How much to charge for portable sawing when starting out.

[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