Buying Lumber vs. Sawing Lumber Cost | How Much my Sawmill Shelter Cost

Buying lumber vs. sawing lumber cost is often a question many of you may consider when it comes down to building projects like my sawmill shelter in this video. Today I'll tell you how much my sawmill shelter cost and breakdown the cost of buying a sawmill instead of buying lumber at your local lumber yard. You may be surprised at the cost of building a sawmill shelter using store-bought lumber. Be sure you're sitting down before I tell you how much my sawmill shack would cost to build with lumber in 2020 from Home Depot. I'll also talk about the alternatives to buying lumber for projects including the option of buying a portable sawmill instead. I'll use my Woodland Mills Hm130 as an example and give you a basic idea what the cost of a sawmill and related accessories cost to start making lumber so you can compare that with the cost of buying the lumber. This decision of whether to buy lumber or make lumber often comes down to your available funds and time and ultimately what you enjoy doing. Some people like myself like making lumber as much as I like building with it. Others prefer to get the job done as quick as possible with the joy coming from the completed project more so than the process. Whichever choice you make, you'll surely make the right choice for you and end up with a really nice project when you're all done.

[@BLB048]

8:30 Sum cost of the shelter 9:58 Cost of the sawmill itself (New) 10:35 Sum cost of the sawmill + extensions and replacements 11:13 Final comparison (Buying lumber vs. buying sawmill)

[@rpbishop3079]

For now, let me keep it simple... “YOU’RE GOOD” ! I’ve spent a lot of years in and around the entertainment industry, and besides everything else you do, you’re a “very pleasant and sincere individual”, to say nothing of the fact that you’re great in front of the camera. Someone once said somewhere that... “Stage presence is that (energy, or charisma and appeal), that an artist has while performing in front of others. To put it in a nut shell, some people get paid quite a lot of money to do what you do, and they don’t enjoy it at all. On the other hand, you can’t hide it. Though people can’t always see, and even sometimes don’t believe it, the sun’s “always” shin’n. Keep it up, and God Bless.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thank you I appreciate that

[@slamsshenanigans2296]

Sandy, you forgot the fun and satisfying factor! Priceless!!!!!! And convenience, your out in the bush, time into town, gas into town etc. or...knock a tree down and ya got it!

[@muckersfarm]

Hey Sandy. We just love your videos. We are a small homestead living and building as we go. When we bought the land it had no infrastructure what so ever. Originally we planned on buying lumber as needed to get our farm going. But with lumber prices going up it was no longer an option. We are now waiting for our 30Max to be delivered. You videos have been a key factor in my feelings of our ability to do this. It's not just the wealth of information you provide but your are well organized and well spoken. Thank you and Keep the videos coming.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks I appreciate having nice folks such as yourself around.

[@rancelynch6514]

There is nothing that gives one satisfaction like a job well done! I am proud for you ! I feel like I have done some of the work myself even though I couldn't .... just too old. I do enjoy your channel.

[@SuperHurdman]

Best part of it Sandy is sharing it with friends!

[@karencary3312]

It pays for itself.

[@davidmartin5179]

Great break down of the costs. Diffinently, cheaper in the long run. Also, the lumber really sucks at the Depot now. Especially the 2x4’s. I have to look at about 30 just to fine 10 good ones.

[@jmyers9853]

nice summary of the costs. i like your presentation, clear and precise

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks!

[@vinceskinner7802]

Awesome passion for the workmanship and making things with your hands!

[@regparsons5674]

Hey Sandy don't forget, now you have the building and the sawmill. I picked up my new HM130 max in Port Perry last week. What a fine machine it is. I expect i will get many years of use and enjoyment from it. I always enjoy your videos. Thanks

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Roll up tarps or just tarps to open and closed. String a cable from one end to the other end, put the cable though the holes in the tarp

[@kenactofkindness4017]

fantastic prices love it, always good to know

[@CL-pe4ll]

I really enjoy your videos. Great how you are just yourself! Keep it up bud

[@andrewsoots3562]

I am in North Carolina , look forward to seeing your video's , keep them coming Andrew Soots

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Andrew. Hope all is well with you

[@farnorthpicker56]

We’re looking into a sawmill so your videos greatly interest us. Definitely looking into the Woodland because it’s only a six hour drive to go pick one up, plus it’s supporting an Ontario business. Thanks so much for the cost payback breakdowns. We have all the equipment to cut and haul wood off our property. Hauled 35 logs and had a mill come in a few years back. With our own, we could cut at our leisure. Also great hobby to keep us old folks fit and active! Lol.

