Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Is there any money is portable sawmills?.

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Jonathan

12-03-2003 12:03:38




Report to Moderator

Is there any money in portable sawmills?. I see quite a few mills in my area, but only a couple activly use them. For the most part I'm seeing people buying them, playing with em for a short period of time, and then letting them sit idle.
I'm wondering if there isn't much money in it or wether people get tired of sharpening the blades, etc... and give up.
thanks,
Jonathan




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Chuck - WI

12-04-2003 05:59:18




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
Check out 'Wood Web' (woodweb.com) - Forums - Sawing and Drying ..... a lot of info on small mills ....

Have old Wood Mizer LT 30 for my own cutting ... could have sold (w/ profit) every time I cut for someone else.... will pay for it self real fast if you do the small, special cut jobs for wood workers - more $$$ per than standard boards



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jonathan

12-04-2003 07:52:04




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Chuck - WI, 12-04-2003 05:59:18  
Hey thanks!, I'll check into that site. Would I be better off with a circular sawmill or a bandmill?. I'm thinking a bandmill requires the blades sharpened/replaced alot more often, and I've see wavey cuts made by a bandmill. I know the small kerf from a bandmill makes them alot more desireable, especially for those specialty cuts. I've also heard horror stories about the bandmill blade breaking and seriously injuring or killing the operator.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Robert in W. Mi

12-04-2003 11:40:54




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmill in reply to Jonathan, 12-04-2003 07:52:04  
The band mill is the way to go!!! There's all kinds of horror stories to be told about every kind of mill, (and about every other tool too) but in the last 6 or 7 years i've owned a band mill, i've never had a band break and hurt me. That's what "common sense" is for, along with the guards on the mill!!

Yes, you have to sharpen bands, but you have to sharpen circle blade teeth too, and what about hammering circle blades from time to time too!!! I own several bands and change them and resharpen them as needed.

I've seen plenty of thick and thin boards come off circle mills too, it's all in keeping everything sharp and in tune with both mills!!

Band mill is more prortable, need less hp, and are easier to keep running. Also they have that small kerf that really adds up in more lumber from your logs over time!!

You can buy a new band mill complete for about $5,000.00, but it will be all manual, and a lot more work, compared to an $25,000.00 all hydraulic mill. The hydraulic mill won't turn out any better lumber though!

All you have to do is open your wallet, and dial in the speed you want!!!!! !

Robert

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Chuck - WI

12-04-2003 12:50:50




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Re: Is there any money is portable saw in reply to Robert in W. Mi, 12-04-2003 11:40:54  
Robert is right ... band is o/a best for small operation ... blades ~ $ 15 to $ 20 ea -- get them by the doz .. you do the sharpening (when you have a little free time) or can send out ...KEEP THEM SHARP .. wave is from being dull or cutting speed / wood type

You'll be amazed at number of band saw makers around .... you could start w/ looking at Wood Mizer web site .. they have a listing of WM owners willing to talk to people looking at different saws

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Ty

12-03-2003 20:35:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
Around where I live you can make good money if you want to fool with it. Most comercial mills around here (hardwood mills) will have small portable band mills to cut high quality logs because they produce less waste. The saw kerf on a band mill is alot narrower than a circle saw. Before long you've lost a board to sawdust on a circle saw. Some people around here with portable mills even hire out to the big mills to saw their high dollar logs. So you can compete with the comercial mills because if you look out back behind their big mill you will usually find them sawing with mill just like you have.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Nebraska Cowman

12-03-2003 18:10:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
kind of depends on your situation and where you live. I bought a used mill in PA and hauled it out here. Cut red cedar and made good money. Then I had back trouble and sold the mill for twice what I paid for it. If I had the time I'd try it again.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bus Driver

12-03-2003 15:26:40




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
I believe that if you devote the proper time and effort to using the mill, it can be profitable. How much time are you willing to take away from your other endeavors- the things you are doing now?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jonathan

12-03-2003 15:47:57




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Bus Driver, 12-03-2003 15:26:40  
right now, I have nothing else going, so I have alot of time.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
kyhayman

12-03-2003 15:24:21




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
There are a couple in my area that I have used before. They both do good work and seem to be doing well financially. They charge half for the sawing and will either go to the cut logs or you can bring them to one spot. Logs have to be cut to length and de-limbed. There are several local loggers that will cut for 1/2. I can take trees that arent doing me much good and get them converted to lumber. I've gotten a couple of barns worth of lumber that way (white oak) and also wagon flats. Best deal though was some yellow poplar and walnut that I were already cut when I bought the place. Mill wouldnt buy them as they were too well seasoned. Guy with the mini mill didnt mind, and I sold the lumber on the spot to a small furniture outfit.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jonathan

