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brag on your mill

Started by plowboyswr, December 18, 2011, 08:28:45 PM

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plowboyswr

Let me start by sayin that I'm new to this forum and new to the sawmillin end of wood workin. I've been lookin at mills for quite some time now and been doin a lot of readin ( especialy on here) now I want to know what are the features on your mill that you couldn't do without. I have checked out the sponsers sites and will continue to search for the right fit
Just an ole farm boy takin one day at a time.
Steve

123maxbars

I have a woodmizer LT35. The Hyd turner and clamp are things I really appreciate about my mill. Saves alot of time turning and clamping logs. The loader is also nice but I had a Kubota for that job. 
Sawyer/Woodworker/Timber Harvester
Woodmizer LT70 Super Wide, Nyle L53 and 200 kiln, too many other machines to list.
outofthewoods
Youtube page
Out of the

bandmiller2

Welcome plowboy,depends  on what your going to do with the mill, strictly hobby or some cut for hire.In my mind a hydraulic turner/clamp is right at the top of the list.If you have hyd. for the turner you might as well use it to feed and raise and lower the band head.You always want to get a bigger better mill than you think you need that includes more power. Frank C.
A man armed with common sense is packing a big piece

cypresskayaksllc

1. its not hard to fix and 2. the 2 plane clamp
LT40HDDR, JD950FEL, Weimaraner

isawlogs

 If there is one thing on my mill I would not do with out .. yes, I have an lt40HD, I would not do without the HD.  :)
A man does not always grow wise as he grows old , but he always grows old as he grows wise .

   Marcel

POSTON WIDEHEAD

Welcome PLOWBOY and Merry Christmas! smiley_christmas

Be careful....that saw milling will get in your blood. :)
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

Banjo picker

Never explain, your friends don't need it, and your enemies won't believe you any way.

Ohio_Bill

Welcome Plowboyswr ,   I think features have more to do with production expectations . If you are only going to saw a few thousand board feet a year then a very basic manual mill would be just fine and cheaper to buy and maintain . However if you want to do several thousand board feet a day then more power and hydraulics are a must .  I have owned  3 mills all have been Woodmizers . I started with a LT 15 and  now have a LT 40 super . I  am a 62 year old that saws by himself  so I am very thankful for log handling help from the hydraulics  . 

Hope this helps .
Bill
USAF Veteran  C141 Loadmaster
LT 40 HDD42-RA   , Allis Chalmers I 500 Forklift , Allis Chalmers 840 Loader , International 4300 , Zetor 6245 Tractor – Loader ,Bob Cat 763 , Riehl Steel Edger

shelbycharger400

well..to brag... i built it , a few parts were machined by a buddy.  Not pritty welds or paint ect,  but officially it runs, i need to do a few things, but made first cut today after wedging a log between the bunks,  finished the saw dogs today , will saw tomorrow.   i can clamp logs as short as 1 ft long up to 8 ft few inches.   its different to here the chain run at 7,000 rpm est (yet to put a tach on the engine for rpm)   powered by a 12.5 hp briggs,  electric clutch,  36 in chain bar, engine didnt dog down full bar loaded.

DeepWoods

I have a Norwood LM 2000.  While it is only a manual mill and can be a lot of work, I went with the most horse power I could get with the mill.  I have never regretted the extra HP when I didn't need it and always appreciated it when I needed it the most.  I'm sure the day will come when 23 HP won't be enough, but I will have to work pretty hard to get a log that big on the mill before that happens. 
Norwood LM2000 with 23 HP Briggs and 21 foot track, Hand Built Logging Arch, Cooks Cat Claw Sharpener and Setter. 48" Xtreme Duty Logrite Cant Hook.

red oaks lumber

fully hydralic mill  the best feature is the ride along seat ;D
the experts think i do things wrong
over 18 million b.f. processed and 7341 happy customers i disagree

Bandmill Bandit

"I went [with a] LT40HD Wood-Mizer because off-bearing is just a lot less stress on the body and I find maintenance to be easier because you don't have any real tough reaching to do to get at things. Have not regretted the decision to date. I found that operator visibility from the various positions available on Wood-Mizer mills was much better than any other mill I tried, due to the cantilever head. Service is awesome too. Never had a problem with straight sawing at all. Timber King really needs to get over that one already and find something that really is a genuine advantage in their mill."

