A Bandsaw and a Lucas mill and why we use both.

[@kevincook9327]

Wow. Thanks for the prompt video reply to my question. I am in a similar situation. I get large diameter logs that can't efficiently be work in my lt40. I could justify getting a swing blade mill for all the reasons that you pointed out, except that I haven't built the reputation/market to move that much more material for the added overhead. Thanks for reassuring me that I am not crazy for thinking I could use two mills.

[@bwillan]

If you're not getting the volume of the really big logs that is hard to handle on your LT40, you could check if someone has a swingblade mill in your area and see if you can work out a deal for that person to mill the log for you. Lucas is one Swingblade sawmill maker. There is also Peterson, Brand X, D & L Timbertech. I believe Peterson has a directory which lists business that have their sawmills.

[@Average-AL]

Thank you, that makes sense. You talked about sharpening. How many times can you sharpen a bandsaw blade until it is spent? And how many time can you sharpen the blade on the Lucas? tbw, how thick is the blade on the Lucas?

[@webbssawmill8826]

I sharpen, set, and flatten a bandsaw blade until it breaks. I don't really keep track, but I'd say 5-7 times, sometimes more, sometimes less. Lucas, 20-30 sharpenings. We are using an aftermarket blade that has 1/4" kerf.

[@Average-AL]

@@webbssawmill8826 Can you link to the aftermarket blade?

[@oneskypuppy]

@@Average-AL Bartlett Saw in Kentucky

[@UncleDanBand64]

Makes a ton of sense!

[@Nick.Yarbrough]

Do you find the lumber from your Lucas mill is as high quality as the lumber cut with a bandsaw mill? Does it tend to dry the same or are there differences long-term in the quality? Can both make good framing lumber, for example. Thanks for the good video.

[@chrismateer251]

Lucas with properly adjusted blade is better than a bandsaw mill as its 36" blade made of High carbon steel with replaceable carbide tips. Lucas have another type of blade called a v tip which is a 4mm kerf and cuts the same as dressed timber finish. A v tip requies a V tip blade and also the V tip sharpener. The normal diamond sharpener attaches to a vertical post on the water carrier so its always set at the correct angle. The V tip sharpener attaches with a toggle action through a special hole in the blade itself so it can cut the V . Drying time is the same for the type of timber regardless. Lucas Mills cut dimensional timber accurate to the mm

[@Failedmusician]

I have two bandsaw mills and Lucas and I prefer lumber from my Lucas. The lumber is accurate to 32nd!!! My boardwalk is accurate but can be 16th off and my Hudson (first mill) wasn’t consistent at all. In my experience bandsaw mills need constant adjustments on the rails because flipping heavy logs is exactly easy on the frame. Lucas on the other end is just a pleasure to use. I hope this helps.

[@bnwww]

Me, a fellow Webb, thinking "Gee, I wouldn't mind operating a portable milling business. But what would I get: Bandsaw or Lucas mill?" KZbin: Here's Webb's Sawmill with that exact question. Thanks!

[@ftoftheX]

Good stuff. Thx

[@vossierebel]

Good golly gosh... Lucas since 1998! Any idea of the numbers you ran and hours operated? I'd love to know if you have basically rebuilt the mill over time or how much is still original? Great advert for the longevity of the mill! By the way, I have never owned a mill but I'm interested in getting one... so, I'm doing my homework. The Lucas has such benefits but the starting price for me may be too steep...

[@oneskypuppy]

The digital "Tiny Tac" tachometers don't last very long, so no idea about the hours. We have replaced the gear box three times and did upgrade to a 27hp motor. The roller wheels do need to be replaced once in a while, maybe every 5 or 6 years. The new mills come with a different gearbox and a bigger motor.

[@vossierebel]

@@oneskypuppy Thanks for taking the time to respond - it seems the mill is worth it's price, everything considered!