[@Andrew_From_NB]

Sandy! Again.. like in previous videos, you make me take a good step back and reevaluate the topic of woodyard vs sawmill from totally different angles! I have been doing similar comparisons over the years say with similar setups and yes agree ya the first job.. going to be a learning curve and perhaps the lumber yard would be the better option at the moment, but 2-3-4 projects in.. that’s where the mill.. the hard work, your time and equipment are going to shine through 💯👍! And at the 12:30 mark in this vid, you talk about having the idea and then bringing it all home with the sawmill purchase, pride in workmanship, all while maintaining your property and forest along with other items.. This was so well presented and honestly, I’m blown away! Sandy, thanks so much for having really… such great down to earth content, channels like this are very few and far between and I wanted you to know that 💯. Anyways, as always appreciate the visit and great discussion! Take care! Andrew from NB :)

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Andrew! I appreciate that.

[@jeremyadams8256]

Love the breakdown and truth about buying a sawmill. We just bought a Norwood with the log planer kit time to start building our cabin. Keep the videos coming.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Jeremy, happy sawing!

[@mrt8393]

We appreciate your videos down here in Texas bud!

[@RockThisTown2000]

My experience has been that very few things that purportedly "pay for themselves" do so after only one project, sale or otherwise, whether it's jewelry making, sewing, basket weaving, gunsmithing, lumber milling, or whatever. It takes a few builds, sales or some volume of activity to recoup your initial investment. Sandy, you did a great job breaking it all down about the sawmill. $5K+ is a pretty sizable investment for something that will also take considerable manual labor to yield it back, but if you love working outside with your hands, don't mind a little sweat equity & take satisfaction in building something from nothing, I say go for it! The mill shed is a great starter project for a newbie sawmiller, and then it's on to building more sheds, pavilions, gazebos, rustic cabins and more, or just milling the lumber, for yourself or others.

[@davidakridge2831]

I bought the low end Woodland Mills HM122 with 9HP motor upgrade. It was less than $2,400 shipped to my house on the gulf coast USA. It is a great mill that has exceeded my expectations. We've milled over 1,000 BF with it already.

[@fabiancanada8876]

Interesting to hear that and I agree 100% with it. If you are an electrician or something and you like what you are doing.. it will be almost impossible to do as well in gardening, milling or whatever. It is a hobby that costs you money. If things go well, maybe you break even but if you would calculate your labor- no way that is going to work. To me personally, I just love the aspect of learning new things and having such a variety of work on my homestead. And the satisfaction that you get when your hard work pays off is just very rewarding. Also, being outside breathing fresh air and exercising always makes me feel good. So if you factor those things in it is a different story but financially.. Not really.

[@allenchancery4847]

Its worth something to be able and enjoy the work and play withkota thanks sandy

[@sawingwithsandy]

I agree with ya there. Can’t put a price on that one

[@garywilser7802]

I recently purchased a woodland mills HM122 and I absolutely love it. I have some projects that I am certain will justify the cost of the mill. There are so many things you can produce with the mill that you can’t buy at a box store at any price , such as custom timber’s for a timber frame building , live edge boards and unusual species of boards , etc. Most important to me , however is the pure satisfaction of producing your own lumber from trees on your own property, or other timber that would otherwise be wasted. It’s just plain fun and that makes it worth the investment to me !

[@sawingwithsandy]

That satisfaction sure is the big one for me too

[@davemclelland9292]

I like the way you broke it down Sandy......your mill purchase will more than pay in $ and the good feelings you get from this projects and ones to follow...Look ahead at what you are going to do and back at what you have done...:-)) so rewarding....The old canvas tarps are a bit pricey but they hang well and won't be as effected by wind ,They can roll up when you are working, so so won't lose any light.....

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Dave

[@bradchristy5002]

Nicely done - excellent presentation

[@jeffenglishsetter8339]

Every Canadian sawer channel I see has good hearted people. A hope for humanity especially from those who work. I appreciate and subscribed. Great points on doing the due diligence. Same thing with bee hives. Build your own or buy precut unassembled. Build your own from big box lumber stores is only saving 20%. Add time of cutting ect, you are negative. Granted that having the tools to cut/build from boards. Per hive, around $200. Add the cost of a nuc ( bees and queen) $350/ hive. Then you wait a year to sell honey 🍯 because first year is all about establishing a healthy colony😉. But she’s ok with that. 😆 Thanks again and prayers

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Je! Appreciate that

[@CedarTrailsLiving]

I always appreciate your time and attention to these types of videos. I would say that many projects are only bid based on time and materials for that job because those other costs are not related to any single job. If I were a contractor I would not charge someone for purchasing a circular saw to do their job so in my book you would be fine taking out the tools from the cost estimate. Raw materials comparison would be fine. I track the expenses for my house build but I only track materials for the house and not the tools I buy to be more efficient because those costs would be distributed over many years by the many projects they enable. The main point for me owning a mill and tracking my lumber production is to know (over the long haul) how long did it take to justify the purchase decision of the mill. Last weekend I milled $800 worth of lumber that I can price at Home Depot and Lowes and tracked that towards the cost of the mill. I also like to keep an inventory for planning projects. Keep on milling and thanks again for another great video.

