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Author Topic: Sawmills  (Read 10492 times)

Offline Night goat

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Sawmills
« on: May 30, 2017, 10:10:28 PM »
Well..... I found something that opens up a whole world of possibilities.

Always known about portable sawmills and Alaskan sawmills...

But a 2000$ harbor freight sawmill?

Either sounds like the worst idea in the world, or an awesome budget tool for making my own lumber....

I'm going to be building a small cabin in the woods, and have plenty of trees, primarily a stand of alders...... Seems the perfect candidate for making up 2x4s and 4x4s, not to mention resawing whatever I scrounge.....

Downside is that the track seems to only hold 8 foot logs, I'd need to make 16 and 20 foot long beams, but that seems easy enough....


Any thoughts on this?

Can't afford a different option, unless I find something used, but for under 2000$ what else is there?

Never been to a harbor freight, but, I've heard mixed things about Chinese stuff...

Seems to be that anything that could break on the harbor freight one could probably be replaced with American stuff...

Offline highside74

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2017, 10:26:17 PM »
I wrote and erased a whole dissertation on the use of the $ symbol. I will just say this...

The $ symbol will always and forever go before the number. 2000$ is 2000 dollar signs, not $2000

I hope if you buy your $2000 mill you cut some great stuff with it..

Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2017, 10:27:43 PM »
I have some central machine stuff from them and for the money don't have to many complaints. However I watch the reviews. Seems like that has a lot of solid ratings around 4.5. It says some coupons excluded but not all. If you are not in a hurry I would play with some of there coupons and you could maybe get it for even less.
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Offline Mudman

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2017, 10:40:09 PM »
Friend has a 1960's Mobile dimension circular blade saw mill for sale. $3k.  VW engine. cuts up to 22+ft.  Oldie and tricks to using it but it does do the job.  I have ran it over the years.  On a trailer to boot!  Harbor freight is much better than used to be but still not pro quality.  I would consider it with an extension?
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Offline Seahawk12

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2017, 10:52:44 PM »
Have you considered a chainsaw sawmill?
Here is a link to what I'm thinking:
http://www.norwoodsawmills.com/products-sawmills/portamill-pm14-chainsaw-sawmill

Or the slightly more expensive chainsaw sawmill:
http://www.logosol.us/sawmills/m8/
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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2017, 11:10:23 PM »
Can't say much about mills but I do know alder makes poor building lumber.  Cut up some fir instead, alder will be nothing but trouble.
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Online jmscon

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2017, 11:55:44 AM »
Can't say much about mills but I do know alder makes poor building lumber.  Cut up some fir instead, alder will be nothing but trouble.
:yeah:
Alder does make nice mill work (cabinets and trim) and good smoking chips.
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Offline HUNTINCOUPLE

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2017, 12:33:50 PM »
I've been running the Alaska Sawmill MKIII for two years. Very versital and easy to use. Get a big enough power head and your good to go. One huge plus side is you don't have much to store when not in use. And you have a big chain saw for other chores.
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Offline Special T

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2017, 01:16:49 PM »
Do you have equiptment big enough to move a 16' log? If not I'd stay with an Alaskan then you will likely be able to move the boards.

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Offline trapp01

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2017, 01:18:52 PM »
I built my band saw mill last year. 20' track w/ a 18hp and trailer tires. I can stuff  a 3' diameter x 18' log in it. It gets to be a lot of work to push through the log so I'm planning on automating it with a gate opener. I shopped the prices on everything and ended up getting most stuff offline and it ran me $1400 to build it. x2 on the equipment, moving those logs is no joke.

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2017, 01:33:34 PM »
Ah a sawmill thread...

I have owned a chainsaw mill and now I own the harbor freight band saw mill.  The band saw outcuts the chainsaw mill 10-1. 

So far the harbor freight mill has exceeded my expectations.  There is a big learning curve but once all the kinks are worked out this mill will cut superb lumber.  Looking at comparable mills I think the HF mill is the best bang for the buck.  The biggest weakness IMO is the two piece track and getting that perfect for straight lumber.  I also built an extension so I can mill up to 15' but I'm now in the process for building a new one piece track out of 21' 4"x3" steel angle.  Wish I would have just done this from the start instead of building and third piece extension.

I think the woodland mills have a very similar model to the HF and are probably built by the same manufacturer but cost more.  Below is a link to a thread dedicated to the HF mill and there is a ton of good advice.  The people posting on this site have done some really neat things with their HF mills and this thread was what finalized my decision to buy the mill.  There was a coupon offered that brought the mill down to $1,799 and it came to just over $2,000 with shipping and tax for me.
http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f26/harbor-freight-tools-band-mill-7801/

One other item is to get good blades for the mill.  Cooks makes blades just for the HF mill and they are really reasonable at around $15 a blade.
http://store.cookssaw.com/

A piece of equipment is a must when moving logs around for milling.