[@chrismateer251]

​@@oneskypuppy We have 2 x 10-30 lucas 40hp fuel injector as well as a dedicated slabber. As long as you carry out routine Maintenance. and change the gearbox oil regularly The only thing that needs replacing due to wear is the nylon wheels the carriage brake and the stickers over time we use ours Dailey so the wheels 18 months to 2 years they are about $20 there is 2 of each two sizes and a slider block. Spark plugs filters etc per the kholer schedule

[@chrismateer251]

Re Price it depends on the Model 6" is the cheapest up to the 10-30 which is 40hp EFI kohler they go 6" 8" 10" also pull or electric start, Kohler EFI is an option only on the 10-30 All the rest they are Real Briggs and Stratton's not the Chinese clones, also some models have different HP options models as well. So the baby 6 " max cut is 6 x 6 or 6 x 12 D cut the 8 is eight inch etc . rotating the carriage for double cut takes 2 people 6 though to 8 4 people for the 10 efi but the is a method with the big 10-30 makes it easy for two or 1 if you know that requires no lifting

[@rocket18ks]

great video. have the peterson wpf and have been giving thought to getting the cooks

[@travisgilbert8416]

I'd be interested to know how you like your Peterson WPF and why you would like to add a band saw mill? Thanks!

[@rocket18ks]

@@travisgilbert8416 the peterson is very nice for what it does and for larger logs. i am limited to 8" with the peterson and wide cuts (esp) on hardwood get to be a bit of a pain so if i am wanting wide or thin boards i think a band saw mill may be nice. for now i am making do with a logosol m7 (chainsaw mill) for wider stuff and it does a nice job but takes a lot of kerf so not good for thin. i also have the moulder/planer attachment for the logosol so it gets extra duty there. so the band saw will wait til "someday"

[@travisgilbert8416]

@@rocket18ks Thanks so much for responding! Are you glad you went with the Peterson over the Lucas? I was also looking at the Turbo Sawmill from Jake Peterson. Seems like it would be nice to have a central beem and easier access to the log. Thanks again for responding!

[@rocket18ks]

@@travisgilbert8416 i agree that the turbo saw mill looks like a nice upgrade over the older style peterson mill. i had a lucas mill a little over a decade ago and feel the peterson is a step up as the peterson has the electric winch for raising and lowering. otherwise they are fairly similar

[@travisgilbert8416]

@@rocket18ks Good to know! Thank you!!

[@chrismateer251]

We run 2 10-30 Lucas with the 40 hp Fuel injected Koehler's cuts 250 square or 250 x 500mm Double cut. With both the Dedicated slabber and slabbing attachment planer sander and weatherboard attachments. We also have a mobile bandsaw as we; for exactly the same reasons they compliment each other Funny you bought an Australian Mill and We are buying another Bandsaw which just happens to be a Cooks new superwide 52" Talk about a trade Balance Excellent Video' You can also get a joiner kit that will join mills together so our max length is 12.6 mtrs cut length. but I have seen 4 sets for a massive blue gum 21 mtrs Long. They also have a supper slabber which doubles the width of the mill. Where do you Americans Hide those giant redwoods Hmmmm So hi From AUS Chris The Timber Miller

[@aarong8933]

Where are y’all located?

[@apuuvah]

Damn I want a swing blade.

[@allywilkeforsenate]

So we get a lot of talk about a Lucas mill and no explanation or showing of what one is?

[@danietkissenle]

I see this as a 20lb sledge hammer vs vs a 2lbs crosspien scenareo

[@thedolphin5428]

Gawd. A viewer asks why do households have both knives and forks and spoons? Different tools for different jobs. Duh. And how can you "justify" having both mills? Ah, because you can afford to 😐.

[@chrismateer251]

Or you want the Best and can afford it cause you make shit loads of money Milling We have 2 10-30 40ho EFI Lucas Mills and a bandsaw mill Chris the Timber Miller AUS

[@thedolphin5428]

@@chrismateer251 I thoroughly get YOUR POINTS. I had a self-built swingsaw myself to build a home from a range of property trees. But sometimes wished for a bandsaw as well! My comment was about viewer ignorance. Cheers. (AUS) PS, Chris. I continually laugh at the US/Canada/EU bozos with their lovely green softwoods, pines! They should try a few runs with seasoned F57 ironbark!!!