[@sawingwithsandy]

That’s a good way of putting it. Thanks for checking out my video. Hope all is well

[@raybin6873]

Very good video - no stinking background music a BIG plus! I don't know why it's mostly Canadian videos I wind up watching....but I'm having a lot more respect for you Canadians! Lumber prices have become insane here in Georgia as well. I have a lot of pine trees on my property I need to cut down - many are pretty big measuring ~20" at base of trunk. I want to build a carport add-on to the house so thinking of using the pine trees as source of lumber. Only piece of equipment I have is a 16" chainsaw and a wire welder (not much to speak of LoL!). My plans are to build a cheap cheap sawmill using chainsaw to rough cut lumber (skip planing it smooth). So...this is my start...here. Seems logical the Canadians know about this stuff...so I've subscribed! So it's off to watch the videos!!👍

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

You may have said in a previous video, but was the wood for the shed seasoned or green. ? Building something yourself when finished is very therapeutic and very satisfying. And not to mention, something to be proud of. 👍👍

[@jeffstadler6754]

Sandy we love your vids and the buildings. Great info. Thanks for your time! 🇺🇸🇨🇦! We bought ours and setting it up now. Hope to cut this weekend. Thanks for your help!

[@sawingwithsandy]

That’s great to hear Jeff!

[@baronallison941]

Sandy, you are a legend. Still waiting to pull the trigger on a mill, but I had no idea it would pay for itself so quickly. Maybe that's just current lumber prices talking but I thought it would take a barn and a couple acres of horse fencing to justify getting one of these. Nice to know how wrong I was.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah sure doesn’t take long it seems. My mill sure is a valuable tool once the price of wood is factored in. Thanks for tuning in

[@henrymarshall6557]

a little whiter down there than northern Ontario where I am. Keep up the great videos.

[@dansullivan1120]

Hey; that’s a win in my book....

[@dannyboy7086]

hi from Manitoba. Really like your videos. gonna have to start from the beginning. keep up the good work. it's crazy how lumber prices have sky rocketed

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for watching. You sure know about winter out in Manitoba. We're just starting to get into it here in Ontario. Lumber prices are down right scary here it seems. Hope all is well with you

[@benscoles5085]

A lot of the costs you mentioned, mill, tools,are pro rated over years of use, I have a hammer bought in 1980, it cost a fortune back then, right about 25.00 bucks, I did some teeth grinding in deciding to buy or not. I still have that hammer today, it has cost me 55 cents a year to own that hammer. but the last minute or so of this vid says it ALL for me, YOU have PRIDE in accomplishment of what you built, that my friend has no tangible value, but is priceless in yours and my eyes. Well Done

[@joemccarthywascorrect6240]

Last week I put a deposit on a sawmill. I have two major projects planned, and with the ridiculous increase in prices last year, my lumber costs exceed the cost of the mill. So, my logic was I could buy the lumber for the projects, and then when I am done, if I need more lumber I will have to buy that too... or, I could buy the mill, mill all the lumber, and then I still have the mill for all future lumber needs. And I can even expand it into a small side business at a later date.

[@seanboers9953]

I'm in the process of building a sawmill shelter that is coincidentally similar to yours. I'm also in Ontario, but not seeing that white stuff yet. Found your channel after I designed mine and thought - yeah - that one... I like your second pitch on the roof extension - I'll most likely add that to mine now. Great job by the way. Like you - I want mine as open as possible for good weather, and as closed in as possible for bad weather. My home built mill is a trailer, so my floor is simply dirt at grade level for driving in and out. The way I've chosen to close it in is as follows (for clarity, I'll call the head of your mill North, and the tail of your mill South) - North: Full open span with roll up tarp door. For me, this is the door that the mill will roll in and out of as needed. - East: (Rear wall) 3 equal spans. The two end spans are closed in with board and batten siding. The middle span is covered with two barn doors that roll open on tracks. For me, this opening on the rear will be for ejecting waste material into stands for the cutoffs and slabs. - South: Full open span with swing out doors (may change to roll up tarp). I will use this door to either a) pull finished material off the mill and onto my trailer, b) attach a bed extension, c) drag longer logs in lengthwise on the mill, etc. - West: The long open span will be closed in with a roll up tarp door. The shorter span will be closed in with board and batten siding and will have a man door for going in and out when everything else is closed up. Having some fully closed in wall sections gives some great tool storage locations. Shelves and hooks for blades, tools, spare parts, etc.

