Starting the search for a mill - suggestions?

[Sawyer Rob]

gemniii,

Loved the post... and appreciated the very practical viewpoint too!!!!

I agree, I would hate to be #1 and #4 is even worse!!!<LOL>

I have 320 acres of wood... growing on moderate soil so we are not talking about a "gold mine" here!!!! - and I am going to be building a cabin next year or the following year, but again... I will probably be using someone else's lumber for this (dry and straight!)...

I guess I am really thinking about items that I can mill for the cabin from wood from the farm itself... rough tables, stairs, planks, etc

You are totally correct... I do need to "step back" and really look at this... if I was to stumble on a used mill, I would love it... but purchasing a new mill would not be my first choice!!! and not a real wise choice right now...

I guess I need to check out Craig's List... I am NOT exactly a pro on this... do you have any other ideas on where one might find a "lightly" <grin> used mill????????

Many thanks,
-Dad2FourWI

A Norwood Lumbermate would work perfect for what you want to do... If you mill the pine, and get it on stickers, in 45 days or so it will be plenty dry and straight to use for a cabin or barn.

Also you have MUCH LESS waste to sawdust over an CSM, and a BSM is MUCH faster cutting. You can make a lot of lumber in a day with a BSM, and with a LOT less work getting it cut out of your logs. In fact, the BSM is so much faster cutting compared to a CSM, you can sell some of your lumber if you want, to get some of your money back.

The best part is, the Lumbermate will still have good resale when you are done with it, so you can recoup much of your investment. That is, IF you want to ever sell it. I'm betting with that much woodlot around, you won't want to sell it.

As for tractors, my tractor will lift over 3,000 pounds more than 10 feet high, and it takes one heck of a big pine log to get anywhere near that weight.

Actually, you can roll the logs right onto the mill deck using a ramp and canthook, so you don't "have to have" a tractor to get started.

Rob