Sawmill finally operational

[KubotaToy]

Purchased a Woodland Mill sawmill 3 weeks ago, finally had good weather and time to set it up. Now I need to learn how to mill logs, this is my first practice log and pictures of a maple 2x12 I cut this afternoon.

 

[roadhunter]

Nice! Can't' wait to see what it will do.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Looks good. Do you have your dimensional lumber project list in order yet?
What are you going to build first?

 

[KubotaToy]

Looks good. Do you have your dimensional lumber project list in order yet?
What are you going to build first?

No project specifically in mind, just been clearing 4 acres of trees and around my pond for the past two years and the trees have collected into a pretty big pile, but my wife did come home with a book from the bookstore titled, "Barns, Sheds & Outbuildings," and she has several pages tabbed already.

I was surprised the cost of custom milling around me, quotes of 300-375 per 1000 bf for pine and 75-100 per hour for hardwoods. I did not buy a high dollar fancy mill, so I am thinking I will just about pay for it by the time I am done (my time is free). I have about 100 pines in the 16"-24" range, about 100 in the 10"-14" range, several very large populars, maples red oaks, a bunch of 10"-16" cedars.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

If i had the timber, I'd get one.
Looks nice.

 

[newbury]

Purchased a Woodland Mill sawmill 3 weeks ago, finally had good weather and time to set it up. Now I need to learn how to mill logs, this is my first practice log and pictures of a maple 2x12 I cut this afternoon.

No project specifically in mind, just been clearing 4 acres of trees and around my pond for the past two years and the trees have collected into a pretty big pile, but my wife did come home with a book from the bookstore titled, "Barns, Sheds & Outbuildings," and she has several pages tabbed already.

I was surprised the cost of custom milling around me, quotes of 300-375 per 1000 bf for pine and 75-100 per hour for hardwoods. I did not buy a high dollar fancy mill, so I am thinking I will just about pay for it by the time I am done (my time is free). I have about 100 pines in the 16"-24" range, about 100 in the 10"-14" range, several very large populars, maples red oaks, a bunch of 10"-16" cedars.

Why are you keeping the logs fenced? Will they run away?
Usually after I first get a log to lay down it stays there by itself.

Admittedly after I slice some of them up (especially sweetgum) they may twist and turn and almost walk away.

Be careful of letting them lay to long, I've had maple spalt badly and ping go bad after about a year or so.

 

[stuckmotor]

I was curious about the fence myself, but I couldn't have phrased the question as eloquently as did newbury.

 

[Alien]

I am jealous of your mill.

I seriously looked at a Lucas Mill but the money got used on other things. Now I have a 6 meter log, 1 meter in diameter lying here and nothing to cut it up with. I could so use the timber for many things.

 

[stuckmotor]

So, it was a self preservation deal on your part. Good move. I'd actually seen the goats and thought you might have fenced them away from the logs so they wouldn't pee on them.

 

[EddieWalker]

Congratulations. I've always wanted one of those. I saw a real fancy one with a Kubota diesel engine and more hydraulics on it then my backhoe at an auction a few years ago. I spent over an hour playing with it, looking at it and watching others play with it. I really wanted it, but then reality hit me and I knew I would never have the time to enjoy it. Same thing as a boat, I really want one, but I know I'll never use it.

What are you going to do about the weather?

 

[KubotaToy]

Congratulations. I've always wanted one of those. I saw a real fancy one with a Kubota diesel engine and more hydraulics on it then my backhoe at an auction a few years ago. I spent over an hour playing with it, looking at it and watching others play with it. I really wanted it, but then reality hit me and I knew I would never have the time to enjoy it. Same thing as a boat, I really want one, but I know I'll never use it.

What are you going to do about the weather?

I plan on building a shed around the mill eventually and mount the mill about a foot higher off the ground, but for now it will need to survive by being covered. It came with what looks like a overgrown BBQ grill cover for the motor.

I know what you mean about time and toys, I have a 4 year old pontoon boat with about 25 hours on it and a 3 year old Victory MC with only 4k miles on it. But milling logs is work while having fun, kill two birds with one BB.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I plan on building a shed around the mill eventually and mount the mill about a foot higher off the ground, but for now it will need to survive by being covered. It came with what looks like a overgrown BBQ grill cover for the motor.

I know what you mean about time and toys, I have a 4 year old pontoon boat with about 25 hours on it and a 3 year old Victory MC with only 4k miles on it. But milling logs is work while having fun, kill two birds with one BB.

I gladly trade you a BB gun for your "useless" pontoon boat...

Keep posting pics please, I like seeing how your timbers come out. Thanks!

 

[Stimw]

The learning curve for a saw mill isn't bad.
I bought the mill that HF sells 2 years ago and have been very impressed with it's operation.
Your next step is to go to- www.forestryforum.com and start reading.
You will find many years of experience to draw from.