12-03-2003 17:42:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to kyhayman, 12-03-2003 15:24:21  
they will come cut your trees, saw them into lumber and split it 50/50 with you?. Or do I have that wrong, they will saw your sawlogs for half of what the commerical mills charge?.
thanks!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
thurlow

12-03-2003 19:20:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmill in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 17:42:16  
My mill is not portable; it's circular; going rate for sawing is 1/2; you cut and deliver the logs to me; I load your half of the sawn lumber on your truck/trailer. Got the mill for my own use, though I have sawed some for the public; could do MUCH more if I were willing and had the time..... ....



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
kyhayman

12-03-2003 18:17:51




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmill in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 17:42:16  
Loggeres will cut for 1/2 the logs. They will haul my half to the mill for no charge if they can high grade the trees.

Portable mill will saw for 1/2 the lumber. Trees have to be cut and bucked into sawlogs first.

If you figure how many board feet per hour the portable mill is rated then 1/2 that times the retail price of the lumber would be the return per hour for the operator and portable mill.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Vern-MI

12-03-2003 13:21:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
Band saw blades are expensive and get about 700 board feet before they have to be sharpened or replaced. The tension must be set exactly right or the blade life will be drastically reduced. The drive wheels and bearings must be kept in good repair and the backup rollers are critical to performance and blade life.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mark

12-03-2003 13:06:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
I disagree with Rusty. I believe a man could make a living quite well and know of people that do. I just recently sold my portable mill because I had too many irons in the fire and did not have time to mill. Had many requests for custom sawing. Had a neighbor have me saw 1x oak stock to side his barn. Also had a logger that had me cut 6x8's that he sold for something. If I had the time, I could have had a booming business.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
VaTom

12-03-2003 15:22:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Mark, 12-03-2003 13:06:13  
Absolutely! As a consumer who hires portable mills, the first guy I used told me that I paid for his mill. Of course he put in more than a few hours getting it. Around here it's not uncommon to hear guys charging $50-60/ hr. At that rate I'd be tempted to buy a mill, but my current guy is only $30/hr for a $35k mill. My interest is selling lumber, not sawing.

Now is where we get into profitablity or not. I have a tractor that cost $7.5k and gets me $55/hr. Operating cost is higher than a mill but my overhead is much lower. Lots of work available, but I'd not be inclined to shell out $35k for a $30/hr return. Your mileage may vary.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jonathan

12-03-2003 15:45:54




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Is there any money is portable sawmill in reply to VaTom, 12-03-2003 15:22:13  
Trouble with tractor work is "you gotta have so darn much insurance that most of your profit goes out the window".



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Indydirtfarmer

12-03-2003 12:49:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
Yeah, if your selling 'em, there's money in 'em. My brother in law bought one, worked his tail off for a couple years, and didn't even break even. Too many lumber yards in the world. John



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
MapleStone

12-03-2003 12:49:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
A couple of local guys used to do custome sawing with portable mills but not many left anymore. I know that 1 guy won't do real hard wood like oak any more cause his saw is push only and he says it's too hard of work to push it through hard wood. (he's late 60s though)

Don't think you'll get rich doing it but if you like it it might pay for itself.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
rustyfarmall

12-03-2003 12:26:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
The portable sawmills are probably used only by those who wish to make there own lumber, and have a ready supply of trees to harvest. There isn't any way that you could hire out with this machine and make it pay. You just can't compete with the commercial operations. The one thing that might work for you is to find a stand of hardwood trees, oak, hickory, walnut, cherry,etc., turn it into lumber, and market it to home woodworkers, hobbyists, whatever. You probably won't get rich, but it just mught be worth a try.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
rustyfarmall

12-03-2003 12:18:03




Report to Moderator
 Re: Is there any money is portable sawmills?. in reply to Jonathan, 12-03-2003 12:03:38  
The portable sawmills are probably used only by those who wish to make there own lumber, and have a ready supply of trees to harvest. There isn't any way that you could hire out with this machine and make it pay. You just can't compete with the commercial operations. The one thing that might work for you is to find a stand of hardwood trees, oak, hickory, walnut, cherry,etc., turn it into lumber, and market it to home woodworkers, hobbyists, whatever. You probably won't get rich, but it just mught be worth a try.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy