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

[Jstpssng]

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

There are only two ways to learn. Either from other people who have already tried it...or peeing on that electric fence yourself.

(Some of us take 3 or 3 tries to learn. )

 

[bigtiller]

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

I'm learning stuff but I have a question.

You cut the slabs off and set them aside because you cant use them.

You set the second cut with the live edge aside because you cant use or don't want it.

What is left is the good stuff everyone wants cut into dimensional lumber. Why is it called a cant?

 

[civilian]

I just mill 2 more 6x6's to drop the slabs and flitches on. Then call someone to pick them up. I have enough dead ash for my own firewood to have to deal with the slabs. I let them cut to their size they want and not spend time I could be miling to deal with the slabs. Some flitches I will cut the bark off for another board. But I don't worry about selling the slabs, either. Jon

 

[1Mech]

Cutting is the easy part. Finding a place to sticker the wood out of the rain can be a hassle. Green boards weigh much more if handling by hand. The romance of owning a portable band mill quickly wore off for me. I recently had a guy offer me good money for my Baker mill and I seriously thought about selling. My biggest headache is if the Honda sits for any length of time I can spend half a day removing the carb and cleaning plus trying to remember where all the springs and linkages go.

Why not just run the engine once a month or so, keep it all in good running order.

 

[1Mech]

Funny, when you are finally able to afford all the toys you have wanted all your life, now, you are too old to play with them..... I am in the same boat.

Kinda like the old timers sayin, ": what I used to do all night, now takes me all night to do!"
Too bad, but I can relate.

 

[1Mech]

Things like 2x4x8 going for $12@, or a 4x4x8 for $20?
It was really handy to be able to saw lumber when lumber skyrocketed during the Covid induced lumber price escalation.

Down here 2x4-8s are about $3.25 and 4 x 4-8 treated run about $9 at the Home Depot. Almost affordable again.

 

[rmully]

Buy used, you will save money. I bought one and sold it a year later for what I payed for it

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Buy used, you will save money. I bought one and sold it a year later for what I payed for it

I am impatient. I looked for used mills in my area but there were none avalible. Since I purchased my mill a few have popped up and they are asking full retail price for them without a warranty. Granted they usually do have a few extras and are already assembled (which is a couple day job) but I do not regret buying new. If you sold the one you bought for what you paid for it how is somone going to save money on it?

 

[Jstpssng]

As usual I've done the exact opposite. 4 years ago my LT25 was Woodmizer's new, budget model mill. Between the time I ordered, locking in the price, and when it was delivered 10 months later the price had gone up 25%.

This year I was looking at their website and they now have a new budget mill for the same price I paid for mine.

Buy high, sell low, that's the way I always seem to go.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Getting closer!!! I will be milling this week for sure!!