Going to purchase a sawmill, any thoughts?

Will be purchasing a 24-26 in. sawmill in the near future. Something basic in that $4000 range.Just wondering if anyone can steer us in the right direction as far as what to look for in a mill. Have a small grove of ash and maple to clean up and want to build a couple projects rather than a just burning it all. Thanks, Rod.

Look for used mills first. If you're looking to maximize your lumber (the least waste possible), then look at bandmills. Woodmizer is a very good machine, but also spendy.

If you're looking for low startup cost and portability, maybe a chainsaw mill would work. However, the wide kerf wastes a lot of wood.

Then there's circular mills - the type I know least (almost nothing) about. I know that modern circular mills leave a smoother cut than older mills, but they "are" out there.

Outside of that, just need to understand about stacking/stickering the lumber and proper drying. What's your lumber to be used for? If looking for highest quality, then you won't want to let the wood dry as fast as possible as this will cause checking (the grain cracks, mostly near the end of the boards, where moisture moves out the quickest).

I agree entirely with all points. There are an incredible number of used machines that were bought, used, and parked when the novelty left off. I have a bare bones unit from Hud-Son in NY. It will saw 28" to 16' length but is push powered. WOrks just fine for my needs.

Check out Norwood also.

I don't know where you are located but if you can buy in Canada it is like getting about a 30% discount....even for USA made mills.

No duty because of the free trade act.

BraD

I'd start by trying to find one to rent, you might find that it's a lot of work for not very much high grade lumber unless your woodlot is exceptional.

Old man,s (74) point of view. For most of my life I have been around mills. On my 4th wood-mizer. I have watched all kind of start up mills. You are not going to get much for 4 thousand . Or at least what you get will require a lot of work to produce much lumber. I started small and over the years have worked up to a diesel, hydraulic wood-mizer. I only saw for my recreation but like it. If you take your 4 thousand and shop wise you might get a used mill that would serve you. Craigs list has some but again a wore out one is not going to be good. What you need to look for is a guy that has bought a 15 and wanting to move up to something larger on nicer. Good luck and be careful.

Are there any mills around you that does custom work
You can probably get all the the tress sawed into lumber for less than the cost of a decent mill.

I've worked around production circle mills a lot and can say there's an art to making a circle saw cut straight, also not many people know how the properly hammer a circle saw blade to get it to cut good lumber.

If I was going to buy a hobby mill I'd get a band rig with automatic feed, pushing the saw through the wood and back would get old fast.

I have lusted after a sawmill for a long time. Some years ago I hired a guy with a Woodmizer LT40 Hydraulic several times. I also hired a Woodmizer across the State at my families farm to mill some logging left overs. Opening up those logs and seeing the grain was like a religious experience, but I diverge. I also hired a guy with a four post Amish built mill. The Amish built mill was a real Rub-Goldberg piece but I did notice the four post seemed to produce more consistent thicknesses. The Woodmizer with the single post had to have really sharp blades to maintain a consistent thickness. Otherwise I really liked the Woodmizer and still would consider one..

My comments:

1. I would look at Timberking, Norwood, and Woodmizer. Some of the "starter" Woodmizers are a two post design. Obviously there are many makes out there so others will have their favorites.
2. Look at their blade sharpening system. Will it fit your needs?
3. Look at your own physical abilities, the more aches and pains you have you might want to consider more Hydraulics.
4. Can you hire someone locally to come in and mill your lumber?
5. Used, good luck. The used ones I have looked at were priced like a new one and looked like they were always outside.
6. In my locale, it seems I can get more money for firewood than lumber. Everyone seems to think you should give them lumber for free.
7. You said you had your own projects, if you have lots of milling, go for it. If not, I suggest look to hire in a mill.
8. Do you have a plan to sticker and both air and then force dry. Are you some familiar with grading and matching grade to your project?
9. The logs you cut and how you cut them will greatly impact grade/quality.

Just my Thoughts.

Good Luck.

Paul

Go with a portable band saw like woodmizer. Even when it costs more at first, the resale value is high too. With a circle saw every 4 boards you get it puts one in the sawdust pile.

There is a site just for used mills, can't remember the name of it.