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2017, 02:05:31 PM »
Hhhhhhmmmm
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Offline Special T

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2017, 02:05:52 PM »
Everyone I know with a bandsaw has a tractor, excavator or forklift that can pick at least 1k lbs or more.

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Offline TheHunt

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2017, 02:06:02 PM »
I built my band saw mill last year. 20' track w/ a 18hp and trailer tires. I can stuff  a 3' diameter x 18' log in it. It gets to be a lot of work to push through the log so I'm planning on automating it with a gate opener. I shopped the prices on everything and ended up getting most stuff offline and it ran me $1400 to build it. x2 on the equipment, moving those logs is no joke.

Do you have any pictures of your mill?  I will be building my own in a few years. 
275 down 2

Offline Night goat

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2017, 11:18:30 PM »
Ah a sawmill thread...

I have owned a chainsaw mill and now I own the harbor freight band saw mill.  The band saw outcuts the chainsaw mill 10-1. 

So far the harbor freight mill has exceeded my expectations.  There is a big learning curve but once all the kinks are worked out this mill will cut superb lumber.  Looking at comparable mills I think the HF mill is the best bang for the buck.  The biggest weakness IMO is the two piece track and getting that perfect for straight lumber.  I also built an extension so I can mill up to 15' but I'm now in the process for building a new one piece track out of 21' 4"x3" steel angle.  Wish I would have just done this from the start instead of building and third piece extension.

I think the woodland mills have a very similar model to the HF and are probably built by the same manufacturer but cost more.  Below is a link to a thread dedicated to the HF mill and there is a ton of good advice.  The people posting on this site have done some really neat things with their HF mills and this thread was what finalized my decision to buy the mill.  There was a coupon offered that brought the mill down to $1,799 and it came to just over $2,000 with shipping and tax for me.
http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f26/harbor-freight-tools-band-mill-7801/

One other item is to get good blades for the mill.  Cooks makes blades just for the HF mill and they are really reasonable at around $15 a blade.
http://store.cookssaw.com/

A piece of equipment is a must when moving logs around for milling.

I might have to bring over a can of gas and some beer when I get back from fishing in Alaska in the fall...


Offline trapp01

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2017, 07:45:17 AM »
I built my band saw mill last year. 20' track w/ a 18hp and trailer tires. I can stuff  a 3' diameter x 18' log in it. It gets to be a lot of work to push through the log so I'm planning on automating it with a gate opener. I shopped the prices on everything and ended up getting most stuff offline and it ran me $1400 to build it. x2 on the equipment, moving those logs is no joke.

Do you have any pictures of your mill?  I will be building my own in a few years.
Its down at my dads shop right now. Im building my house right now so I have no where to put it up here right now. next time im down there ill snap a few pics and post them up

Offline Happy Gilmore

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2017, 03:03:10 PM »
rig it up next to a spar pole and go old fashioned. Get a donkey and a few extra block and tackles.
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Offline Night goat

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2017, 05:41:32 PM »
rig it up next to a spar pole and go old fashioned. Get a donkey and a few extra block and tackles.

.....was gonna use my jeep as the donkey

Offline AWS

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2017, 06:43:37 PM »
I helped build a 8x8 square Oak timber/log cabin.  We each had draft horse to skid the 20' oak logs big enough to cut 8x8x20' timbers.  Pulled them on a bank along side the trailer and with a couple of peaveys rolled them on a couple timbers out on to the trailer.  When we got to the mill we rolled them one at a time too the waiting deck and loaded them on to the saw carriage.  When they came off the saw we slid them onto the empty trailer.  Fun times the cabin owner provided horse-cock sandwiches cold beans and peaches for lunch.  Pass the big can of beans and peaches around and one big spoon for all of us to eat with.  When the cabin was up he killed a goat and we had a neighborhood goat roast with tortillas and beans.  Fun times.
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Offline Happy Gilmore

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #19 on: June 01, 2017, 09:55:20 PM »
I just gave away two goats to a young Mexican couple because I didn't want to eat it again.. lol. Its ok stewed for hours but, then again...anything is...
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
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Offline jackmaster

