Freedom Line Assembly Video

[@btwd123]

I recently purchased this mill and did the assembly myself. First let me say if you are doing the assembly GO SLOW AND TAKE YOUR TIME. In the end you will find that this is an excellent hobby mill for guys like me! The paper instructions suck but the video is excellent. I suggest watching the video several times before starting assembly. I had some questions when I was assembling the mill and when i called customer service i spoke to Wayne. He knew EXACTLY how to solve the problems i was having. He was patient and very helpful. GO WAYNE!! The only real problem was that even when the lift cables were adjusted the mill head wanted to bind a little when raising and lowering the mill head. With a little thought and some common sense it worked fine. Once the unit was assembled and on the track i milled a small (8"dia) log. After making a few adjustments, I milled a 9' long, 21" dia (including the bark) fresh cut black walnut log. I made several cuts and then rolled the log over to finish. It has about 19" between the guides and i must say it did very well cutting. The motor starts easy and runs well. I read in some reviews that people were concerned with the aluminum rails vs steel but i don't see any problems with the aluminum rails. Make sure the rails are level all the way around before you put the mill on the rails. I will be cutting the log dogs in half so the clamp and stop side can move independently. I also will be adding a "pin" on the end of the stop side to better reach into the bark and hold logs. This will be especially helpful when you set the clamp down low on the log near the rail. ALL IN ALL I GIVE THIS MILL A 9 OUT OF 10 STARS. The price is right and the lumber i cut from my first walnut log will pay for the mill. EXCELLENT JOB HUD-SON.

[@scotw1507]

Got one of these about year ago. Just started using it recently and had questions on the blade, how it was cutting and how the dogs where clamping. When I called, This guy took the time to go through my questions and offer suggestions. Pretty nice to talk to the person who actually puts them together and not some "support" guy reading a manual.

[@advancingabilities9719]

Just purchased this sawmill about a month ago. I opted to assemble the Sawmill myself and have a few comments on this. If you opt to assemble it yourself it will take time, patience, and a mechanical understanding. Expect that what you receive will not be perfectly welded, perfectly square, holes perfectly drilled etc. When it is assembled at the factory, they have the know-how, skills and tools to make the needed adjustments during assembly. With that said, it took my son and I sometime to assemble it properly. We needed to make adjustments as we assembled it, specifically, the mill head was twisted, not a big twist but enough so that getting the wheels to align properly was a tough task (it included sliding the wheels on the bearings shaft) but we were able to get them aligned perfectly. I personally can't emphasize enough that everything is kept and maintained level and plum during the assembly process, once we leveled the frame we clamped it down so it would stay level. The mounting bracket for the idling wheel was bent and twisted upon arrival and we added a piece of 3/8 steel to prevent further bending or twisting with a much shorter slot to put the bolt through. My only suggestion for Hud-Son would be a better printed assembly manual and video. The assembly instructions NEEDS to have pictures, arrows etc and the video is presented as if all is good and all you will need to do as add a washer or shim to adjust things. I would not recommend self assembly unless you are mechanically inclined and have access to a broad set of tools and have a lot of patience. My Son and I have over 40yrs of mechanical experience combined and he works on equipment daily that use the identical wheels and pulleys. I know we could have called Hud-Son to help us get through all the adjustments we had to make and I know they have seen these thing before, but I was extremely confident that we could get the unit assembled properly and working properly just by taking our time, following the video instructions (with many pauses to see exactly what was happening) and a good sense of humor - With Age Come Wisdom :) Thank you Hud-Son we are so looking forward to milling some trees in the next few days. Rick

[@DanHudon]

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR PURCHASE WITH US. I AM PLEASED YOU GOT YOUR SAWMILL TOGETHER, YES IT DOES HELP WHEN A SINGLE PERSON PUTS TOGETHER A FEW THOUSAND OR SO. AND YES YOU CAN BUY THEM PUT TOGETHER, BUT I PROMISE YOU WE WILL LOOK AT YOUR COMMENTS AS WE LEARN WISDOM DAILY AND WE WILL BEING LOOKING AT OUR INSTRUCTION COMMENTS THAT YOU FEEL NEED MORE ADDRESSING, ANYTIME THAT ONE NEEDS SUPPORT OR JUST WANT TO TALK TO ONE OF OUR MFG PEOPLE, CALL OUR FACTORY DIRECT AT 800-765-7297 or look up a dealership in your state on our web-site, THANK YOU

[@Fergusbaddog]

I am having the exact same issues: Twisted wheel mount arms (not huge - but enough to cause problems), wheels 1/4" difference on shaft alignment (having to slide both wheels on shaft, not only to align to each other, but to (both) be further pushed out towards 'center' of motor clutch, wheel requires shim for vertical alignment to other wheel, Instructions are very limited in detail and not current with written instructions or factory changes. Belt has minor twist in it - not sure if that will be a problem later or not. These issues have taken any enjoyment I initially had with this purchase.

[@bobschwaller5293]

Well said Sir. I also opted to assemble it myself. It definitely takes a strong mechanical background to put it together. There's a lot of snug, measure, loosen, measure and snug again to the process.

