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

[HawkinsHollow]

Good to see some assembly progress. That lift cart looks pretty dang handy - on my wish list as well.

Yeah that lift cart is CLUTCH!! I had been keep my eye out on Marketplace for one. Picked this gem up for $100. Paid for itself 10 fold already.

 

[ponytug]

Yeah, I just need to figure out a system so it doesn't get oppressive dealing with it. I have seen some guys keep a battery powered saw right by the mill and cut the good usable sections into firewood lengths right away and toss them into a crate. Not sure exactly how I want to skin that cat. I have seen a pile of slabs, they are a hassle to deal with. It seems like once they are piled up they are a lost cause. Like I mentioned earlier I plan on tossing my slabs into a purpose built pallet that will facilitate the movement of these away from the mill. Maybe I can chunk them up from there and toss them in ICB totes for storage.

Forks can lift and "organize" a pile of slabs, especially on a pallet, and a chainsaw could cut them in usable lengths over an open tote, or tote frame. As you say, it is all about how you want to organize or spend your time. If there is a local market for the wood, it might be worth the time.

If you do go the composting route for the sawdust, I would suggest spreading it out so that it is only a few inches thick, or it won't get enough air to decompose / compost quickly. Adding something rich nitrogen rich will speed the decomposition up. I have tilled it into garden beds for things like roses and blueberries that prefer acidic soils, and it works wonders in trenches for potatoes, once it has composted.

Some folks use sawdust as bedding in cages and stalls if it is dry, but walnut sawdust is a huge (often a lethal laminitis) problem for horses.

Great to see all the progress!

All the best,

Peter

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Forks can lift and "organize" a pile of slabs, especially on a pallet, and a chainsaw could cut them in usable lengths over an open tote, or tote frame. As you say, it is all about how you want to organize or spend your time. If there is a local market for the wood, it might be worth the time.

If you do go the composting route for the sawdust, I would suggest spreading it out so that it is only a few inches thick, or it won't get enough air to decompose / compost quickly. Adding something rich nitrogen rich will speed the decomposition up. I have tilled it into garden beds for things like roses and blueberries that prefer acidic soils, and it works wonders in trenches for potatoes, once it has composted.

Some folks use sawdust as bedding in cages and stalls if it is dry, but walnut sawdust is a huge (often a lethal laminitis) problem for horses.

Great to see all the progress!

All the best,

Peter

I was just planning on dumping it over the edge and let it turn into soil on its own schedule. This 1 acre is the top of a knoll with pretty steep drop offs in 3 directions. But I will explore the option of composting it.

 

[plowhog]

a free load of chips from the tree service is very easy to come by.

I don't do that, as unknown bugs and problems can ride in with chips from another property. I only use chips from my own logs ...

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I don't do that, as unknown bugs and problems can ride in with chips from another property. I only use chips from my own logs ...

Yeah, makes sense. I will definitely not be doing it any more, that is for certain.

 

[plowhog]

Forks can lift and "organize" a pile of slabs, especially on a pallet, and a chainsaw could cut them in usable lengths over an open tote, or tote frame. As you say, it is all about how you want to organize or spend your time.

Like all newbies, I did everything wrong at first. Including letting the side "skins" from logs get into a huge unmanageable pile. Never do that again.

I have a new idea but have not tried it yet. I put a sawbuck next to the mill. Skins from the log will go on it, an electric chain saw makes it firewood length right then and there. Anything resting on the sawbuck will get thrown in a large firewood bag. Whatever hits the ground will be dealt with later. Then keep milling.

At the end of the day, any firewood size scraps that hit the ground will go into the firewood bag. Then use the tractor and forks to haul the bag off to wherever I will store it until burning. I think this will work better ...... really look forward to trying this.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Like all newbies, I did everything wrong at first. Including letting the side "skins" from logs get into a huge unmanageable pile. Never do that again.

I have a new idea but have not tried it yet. I put a sawbuck next to the mill. Skins from the log will go on it, an electric chain saw makes it firewood length right then and there. Anything resting on the sawbuck will get thrown in a large firewood bag. Whatever hits the ground will be dealt with later. Then keep milling.

At the end of the day, any firewood size scraps that hit the ground will go into the firewood bag. Then use the tractor and forks to haul the bag off to wherever I will store it until burning. I think this will work better ...... really look forward to trying this.

Yep, that sounds like a good plan to me! I have learned exactly what NOT to do from a friend of mine that has a sawmill. I cannot tell you how much time and wood he has wasted because of his inefficiencies. That is why I am trying to start out on the right foot. Have processes to increase material and time efficiency whenever possible.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Like all newbies, I did everything wrong at first. Including letting the side "skins" from logs get into a huge unmanageable pile. Never do that again.

I have a new idea but have not tried it yet. I put a sawbuck next to the mill. Skins from the log will go on it, an electric chain saw makes it firewood length right then and there.

Are you milling logs or people? "Side skins" sounds like you are milling people. lol

The first cuts on a log make "slabs", second cut with bark on the edges are called "flitches", once all 4 sides are milled you have a "cant".

May as well get everyone on the same page here so we at least sound semi-intelligent...

SR

 

[LouNY]

Of course you can't forget about the people that will pay good money for a "live" edge slab or flitches.

 

[plowhog]

first cuts on a log make "slabs", second cut with bark on the edges are called "flitches"

Thanks! Appreciate that. Always helpful to better disguise how little I know.