Eastern Red Cedar Split Rails update.

[just_sawing]

I thought that since I have now slowed down a little bit I would update the saga of Splitting Rails along with a sawmill.
As some may remember I was asked last April could I split rails for a project. I said yes and now we have split 12000 rails.
The major problem I have incurred with this blessing is infrastructure. It is one thing to switch over to providing stringers for a pallet mill and another totally bringing up new project. We ended up spending 23 thousand dollars in maintenance. 30 thousand in equipment. Would do it again in a heart beat. 

  

  

 

[petefrom bearswamp]

Wow quite a investment.
Is this for an ongoing steady market?

[dboyt]

Thanks for the update.  That takes real commitment!

[mesquite buckeye]

Nice to see those old fences new again. ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[beenthere]

Will be interested in seeing the "new" equipment needed to split the rails, if not imposing.

Do you carry through to the final placement of the fence? Or do you sell to a fencing company to do that?

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Awesome! 

[just_sawing]

50 Horse John Deere tractor, 23 thousand has gone on break downs. Make money you spend money.
We are continuing with rails and bringing the Mill on full speed. I am stock piling as much rails as possible and will be able to sell as needed.

[ESFted]

That's a beautiful fence.  Nice rails!

[Cedarman]

We put out over 10,000 sassafras rails for a project about 5 years ago.  I probably only had 500 to 1000 dollars in the splitter including the cylinder.  It was only a 4" x 2' stroke, so we had to move the cylinder down the I beam as we split.  Still could put out 50 rails and hour.  We used our old MF 3165 loader as the hydraulic power unit.  those old beasts run forever.
So that makes me curious as to where the money went on maintenance.

[just_sawing]

The big Chunk was the Planetary that went out in my 332 john deere. Also New tracks when one broke in the middle of the woods got a large chunk. It has been a wonderful learning experiance and we have made money also.
I brought on a contractor paid by the rail on splitting and have also been blessed with some great friends.