By all means check out the used market, a hint to how the owner treated it is to look at the bed posts..are they cut into by the blade[ bandsaw mill], and turn any guide wheels/pullys by hand feeling and listing for squeals and rough or rumbling in the bearings.
you can expect a lot of your troubles cutting a straight and clean board will be the blade set and sharpness, the more time spent in that area, results in product to be proud of.
You might find a bandsaw mill decent for your money, as i did, but i then put half again into a GOOD sharpener/setter unit, the NORWOOD setter is good, the sharpener was not up to consistent results, for my needs.
Sign up or check into the " FORESTRY FORUM" they have a number of categories to answer from cutting to milling and stuff for sale/purchase
And as mentioned, your physical setup site can affect which mill...like having the sawdust land on the off cut side or where you have to walk through it?
Log brow access, slab removal and slab pile space, fixed in place or portable?
hope it helps

(quoted from post at 06:29:23 12/31/17) There is a site just for used mills, can't remember the name of it.

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ne such site nation wide is " Sawmill Exchange " As phil 25 says, check out the " FORESTRY FORUM" they have a number of categories to answer from cutting to milling and stuff for sale/purchase. Their are some real rube gold-burg home made mills that guys have built thinking they are going to save money. Yea, right, they spend years and trial and error to make them work. I say spend a little more on a professional built mill and be sawing tomorrow. End of Rant..

I understand why you want one, BUT...... They are hard work and dangerous! The low priced ones don't cut uniform lumber, the adjusters are not precise.

Unless you are willing to put in a long learning curve. Find a band sawmill in your area and let them custom saw your lumber. Some of those guys will move in and set up in your woodlot and some will saw on shares.

If you find a used one, make them set it up and cut some stuff to your specification and make sure you can run it yourself.

Bill

I built mine. Bought the pulley and guide system from Timber Tech. It uses their 13'2" bands. Powered it with a Kohler engine off a 224 Case GT. I cut a lot of wood with it back in the 90s. It has been at least 10 years since I last used it. It would cut up to 30"x24' logs.
Loren

Another idea is to look up sawmill owners in your area and visit a few. Try to see their mill(s) in action, and maybe offer a day of free labor in exchange for learning. You just can't beat hands-on experience to answer lots of questions!

For finding small mill owners, look up the individual websites for the major brands of portable/personal mills and they will usually have a link showing owners in various areas, usually with contact info.

1370rod; This might not be a consideration at all since I don't know where you are, and I don't know what you plan to build, but if anything you're planning to build would be subject to permit and inspection, you'll want to be sure that self milled lumber will meet code. There's a Canadian movie called "Still Mine" which is based on a true story about a farmer in New Brunswick who runs afoul of the local building department when he tries to build a more suitable house for his ailing wife on their property using old growth self milled lumber. I'd also advise you not to look for that movie and watch it if you have high blood pressure.

Stan

Would you consider a true circular sawmill? I have made many repairs and accessories. They were very popular in the Missouri Ozarks where I grew up. They are FAST! 1000 bd ft per hour 5 men and 100 horsepower

(quoted from post at 14:40:37 12/30/17) I agree entirely with all points. [b:fb05f2495b]There are an incredible number of used machines that were bought, used, and parked when the novelty left off[/b:fb05f2495b]. I have a bare bones unit from Hud-Son in NY. It will saw 28" to 16' length but is push powered. WOrks just fine for my needs.

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or they discovered there is more to making good lumber than owning a mill. Knowing how to read the grain, knowing when to cut a 16 footer into 2 eights because of the sweep in the log, once you get it on the mill, knowing when to flip the log. Or, ya end up with lumber that looks like what's left at Home Depot after the better stuff has been pulled out of the bundle

personally, I would rather pay someone experienced that can make good lumber. went that route once, cut 13 white pine got enuf lumber to build a 30x30 barn, guy had a woodmiser, no warping (partially due to my good sticking) everything within 1/16" of dimension after dry, smooth surface right from the saw

getting ready to do the same thing again, but have to find a new sawyer, that has a reference from someone I trust to know about making lumber, or I wanna see the person in action with someone else's wood first