Got my first portable job scheduled, and a bonus!

[Delawhere Jack]

Hey All, I just came back from visiting my first mobile sawing customer. He's got three cherry logs 18-21" and 6-10" long. They were one trunk of a three trunk tree that he cut off since it had been butchered by a utility crew a year ago and did not appear to be doing well. He's a woodworker, and he knew enough to seal the ends.

Two of the logs have a lot of tension wood, he was aware that this is a problem, but he said he would like them slabbed out and he'll see what he gets. The pith on one end of the worst piece was maybe 1/4 of the logs diameter from the bark, the others were somewhat better.

I'm guessing that the best bet to get anything useable is to put the logs on the mill with the compression and tension sides opposing each other horizontally? I'll search the forum on that, but any suggestions would help.

In talking, he mentioned that he's had some logs milled before. A gentleman in his eighties had come out several times with his LT40HD and done some milling for him. Sadly, the gentleman passed away 8 years ago.

I had to ask............ sure enough, he said that he just drove by the mans house the other day, and the mill is still there.....

I didn't press the issue. There'll be time enough to get an address when I return on Saturday to do the milling. I'm sure the man would rather see his mill put to good use rather than sit and rust in a driveway.

Don't bother asking where the job is.  ;D

[cutterboy]

Congradulations on your first job. I love sawing cherry, the wood cuts nicely and the boards have a beautiful color. Just make sure your customer knows he has to pay for damaged blades because it sounds like this tree may be a roadside or yard tree.

Have fun and make a little money, Cutter

[beenthere]

He's got three cherry logs 18-21" and 6-10" long.

Prolly a bit longer than that... ;D

or are the 18-20' long? ;)

[Delawhere Jack]

He's got three cherry logs 18-21" and 6-10" long.

Prolly a bit longer than that... ;D

or are the 18-20' long? ;)

Sorry, 6', 8' and 10' long, 18"-21" dia.

I think I may have located the LT40 from the few clues he gave me and using a GoogleEarth search....  ;D

[Delawhere Jack]

Congradulations on your first job. I love sawing cherry, the wood cuts nicely and the boards have a beautiful color. Just make sure your customer knows he has to pay for damaged blades because it sounds like this tree may be a roadside or yard tree.

Have fun and make a little money, Cutter

From looking over where the tree was cut, it looks like the chance of hitting metal is fairly low. I did advise him that I charge $25 per metal strike. The cherry looks nice, even just looking at the raw ends of the logs.

[thecfarm]

Good luck. Thinking of buying that mill?

[Delawhere Jack]

Good luck. Thinking of buying that mill?

;D

[Magicman]

The best business decision that I have ever made was buying my LT40.  The worst was not doing it sooner.  The second best decision was offering a portable sawmilling service.   

[Delawhere Jack]

The best business decision that I have ever made was buying my LT40.  The worst was not doing it sooner.  The second best decision was offering a portable sawmilling service.   

I found it, just as he described. I'm going to file this little nugget away for now. If I find that I can get enough work to justify buying it I'll pay his widow a visit.

When I first started seriously looking for a mill I saw a very nice low hours LT40HD sell for $10,500 at an auction. At the time I had no idea what the market value was, and I'd only brought about half that much. If I'd only known then what I know now....... :'(