Woodmizer lx25 sawmill

[fruitcakesa]

I am reaching out to you manual BSM l owners for feedback on this mill:
LX25 Portable Sawmill| Portable Sawmills & Wood Processing Equipment
I don't intend to do any production or for hire work. Just a few boards or timbers when I need some. I have the time and energy to do that.
I Have read most of the small sawmill related threads on TBN and other sites but have found no info from users.
Has anyone used one of these small manual mills?

 

[Rustyiron]

Check out "forestry forum, the sawmill section.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I'm at the same point. I am also comparing the HM122 Portable Sawmill anniversary model

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm looking at the low end Hud-Son models. They would have to forgo the funky paint job though.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I just watched both the Woodmizer and Woodland Mill videos and to my eye the Woodland mill seems to be a better value and heavier construction.
The only drawback for me is the 22" maximum log diameter on the Woodland as I have a lot of large pines that exceed that.
I will check into some other brands for more comparisons.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I wouldn't want to tackle any bigger logs with that model of woodmizer...

SR

 

[Oldpath05]

Couple things to consider to get the ducks in a row, how much mill can you afford that comes with extra blades, measure the trees that you want to saw into lumber, then get a mill that saws 4" bigger, then figure out how your going to load and turn the logs.........

 

[shooterdon]

Watching with interest.

For hobby work, does it make sense to use a chainsaw mill to take the first 2-3" off each side of a log for the few large logs we might encounter? That would reduce BSM capacity by 4-6". Kerf waste would not be a large factor and it would allow using a small mill. I realize it would be slow but I could see a small 18-20" bar saw set up for that use alone (and I have an extra saw). Much of the time wasted with a CS mill results from cutting wide boards, but the first cuts are not wide. Slabbing off the top few inches should help blade life as I assume most of the dirt and crap will in the outer slabs?

It looks like about an $800 savings in initial cost for a Woodland mill between a 22" and 26" log capacity and another jump of $1200 from 26-30".

 

[fruitcakesa]

Couple things to consider to get the ducks in a row, how much mill can you afford that comes with extra blades, measure the trees that you want to saw into lumber, then get a mill that saws 4" bigger, then figure out how your going to load and turn the logs.........

I figured extra blades are part of the expense of mill owning, I can pick and choose my trees with mill size in mind and my M will do all the heavy lifting.

 

[Oldpath05]

I'd think a chainsaw mill is one good option if one has a 70+cc saw for taking a few slabs off on big logs, it would reduce the the need for a big BSM which would reduce the cost a lot....

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Personally, I'd rather take the money spent for a bigger saw, bigger bar and all the expense to run it, and throw that money at a bigger BSM!!

Those CSM's get REALLY old, as you get even a little older!! Especially, the toll they take on your body!!

SR

 

[fruitcakesa]

Personally, I'd rather take the money spent for a bigger saw, bigger bar and all the expense to run it, and throw that money at a bigger BSM!!

Those CSM's get REALLY old, as you get even a little older!! Especially, the toll they take on your body!!

SR

Years back, 34 to be exact, when we first moved to this property we ran a Stihl 088 with a 32 inch bar on a Granberg Alaska CSM.
It did get old fast and once we finished building our home, I sold them both.
In the intervening years we have hired friends with BSM's to come and cut for us. We always loaded, tailed and stacked along with the sawyer.
It was that experience that convinced me never to own a mill and yet here I am with a change of heart...go figure:laughing:

 

[Oldpath05]

Personally, I'd rather take the money spent for a bigger saw, bigger bar and all the expense to run it, and throw that money at a bigger BSM!!

Those CSM's get REALLY old, as you get even a little older!! Especially, the toll they take on your body!!

SR

Me to, a new 70+cc saw can be very pricy and I'd only use one to make beams, cutting lumber with chainsaw mill is just not practical, I get tired just watching a video of one.....

 

[shooterdon]

Personally, I'd rather take the money spent for a bigger saw, bigger bar and all the expense to run it, and throw that money at a bigger BSM!!

Those CSM's get REALLY old, as you get even a little older!! Especially, the toll they take on your body!!

SR

Maybe I did not explain my thinking very well

How about a CS mill with a "small" saw (Rancher 455 20" bar) to take off the first 2-3" of a large log so that the log can be handled by a smaller BSM? That would allow a BSM rated for 20" logs to use logs up to 26". In my case, there is no investment in a larger saw or bar...only the CSM and some rip cut chain.

I realize for serious work, time is money. Hobby guys, may have more time than cash. Being retired, I have much more time than $$$.

I agree that a CSM is not a good way to go for cutting any quantity of lumber. Both speed and waste factor into that.

 

[deezler]

^ Don, sounds like a decently smart idea to me. Use the CSM to take 2-3" of girth off the log, if you truly have to. Say, just one basic cut on 4 sides. Not chainsawing through the entire girth of the log should make it less punishing on your body, and faster to complete. Of course, a BSM that could handle the log solo would really be better.

 

[Oldpath05]

Could try one of the chainsaw guides first to see if a (Rancher 455 20" bar) can cut the mustard, might need to add a ripping chain.
Amazon.com : Timber Tuff TMW-56 Lumber Cutting Guide : Garden & Outdoor

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A Rancher won't last long milling logs... It's too small and not made to be put into that kind of use...

Why would a guy do that again?? IF you have time and like work, just axe the bark off where the band is going to go, that will make the bands last longer...

SR

 

[Oldpath05]

A Rancher won't last long milling logs... It's too small and not made to be put into that kind of use...

Why would a guy do that again?? IF you have time and like work, just axe the bark off where the band is going to go, that will make the bands last longer...

SR

That sounds so negative cant you say something positive............

 

[Sawyer Rob]

That sounds so negative cant you say something positive............

Sure... A Rancher is a pretty good saw, but it's no milling saw...

How's that?

SR

 

[fruitcakesa]

Could try one of the chainsaw guides first to see if a (Rancher 455 20" bar) can cut the mustard, might need to add a ripping chain.
Amazon.com : Timber Tuff TMW-56 Lumber Cutting Guide : Garden & Outdoor

I addition to the Alaska mill I also had a rig very similar to the one you posted.
Nail a 2x4 to the top of the log and vertical cut the log.