Harbor Freight Question...

Hey guys...
in the harbor freight ad today...saw a personal use sawmill...$1800 bucks...with some of the coupons you could find, could get it for less...
says it'll do a 22" log...

i have always wanted a sawmill, i have some local mills, amish and otherwise, that I go to...but have always wanted the freedom of having a mill to use every now and again when I need/want some lumber.

Anyone own one of these or ever use one?
I would love a woodmizer or other bigger brand but can't justify the price for what I want it for...

just curious, hadn't seen these before.
 
I'm sure the mill from harbor freight would be of great quality. I would purchase it and call your milling company, Thick and Thin Lumber Co. It would be appropriate for the quality of boards it made.
 
Contrary to what Randy shares with the world, HF can make some adequate tools. Read their online reviews. People hold NOTHING back in the reviews. But also keep in mind that the only time people take the time to go give a review is when it is a bad one. Just because a product has a few bad reviews doesn't mean it is junk.
 
If you can swing it and think you willl use it enough to be worth the money I would look at a Turner mill. They are made in Norwich NY and the ground model can be had around $4500 last I knew. We have had one for a bit over 6 years and it has paid for itself many times over. The frame is really strong and the whole machine is well built. We looked at lots of mills and the Turner was by far the most mill for the money that we found.
Zach
 
I used to have a L15 Wood Miser and if you were not very particular on how you set it up it would not cut right. It did cut very well if you had it level and adjusted right. Keep in mind running a small mill is very physical. If you have a bad back it may not be for you. I'm sure the Harbor Freight mill will cut fine if it is set up right.
 
I couldn't find much for reviews...I didn't look too hard
Just curious if anyone had used one...certainly no dreams of
being a commercial mill...but if it is decent $1500 is a small
price
 
Go to YouTube and search for "Harbor Freight sawmill", there are several videos that you may find informative.
 
Read your coupons, HF doesn't honor coupons on some of the bigger ticket items. Other than that, go for it, main thing to consider will be finding replacement blades. If you need help finding them, give me a yell. The good thing about a bandsaw is that blades can be welded to almost any length.
 
If any bandsaw mill is not set up right you can get thick and thin lumber. I had a Wood Mizer and ran it for 15 years. One little thing goes out of wack or a bad blade and you will get thick and thin lumber. As far as blades any place that sells blade will make the to whatever length you want. When HF first started selling sawmills they were made by I think Norwood. But that may have been so the chinese could get a pattern. I knew a guy that had one of those and it worked great if you were into physical work.
Some guys hook a battery drill to the feed and it worked ok
 
I have a Turner mill. It was made in the 1950's and has a 42 foot track. A big circular blade. I guess that is not the same Turner. Mine was made in NC.
Richard in NW SC
 
Hi Steve I know I am often taken for a wise guy but do Harbor Freight and 1800 dollars really go well together in any situation.
 
True...I should stick to the $7 brad nailer, $12 oscillating multi tool...
I always get the warranty at HF. Some of their stuff holds up to years of use...some last for days
Just thought my someday dream was coming early
 
My dad was like you. He bought an old 4 ft diameter sawmill. Used old case, with a flat belt to power it. It was more of a hobby/money pit for dad. He made a lot of sawdust. Used two 3 phase motors to replace case tractor. Tractor used too much gas. Then you need a skidder to move logs.

Go for it before you get before too old to have fun.

On the other hand, I know a man with a small sawmill. I take him wood, he gives me a small of the cut wood. That works for me. No investment. Besides I don't have that many logs and really don't need that much wood.
 
I was lucky enough to find an old Foley Belsaw 50" circular sawmill for $500.00 from a guy a brother bought a tractor from. Its pto driven with a 50" inserted tooth blade and 34' track. The carriage and dogs are a bit light duty, but it does a fine job with pine, walnut and cedar. It is from the mid-60's era.
 
Bill, I laughed when I heard the local guy uses black power to split logs to go through his sawmill. Later I found on u-tube many videos of people using black power. Need to google it.
George
 
(quoted from post at 10:21:33 01/31/14) There is some type of rig you hook up to a chain saw that rides along a rail. But I don't know any names.

I built a barn with one of those. Trust me, if you have any other alternative, use it. It's not that you can't get timbers and boards out with one, it's that it takes an incredibly long time to do it. It's faster than hewing one out with an axe and adz, but not by much.
 
Make certain you own a metal detector, to find nails and spigots. Make certain you know how to sharpen a blade. Sharpening is key.
Tim
 

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