More 880 thoughts.

[Walnut33]

So i have really been intrested in slabbing BIG slabs and i have read the fourms about the 880 lately and over all everyone seems to be kinda iffy on it. Im a college kid obsessed with the though of natural edge table tops and other large pieces of stock used in furniture(and also considerind finding an outlet for them $$$). But I have a dealer that says he will sell me an MS 880 with the 59 inch bar for $1,959.99 and throw in a 36 bar and chain for free. Now like I said, Im in college in Nebraska (LOTS of nice trees here.) and I guess Im kinda scared of spending that much on it considering what I have read lately. Looking for some opinions and maybe some confidence. Thanks.

 

[discounthunter]

thats a big investment. i would try to find a source willing to buy such slabs or furniture before spending any money.

also i would try to find someone with a mill to learn from,there is a lot of labor involved in cutting big slabs and moving them,also consider drying time with/without kiln.

dont want to sound like im talking you out of it,just trying to make you aware of a lot of other things to take into consideration before buying a saw of that price.

 

[Brmorgan]

Yeah if you're just starting out with it, I'd also recommend hanging out with an experienced miller for a day or two, especially if you're going headlong into milling huge slabs. As far as the saw deal goes, I have no frame of reference on your prices because saws here in Canada tend to be ridiculously overpriced given our currency value, and I've never asked my dealer what one would cost (they don't carry one on the shelf). Either way though, for a first saw I'd recommend trying to find a good used one. That might take a while though, so it would depend on your timeline and patience, I guess. Many guys here have picked up really clean 088/880/084s for well under a thousand bucks - I paid $450 for mine a couple months ago at the pawnshop; just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

 

[mtngun]

So i have really been intrested in slabbing BIG slabs and i have read the fourms about the 880 lately and over all everyone seems to be kinda iffy on it.

The potential is probably there to make an 880 run strong, it's just that the factory is strangling them with the exhaust, the limited coil, and the governed carb.

Ditto the Husky 3120, from what I hear.

To make giant slab furniture like Aggiewoodbutcher, you pretty much gotta have a 120 cc saw. I can't imagine milling 4 foot hardwood slabs with a 90 cc saw.

The slabs you mill today may not be dry until you are out of college. In the meantime, they have to be carefully stored someplace. Some of them will split or warp badly, and won't be usable as full width slabs. It's definitely not a get rich quick scheme.

 

[huskyhank]

Keep looking for a big saw. I've seen 3120s in rough but usable shape for $4-500.00. (bought one at that price) Add in a big bar, couple of chains and an Alaskan and you might get in under $1000.00

My general method of buying gear for CSM is to not spend more than I could immediately turn around and sell it for. And never pay for a log unless its great beyond belief. Its been a long long time since I've paid for a log.

Like mtngun wrote this is a long term deal, not a get rich quick scheme.

I will say that if you're smart and a real hard worker you might pay for your equipment in the first year by cutting for others. But you're not making money at it.

 

[BobL]

Something that not everyone (especially those enamored by milling and live edges) realizes is that the demand for this sort of stuff is relatively small. It's difficult enough to make and sell regular edged furniture without the hassles of live edge. Live edge done well looks great, but done average (or worse) and it looks really really bad.

Have you also thought about how/where you will handle, dry and store large pieces of lumber? Then when it comes time to make this sort of furniture you really need access to very large machinery to make it worth while. Sure you can make a few by hand but after that it just becomes a right royal PITA.

If this is your main driver for buying a mill, perhaps before committing all those $$, think about buying a small slab from some one and see if you can make an attractive coffee or small table that someone is actually willing to buy! If you lived here I'd give you a small slab to try out for yourself.

 

[HUCKLEBERRY]

Just like to add a thought or two to some of what's already been said. If you are in college chances are that some of the decisions you make now will set the "tone" for a lot of the decisions you make in the future.

-No matter what your financial position is it is always a good idea to have an outlet or buyer for your product/service before you go big guns on equipment. I have worked closely with two guys that for years have always gone right out and bought the best of everything even when they could have gotten by with what they had to work with. Right now one has lost his business and home and the other has lost everything but his home.

-Talk to people who are doing what you want to do. There are quite a few guys on this site and there are log and timber home magazines loaded with guys that make rustic log and timber furniture. Most of them would be more than happy to share some of their experience with you.

-Planning is the most important part of any serious endeavor. Look at where you are, where you would like to be and do some honest investigation about the best way to get there. Evaluate your assets, make a plan and go for it. If you've done your best to prepare you will not have anything to regret.

 

[hazard]

I would say a bobcat or tractor is needed to move what you want to create. I think most of us do this for fun and joy of being out in the woods. I have also been looking at the 880 but I just can't justify it over my 066. Even if I had the chance to mill a monster tree I have no way to move the boards.

I started milling logs when I was 25. I did not have this site or anyone else to help me out with technique. I think I wasted alot of time, burnt up a few chains and surprised I didn't kill my 044. At 39 now I probably have 3000 bf of useable lumber.

I have heard of a few people making these huge natural edge tables and other furniture and selling them for $5000 plus. To me I can not see say 99.999% of the population spending that much on a table.

Goodluck with your adventure

Chris

 

[Walnut33]

Yeah i have been doing alot of milling with an MS 390. biggest cuts are 18 inches. But i am now just considering a 660 with a 36 inch bar to save some cash. But thank you all for your imput!!!