I want a sawmill

gregfender · Mar 20, 2011

After seeing some of the projects here, I am starting to lust after a sawmill. I have the perfect place for it, plenty of timber on my property - tall hemlock, white pines, tons of poplar, and assorted other hardwoods...now if I can just convince the wife of the necessity of one.

Western · Mar 20, 2011

Boy , I hear ya. I'd love to have a mill, I just don't have any Pines. I am covered in Oaks that I would not cut since they take so long to grow.

My brothers FIL has a nice one he bought for $11k. Up until recently, they where cutting on a contract for hardwood rail road ties in Oklahoma. Then the engine was "stolen" so now they are trying to find a replacement.

Carykong · Mar 21, 2011

Tractors and logmills really go together. I have owned both for many years. You have a great source for timber. Your building projects may take longer but you save lots of money after all is finished and lots of satisfaction in the bargain. good luck with the wife.

atgreene · Mar 21, 2011

Do the math, depending upon what you "want", a used circular mill like a Bellsaw is a heck of a lot cheaper per board foot than a new band mill. I laugh when I see guys buy a $45,000.00 band saw mill. They can saw for years and never recoup that, all so they save an 1/8" of curf. If it's for your own use, buying used and buying a circular blade will save you thousands and still cut you very nice lumber.

We have a 42" Bellsaw pto driven. Hard to beat it.

Army grunt · Mar 21, 2011

I built my own mill.I have less than $3,ooo in it.It was a fun project.
My mill pictures by falcon6667 - Photobucket
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/falcon6667/IMG_5172.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/falcon6667/IMG_5174.jpg
Army Grunt

Army grunt · Mar 21, 2011

I built my own mill.I have less than $3,ooo in it.It was a fun project.
My mill pictures by falcon6667 - Photobucket
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/falcon6667/IMG_5172.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/falcon6667/IMG_5174.jpg
Army Grunt

caver · Mar 21, 2011

I found mine (Baker) lightly used on ebay and it was only 100 miles from me.

EZ Boardwalk junior is a good little mill for the money. Saw it in person when visiting them at their farm where they build them. Amish family, nice folks.

Sawmill, yeah it's work. Getting the logs up on the bed, rotating them, pulling the lumber off which is much heavier than kiln dried wood. No regrets about buying mine.

20 20 · Mar 21, 2011

My band mill owes me nothing saved me thousand on projects and even made some $$$.

77transam · Mar 21, 2011

Army grunt said:
I built my own mill.I have less than $3,ooo in it.It was a fun project.
My mill pictures by falcon6667 - Photobucket
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/falcon6667/IMG_5172.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/falcon6667/IMG_5174.jpg
Army Grunt

That's pretty darn impressive Grunt!:thumbsup: Did you fabricate the band-saw portion too? Was it a kit or salvaged from another mill?

Army grunt · Mar 21, 2011

Its a "linn 160"mill that was built.It comes in a kit form for like 300 less. I think i paid 1800 BUILT. Not really sure, ALL the rest i Scratch built from referencing pics. i came across. I over built it an made a power feed, auto up&down,I even built the electric starter.A friend built the lifting beam, An gave me the winch for it, (with ought it I could never turn the "cant")If you look at the pics every thing thats yellow Is my doing no plans. Also its sitting on concrete pads so it stays straight

My mill pictures by falcon6667 - Photobucket
Army Grunt