The Log house Project begins........

MotorSeven · Jul 1, 2012

dstig1 said:
M7 - Why aren't you wiring it yourself? To me, residential wiring is one of the simplest trades to handle yourself (easier than plumbing!). Once you know a few rules, there isn't much more to it. Mind you, that is for typical single family residential which is a pretty simple case - I'm not saying all electrical work is that easy... If you just don't feel comfortable, that is a fine reason, or perhaps you bartered the electrical work or something - I'm just curious why.

Your right, I should learn it. I can do basic stuff, but switches have always tripped me up. I am helping the guy and learning a few things, but he isn't charging an arm and a leg, so yes I am more comfortable. It's funny, some things I will barge right into without a second thought that I have never done....but always have hesitated & deferred on electrical.

Speaking of comfort...I slung the #350lb clawfoot tub and took it up to the Tree House. It arrived safe and sound:

Mike476 · Jul 2, 2012

Beautiful home, I've enjoyed reading this thread all the way through your build.

Quick question M7, I've been looking at getting my own mill rather than paying a friend to drop over with his, how do you like yours? Been looking at the LT15 and 15GO, looks like all the mill I'll ever need. Looks like you've certainly gotten good use from it. Also, looks like a kiln in your photo, do you use it much?

Keep up the great work, wish we had as many species of trees native to our area you seem to have, as a hobbyist woodworker I'd be in heaven.

MotorSeven · Jul 2, 2012

Mike, yes I use it quite a bit and will continue to do so until I have the house, barn & other projects finished. After almost a year of looking, I found this one only 4 miles away for $4500. It has been getting a lot of use in the past couple of years with the house and barn build. It has done everything I have asked and done it well. I did weld up a 16' extension of track for it that allows me to cut out to 27-ish feet. Woodmizer's customer service is outstanding.
Once these projects are finished, I am going to decide whether to keep it or upgrade to a hydraulic mill....I have my eye on the LT35HD. I won't get a hydraulic mill unless I am going to use it more often and need to find some kind of a specialty or niche market.

I just built the kiln a about a month ago(pic's are posted further back in this thread) so I could finish drying cherry for the kitchen cabinets. Your right, I have about 80 ac of mixed hardwoods, so there are a lot of wood choices available. The kiln will come in handy for use, or marketing of any of my lumber.

Mike476 · Jul 2, 2012

LT35HD is a very nice mill, I've read a lot from users who are extremely happy with it and its cousin the LT40HD. Very popular mills it seems.

I'll look back through the posts to see the pics of your kiln.

tnmike · Jul 3, 2012

I was at a tractor show last weekend and both Woodmizer and Hudson had mills in operation there. The LT 15 is all the mill a homesteader needs. It is a very nice heavy built mill. You better have a good market for your lumber if you buy one of the hydraulic mills. They are very expensive. I was impressed how well Hudson's smallest mill performed. 2400 dollars new is a tempting price.

I have a home built band mill under construction. I hope to finish it before winter.

,
If you ever decide to sell the LT15 I want dibbs.:licking:

In all honesty I need some new equipment around here. I just cannot make myself go into debt or spend much money when I realistically look at the economic and political disaster we face in this country.

forgeblast · Jul 3, 2012

Mike did you get the plans from any specific site?

tnmike · Jul 3, 2012

forgeblast said:
Mike did you get the plans from any specific site?

I am using the Simple Saw plan. You can find it using Google. Its a two post design.

MotorSeven · Jul 3, 2012

Hudson probably has the worse rep when it comes to customer service out of any brand I can think of,....other than the Chinese stuff. That is the only reason I never considered one but they do make a pretty decent mill.

MotorSeven · Jul 3, 2012

Hudson probably has the worse rep when it comes to customer service out of any brand I can think of,....other than the Chinese stuff. That is the only reason I never considered one but they do make a pretty decent mill.

Mike476 · Jul 3, 2012

I had been looking at the more affordable woodland mill, without seeing one in person all I've seen are the videos etc on their site. Not a bad looking mill for the hobbyist, especially for the price. Think I'll be sticking with the WM though.

Probably will never be taking on a project as big as M7s but nothing wrong with going big early!