[@busterulmer7092]

Sandy, you finally hit the real factor on the build, the pride of designing, planning and completing a professional build. The satisfaction is priceless. Now get some drop down tarps and enclose it.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’m getting real close to that. Stay tuned 😉

[@brianleathers9238]

I couldn’t help but feel my roll up tarp idea would be easy, cost effective, and would solve your exposure issues.

[@TgWags69]

Same here except I suggested greenhouse plastic to allow light in

[@beckywatt5048]

I like the roll up tarp idea as a stop gap , we built a barn over grandfathers mill when I was in HS , It was a grand family project and very educational for all the cousins .

[@gazinta]

I have one of those on my camper from 1976. I also install them on homes. That's called a "roll-out awning". I'm pretty sure Pharoh and Julias Ceasar had them, too.

[@resolutekravmaga651]

I got my hm122 at the end of August and started a spreadsheet to see when I'll break even. This is a great episode!!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Nice to know when the break even point is I can imagine

[@CedarTrailsLiving]

Yup started doing the same. Hard to factor a price for some of the exotics or slabs. I'd be curious what others factor for those.

[@Valkathon]

For cost of buying the lumber you didn’t add the fuel to town and the fact you must have a trailer or pay for delivery. Also most of the cut off pieces to make cants can easily be used for construction. Cutting the 2 edges off to square it and you can build log cabin looking structures that block wind and blowing rain. They also work great as fencing.

[@CedarTrailsLiving]

@@Valkathon Great points. I tend to figure the costs for getting the logs offsets the other costs associated with purchasing lumber for my jobs. I admittedly also dont factor my time or the gas for the mill and plenty of other expenses. Just looking for a rough idea how much lumber the mill has saved me buying. I know Sawing With Sandy has done a full breakdown in a spreadsheet about operating a mill. It has a lot of great detail.

[@danstirm4333]

I think as others have already said that you should put up curtains in winter but removable in summer for air flow.

[@Grizz270]

if it was me ...lol.... on the end the sawmill sits i would add a small closet 2 or 3 feet deep with a work bench ....but it would be manly for keeping blades and tools in as well as a weather barrier ....the opposite end i would build swinging doors so it could be used for bringing in longer logs on the back wall i would side it from the top down about halfway and hang tarp down the rest of the way or make doors that hinge upon the front i would just have a roll up tarp on the big opening and put siding on the left and right of the opening maybe leaving some openings at the top for light ....but it aint me and im sure what ever you come up with will work for you ...cheers

[@hotindianuncle]

cheers mate, i was on the fence about this and glad i found your video. you got a new sub from me :)

[@sawingwithsandy]

Right on! Welcome to the channel!

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

Got the woodmizer lx250 cutting for a week love sawing 😁👍👍like the video

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks and have fun sawing!

[@CairnCreek]

I built my own mill shop with our woodmizer. It’s extremely self satisfaction at its finest.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Absolutely!

[@PaulLadendorf]

New subscriber here. Love your vids. If I was calculating the true cost of buying wood vs sawing my own, I would add in depreciation costs on all of the tools, equipment to harvest the wood as well as the infrastructure to mill/dry it....chain saw, tractor, saw mill shed, wood shed, cant hook, etc. plus time/labor for harvesting, milling, drying and maintenance on all of the equipment and buildings and lets not forget about the land cost. That's how businesses calculate their expenses. Personally, the financials aren't nearly as important to me as the satisfaction of building stuff with my own two hands and the resources on my property. Keep up the good work and thanks!

[@sawingwithsandy]

All good points Paul. Welcome to the channel, glad you’re here

[@chriscox6598]

Sandy, Just a couple of ideas for you to consider For a quick enclosure, if there are any pulp and paper mills close by see if you could get some used wet felts from them. A paper maker will know what they are. They make good weather screening Also, used billboard vinyl if you’re not concerned about the advertisement on them. Most billboards around me also have the name of who owns them so you can contact them. Don’t know if there are many pool companies near you but used pool liners work also. Personally I think a more permanent solution would be enclosing with siding and doors

[@kevinbrewer2141]

I don't regret buying my sawmill it has paid for itself many times over. You could use the way tractor trailer's on center dump or drop trailers. They use a tarp with pipe on one edge. At one end of the pipe it has a universal on it. Then there is a long crank handle on it. The universal acts like a stop or a lock at a ninety degree angle.

[@MegaChekov]

Hi Sandy i got my 0s 23 going its on the back patio under cover first log horse apple next red ceder next sycamore im not in the country cant wait to get the next log . Ho for your shed hang some tarps or some plastic all the best to you and yours from John in Texas

[@alluchterhand746]

Nice breakdown Sandy. I take it you’ve viewed Smoky Mountain Outpost’s sawmill by now, a very similar structure. I’m sure you will finish up in stellar craftsmanship.