That is what I posted in another thread. Nothing has changed.

Good luck in your search.
Skilled Master Sawyer. "Skilled labour don't come cheap. Cheap labour dont come skilled!
2018 F150 FX4, Husqvarna 340, 2 Logright 36 inch cant hooks and a bunch of stuff I built myself

plowboyswr

Thanks for all the replies so far as for what I'll be using the mill for thats hard to say mostly personal use but if the jobs come up i wouldn't turn em down! And must say that I've allready been bit by the bug ready to start sawin
Just an ole farm boy takin one day at a time.
Steve

zopi

The up/down assembly on the lt15....no guesswork...if the mill is aligned correctly all you have to do is hit the correct hole for near perfect accuracy.

But would trade that for hydraulics...
Got Wood?
LT-15G GO chassis added.
WM sharpener and setter
And lots of junk.

redbeard

I will stick with Timberking after sawing for Six years on a B-20 and having top notch tech support. I will definitely buy another TK when the day comes.
Whidbey Woodworks and Custom Milling  2019 Cooks AC 3662T High production band mill and a Hud-son 60 Diesel wide cut bandmill  JD 2240 50hp Tractor with 145 loader IR 1044 all terrain fork lift  Cooks sharp

Norm

One of the best options to get is the debarker. Hydraulics is a close 2nd.

glenn molenaar

Welcome, I'm still dreaming of owning a mill, looks like we are neighbors. I'm just outside of Wentworth. I've been reading posts here a couple times a day. Great site to learn from.

paul case

Well maybe ya ought to come look at my mill and see what I like about it. I am only about 25 miles from Carthage.

Probably that thing has paid for itself in the first project and made me a living ever since. PC
life is too short to be too serious. (some idiot)
2013 LT40SHE25 and Riehl edger,  WM 94 LT40 hd E15. Cut my sawing ''teeth'' on an EZ Boardwalk
sawing oak.hickory,ERC,walnut and almost anything else that shows up.
Don't get phylosophical with me. you will loose me for sure.
pc

Piston

Okay so it's not too mill specific, but the one thing I will never be without is a tractor with grapple and forks to deal with logs and mill scraps.   It really does make a difference.  A lot of milling is how you move the material. 

However, I reaaaaaaallly want hydraulics....
-Matt
"What the Lion is to the Cat the Mastiff is to the Dog, the noblest of the family; he stands alone, and all others sink before him. His courage does not exceed his temper and generosity, and in attachment he equals the kindest of his race."

thecfarm

plowboyswr,welcome to the forum.Ever been around a mill before? Took me about 10 years to decide what I wanted. You will probably never see mine in person,it's a Thomas. Built by a machine shop here in Maine. I like it because I can move the bunks and cut a 2 foot piece of wood. I bought it with the longer track,cut 20 foot logs if I wanted too. I think I have a 18hp Honda on it,I forgot.It's only for my own use,all manual. It's a very simple mill. Something that can sit for a year and the motor is the only thing that may give me a hard time. If I was doing it again,I would probaly go with an electric mill. Tell us your plans for the mill. Do you have your own logs? Mine suits me just fine,what little I use it.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

JP135

I have a Woodmizer LT15. It is a manual mill. It's rock solid and there's not too many things to break. It does a great job. I really like the Woodmizer company - great tech support when you need it; authorized dealers all over the country; very popular brand with sawyers; all their products have an excellent reputation and are well engineered, and I personally appreciate the Christian ethics of the company. If you're cutting for yourself, the LT15 is a great way to go.

I started doing work for other people within a week of getting my saw. Nothing huge, but by being fair and charging a little less, I've built up a couple of solid little accounts. I work two or three hours every day milling, sometimes more. The manual sawmill is still fun, but I really need to move up to something with at least basic hydraulics or a winch for loading, and power feed. And while I'm dreaming, hydraulic clamps and power up/down would be nice too. I'm beating myself to death pushing that carriage through the log and pulling it back to start again. If I put in more than three hours in, I really pay the price with joint and muscle pain.


