How much to charge for portable sawing when starting out.

[Ozarkian]

So, I am preparing to purchase a mill as many of you know  .  I would like some advice  regarding how much I should charge for my service (if) I get requests to saw for somebody else.

I have been offered a fantastic deal on a EZ Boardwalk Jr. and some other tools that I need!  I will be picking them up in the next week or so.  (hopefully sooner!!). The gentlemen that has the tools has been very generous, helpful, and kind. I am very grateful for meeting him, not just for the equipment, but his willingness to share advice like many of you. 

All the below listed for $4,500.00:
EZ BOARDWALK JR. (Already spoke with Mr. Zimmerman's Wife about getting the tow package for $400.00)
EZ BOARDWALK BLADE SHARPENING SYSTEM
DELTA 15" PLANER # DC380 - 2 SPEED 3HP 220 VOLT
DELTA 10" UNISAW TABLE SAW TILTING ARBOR #36824 - 3HP 220 VOLT
DELTA VERSA FEEDER #36865 - 2 SPEED 110 VOLT
HITACHI IS 10" SLIDE COMPOUND MITER SAW WITH STAND #C10FSH - 110 VOLT
DELTA SAWS HAVE 50' 10-3 CORDS WITH TWIST LOCK PUGS

Of course, before I begin sawing for other's (if) I do at all...  I will saw much of my own logs to get the hang of it.

I know the EZ Boardwalk Jr is a smaller mill, and will not produce as much as the 40 for example.  So, what would be a reasonable price for me to charge... Starting out?

-Ozarkian

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kansas]

Thats a whack of machinery. Figure out how much you can cut an hour on your own logs, and what you need to make it worth your while. Take a look around your area what smaller bandmills charge. Don't feel obligated to match or go lower than them. You might check craigslist in your area and see if anyone is advertising rates. Check any possible websites of mills you know in your area. If I had to give a range, with reasonably decent logs, I would say 35-45 cents a board foot. If you are presented with not reasonable logs, if you know what you could normally cut in an hour, charge by the hour. That 35 to 45 cents may not hold for your area. Competition, plus types of trees, plus quality of logs, makes a big difference. Don't try to compete with or worry about the big mills as far as some sort of price per board foot. You don't have to.

[Ozarkian]

Thanks Kansas, I will compare rates.  I don't foresee doing much for others.  But you never know, if the price is right...

[slider]

nice setup ozarkian,i know you must be excited.you might want to get some time in on your mill before you go public . believe me things can happen when you have a crowd around and you and your mill are still new to each other. best of luck to you  al

[Cedarman]

Focus and rythym are very important when sawing.  If someone or something causes a loss of focus, then a loss of synchonization will occur.  This is when you will back up before disengaging thus knocking blade off, making a miscut, sawing a dog, putting a blade on backwards, forgetting to tension the blade, sawing into a cant hook handle,  etc.
Develop this focus and rythym when sawing your own logs and it will be easier to keep from being distracted when other people are around.

[Ozarkian]

Develop this focus and rythym when sawing your own logs and it will be easier to keep from being distracted when other people are around.

Headphone's check! 

[Magicman]

I think that you made out like a bandit.      That is some nice stash.

[hunterbuild]

Looking good. Planner is my next wish.

[paul case]

Just as a point of reference, I charge $.30 bdft for sawing. If it is shorts or needs a lot of triming or odd ball sizes I sometimes do that by the hour and thats $40.
However I think you should deffinately get some time in on messingcutting your own stuff up. Experience is the best teacher! PC

[Ozarkian]

Look's like God is guiding me down the right path.  I go look for a good used mill, and I get nearly an entire woodworking setup. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

-Ozarkian

[LeeB]

For the area you/we are in, $0.25 - $0.30 is abou the going rate. Nice score on the equipment.

[cypresskayaksllc]

So much for that budget . Nice set up.

[Red Pill]

That's a great haul for that money. Good on 'ya.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

Great score on the mill and equipment your set up now at a fraction off the cost Mate ohh and with my comment on your other thread about offering him $3k was more to do with letting him know what you had to work with but for an extra $1500 you have done bloody well Im stoked for you Mate 

Everyones given great advice and Richard is spot on with rythym as its what you need to keep production numbers up on any mill a nice steady pace is whats needed and dont push yourself to hard as its a marathon not a sprint you gotta go all day but you can get alot done on a little mill if your organised with it you could do say $220 to $350 per day if your depending on what your charging,sizes sawn on the bft rates the fellas have given     

Good luck and I think you have the drive and ambition to make a good go off it Mate

Regards Chris
 

[mikerat]

WOW! I get goose bumps just looking at all of that stuff, you are a lucky guy. I cant saw at home and only cut on site so I always charge by the hour and I have never really figured it by the board foot. Good Luck to you your off to a good start.