[@scottrivers6472]

Great video thank you

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad you had a chance to check it out

[@georgemadros4914]

Great job. Suggestion. Close in back wall, leave it about 12” above the floor. End walls looking at it both side close in with a wide door. Wall in front left. Make a work bench and shelving for tools. I’m from Alaska love what you doing

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great ideas George. Bet it’s beautiful country up your way. Thanks for watching

[@Valvicus]

Sandy, thanks for the cost breakdown and comparison. This being the first of your videos I've watched, I'm looking forward to seeing more of them. It's just an idea, but have you considered using mesh window screening to keep snow from blowing into your mill shed? Since it comes in rolls, I would think it it could be rolled up and down like window shades. There may be impracticalities I haven't considered that would prevent its being used that way, but it's a possibility, I would think. Keep up the good work and enthusiasm, mate!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for tuning in and sharing the idea

[@MrDcoffey]

The "project" doesn't offset the cost of the mill, it adds to it. You would not need the structure if you did not buy the sawmill. The same way you added the cost of your extension to the cost of the sawmill, this protective structure is an additional cost as it is pretty much necessary to own and operate a sawmill. So the real test is whether the cost of he sawmill and the cost of the shelter, and the cost of the other shelters to store and dry your lumber, and all other costs you would not have in labor and maintenance will ever be offset by what you saved by not buying lumber. Until the price of lumber recently skyrocketed, I am not sure you could ever financially justify the cost of a sawmill for cutting softwood into dimensional lumber. However, they have always been cost effective for cutting special cuts of hardwood.

[@trithan1473]

Hes just using it as a general gage for how to figure out cost effectiveness, he wasnt saying thats how he did it.... and yeah unless you have access to lots of free raw timber and build a ton it wont be worth it

[@garyvail1426]

2022 lumber prices 😬

[@kwarts]

With your off-grid cabin add in the balance, you most likely saved yourself a fair bid off money. Kind regards Christiaan

[@sashby21]

Thanks for your videos and that kind of info you provide. I just subscribed recently but have been enjoying your content. Maybe you mentioned it and I missed it, but it would be great to have your estimate on how many hours you spent to get all the logs you needed from the forest to the mill, and how many hours spent cutting into lumbers. Just a rough ballpark would be great to factor in.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for checking out this video Simon and welcome to the channel. It took me most of the summer working a few days here, a few days there to get the logs cut up, delimbed, skidded and sawn in my sawmill. I’ll see about keeping closing track of the numbers on future projects. Take care

[@inekelassooij840]

Groetjes uit Holland 👋🏼 Top machine goede uitleg van de kosten 👍👌

[@Valkathon]

I got the 122 as I have only 2 trees on my property that are to large but I wish I had gone the next size up. My family will be building our own home and are close to having half the wood cut for framing. The saw is going great but to anyone looking to buy I suggest going one size above your needs if you can.

[@mavisthedestroyer6260]

This guy is awesome

[@robertgrumski9076]

Sandy, my wife said that if you did not have sawmill you would not need that building. I recently purchased a 130 max and I am milling all the maple moldings for the new house we will be building and she is still questioning the purchase of the mill. But I agree the satisfaction I will get knowing I took trees from my property and milled them for the trim in the new house is priceless!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah sure will get good satisfaction making that trim work. I did the same recently and feel great about it

[@grantbarkwell7647]

I recently closed in my hay shed using greenhouse plastic from Northern Greenhouse in Manitoba. It’s UV cross woven very strong so it stands up to wind, snow and hail. Best of all it lets in the light.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Not a bad idea. Thanks Grant!

[@garyhunter6030]

I see two options. Buy sliding barn door rails and rollers. Build the wood part with saw mill. Or buy heavy duty cotton tarps and hang them. Use wood made French cleats to hang them.

[@RockThisTown2000]

Yes, I like the barn door idea. Sturdy, secure & can be opened wide in the summer for good air flow.

[@duanekalmbach1864]

string a cable across the front and sides and have a white or clear tarp slide on the cable...much easier to open than a roll up tarp

[@FYMM69]

Awesome video as usual Sandy. SW Ontario now 03/2022 a 2x10x16 is $65.50 tax in. A mill sure pays for itself

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hard to imagine the price ever getting that high eh

[@roald48]

Again, use quality tarps as one uses a shower curtain to open and close the structure from the weather.

