WM LT15 or Cook's MP32

Woodman12 · May 04, 2012, 01:17:20 PM

Hello FF

I am new to the forum and this is actuall my first post. I have been looking at mills for some time now and I have narrowed down my choices to two mills: WM LT15 and Cook's MP32, both stationary.

When comparing the two mills:
Price- WM LT15 6,795 Cook's MP32 6,595
Log Diameter- LT15 28" MP32 32"
Log Length- LT15 17'8" MP32 12'
HP- LT15 18hp MP32 20hp
Durability (you tell me)

I have been leaning towards the LT15 due to: Its a woodmizer and I think you get more bang for the buck. How much of a difference does 2hp make on these size mills. Please, feel free to inlude any of your input.

Thanks

Magicman · May 04, 2012, 01:44:25 PM

First, Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Woodman12. I have never seen either sawmill and have only had personal experience with one of the companies, but I am sure that both produce a quality product.

I would hate to think that I could not saw a 16' log.

Brad_S. · May 04, 2012, 02:01:32 PM

Welcome to the FF!

This is the classic Ford/Chevy question. You will get thumbs up on both units from their respective owners and be no further ahead than when you started. You will undoubtedly get more thumbs up for WM because there are more WM owners but that doesn't in the least mean it is better than Cook's. In the end, I am sure you will be happy with either unit!

Chuck White · May 04, 2012, 04:57:20 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum Woodman12, this is a great place to hang out and learn at the same time.

NOTE: Most sawmills do offer "optional" bed extentions for those wanting to saw longer logs!

paul case · May 04, 2012, 05:02:45 PM

Welcome to the forum.
I think either mill will do you a fine job. I wonedr if you looked at the EZ boardwalk model 40? Thay are a sponsor here as well. It cuts 36'' wide and 16'6'' long with either 20 hp or 24hp right in the exact same price range as the other 2. I had one and used the devil out of it. It hardly gave any trouble the wide throat made it invaluable cutting large slabs. I sold it a few months ago (3 years old) for 77% of its original cost and it made me a living for the time I had it.
I only traded up for some hydraulic log handling capabilities. PC

ladylake · May 04, 2012, 06:23:55 PM

Gotta agree with Paul here. Steve

kelLOGg · May 05, 2012, 06:13:21 AM

The MP-32 is a very rugged mill. I've had mine 10 years. Added my own labor saving features but there are no design problems as-is.
Bob

den · May 05, 2012, 09:44:32 PM

EZ Boardwalk JR, 30" X 12', $4000 + $250 for a 5' extension, gives you 30" X 17'

moandrich · May 05, 2012, 09:57:23 PM

When we were looking for new mills we felt the mp32 had more bang for the buck although I would think the resale on a woodmizer would be better. You should absolutely look at he boardwalk, I think for manual mills they would be hard to beat.

captainsawdust · May 05, 2012, 10:09:43 PM

I owned an LT 15 for four years before I bought an LT70. Loved the 15 and wish I had the room and the budget to keep both at the same time. I dont think the 2hp difference will make any difference in cutting. If you run a sharp blade, the feed rate will be determined by your muscle power and the width of the log, 2hp more wont speed up anything on a mill of this size. WM did give me 80%+ trade-in of my original purchase price on the 15 when I moved up.

MotorSeven · May 06, 2012, 09:28:42 AM

CS, 80%....wow. I wish you had not said that....makes me wonder what I could get on a trade up to the LT35HD? I've been on WM's website a few times and almost clicked on "have a salesman contact you"...but keep chickin-ing out;)

Woodman, I can only speak for the LT15. I have the 15 horse(it's an older mill) and it has done everything I ask and done it well. My only complaint is the log clamps. It came with the old screw in type which hold great but take time to set. I bought the new up graded cam action ones, but they just don't hold under certain situations. For instance when slabbing out a tall narrow cant, like a 8x16 they tend to let go and the cant can either ride up off the bunk or worse flip while cutting jamming the blade in the cut. My fix so far is to step up on the cant while cutting and walk it while pushing the head down the track....that way it can not move.

Woodman12 · May 06, 2012, 07:31:10 PM

Thank you all very much for your input. After alot of thought, and even more encouragement from my wife, I ordered the LT15 yesterday and I am going to pick it up this week. I felt like the woodmizer is definately a quality product and it will meet all of my needs. I am very excited!

Once again, Thank all of you!

Magicman · May 06, 2012, 09:20:48 PM

I am excited for you. Now you gotta dust off the old camera and snap a few.

And Congratulations for having such a smart Wife.

thecfarm · May 06, 2012, 09:26:27 PM

woodman12,welcome to the forum and congrats on the mill. What kind of wood will you be sawing?

colinofthewoods · May 06, 2012, 10:05:53 PM

One thing I really wish I had considered when I purchased my mill was- money back garantee.
It didn't come with one. and the company wouldn't take it back despite all of the problems I had.

I know wood mizer and timber king do it, not sure who else. But you never know, when you get this mill home after 1000 bd/ft it might not be right for you and you want to have the option to do something about it. You can do all of the research you can , and compare all of the numbers - but in the end you have to run the mill for a little while before you know if you made the right decision. Having to option to return it is the only way to go.

Happy Milling !

samandothers · May 06, 2012, 10:25:13 PM

Congrats on the selection. I too have been going through the decision process. Many great possibilities out there. I had spreadsheet with options, prices, shipping, taxes and I tried to compare apples to apples on options and mills.

Look forward to pictures 8)

Chuck White · May 07, 2012, 05:30:04 AM

Congratulations on the new mill!

Woodman12 · May 07, 2012, 08:09:34 PM

I will be sure to get some pics up as soon as get it home. I pick it up tomarrow! 8)

TheCFarm- right now I am going to be sawing whatever I can get my hands on. I have had some logs pilled up in my yard for about a year waiting for the day I got a mill. I have some white oaks, a red, and some cedar. My first project is going to be a shed to cover my mill. I plan on using some oak timbers for it. We will see.