Value of a Sanborn sawmill!

Treelover · March 04, 2015, 04:47:51 PM

I am going to look at a Sanborn sawmill. Need to learn more about them and how I can ask the right questions to know what the value of it is.

beenthere · March 04, 2015, 05:24:44 PM

Is it the slant band Min-Max ? Are you going to see it running, and sawing logs?

47sawdust · March 04, 2015, 05:43:25 PM

They are very well made machines.The sawmill exchange web site has 2 for sale .1@20kanother @52k...both slant variety.Another was sold in N.H. recently for 17.5k,it was a more conventional horizontal band mill.about 37'' throat capacity.I don't know if they are still in business.
Good luck,if it hasn't been abused and it suits your needs I don't think you can go wrong.

loggah · March 04, 2015, 05:44:49 PM

Theres a couple different models,so that depends. My brother has had real good luck with his 6-36 model.I know they made couple smaller ones,some diesel powered,and some electric.I know Dale still has parts,dont know if hes still building mills. Don

rwepinetree · March 04, 2015, 07:05:59 PM

I ran one and sawed over a million BF of mostly hardwood the only thing I didn't like was the cost of the bands and the maintenance of the bands. Overall they are a solid machine
. I just talked to Dale Sanborn a few months ago.

rwepinetree · March 04, 2015, 07:07:47 PM

You can call Sanborn machine in Waterford Maine

Treelover · March 05, 2015, 08:36:46 AM

I am going to look at this weekend. Yes it is still sawing so I should be able to see it run. I beleieve it is a Min Max and I am trying to get a model number and hours and the year it was made information so I can get a better idea of what it is worth. Will put up more information later. Thanks guys.

1colinmc · August 11, 2018, 05:18:08 PM

Interested in a sanborn myself did you ever get one?

shenandoahsawmill · August 11, 2018, 10:44:21 PM

Be sure to ask if the saw blade maintenance equipment comes with the mill purchase as well as training to for wide band work, you will need a sharpener, swage, shaper, roller and bench, hammer etc. ,to do the work yourself. Buying all of this new or even used could set you back $25,000.00 to $35,000.00 or as much as the mill. If you farm this work out you will need a local shop because shipping those large saw blades is a PITA. You will also need extra blades if you farm out the work so that you can keep sawing while blades are out for work. A total of about 10 saw blades should keep you going and they cost about $250.00 to $350.00 each.

tfcraftlumber · August 15, 2018, 07:31:12 AM

Does anyone have one of these sanborn mills in the new england area that i could look at? Want to see one in operation. Not too many on youtube

moodnacreek · August 15, 2018, 12:49:07 PM

Quote from: tfcraftlumber on August 15, 2018, 07:31:12 AM
Does anyone have one of these sanborn mills in the new england area that i could look at? Want to see one in operation. Not too many on youtube

If I was trying to go faster and save kerf I would buy one. You will be impressed if you see one run.

bigalalexander · August 17, 2018, 01:04:47 PM

Hello
I have one of the only double cut Sanborns in the country. I have cut upwards of 12 million ft with the mill If anyone has question about these mills or would like to see one run I just give a shout.