Want to buy a sawmill - Talk me out of it!

[HawkinsHollow]

I just bought a hm130max to mill some lumber for a gazebo type cover for our spa. You got it right though it is the time that is hard to find. between assembling the mill and milling lumber I missed the weather window for actually building the structure. But I am the type of person that will enjoy being able to tell people that I made everything on that structure except the tin roof and the screws that hold it together.

AMEN BROTHER!! That's what it is all about!!

 

[MadJack]

I'm 64 and beat to hell, but I absolutely LOVE logging and milling.
I have had a 'borrowed' mill here for two and a half years and gone through 25 or 30 blades. (sharpening each 5 to 7 times)
I have 123 acres of mostly old forest here in Maine with lots of old growth hemlock, pine, and hardwoods.
My advice is to by a mill that will cut 16 foot, and has a no-flex frame above all other features!
But, get a mill and a grapple for the tractor and you'll be a happy man.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I'm 64 and beat to hell, but I absolutely LOVE logging and milling.
I have had a 'borrowed' mill here for two and a half years and gone through 25 or 30 blades. (sharpening each 5 to 7 times)
I have 123 acres of mostly old forest here in Maine with lots of old growth hemlock, pine, and hardwoods.
My advice is to by a mill that will cut 16 foot, and has a no-flex frame above all other features!
But, get a mill and a grapple for the tractor and you'll be a happy man.

Got the grapple and tractor, mill has been ordered!!! 2 weeks for delivery, the holidays might extend that a bit. But that is OK because I have some work to do to prep the millsite. STAY TUNED!!

 

[Eagle1]

Got the grapple and tractor, mill has been ordered!!! 2 weeks for delivery, the holidays might extend that a bit. But that is OK because I have some work to do to prep the millsite. STAY TUNED!!

Congratulation.... now I'll have to stay tuned and save my change...

 

[Yander]

Man cut by multiple blades in deadly sawmill accident near Brashear

A deadly tragedy happened Wednesday at a northeast Missouri sawmill.

ktvo.com

Looks like I'm too late

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Got the grapple and tractor, mill has been ordered!!! 2 weeks for delivery, the holidays might extend that a bit. But that is OK because I have some work to do to prep the millsite. STAY TUNED!!

Glad we were able to talk you into it!!!

 

[paulsharvey]

Got the grapple and tractor, mill has been ordered!!! 2 weeks for delivery, the holidays might extend that a bit. But that is OK because I have some work to do to prep the millsite. STAY TUNED!!

Looks like we failed in talking you out of it

 

[Smokeydog]

Congratulations on new mill.

Used to have three circle mills within 15miles from farm. $0.06–0.08/bf. Long gone. Band mills over $1/bf plus your labor. Doesn’t take much to justify a mill for your own lumber.

Please update as you use.

 

[MoKelly]

Congrats!!! 2 weeks is pretty good. Great start to new year.

Have fun and good luck.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Thank you gentlemen!!!! Nope, you failed to talk me out of it for sure!
Looking forward to the next step.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Taking a poll for you sawmill aficionados.

1. What is the best height for the deck of a sawmill?

2. What should I use to hold the mill up? Milled 6x6 store bought PT 6x6?

 

[fruitcakesa]

I have the same mill but it is the trailer mounted model. That puts the deck at about thigh height. Mill your own 6x’s. I love my mill and while I didn’t plan to run it commercially, I found that there are a lot of folks want/need lumber. I pick and choose the ones to saw so it doesn’t become “work “. I’m 72 and retired and don’t need a job.

 

[Jstpssng]

Taking a poll for you sawmill aficionados.

1. What is the best height for the deck of a sawmill?

2. What should I use to hold the mill up? Milled 6x6 store bought PT 6x6?

You will need the frame to set the mill on. Do you want to set it up once or twice?

 

[HawkinsHollow]

You will need the frame to set the mill on. Do you want to set it up once or twice?

Yeah, that is why I asked. I DO NOT want to set it up twice. I ahve a buddy down the road with a mill that could mill me out some 6x6s but I worry about putting the mill on green lumber, couldn't it twist as it dries? I might just buy some 6x6s

 

[ponytug]

@HawkinsHollow Congratulations!

I would not want to level a mill more than once, either. I would use either concrete footings or pressure treated, but if up you use pressure treated make sure that you get the true ground contact grade (UC4A or better). The box store stuff is not going to help much.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MattB4]

I used pressure treated for my mill but after awhile I really wanted to build a concrete base that supported the rails and allowed for sawdust cleanup. I also built a raised landing on one side that allowed me to stage logs at the same height as the cutting deck and made for easy roll on of the logs. Since my mill was under a carport this simplified handling. The raised log deck made for a good walk height also as I ran the saw down the base.

If I was to do it again I would pour several concrete mini walls perpendicular that not only supported the rails but allowed a log deck be built. Like railroad ties made of concrete. Come to think of it RR ties, if you have a source, would not be a bad idea for a base.

 

[Jstpssng]

I've had mine for two years and am finally getting it set up. I built a gravel pad, poured (3) 2x3 concrete slabs, and built a frame on that. I found that using a level wasn't good enough to get it straight so am using plumb lines so that I can hopefully saw straight lumber.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Shop for a used mill. You could save some bucks.

 

[2manyrocks]

I thought PT was corrosive to metal. Would you still use it to support a sawmill or just as a base but use non PT where it contacts the mill?

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

Shop for a used mill. You could save some bucks.

You must not read it all, he has one ordered already.