Chuck White

Welcome to the Forestry Forum plowboyswr.

I would not be without the debarker or the hydraulics.  :)

The debarker extends "blade life" 4 to 5 times and the hydraulics extends my "back life".  ;)

About the only times we use a peavey or cant hook is to roll a log from the pile to the loading arms.  ;D
~Chuck~  Cooks Cat Claw sharpener and single tooth setter.  2018 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Subaru Ascent.
With basic mechanical skills and the ability to read you can maintain a Woodmizer  LT40!

plowboyswr

As far as log handling equipment i've allready got that covered. I dairyfarm with my dad and brother so there are several tractors, bobcats, and even a forklift at our disposal. We've about 200 acers of timber mostly oak, walnut, black locus,and hedge. We've been cuttin hedge posts for years so I'm no stranger to a chainsaw and skiddin logs. I keep lookin at em and thinking that would make some beautiful cabinets! We had one that the wind took out last year that was 32" on the small end, 42" on the big end, and 35' to the first branch just as strait as any oak or walnut would hope to be. Now I know that it would take one heck of a mill to handle that, but a feller can dream can't he. And I've been lookin at mills for about 9 or 10 years now. Watched some TKs in action and some WM. And paul i may have to take u up on that demo. Seen lot of things that i liked on various mills and somethings i didnt
Just an ole farm boy takin one day at a time.
Steve

tcsmpsi

I wouldn't say I couldn't do without, purt nearly any/everything.  But, there are a couple things about my mill that I do like considerably.  I like the plain weight/heft of its compenents.  I like the simplicity of its design and function.  I like the mesh design of the wheel covers, as I can always see what's up in there, no clogging up of sawdust and such, helps keep all components in side cool.  I like the spacing and 180 degree application of the clamps, and that it throws sawdust on the offside.   And, of course, I like having the factory a little over an hour away.
\\\"In the end, it is a moral question as to whether man applies what he has learned or not.\\\" - C. Jung

JP135

Quote from: tcsmpsi on December 19, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
I wouldn't say I couldn't do without, purt nearly any/everything.  But, there are a couple things about my mill that I do like considerably.  I like the plain weight/heft of its compenents.  I like the simplicity of its design and function.  I like the mesh design of the wheel covers, as I can always see what's up in there, no clogging up of sawdust and such, helps keep all components in side cool.  I like the spacing and 180 degree application of the clamps, and that it throws sawdust on the offside.   And, of course, I like having the factory a little over an hour away.

Yours is a LogMaster?

SamB

My  TK1220  is a solid little sawmill which serves my needs very well. It gets used in cycles and may sit idle for weeks or months at a time, but it was paid for the day I brought it home. A quality machine to mill some lumber where high production isn't an issue and a smaller investment is appealing. A roof over the mill and a couple cant hooks. :)

tcsmpsi

Quote from: JP135 on December 19, 2011, 10:02:02 AM
Quote from: tcsmpsi on December 19, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
I wouldn't say I couldn't do without, purt nearly any/everything.  But, there are a couple things about my mill that I do like considerably.  I like the plain weight/heft of its compenents.  I like the simplicity of its design and function.  I like the mesh design of the wheel covers, as I can always see what's up in there, no clogging up of sawdust and such, helps keep all components in side cool.  I like the spacing and 180 degree application of the clamps, and that it throws sawdust on the offside.   And, of course, I like having the factory a little over an hour away.

Yours is a LogMaster?

Yes.