[@jeremyscott6641]

Pays for itself in two projects but those projects have a heck of a lot more meaning to you in the end, sit back sip your coffee and say I did that 👌

[@richvail7551]

Thanks for the break down. I think a wise choice for a newbie might be to maybe buy a used one for half price of a new and that there could make it even easier to pay back the investment. But one would need to have a good friend to help them learn what to look for in a good second hand mill. Nothing worse than buying something that needs to be fixed rather than just getting to work milling lumber.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I agree with ya there Rich.

[@jean-yvesdurocher8467]

Great video! The satisfaction to build it yoirself is priceless. At the end if you sell you sawmill you will get top $$ and super low cost building. It is impossible to find a used woodland sawmill in Ontario... and if you find one it is top $. So worst case... buy one, do your projects and sell it atfer. Thx !

[@sawingwithsandy]

You’re right about the used market. They don’t really exist do they

[@chomp7927]

Like most things involving a large upfront investment It comes down to future plans. I spent 18 grand on my tractor and backhoe for a project I could haven rented a larger machine and done for about 2 grand. But, if I do enough projects the savings work out in the end compared to renting, plus I can pick and choose when I work, I don't have to work around rental times. Even if I sell out in a few years the money paid for the tractor for a few years will be less than 7 rentals. Buying and then selling later can actually be much cheaper than multiple rentals just because a lot of high end tools and machinery hold their value quite well. I feel the saw mill is a similar thing. If you can think of at least 3-4 structures you want to build and have free access to all of the wood then you should be good in the long run. But if you just need to build a shed and a barn then maybe it's not worth it, or maybe it's cheaper to buy one and sell it after 2 projects? Essentially it's the renter vs owner argument in it's simplest form.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah you’re absolutely right

[@RiverValleyLandscaping]

I completely think the same way as you, I purchased a cheap used tractor backhoe and various other outdoor hardscape tools including a plate compactor, concrete saw, laser level, along with a trailer instead of renting. Between my own projects, helping family, and then a few side jobs I have easily recouped my initial $10,000 within two years and have the equipment to still use/sell down the road.... On the other hand looking at my situation someone could say purchasing a larger truck because of towing needs, and building a garage/shed to store the equipment to have a space for fixing/maintenance should also be added into the equation and therefore I did not save any money at all... especially after factoring in the time spent, but to me it’s also a bit of a hobby... I feel that most quality tools/equipment can be purchased and used for a few years and then sold for not much of a loss. Although two main factors come into play when doing this. #1 is if the item to be purchased is constantly coming out with new models and features as that will end up costing you because people want the newest updated version. #2 being that you have to buy brand name as these are still sought after even if it is not the newest thing on the market, this also helps in resale because of the keywords future buyers will search for

[@salmonhunter7414]

lumber prices have gone through the roof . pun intended.

[@markboettcher9443]

hang tarps on all four sides. roll up when in use.

[@samgibson684]

Walls should come down lower to keep out wind and snow Build a set of bunks level with the mill and eliminate machine loading clearances just roll a log from the bunk onto the mill with a peavy Deployable curtains on certain walls would also help The bunks are key for safety and less wear and tear. Fill the bunk in the morning and saw all day without starting the machine a dozen times Drying shed/ kiln should be directly at the tail of the mill for efficiency Good breakdown and video quality

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Sam. I decided to use roll down tarps in place of solid walls just to maintain views and airflow

[@5203mhr]

I am in the same boat where I have lots of dead burned trees on our 2.5 acres and we have to build everything including road etc It will cost me about 7k (I am in bc) to buy a local new lumber mill and when I compare the material specially wood required to build a house/cabin to live in , goat barn sheds for tools and garage etc I am convinced that buying a mill be better option only factor is time to do all the milling and where I put my labour cost into factor and realize that it’s still a better option to buy the mill as I can mill all my lumber during winter months in northern bc where I have nothing better to do Once done with projects then I can either sell the mill or do some custom work for others You have good content in your videos and very well presented I am convinced that your channel will grow faster than you can mill the lumber

[@sawingwithsandy]

I appreciate the feedback about my channel growing. Good to hear from folks like yourself. I think I agree about the sawing your lumber for building purposes. If you need to I can imagine that selling your sawmill down the road wouldn't be too difficult. Hope the sawing goes well for ya when the time comes. All the best

[@13612]

You need a lumber source that is reliable/own land with a substantial amount of timber to warrant this being viable and you sure do need a method to get your lumber to the milling site....a grappler /tractor. That is a lot more money...I would love to do this as I have the first part covered...by the time I get the tractor and the mill....I'll have to do a whole lot of cutting to make it to a break even...with age and wearing out body parts....I think I should have been at this 10 years ago.....I don't know....looks very enticing though as I see the trees here fall and always think...wow that it such a waste!