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #20 on: June 07, 2017, 11:28:32 AM »
I helped build a 8x8 square Oak timber/log cabin.  We each had draft horse to skid the 20' oak logs big enough to cut 8x8x20' timbers.  Pulled them on a bank along side the trailer and with a couple of peaveys rolled them on a couple timbers out on to the trailer.  When we got to the mill we rolled them one at a time too the waiting deck and loaded them on to the saw carriage.  When they came off the saw we slid them onto the empty trailer.  Fun times the cabin owner provided horse-cock sandwiches cold beans and peaches for lunch.  Pass the big can of beans and peaches around and one big spoon for all of us to eat with.  When the cabin was up he killed a goat and we had a neighborhood goat roast with tortillas and beans.  Fun times.
i don't know about eating horse cock sandwiches dude :yike: !!! Building the cabin sounds like fun though
my grandpa always said "if it aint broke dont fix it"

Offline Katmai Guy

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #21 on: June 07, 2017, 11:59:45 AM »
It's bologna.
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Offline TheHunt

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #22 on: June 07, 2017, 08:02:20 PM »
Sure?  PNW has some very liberal views.  :chuckle:



Do a search on YouTube for Sawmill plans.  They say one can build a sawmill for 1,400 dollars.
275 down 2

Offline Birdguy

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #23 on: June 07, 2017, 09:35:24 PM »
We have owned a couple Mobile dimensions mills and they work great and are easy to work on, had 32' of track cut some  monster logs over the years and some great beams. We bought a Horrible Freight band saw a few years back and I agree it has worked better than we figured it would. Getting straight lumber takes finesse and patients to learn the intricacies, but it can be done. The short track was a drawback for us, we like cutting 12' plus for the most part. We just sent the band saw to Alaska with my older brother last week as he is moving up there to build a house and retire. He will use it to cut logs to build sheds and maybe a garage. we have always had a tractor or excavator to load logs at our house thought we have use ramps to load logs when using the mill other places. the ramps can work well and be fairly easy if you make the plan early and have the logs and room. We have also used a snatch block and cable to pull a few on when the tractor was broke. We kept the Mobile Dimensions and use it regularly. I will be cutting full 2" decking to replace the deck in my utility trailer this weekend if it is not too wet. Mills are fun, you get what you pay for like most things. Building one would be fun if you have the time.

Offline Mudman

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #24 on: June 08, 2017, 10:22:32 AM »
 :yeah:  Mobile Dimension are great mills.  More chip/wood waste and slower than bandsaw maybe but I feel a much more reliable machine.  A rock or nail doenst cost you huge $ and ruin your day.  Simply pop another tooth in or a quick sharpen and back to work.  Still have one for sale if anyone needs it?  Extended track and on trailer.
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Offline headshot5

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #25 on: June 08, 2017, 10:24:34 AM »
Quote
Mobile Dimension are great mills.  More chip/wood waste and slower than bandsaw maybe but I feel a much more reliable machine.  A rock or nail doenst cost you huge $ and ruin your day.  Simply pop another tooth in or a quick sharpen and back to work.  Still have one for sale if anyone needs it?  Extended track and on trailer.

Electric start upgrade on it? Pics? @Mudman
« Last Edit: June 08, 2017, 10:32:55 AM by headshot5 »

Offline Mudman

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #26 on: June 08, 2017, 11:16:36 AM »
Nope.  I could get pic but don't have any.  Its a late 60's-70's VW engine model.  He has all the books and such for it.  Sharpener etc.  You wrap the pull rope a few times and pull to start.  Think he take 2500+$ for it? Up to 22-24ft cuts.
MAGA!  Again..

Offline jackmaster

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #27 on: June 08, 2017, 04:31:11 PM »
:yeah:  Mobile Dimension are great mills.  More chip/wood waste and slower than bandsaw maybe but I feel a much more reliable machine.  A rock or nail doenst cost you huge $ and ruin your day.  Simply pop another tooth in or a quick sharpen and back to work.  Still have one for sale if anyone needs it?  Extended track and on trailer.
how much are you selling it for mudman ?
my grandpa always said "if it aint broke dont fix it"

Offline Mudman

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #28 on: June 08, 2017, 04:35:22 PM »
He told me he hoped close to 3k but 2500 would probably do it, he has funeral costs and taxes due.  Its like this one but has extended track and not as nice. 
« Last Edit: June 08, 2017, 05:18:21 PM by Mudman »
MAGA!  Again..

Offline jackmaster

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Re: Sawmills
« Reply #29 on: June 09, 2017, 08:21:54 AM »
He told me he hoped close to 3k but 2500 would probably do it, he has funeral costs and taxes due.  Its like this one but has extended track and not as nice. 
i just texted my buddy , I will let you know asap !! I would love to have that, I could saw love for days, right now I do it with a chainsaw and that my friend is a ton of work for so little return on time but it's still fun..
my grandpa always said "if it aint broke dont fix it"

 


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