Want to buy a sawmill - Talk me out of it!
- Thread starter HawkinsHollow
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HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
Yeah, I looked. Where were a few more expensive mills in the LT15 range for $10-$13K, but not in the budget. I bet mills like the Woodland Mills are so inexpensive that a guy wanting to sell one could get rid of it to a friend or neighbor before it ever hit FB marketplace. I did see a ragged one out of my driving range for over retail.
OP
HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
Being a soon to be miller already has me looking at trees differently. Took a trip over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house. Saw a bunch of cypress trees, thought to myself, I would like to have some cypress to mill. Saw a really nice red cedar rocking chair in the back of a truck and thought, I need more red cedar in my life it's pretty.
deezler
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2012
- Messages
- 3,908
- Location
- Southeast MI
- Tractor
- Cub Cadet 7305, Kioti CK3510seh TLB
Well Merry Christmas to you!
I would have trouble sleeping if a sawmill was about to arrive to my property. So much logistics in play. Take your time and set it up right. Can't wait for the pics!
I would have trouble sleeping if a sawmill was about to arrive to my property. So much logistics in play. Take your time and set it up right. Can't wait for the pics!
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
anyone near me need any old double hung windows, I got several I'll give for free. assuming they still are good, been stored under a roof, behind my shed. Think the bottoms have something under them.I'm not sure why someone would need to plane lumber for an outbuilding. I've built several right off the mill, including my deer blind,
It's basically post and beam, with board and batten siding, I find the windows along the road cheeep or free.
It's worked out perfectly...
SR
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
Here comes Santa Claus!!!!!! Congrats on ordering.
ponytug
Super Member
Yes. Most are corrosive to galvanized or plain steel. You need stainless, cement, or a piece of untreated wood in between.
All the best, Peter
OP
HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
Thank you sir! Yes, plenty to do before it gets set up. But the plan is to do it right from the get go. So time I must take to do it right.
@ponytug thanks for that info. I will find something to set between the PT and steel feet.
ponytug
Super Member
If you decide to use wood, I would consider fastening the wood plates to the pressure treated, and counter boring an area to match the feet on your sawmill. If you use metal, I would fasten it as well. In general, taking a little extra time to build in a compacted and stable foundation will pay you back over the long haul.
If you have a laser level, many of them are darn accurate over the distance that you are trying to level out, but I would expect to do it initially and then double check after some amount of use.
All the best,
Peter
If you have a laser level, many of them are darn accurate over the distance that you are trying to level out, but I would expect to do it initially and then double check after some amount of use.
All the best,
Peter
fruitcakesa
Veteran Member
I was lucky enough to find my mill used about an hour away. Had 45 hours on it. Saved about $1k
Lucky. Finding a good used mill around here is like finding a good used logging winch.
fruitcakesa
Veteran Member
I also found my winch the same way and it was only 20 minutes away from my house
OP
HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
Shipment confirmed and January 2nd delivery appointment! Now that is FAST, especially during the middle of the holidays. I plan on putting it together 80% of the way in my shop while i get the mill site ready and then trailer it over in 3 pieces and set it up at the property. I have had lots of Christmas downtime to plan and plot, watch videos, make lists, etc. I am ready. Kind of excited to start a new year milling lumber. Stay tuned!
TractorTYMe
Veteran Member
Congrats, you will have a new hobby now.
If you haven’t seen it yet, this guy has Some videos worth looking at
Urban Logging – Matt Cremona
mattcremona.com
ponytug
Super Member
I agree. He has quite the series, and that homemade mill to tackle the monster silver maples that he had in Michigan is amazing. The tip of painting log ends upon arrival has helped me.If you haven’t seen it yet, this guy has Some videos worth looking at
Urban Logging – Matt Cremona
The saw mill base is something to behold, as is the effort to make it flat and keep it flat. There is another woodworker in the Southwest who made a video series making a mill off of Matt's plans.
All the best,
Peter
Smokeydog
Elite Member
Might be needing a bigger tractor soon.
I'd be loading that onto a trailer and hauling it to the local log yard. There's no way I'd wrestle that thing around.
OP
HawkinsHollow
Veteran Member
Now that is a log!! My mill will only mill a 26" log 24" boards. I am pretty ok with that! I could see times wanting stuff bigger at points, but wrestling monsters like that on the regular might get old.