 
\\\"In the end, it is a moral question as to whether man applies what he has learned or not.\\\" - C. Jung

paul case

My mill has a BIG mouth, or is that throat?  The ez boardwalk mdl 40 will handle that log you are talking about.
I think most folks could agree that a manual mill is a good place to start, and if you enjoy it and find enough work to justify it move up to a bigger mill. If not almost any manual mill will come in handy or at least don't cost a fella that much to try. PC
life is too short to be too serious. (some idiot)
2013 LT40SHE25 and Riehl edger,  WM 94 LT40 hd E15. Cut my sawing ''teeth'' on an EZ Boardwalk
sawing oak.hickory,ERC,walnut and almost anything else that shows up.
Don't get phylosophical with me. you will loose me for sure.
pc

Ianab

QuoteWe had one that the wind took out last year that was 32" on the small end, 42" on the big end, and 35' to the first branch just as strait as any oak or walnut would hope to be. Now I know that it would take one heck of a mill to handle that, but a feller can dream can't he.

When the logs get bigger you need to look at a swing blade sawmill. Peterson or Lucas. Sure they are (mostly) manual, but they are very light weight. You don't even bother moving a big log like that, just take the mill to it, set it up and start sawing. My mill can handle logs up to ~60", but you can drag it around on a little utility trailer behind a quad bike.

A different sort of mill from the ones you have probably been looking at - but a very versatile machine.

Ian
Weekend warrior, Peterson JP test pilot, Dolmar 7900 and Stihl MS310 saws and  the usual collection of power tools :)

countryjonez

i love my lt10!! not fast not easy,but pound for pound its a tough little mill for a great price. anyone looking to saw that doesnt mind some work will love this mill and the price tag.
If God be for us who can be against us ?

wormy

i have a 95 woodmizer lt40 hd got it at a good price because it is an older modle but it is solid as a rock and has all the hydrolics. it would be hard for me to go with a lesser mill now because i like spending my time sawing not loading and turning logs.

Sixacresand

I agree with CountryJonez.  The LT10 does a great job for the money.  I like having a sawmill on the farm and not  be in the sawmill business.
"Sometimes you can make more hay with less equipment if you just use your head."  Tom, Forestry Forum.  Tenth year with a LT40 Woodmizer,

logboy

Quote from: Ianab on December 19, 2011, 08:05:41 PM
QuoteWe had one that the wind took out last year that was 32" on the small end, 42" on the big end, and 35' to the first branch just as strait as any oak or walnut would hope to be. Now I know that it would take one heck of a mill to handle that, but a feller can dream can't he.

When the logs get bigger you need to look at a swing blade sawmill. Peterson or Lucas. Sure they are (mostly) manual, but they are very light weight. You don't even bother moving a big log like that, just take the mill to it, set it up and start sawing. My mill can handle logs up to ~60", but you can drag it around on a little utility trailer behind a quad bike.

A different sort of mill from the ones you have probably been looking at - but a very versatile machine.

Ian

I'm with Ian in that I'm one of those evil swingblade sawyers with the funny blade that pivots from horizontal to vertical.   :D  But hey, we don't have to edge our boards.  ;D If you want to cut all sizes including the really big stuff without a lot of fuss then try a Lucas or Peterson.  They won't nickle and dime you with a lot to go wrong or maintain. Get the slabber with it and you can cut table tops.  Big logs are niche market if thats what you want to do, and a lot of my business is the big stuff others cannot cut.  I just landed another job tonight slabbing a 60" x 40" burl for a guy.  A surprising amount of my business is from guys that own a bandsaw or even big commercial mills who can't cut the big stuff.  Heaviest log I slabbed was a 38" diameter 19' WO for another forum member.  The biggest diameter I have cut is 60" (max I can cut) at the fork and 48" at the butt.  No need to rip it into quarters or in half with a chainsaw first, or use any heavy equipment to move it down the road, or rotate the cant either.  Set the mill up around it and saw it until its gone. 

I like Lucas Mills and big wood.  www.logboy.com

Piston

Logboy,
That is pretty impressive...

;D ;D
-Matt
"What the Lion is to the Cat the Mastiff is to the Dog, the noblest of the family; he stands alone, and all others sink before him. His courage does not exceed his temper and generosity, and in attachment he equals the kindest of his race."

