Replies

1. 
   mikegagne | May 20, 2005 10:53am | #1

   Do you really want a band mill? LucasMill makes a great very portable blade mill with a chainsaw head for slabbing that is awesome for the small user. What are you trying to achieve with your saw? Aloha, Mike

1. 
   woodhoarder | May 20, 2005 04:17pm | #2

   I have the lucas mill video. I don't like the fact that the width of your boards have to be limited by the size of the circular blade, and the slabbing attachment is a lrge additional cost and would not be practical for cutting smaller logs, as it has a much larger kerf than a bandmill (3/8" vs 3/32"). The portability and the fact that it can be assembled around a really huge log are nice though. I need something that I can use to cut a variety of log sizes, for grade and things like fence posts, etc.

   Tony

2. 
   KeithNewton | May 20, 2005 04:28pm | #3

   I have the woodmizer LT 15 which is the smallest of their models. Mine stays outside on my parking lot, rather than trailering it to the tree, however it is not hard to get in and out of a trailer. I have only had a few minor repairs to make, and am pretty happy with it. Here is a link to their site.
   http://www.woodmizer.com/en/sawmills/index.aspx

   One of the things that I overlooked in the beginning was, the other things that go hand in hand, like log handling equipment. It can be pretty hard work handling just average size logs by hand, and since I seem to have a propensity for acquiring large logs which have to be quartered with a chain-saw before they will fit onto the sawmill. The day that I got my tractor was a happy day. I now have a tractor with a grab-bucket which I have jury-rigged to quickly accept forklift tines.

   Once you have started sawing, you need to know that you are now in the lumber drying business, so if you are not already up on everything that you need to know, I have found there is lots of information in the woodweb knowledge-base. You can even get plans for a solar-kiln. Here is a link.
   http://www.woodweb.com/KnowledgeBase/KBPP.html

1. 
   JeffHeath | May 20, 2005 05:17pm | #5

   rootburl,

   I'm with you with regards to the tractor.  I move my logs with my bobcat, and it completely eliminates the need for the log loader, etc... on the mill.  Those 20"+ wide wet maple and cherry boards that are 10-12 feet long are frickin HEAVY!!

   I'm 6'1" and 235, can bench press the house, and I still hate carrying those 8/4 slabs around!  (lol)  Forks on the bobcat make life a lot easier.

   For what it's worth,

   Jeff

2. 
   woodhoarder | May 20, 2005 05:48pm | #6

   Thanks rootburl.

   I actually do have a little drying experience. I came into about 2200bf of green silver maple 2 years ago. I converted a garden shed into a kiln by lining the inside with plastic sheeting and painting the outside black. 2 thrift store dehumidifiers and 3 months later, and I had pulled 37 gallons of water out of the wood. That got the MC to about 11%. it has been sitting in there sans dehumidifiers since, I just open the doors on warm days, and it's around 7% now. I have been using some of it for drawers, etc. and so far, so good.

   Tony

1. 
   KeithNewton | May 20, 2005 06:01pm | #7

   Here is another site you mite want to check out.
   http://www.sawmillexchange.com/

3. 
   JeffHeath | May 20, 2005 05:12pm | #4

   woodhoarder

   If you want to keep the cost down, and achieve very good results, you should consider one of the Norwood models.  They come in kits, shipped right to your house, and you can get a trailer package.  I've used a Woodmizer, which is a great bandmill, but the $$$ can be outrageous, as you are paying for the name.  The Norwood is half the price, and if you're not going to mill commercially, and only for personal use, it's the way to go. 

   To be accurate, I own neither.  I have been using a buddie's Woodmizer for 2 years, with good results.  I'm presently also considering buying one, so I started shopping around.  I talked to several guys who own the Norwood, and was able to demo one for about 2 hours.  To say the least, I was impressed. 

   I will be buying one this year, and it will be the Norwood.

   By the way, those who know me know that I have no affiliation whatsoever with Norwood, i'm just passing on what my research has found.  There definately are better saws out there, but not for the $$.

   Jeff