Saw Mill - Woodworking Talk

Gerald · 06-30-2009, 12:41 PM

My son and I are thinking of purchasing a small mill for our personal use and maybe a few small side jobs.
I know that if I figure it out I could purchase a lot of board feet of lumber for the price of the mill. But my son is young (early 20's) and ambitious and this would be some great father/son time working together. Which is priceless.
Anyone have any experience with the following mills?
http://www.crosswoodstimberproducts.com/
We have a way to handle the timber. Truck/trailer, skid loader etc.
Just need a saw now.

Any advise on other mills that are liked or disliked would be appreciated also.

Thanks,
Gerald

**Daren** · 06-30-2009, 01:19 PM

Are you looking at the one that sits on the ground (cheapest one, model #0) or the next one with the trailer package ? The cheap one compared to other makers you are not getting much for your money IMO, it's for only sawing small logs (20" x 8'). There are a dozen other makers within $500 or so more you get alot more mill...Now the second one on the trailer package Model #1 doesn't look like a bad deal to me really. 28" logs 16' long. I know nothing about the company and usually take that into account, you know the major brands have been making them for decades now. Maybe this guy knows what he is doing and has built an as good/better mill I don't know. I would ask to see one run though, that goes for any mill a guy plans on buying even from the big names. I would not rule out Model #1, looks priced right to me and he is sorta local to you right ?

Gerald · 06-30-2009, 03:41 PM

Daren- Thanks for the response.
Yes he is kinda local (6 hours) from my house. I do want a portable mill. Just because I think it opens up other opportunities. (maybe?)
I am also considering Woodmizer they (factory) is only 1-1/2 hours from home. They are a little more pricey but maybe a better saw? Parts availability is also a consideration.
You mentioned other manufactures within 500 bucks and more saw. Who are you refering to? I have also looked at the Hud-son. They have a dealer about 2 hours from me. Looking at their web-site their equipment looks to be built on the light side. I have not put my eyes directly on one though.
I am in the research mode right now. With the economy running a little slow Maybe one of the big names will run some good deals.
Who knows?
Who's saw do you use?
Thanks,
Gerald

**Daren** · 06-30-2009, 04:39 PM

I run a http://www.taschmid.com/ "Economizer" with a 13 HP Honda on a homemade saw deck. It will saw a 36" log and the length I guess is unlimited, just have to built more track Parts was one of my concerns too starting out, I didn't want to have to go to the manufacturer for them. T A Schmid all the parts that would ever need replaced can be bought at the hardware store off the shelf...but knowing what I know now it would not have made much difference I guess. I bought the mill in 2004 and so far have replaced the starter rope ($4, bought enough next door at the lawn mower shop to make 2 in case it ever breaks again) It is just a well built machine, I sure have not taken it easy on it, I have beaten the dickens out of it and it still cuts as true as day one.

When I said $500 or so for a better saw I meant most of them, Hudson-WoodMizer-Norwood...I just did not like the base model you linked.

Also knowing what I know now I would have no hesitation to buy a used manual mill (just not that much to go wrong with them) Here are some bigger manuals, and a little more spendy maybe, but a place to look at the different kinds out there. http://www.sawmillexchange.com/band.htm

dirtclod · 06-30-2009, 05:33 PM

I'm not familiar with the crosswood sawmill. The capacities listed on their website seem to be large for the engines proposed. I would have to have a 13hp min. for a 30" log/20+hp would be better.

I run a Norwood and can give you some skinny on it if you find interest.

Sticking with name brands has its plusses. But if you're handy around the shop most manual sawmills can be fixed with parts you make or from other sources.

