Want to buy a sawmill - Talk me out of it!

[HawkinsHollow]

Taking a poll for you sawmill aficionados.

1. What is the best height for the deck of a sawmill?

2. What should I use to hold the mill up? Milled 6x6 store bought PT 6x6?

 

[fruitcakesa]

I have the same mill but it is the trailer mounted model. That puts the deck at about thigh height. Mill your own 6x’s. I love my mill and while I didn’t plan to run it commercially, I found that there are a lot of folks want/need lumber. I pick and choose the ones to saw so it doesn’t become “work “. I’m 72 and retired and don’t need a job.

 

[Jstpssng]

Taking a poll for you sawmill aficionados.

1. What is the best height for the deck of a sawmill?

2. What should I use to hold the mill up? Milled 6x6 store bought PT 6x6?

You will need the frame to set the mill on. Do you want to set it up once or twice?

 

[HawkinsHollow]

You will need the frame to set the mill on. Do you want to set it up once or twice?

Yeah, that is why I asked. I DO NOT want to set it up twice. I ahve a buddy down the road with a mill that could mill me out some 6x6s but I worry about putting the mill on green lumber, couldn't it twist as it dries? I might just buy some 6x6s

 

[ponytug]

@HawkinsHollow Congratulations!

I would not want to level a mill more than once, either. I would use either concrete footings or pressure treated, but if up you use pressure treated make sure that you get the true ground contact grade (UC4A or better). The box store stuff is not going to help much.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MattB4]

I used pressure treated for my mill but after awhile I really wanted to build a concrete base that supported the rails and allowed for sawdust cleanup. I also built a raised landing on one side that allowed me to stage logs at the same height as the cutting deck and made for easy roll on of the logs. Since my mill was under a carport this simplified handling. The raised log deck made for a good walk height also as I ran the saw down the base.

If I was to do it again I would pour several concrete mini walls perpendicular that not only supported the rails but allowed a log deck be built. Like railroad ties made of concrete. Come to think of it RR ties, if you have a source, would not be a bad idea for a base.

 

[Jstpssng]

I've had mine for two years and am finally getting it set up. I built a gravel pad, poured (3) 2x3 concrete slabs, and built a frame on that. I found that using a level wasn't good enough to get it straight so am using plumb lines so that I can hopefully saw straight lumber.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Shop for a used mill. You could save some bucks.

 

[2manyrocks]

I thought PT was corrosive to metal. Would you still use it to support a sawmill or just as a base but use non PT where it contacts the mill?

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

Shop for a used mill. You could save some bucks.

You must not read it all, he has one ordered already.