N80
Super Member
Rob has a Norwood mill iirc.
I have no experience with Norwood equipment but years ago when I was looking at their tractors I was not impressed. But when budget is an issue, and it is, and when use will be light, then a Norwood might be the ticket. I will certainly give them a look.
I've had the band mill itch for a long, long time and never really understood why Woodmizer is so popular.
Well, there is no doubt that they are tops in marketing. That is not a knock on them. The level of marketing is not in itself and indicator of poor quality. The other possibility is that they might be good. Of the three or four saw mills that I know of locally all of them are WM and all are old and still in use.
A friend has one and is constantly having electrical "issues" and the cantilever design has always been a big "why" for me, one "leg" is inherently unstable and not long ago WM introduced a 4 legged mill. :confused3:
None of the current base model WMs are cantilever. They either have two legs or four. Nothing wrong with 4 which is what the lowest end model has. None of the models I'd be considering have any electronics outside of the Kohler engine.
just like when Chevy switched to holding up a 4x4 truck with torsion bars:confused2:, just not for me but there are plenty of folks with WM saws and GM trucks.
The WWII German Panther tanks used them. I think my 03 Ford had them up front. So did my 84 Nissan. No problems. Its just a spring, and very adjustable when needed.
Anyway, I'm not focused on any one brand. I do want it to be a brand with at least some regional representation. There is a dealer about an hour from here that carries Wood-Mizer and Timbery saw mills. Never heard of Timbery.
Sawyer Rob, I'll look into Norwood and Ez Boardwalk.
I do not mind spending more on a tool if it is worth the money. On the other hand, I love finding a low cost alternative to high end stuff, as long as it is worth the savings.