Here's a sawmill manufacturer nearby in Zanesville: http://americanbandsawcompany.com/bandsaw_mills.htm

Here's another sawmill manufacturer not far away in Kentucky: http://www.timbermule.com/

May be worth some road trips to the nearby manufacturers to see their products in operation.

jeffreythree · 06-30-2009, 09:34 PM

Don't forget used. A good place to start is here: http://sawmillexchange.com/ . There is a TA Schmid in PA on there with a trailer package and a Simplicity for only $3500. On Craigslist a guy here in Dallas is selling a Woodmizer LT15 with trailer package for $5800 and someone by you has an LT40 for $20k. There are a lot of used mills out there right now.

Gerald · 07-01-2009, 07:32 AM

Thanks to all for the info.
I will be checking out the options you all suggested.
I'll let you know what I come up with. I am not in a big hurry so time is on my side. I can do more looking around.
Thanks again
Gerald

**TexasTimbers** · 07-01-2009, 08:44 AM

I would look at used also. You can often pick up a used model with light hydraulics for not much more than a large new manual mill.

While people either love or hate woodmizer, one thing I can testify to is their customer service. I have a used one, and they treat me the same as if I had bought it new. One day not long after I bought my mill, I recieved thick manilla envelope in the mail from WM. It was titled something like "Pre-Owned Woodmizer Welcome Package.". It was both a sincere welcome to the WM Family" and a sales tool for them for upgrades, parts, service packages etc. but I don't have a problem with that. I have never gotten a single unsolicited phone call or email from them.

Mine has enough electronics that when something goes wrong - which ain't often - I pick up the phone, dial the 800# printed on the mill, and give my customer number (they assigned). They can usually tell me what is wrong before I am done giving the sypmtoms. If there is a work-around to get it up and running until the part arrives they tell you that too. They have customer service down to a science. They have the whole history of the mill in front of them when you call.

Woodmizer is a company I suggest when someone is wanting to get into milling as a full time business. When I asked why they gave such great free phone tech service to someone who buys a used mill the tech said "If it has our name on it, we service it. Period." I think their philosophy is that when it comes time to upgrade to a new one, chances are you aren't going to buy elsewhere and risk less.

Having given WM a free glowing advert (hey they have treated me very well I owe it to them) I must say that since you are not going into it with full time goals, most of the major mill manufacturers out there are going to bend over backward to give you good service. I don't normally name a brand to stay away from but I have to say, although Timberking may be a good quality mill, they have for years focused their advertising campaign on slamming Woodmizer. I don't respect anyone who has to rely on critising someone else to make themselves look good. If their product cannot stand on its own merits, get out of business. They spin the fact that WM has the innovative *pateneted* monorail system as a bigtime weakness. Their favorite way is to say "Monorail systems can wobble" coupled with a drawing of a WM saw head wobbling like crazy. It makes you wonder how literally billions of BF that have been accurately cut by WM machines could have been done by those awfully-designed machines!!!

I didn't mean to get all wired up this morning but I get a little steamed when i think about that kind of advertising who have to put others down to build themsleves up. Re" the sawmillexchange.com it can be a good source but IMO those machines are generally over-priced. Watch your local shoppers, CL, and word of mouth. Word of mouth will be more effective tjan you can imagine, but you have to talk to several individuals everyday just in passing. Especially people you thnk have no idea what a sawmill even is. You will be shocked at how effective networking is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald

. . . I am not in a big hurry so time is on my side . . .

This is your biggest asset right now IMO. Keep that attitude and you shouldn't make a decision you will regret.

Gerald · 07-01-2009, 01:35 PM

Texas Timbers- Thanks for the information.
I am truely focused on quality service.
My real day job is Service Department Manager. We build industrial air heaters and oxidizers. They range from the smallest of one million BTU's to one hundred million BTU's. I like to tell people we like to make big fire.
You can check us out for fun if you like. WWW.StelterBrinck.com
Sorry I had to digress.
I do appreciate the info and I do agree that slamming someone else is not good business.

Thanks,
Gerald

jdixon · 07-01-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasTimbers

When I asked why they gave such great free phone tech service to someone who buys a used mill the tech said "If it has our name on it, we service it. Period."

Wow, what a concept! I love that attitude!

