]

Paul,
Do you have pictures showing your house you built?  Would be interested in seeing, as that is my long term goal after finishing my barn and getting my woodworking shop set up. 

-Ozarkian

[paul case]

 

  

  

 
The first pic is the exterior. The second is some rustic red oak paneling. I cut 3/8''x8'' and put on like lap siding with sheetrock screws into the studs. The 3rd pic is some erc live edge paneling put up with sheetrock screws and cut 3/8'' thick. Part of the house was moved in was built by my grandpa in the early 50's and it measured 44'x26'. We added 58' x26'. IT hasd 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. Total cost from moving the house and mill was less than$45k. It appraised for $119k. PC

[Ozarkian]

Paul:  Wow!  Very impressive work, thank you for sharing.  Can't beat the price - great investment!

[bedway]

Very nice Paul, and that i built it myself feeling, you cant put a price tag on