Mike

[samandothers]

Congrats on your find.  I've been following you posts on search and thought you were heading toward Woodmill.  Nice Score.

[Ozarkian]

  I forgot to set this topic to notify of new comments!  I checked my e-mail a couple of times and nothing was there!    But... rest assured, it's set now!

Samandothers:  Thanks! I was going with the Woodland Mills until the gentlemen with these items accepted my offer.  If for some reason this deal falls through  , I don't think it will and pray that it doesn't, I will buy the HM 126.  We have come to a verbal agreement and the item's are not listed for sale.  Just waiting (going crazy ) to take the several hour trip to go pick them up!    I like to hear that you are following my posts, makes me feel as if I am making somewhat of a contribution to this forum...  And I don't even have my set-up yet!  Wait til' I do, I am a very picture happy individual!!   

Mikerat:  I do to, as I have only seen the pictures.  I have them readily available to whisper sweet nothings to them before I fall asleep!      That's gotta be tough not being able to saw at home.  What's preventing you aside from the noise?  Neighbors, city limit laws, sensitive-to-sound spouse?? 

I have been trying to learn the whole BF measurements myself, I downloaded an app to my iPhone that seems like it would work fairly well with somebody who know's how to use it... 

I feel blessed to be in this situation to gain all this knowledge and support from all of you, my Wife, family, and even my friends.  I was a bit nervous telling people my dreams, I thought I would hear nothing but "that's a terrible idea" or "it won't work".  Instead, I have received 90% positive feedback - and even a few who seemed more excited than me .  The other 10% was the usual pessimist, but after showing them; video clips, pictures, and explaining how I believe I have truly found my passion - they became optimist!

I would say this to ANY individual with a dream, if you have a yearning inside of you to do something, ANYTHING: First - Pray about it, Second - gain approval from your spouse (their support is crucial), Third - give it everything you have.  If you do, even if it does not work out as anticipated, you'll know you did everything you could - and that is what truly matters.

Meadows:  Thanks, I am very pleased with it!  At least I know if my goals don't pan out, I will be able to make my money back!  Or bless somebody else with the same opportunity I have been given. 

I am looking forward to learning my "rhythm ", I finally learned my Chainsaw rhythm  and was able to go all day without cutting of one of my limbs , maybe I can somehow synchronize the two!

Appreciate the feedback. I have been putting a LOT of hard work into making this happen...  Even if much of it was sitting in front of the computer reading for hours (more like days) on end researching as much as I possibly could!  I am determined to make this work! 

Cypress:  Haha, I was just saying to my wife how EXTREMELY appreciative I am of her today  .  Of course... she asks why... I told her "because your the best and the worst ", "Thank you, wait Excuse me!" she responded...  "Your the best Wife and Friend I could ever ask for, but you are the worst at controlling allowances! "    From now on...  I AM IN CONTROL OF THE CHILDREN'S ALLOWANCE! 

LeeB:  Is that for going to them, or them bring you the logs?  Where are you located?  Thanks!

-Ozarkian

[swampbuggy]

As I have shown you I have a much smaller mill than the EZ  and I had a fella ask me to do some sawing for him. I quoted the price of $1.00 per lineal foot of usable lumber cut to his specs. He jumped on it. No figuring b/f or anything else and if he has smaller logs ( which he does) it all works out the same for me.  As I am learning the craft, as you will be too, something is better than nothing. My something actually pays ok for right now.

Excellent find on your buy. The wait and see method always works the best. Expect good things and they will happen. S

[CalebL]

For the area you/we are in, $0.25 - $0.30 is abou the going rate. Nice score on the equipment.

I charge $.30 if they bring the logs to me and $.35 with a 1000' minimum to take the mill to them. 2 of the large mills around me have just raised their prices to $.50 a foot and you have to bring the logs to them.

[LeeB]

I only do custom sawing at their location and have not done any in a while. I will likely raise my price to 0.35 if and when I do start custom sawing again. I'm just south of you in Pyatt AR.

[Ozarkian]

Caleb & LeeB:  It seems you both are charging very similar prices.  If and when I do saw for customers, I will probably try similar to that range and see how it pans out. 

LeeB:  Yea, I see where you are.  Pretty close to where I am and near where I am going to get my equipment, kinda in between it looks like.  I won't say exactly where I am going, but if in the next few days you see a trailer hauling a load of equipment similar to what I posted in pictures...  You'll know who it is! 

[beenthere]

Me thinks if LeeB sees your trailer go by, you better be prayin for a boat and some oars.
He just might be on an oil rig, maybe. eh?