John

woodman58 · 07-25-2009, 11:58 AM

Gerald,
I have been looking for a sawmill for awhile. I came accross a sawmill at a logging convention. It is called Boardwalk Band sawmills.
They are made by the Amish in Emden, Missouri. They don't have a web site because they are Amish. There # is 573-633-2135. They will send you info. For around $7300 you will get a sawmill with a 24 hp Honda engine. This includes trailer package. Cutting capacity is 40" x 16'6" long. It is a manual mill. I have seen it cut 20" logs like butter.
I was able to use it at the convention. It is very easy. When my work picks up I plan on purchasing one. Good luck, Paul

**TexasTimbers** · 07-25-2009, 03:19 PM

40"!? That makes it the widest cutting production band mill that I know of outside the industrial realm. I'd love to see a video of that thing sawing a log that big.

woodman58 · 07-25-2009, 09:48 PM

To see a review of the EZ Boardwalk Sawmill. Click on EZ Boardwalk
below. This is an older review, but very good. They have changed the position that the blade runs. It now sets at an angle on the tracks, (one side in front of the other). This makes the blade almost pull itself through the log. It also now cuts a 40" log.

[PDF]
EZ Boardwalk

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
very well. We've sawn some logs as big as it will hold, up to 36 inches. 4. • Sawmill & Woodlot by Dave Boyt. SAWMILL REVIEW. EZ Boardwalk ...
sawmillmag.com/reviews/8/EZ+Boardwalk - Similar

**TexasTimbers** · 07-26-2009, 02:24 PM

I couldn't download the file.

woodman58 · 07-26-2009, 04:00 PM

If you have trouble with the link, go to WWW.sawmillmag.com . Then go to reviews and to the 3rd page of reviews. EZ Boardwalk is on that page.

Gerald · 07-27-2009, 12:41 PM

Woodman58-
Thanks for the info. I certainly will check it out.

Gerald

Fil-Dill · 08-01-2009, 09:56 PM

Gerald my son and I are working on the same idea. I live in central MO and have studied the EZ boardwalk mill. I have seen it in action at a local show and met with Mr. Zimmerman. The mill is all manual and very well built. Also he came out with a boardwalk Jr. that I am now looking into. It has been on the market for about 6months to a yr. It has a 30" log capacity by 12' on a removable trailer package for $4000. It has a 13 hp Honda and runs very well. Call the number and he is more than interesting to talk to. He also is traveling to several states to show the mills this fall and may be in your area. Good luck.

**TexasTimbers** · 08-02-2009, 09:32 PM

I don't like the idea of running those small gas engines through such wide logs. My first mill was a 23 HP Briggs which was a dream really, but I wouldn't want to use it to run through 30" logs much less 40, unless I only milled on occasion.

I am not a production mill i.e. I don't run my mill everyday for 6 to 12 hours a day. I might do that for a few days in a row and then I am shut down for a week or two processing what I just milled. I run a 42 HP diesel and can't imagine something less if I was a high production mil.

A 13 HP gas engine is not going to last under heavy, frequent use IMO. It will be s - l - o -w going. If you're milling logs up to 30" regularly then you need more horses under the hood or you're going to get really frustrated. Just know the limitations going in, that's my point.

sdefoe · 08-22-2009, 03:57 PM

If you haven't already purchased, you should research the Lucas Mill. Various prices and power. I purchased the smallest one they had about 3 years ago. I also purchased the slabber. The first 3 trees paid for it (9k+) At that price I can cut a 54" by 15' long log. Largest I have cut so far is a 48" dia. cedar and a 40" walnut. In my opinion, much more machine for the price than any of the bandsaw mills. Easier to store, setup, and use as well. Just my .02. Steve Defoe

**TexasTimbers** · 08-22-2009, 04:19 PM

Those are good points Steve. I've lusted for a swing mill for years. Like all mills they have strengths and weaknesses, but I think a band mill and a swing mill with the slabber, that's the way to go.