[@georgiebearpaws]

I ordered a sawmill which I'm waiting for. I have a good amount of trees. First project planned is to cut logs into 4" thick planks 12- 16" wide to build a super sturdy floor, setting on top of cinder blocks in my back yard, to work on my Ford 350. Your not going to find this kind of lumber a Home Depot. May even build a tarp roof on it, the best thing, property taxes won't go up.

[@pauljelen2330]

Having the tools does cost more up front but it's nice to have the tools to cut wood when you want, how you want and what you want. You can also factor in when milling your own lumber you also get some firewood, mulch and a lot of variety cuts like slabs, cookies, cutting boards and scraps to make what ever you can imagine.

[@sawingwithsandy]

You’re right about the extra bonuses with the sawmill Paul

[@rvdboston9568]

It is easy to estimate this initial costs if you take a day and think. What is hard is long term profitability and competition with big industrial mills. I could not see ever making any measurable profit from it, especially once lumber prices would stabilize and continue at usual pace. I would think you are making more money from your YouYube channel showing how you cut the lumber, than from cutting lumber itself. Kudos for that!

[@vernonhaymon6452]

Hello from Tennessee, great videos Sandy . You have true 2x4 ,2x8 and 2x10 not what they call 2x4,2x8 and 2x10 at Lowe's. Hard to find Straight lumber at lowes!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for watching Vernon

[@brianbrown600]

I was thinking to solve your weather proofing question you could consider buying a couple billboard vinyl tarps. Very thick and have a continuous loop on the ends. You could slide fence post pipe through one length and mount that pipe up high, just under the overhang on the fascia board. The other length could also have a pipe run through it and it would be tied down or secured when the mill is not being used. With elbow connections on either end the vinyl tarp could be raised as an awning with 2 more fence pipes inserted into those elbows and then into a socket somewhere along the side posts of the structure. Make 4 of these for each side of the structure and it's tarped in when your not using it and it gives even more weather protection when up when you are milling. Just a thought...

[@brianbrown600]

This idea might need some pipes in the side loops as well to be used as an awning when up. If you're following what I'm saying...

[@JVHShack]

There is another way to look at the sawmill cost if you were to build your own instead of buying one from a ready-made. I have figured that building one myself costs about 30-40% of the ready-made ones from Woodland Mills, Hud-son, etc. For example, a used welding machine (arc or mig) can be had for not a whole lot. I'm going to cheat a little and buy the sawmill "head" from someone in Oregon, but at least it'll still be 1/3 the price of the 36" ready-made ones.

[@jessicarollins9796]

Best advice at minute 12:20!

[@randywolfe44]

I paid $40.57 US for two 2x6x12 treated boards at Home Depot last week. That saw mill was free compared to lumber prices today. I noticed junkie OSB was $39.94 a sheet. I paid less than $7 for some 3 years ago....

[@pseudopetrus]

The big beams are often LVL's or glue lams, and yes they are expensive. Where I am at is close to the city, but I do live out in the country. I have built horse barns (stick frame) and drive sheds (pole barns), and almost everything is permitted, so I need to use stamped lumber. I have built custom homes as well, and I need to get along with the building departments. If you decide to build without a permit (say you are in an unregulated township) you still have got to build it right (OBC code does not allow for exemptions even in unregulated townships, even if there are no inspectors or building department). So if it is built right and meets code, you should be good. If you are using rough cut or green lumber, (I have built a timber frame home) engineers oversize the lumber significantly. This would be my recommendation, over build with proper load bearing characteristics, pay close attention to the foundation, whether it is continuous or interrupted. And keep in mind rot, that is a big downfall of some home made projects, rot can significantly weaken your structure within 20 years, so keep your wood high and dry. Just a few words that might help, from a worn out framer who had lots of adventures, what is the biblical term for a guy like me... Oh ya, cripple! love your channel Sandy!

[@gazinta]

I spend $8 for the ingredients to make a PB&J sammich. The second costs $4. The third about $2.60 When I run out of bread, I don't buy new peanut butter or jelly. Just new bread. By the time I'm done, each sammich costs about a dime. Buying a mill is about the long game. Maybe renting one is a better option for a small project like this. Same thing here.

[@frotobaggins7169]

if you have the time, we have the beer. :D sandy, don't forget, you have to have the TREES. many people don't have a standing forest. even if you have a standing forest, that tree has a cost.

[@tomjerniagan8827]

Hey I am new but watched several videos and enjoy the show. You do you but maybe add a shed on the head? end just 6 or 8 feet to protect that end and provide a place to store tools and such like a coffee pot

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for the idea Tom.

