choosing a bandsaw mill

[muddobber]

Happy Holidays to all;
I'm seriously thinking about buying a bandsaw mill, Mister Sawmill in Arkansas is within a couple hours of my place in Webster county MO, any thoughts on their products? I can go 6k. I don't know if it's kosher to ask, but if any of you log sawers living within a half days ride of me would be willing to show me the ropes I'd be obliged. Thanks

[bee_pipes]

Mr Sawmill is not the only mfg near you - I believe TimberKing is out there too.

Don't base buying on geographic locale - there are used mills out there. I drove to Milwaukee from Tennessee to get a good deal on a LumberMate. Prolly would have cost 12k brand new with all the options added to it, picked it up for half that.

Check out the forestry forum for information about mills. You don't even have to ask the question - search the forum and you'll find people weighing in on pro's and con's. Asking which mill is best is like asking which rifle is best - everyone has an opinion.

I don't know what your resources are, but I would recommend looking at something you can maintain yourself. Can you weld? Do you have enough cash to keep up hydraulics? Do you need to make a livelihood from it, or it it to make lumber for your own use?

There's a lot to be said for being the first owner - warranty, etc. But for a deep discount, there is a lot to be said for serviceable used gear too. Heck - the guy that sold me my mill threw in a cant hook, log carrier and over two dozen blades.

Best of luck to you.

Regards,
Pat

[muddobber]

Thanks to all for your input. I've sure got alot to learn before I'll be confident enough to commence milling lumber. Funny Pat that you should mention Rifles I just got done with a 33 year career carry one around.......Traded that life for one a little more sedate.

[bee_pipes]

Another place to look is the Norwood user forum. I have seen used mills advertised there.

http://www.norwoodindustries.com/townhall/index.php

Since ya got me started....

My favorite rifle is the Norwood. I was busting my brain to figure out how to get up the cash for one. I am a clod with tools - knew I'd go broke buying lumber I couldn't afford and making poor use of it. The old man wasn't a handy man, neither am I. Most mills have a welded bed. That makes it strong and heavy. The drawback, aside from weight, is that if it gets broken, it can be a bugger to fix and return to true. The norwood is made of small interchangeable components. If you ding or break the bed, you replace the damaged components. I can work a socket set and plumb line. The whole thing, in my somewhat biased opinion, is a marvel of engineering and manufacturing.

When buying a new Norwood mill, the first thing the happy owner must do is assemble the mill. They keep costs down by shipping components palletized. The advantage is that you are intimately familiar with the construction of the mill - you are the on-site expert. Since mine was used, it came assembled. The manual is excellent and contains a short tutorial on milling. Like you, I knew nothing of it, and six months before buying I had never even heard of a portable mill.

I pulled the mill from Milwaukee to Tennessee with a 4 cylinder Honda CR-V through the Chicago loop. I think I may have burned a little tranny fluid on some of the hills in Kentucky, but the car is no worse for wear.

The first project was rebuilding a chicken house. I used my own 2x4, 2x6 and 3/4" board for floor and walls, made from trees on my property.

I would recommend reading up on green lumber construction. "Green Lumber Construction" by Leigh Seddon is a good one. Out of print, but there are used copies on the web. Don't pay more than $10. Also, read up on pole building construction - the one in the general store is good, but ask neighbors - don't take the book as bible. If you have cedars to cut, you have good pole material. Board and batten is excellent for green walls. Right now we are working on a larger shed, with room for parking mower, ATV, brush hog, etc, with a loft for storage. My carpentry is still sloppy, my buildings look funny, but they work. I generally don't repeat construction mistakes more than two or three times...

I have earned a few bucks cutting wood for friends, and figured I could put an ad in the local paper if I needed more income. But I had a job once, it didn't agree with me.

Also, a good chainsaw is important. I got the biggest I could afford. It has a 24" bar and can handle a 36/48" if needed. I got a husquavarna because you can buy parts without going through a dealer. Also, get a book on small engine maintenance - you might need it for the mill, chainsaw, and it is useful for mowers, rototillers, etc. "Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Care & Repair" and "The Small Engine Handbook".

What was your specialty in the military? I started out as a truck driver, then an MP, then a radio operator, then a computer geek. Nothing really useful for homesteading, but I can handle firearms <g>. Could have retired in '96 if they hadn't sobered me up....

semper fi

Regards,
Pat

[desdawg]

My Norwood Luberlite arrived and it looks like this:
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4938/sawmillonpalletwf8.jpg
The instructions are easy to follow. I ran out of time last weekend putting it together but here is some progress:
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/9941/sawheadassembly1mw8.jpg
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7643/sawheadassembly2om0.jpg
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1145/sawheadassembly3ep5.jpg

[bee_pipes]

Congratulations desdawg! Yer gonna love that mill. I looked at one of those, and very nearly went with it. If they are as well built as the LM, you have a fine piece of equipment there.

The amount of usable scrap you get when making your own lumber almost pays for itself. For every log that gets cut into board and timber, there are slabs and flitches that can be used for things like trim and battens.

Are you a green newbie like me, or got some experience under yer belt? Got a local connection for resharpening? I haven't found one yet.

Keep us posted on your progress and projects.

Regards,
Pat

[muddobber]

Thanks again to all who gave me such good advice. I went to the forestry forum and REALY got an education,and some contacts who are willing to let me come out to their places and see how it's done. The one thing I did come away with is that regardless of being GREEN or not the best way to get your feet wet is to pitch in. Pat, I was with 7th Special Forces,

[desdawg]

I am new to milling. I don't have big trees and will be just making lumber for myself so I went with the Lumberlite 24. I ordered it through Northern Tool and it cost less than getting it from Norwood. :-/ (About $3300 delivered to my door) I ordered extra bands and track extensions from Norwood as they were less for the accessories. I will be putting it all together down here in the desert this winter and transporting it to my other place in the mountains up north in the spring. I will probably wind up ordering Norwoods sharpener and tooth set but one step at a time for now.
There are lots of dead but still standing trees on and around my mountain property. Once they hit the ground they become termite fodder and I hate to see them go to waste. I am always building something.

[DM]

I STILL think the Norwood Lumbermate 2000 is the most "full size" sawmill you can buy for the least $$ spent. And it does saw just as accurate of lumber as the high priced spread!

DM

http://www.fototime.com/{594996BC-86C4-49B9-B2EB-531C4F32C1ED}/picture.JPG

[fishercat]

The Forestry Forum is an awesome source of info (I'm a member ) I personally run a Turner mill and am satisfied but they all saw wood so cut the best deal you can and don't look back !!! Best of luck to you and your new mill .