[LeeB]

  At home right now, but with the rain from today and more tommorow it still holds true. Went to pick up my DIL today at noon and the water in the creek was over the hub caps on my 3/4 ton Dodge.

[Chuck White]

Looks like you've found a lot of very nice equipment Ozarkian.

Congratulations and good luck.

[Buck]

Congrats Ozarky, nice score!

[medic]

Depending on what kind of market niche you want to be sawing for you may price end up pricing more stuff by the hour than by the bf.  Most of what I do is small jobs for folks that aren't in the lumber business.  If I quote them a bf charge they don't really know if I'm giving them a good deal or not but if I give them an hourly rate they have a little better idea what I'm talking about. 
Congrats on all the equipment.  Next to the mill my Delta tablesaw is probably one of the best power tools I've ever owned.
scott

[Bump]

The more of a nich you can find to fill the more you can get. I got an order today for long bow blanks out of hickory they supply the logs and have a very precise cut pattern from them. That's paying $2.50 a bft got 20 8' x 26" logs to process. Berhl pays way better but is tricky and has stone hazard. I like to run slow with highend custom products. Requires a lot more time spent with the buyers but I do enjoy most all of them.

[Dave VH]

You did great!  I love to see how you give God the credit, it was a miricle how I got my mill also.  It makes me wonder what he has in store for me with it.  Keep it up.

[Buck]

You will find numerous ways to "pay it forward". Concerning business, just because you got an excellent deal don't sell yourself out cheap. Keep in mind what it would cost to replace those fine tools. I can't wait to see your projects.

[liftman62]

I'm in the same boat you are in. Just starting out, got a real job, looking to buy a used mill. Probably more of a hobby than a business, at least for now. I've been reading up on this forum for a couple weeks and these guys will give you straight up answers. They always are very positive and that is a good thing. I'm going to the WM shop near me and see if they have any used mills in the next few weeks. I'll let everyone know what I find. Hopefully God will guide me like He did you. Peace.

[Chuck White]

Just go here > http://www.woodmizer.com/us/

They list used mills on their web site!

[shortlogger]

The prices here in the Ouachitas are about the same pine is 25-30cents ft and hardwood and cedar are 30-35 a ft . A little advise before you start sawing learn the safe way to bind and unbind your bands for your mill . I learnerd how not to do it the hard way , I let a new band jump open and hit my face with some band aids and tape went back to sawing till the wife got home she wasn't happy made me go to the doc and get stitched up . I think scars add character ! Anyway woodmizer has a good video on youtube that will show you how

[paul case]

I learned how to handle those coiled up bands no problem. Now I get some in a flat pack. Those boogers are hard to get out 1 at a time with gloves on and I have about had an accident or 2. No one volunteers to help after the thing goes boeeuuing and about gets you in the face. Not funny.   PC

[Meadows Miller]

Hey Paul I flat pack mine too when I have a band mill  I made boxes for My first band out off ¼ ply with a 1&¾ square piece off pine around the outside with a rope handle through one side and 4 bolts locked into place with a nut then the lid was held on by 4 wing nuts nice and easy way to cart around 6 to 8 bands at  a time

[terrifictimbersllc]

 
I made flat packs same size as Woodmizer boxes which you can see in the photo.  Lots of people think they're cut down doors.   I don't carry them on the mill like in the picture, that's where my spare goes which is strapped to the loader arm in travel. I carry he boxes upright in the back of my pickup bed, on the driver side, behind the wheel well.  Other stuff in the bed keeps them from falling over. Usually have 3 boxes (9's, 10's and mixed 4's/7's), because I need the different styles, not because I need so many blades.   Lately I drilled a 3-1/2" hole through the center of the box which is a good handle.

[Meadows Miller]

Cool Cases TT  I take it you just whack you fingers through the holes  ???With my handels just drilled two holes and inserted the rope then ted a knot in each end Mate 

[terrifictimbersllc]

Cool Cases TT  I take it you just whack you fingers through the holes  ???With my handels just drilled two holes and inserted the rope then ted a knot in each end Mate 

If I remember right, I drew an X on the side of the box, from the opposing corners, as one would on end-stock, for centering on the lathe. Then took a 3-1/2" forstner bit and cut the holes where the lines crossed. one could also use a saber saw.  The hole does not go through near the blades when they are bent and clipped in the middle like WM ships them flat pack.  The hole is easy on the hands and one has no protrusions inside of the box for the coiled pack to catch on when pulling it in or out.

[ForestMan]

Look's like God is guiding me down the right path.  I go look for a good used mill, and I get nearly an entire woodworking setup. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

-Ozarkian

Also check out Proverbs 3:9-10