Celeriac

I will speak up to say that I like my trailer mounted Mobile Dimension 128. It's an oddball, being a circular mill that edges. By design the mill lends itself more toward cutting dimensional lumber, but it does fine cutting 4/4,etc. If one were cutting a lot of grade cherry and walnut it would not be the right mill. Conversely, I did take my mill down to the camp to cut White Pine for a barn project. The mill really did well. The finished lumber was much better than what the other sawyer cut with his WM. 

I think that if you are serious about buying a mill that you should look around locally to see what is available on the used market. Buy something reasonably priced and in decent condition. If it's too expensive you'll feel guilty about not using it. If it's a wreck you may get discouraged early on. I picked up my mill at a local farm sale for a good price. Most likely nobody else knew what it was  ??? It has seen a hard life and I'm still working the bugs out. But it has been a worthwhile education.
Currently learning the ins and outs of a Mobile Dimension 128.
"What's that?"
"My sawmill."
"Looks like a VW ran into an antenna tower!"

shelbycharger400

QuoteIt has seen a hard life and I'm still working the bugs out

kinda sounds like any piece of equipment..new or used!

Woodwalker

Quote from: tcsmpsi on December 19, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
I wouldn't say I couldn't do without, purt nearly any/everything.  But, there are a couple things about my mill that I do like considerably.  I like the plain weight/heft of its compenents.  I like the simplicity of its design and function.  I like the mesh design of the wheel covers, as I can always see what's up in there, no clogging up of sawdust and such, helps keep all components in side cool.  I like the spacing and 180 degree application of the clamps, and that it throws sawdust on the offside.   And, of course, I like having the factory a little over an hour away.

[/quote
Quote from: tcsmpsi on December 19, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
I wouldn't say I couldn't do without, purt nearly any/everything.  But, there are a couple things about my mill that I do like considerably.  I like the plain weight/heft of its compenents.  I like the simplicity of its design and function.  I like the mesh design of the wheel covers, as I can always see what's up in there, no clogging up of sawdust and such, helps keep all components in side cool.  I like the spacing and 180 degree application of the clamps, and that it throws sawdust on the offside.   And, of course, I like having the factory a little over an hour away.


Mine is a Logmaster  also and it's a solid built piece of equipment. It's built with off the shelf parts. About the only thing on the mill you won't find at NAPA is the 36" CNC cut steel band wheels. The only drawback is that I have to take a two hour drive to go visit and look at the new mills.
Just cause your head's pointed, don't mean you are sharp.

mandolin

Plowboy, if want a small mill to cut just for you or your friends, for the money you can't beat a Hud-Son. I've had a 228 for 4 years and I love it. Its all manual. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment
2008 Hudson 228
1945 Boice-Crane Planer
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
Husqvarna 455 Rancher
Dehumidification kiln
Complete cabinet/furniture shop
Professional turkey boxcall tuner

Magicman

First Welcome to the Forestry Forum plowboyswr.  I would not want to eliminate any of my sawmill's features.  The hydraulics are the workhorses that easily and quickly do the log handling, the Debarker cleans the saw path and keeps the blade from quickly dulling, the Setworks insure uniform and accurate lumber.

That being said, do not hesitate to explore the used sawmill market.  I did.  Also, take Paul Case up on his field trip offer.  It will absolutely be time well spent.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

plowboyswr

Thanks to all the replies and all the feedback I enjoy reading everything here on FF still trying to absorb all the info and knowlage thats contained here. Glad I found this site. Mm I fully plan on taking paul up on his offer soon as I can find the time. We have a big project going on here at the farm so I cant seem to get away just yet. But I keep reading and learning!
Just an ole farm boy takin one day at a time.
Steve

TWCCO

Quote from: plowboyswr on December 26, 2011, 10:07:53 AM
Thanks to all the replies and all the feedback I enjoy reading everything here on FF still trying to absorb all the info and knowlage thats contained here. Glad I found this site. Mm I fully plan on taking paul up on his offer soon as I can find the time. We have a big project going on here at the farm so I cant seem to get away just yet. But I keep reading and learning!
LOGMASTER LM-4 51 hp cat diesel, full hydraulics,36" x 24' log capacity.....cuts like butter !

Magicman

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, TWCCO.   :)

Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

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