[@TyroneDamShewlaces]

Doing something similar this summer, but larger scale. I'll be fabricating the sawmill so will cost tons less dollars but tons more time. The first building, like you, needs to be FOR the milling thing, so the start of a barn for drying and a shed for the mill. But those larger-scale projects make the mill choice a no-brainer regarding cost. Lumber and many other building supplies are between 3x to 5x what they were only 8 months ago. I'm about 10 years late getting off my duff to start milling. But if federal spending turns dollar value into ashes, as I expect it to do at some point, then the value of functional lumber will go through the roof and the value of just having a working mill set up may be a life-saver. Hard to beat tangible physical assets (lumber) I think.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah having a mill is surely something that will pay off in the long term!

[@jimfurr81]

They have prebuilt buildings too - delivered!

[@exotictones1054]

Good job buddy you forgot the price of that man hammer.that had to add 100.lol .great job on spending all that time just to show us the cost ty alot.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha

[@lynnnelson3999]

i just ordered the woodland mills HM126. i didnt even run the numbers on the savings because i know it will pay for itself quickly from hunting shacks to out buildings to the cabin and bunk house. like you said, the thought of your own hands making it is what drove me to the purchase. the fact i just looked up a 6x6 16 foot long timber was going to run $102 us dollars was shocking!

[@sawingwithsandy]

That is shocking!

[@genemcintyre5352]

Hi, I am now in my 60's and tools I have bought over the years have cost in excess of $20,000 or more to be Conservative that's not counting the 4 cube cement mixer, bobcat or trucks, mostly second or 3rd hand plus. A waste of money as I qualified a pen pusher at college. Yet those tools have allowed me to build 3 homes, and I still have a lot of the tools. My son who live on a 200 acre property (When we bought the land we lived in a tent for ages no power no running water), is about o buy a mill because unlike me he likes to build in Timber not concrete and bricks and blocks and we have a multitude of timber we need to clear. The say that the proletariat have nothing but what we do have is SWEAT EQUITY combine that with a means of production (ie tools and equipment) and you can do anything.

[@lumberjill6598]

I think everyone's suggests are great to get it enclosed, but you've worked so hard at making it look nice I would continue with that theme and make something that will last and look good for the long haul. Thanks for the cost info but I think the community agrees that we could all use a sawmill and will come up with any excuse to justify it! That's why we're here, am I right!? Lumber junkies!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I can see what you mean there. We’re all lumber junkies indeed 😉

[@jordanmaerz7852]

I'm building a deck and fece. Timber store quoted me north of 10 grand. Needless to say I am ordering the same sawmill.

[@pauldiebold3598]

I suggest an old Billboard Tarp. They are pretty cheap and plentiful.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’ve not heard of billboard tarps before. We don’t have a lot of billboards around my area. I’ll have to look More into it

[@21thTek]

Great, but that would be interesting to know, how much it would cost if you already own the sawmill. I mean paying only for the fuel, grease, nails, brackets, etc. THANKS for a great effort ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[@txlandlink]

It would be nice to know what the cost of the project would be with a sawmill that is already paid off. Just the cost of the lumber minus the cost of the sawmill initial purchase.

[@toddallison4390]

Good info. What do you do to home treat lumber for ground applications with wood you've cut?

[@sawingwithsandy]

I use weather treatment you can apply with a brush and buy in a can from the hardware store.

[@PaulAndBambi]

Still need to add your “time” to mill the wood as a cost and add the cost of routine repairs and maintenance to the mill and the cost of electricity or fuel to run the mill. We would like a better cost comparison to actual costs vs estimated. Figure your “time” to mill before you can even build. Most people have to work a regular job as well to pay the bills and their off time is extra. I believe it would be cheaper and easier in the long run to purchase your wood and supplies at your local hardware store because you can just build it and not make your own boards first. You mentioned having to get all those tools to build your project in addition to the cost of the supplies at the “Home Depot”...you have to get those tools even if you have a mill! In short, only if you plan on using your mill to make boards and to sell later as additional income will it then be effective. My advice is to look for a used mill because there are a lot of people who buy them then realize it isn’t what they thought it would be. Good luck with your projects

[@yellow3222]

Pro...ject that cracks me up🤣

[@jameshalliday412]

Hey Sandy. While I love watching and your analysis, I can’t help but see a “flaw” in the logic. Discussing how much you “saved” building a saw mill shed seems pretty backward. As I consider my own sawmill purchase, I include the cost of building the shed as part of the cost of having the mill. So I’d be adding the mill, the roofing, the fasteners, the fuel, etc. then comparing that to the eventual savings vs. buying lumber for other projects. Anyway, just my thoughts. I’d certainly like to pitch the idea the way you present it to the “minister of finance” but I think she’d quickly point out my “error”. 😂 Keep up the great videos! 👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

I guess the idea of building a shed (not specific to a sawmill) may make the comparison more realistic

[@michaelodonoghue7464]

It's known as "Blown Snow" for a reason.