[@peteunverferth2597]

Okay, so I too had just purchased the Hunter Sawmill, unassembled. I have had several setbacks when assembling, like the winch is a totally different winch than pictured in the video where the handle installs and appears to operate different. I worked on adjusting the mill head for almost 2 hours trying to get the mill to lift up and down while staying level. I final accomplished that task but, don't ask me how! I got the blade wheels on and leveled as described, blade tracking without moving forward or backward. I'm down to my (what I hope is the last) issue. I started the motor and cranked it up to speed. While the motor running it was going along great, then I noticed the drive belt started to flip over. It never jumped the wheel just rolled. This caused the blade to begin to jump and skip. I shut it down and removed the covers, blade and adjusted the belt tension, checked the wheels for alignment, all was good from what I learned in the video. So I started the motor up again and gave it some juice. AGAIN, it ran great for about 1- minutes and the belt flipped over again! Can anyone explain why this is doing this and how to fix it? Otherwise Hud-Son, I was impressed with packing the mill. Everything seemed to be in order and labeled clearly. Directions are very lacking in information for assembly and the video was a good help also, but still lacking on a few technical calibration issues (i.e. Mill head adjustment and Wheel alignment). The other thing I found to be and possibly a future major issue is the LOG DOGs. They seem to me, how do I want to put this, Useless, as far as them used as a log stop. I can not roll a log onto the mill frame with the log dog up because there is no way to move the locking side of the dog out of the way. Is there any way that the locking side of the dogs can be adjustable independently? Maybe use round-stock instead of square, so you can roll the locking side down while the log stop is up to keep your logs from rolling off the back side while loading or turning the log over to make another cut?!?! I think this is all I have for now. Looking forward to hearing some responses.

[@DanHudon]

Thank you for your post! We would be happy to talk you thru this technical difficulty you are having. Please call Wayne at 800-765-7297. We will get you squared away!

[@Wildlillys]

Pete Unverferth did you ever get your issue resolved? We are having the EXACT same issue. Very very frustrating!! We have tried everything!

[@btwd123]

Wild Lilly - You may need to "twist" the bracket that holds the tension wheel that the belt runs on. This bracket may of been slightly twisted when welded on. If the belt is running right up against the edge of the wheel it may be causing the belt to "flip" over? I saw this might happen on mine. CALL WAYNE toll free @ 1-800-765-7297. He will be able to help. Keep everyone posted on the correction you make to fix this.

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

After being able to see all the parts and how stuff goes together in the video, this seems like a much better designed entry level sawmill than the Harbor Freight one. I really like the 4 post design and the sturdy looking central mount for the motor and band wheels.

[@arliegheverettt9734]

I purchased this mill two years ago. I also chose to assemble myself and bought killed myself doing it, I got so frustrated. Some issues I still haven’t gotten corrected and as a result not getting to use the mill like I wanted. I don’t do well with instructions over the phone cause I don’t understand the language or I should say terms used. One wheel is a floater just slightly thought. I can’t get the blade head level, when I try and do one side the other is off. I’m probably gonna try and call Wayne and hope he has time like maybe three hours to explain this as I do it. Hahaha

[@DanHudon]

We are sorry that you are having problems. Did you buy direct or thru a dealer? Wayne is here till 430 today if you want to call him. He is very good over the phone explaining things in terms you can understand.

[@klancyjones726]

I like the mill, but why do you use aluminum track? It seems like they would wear easily.

[@DanHudon]

Thank you for your post! They were originally designed to be transport by float planes in Canada and Alaska. Flow planes have small access doors and low weight capabilities so that is why we originally went with the aluminum track. You can upgrade to the steel track for $500. Wear on the aluminum is not an issue because you are not rolling at high speeds. We appreciate your interest in our sawmills.

[@splenda89]

What type of grease is that?

[@DanHudon]

Thank you for your post. A synthetic blend would work!

[@CTSCAPER]

That looks like a well made piece of equipment with thick steel. Nice job!

[@DanHudon]

Thanks! We're glad you like it!

[@DanHudon]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[@johnoler357]

That hillbilly background music is so appropriate for this assembly video.

[@DanHudon]

Sure is!!

[@gumboot65]

Great vid. If I can get my local HudSon dealer to order in a Freedom mill, Hunter . This vid will be super handy.

[@bhaluchatyang3852]

Good video thanks Bro

[@savitskyfarm9754]

Hello, started assembling today and got as far as testing the engine but it wouldn't even turn over. Any ideas? yes, it has gas, oil, levers in correct position (choke, gas line, etc). Thank you

[@DanHudon]

Sure give us a call!! 800-765-7297

[@savitskyfarm9754]

all set! Thank you. Father didn't have enough oil in it, should've checked myself

[@scor440]

I can see now that torquing the bolts isn’t going to happen?

[@alaskanken2132]

Do you sell replacement parts such as guide bearings and drive wheels. I was hoping to fabricate a sawmill? Thanks. 🇺🇸

[@Wrpipertwin]

Cable clams installed with saddle on dead end, this is incorrect. " Never saddle a dead horse"

[@DanHudon]

Sorry I am not sure what is incorrect, Would you please call Me WAYNE i am in support and will discuss this matter and correct this issue call 800-765-7297 we will support you HUD_SON

[@gumboot65]

Yup , NEVER SADDLE A DEAD HORSE. Never put the u bolt on the standing end on wire rope . That weakens it. The clamp end goes on the standing side and the U bolt goes on the bitter end side.

[@jacobtodd1105]

Gezz guys you are correct but that lil bit of weight it don’t matter at all , not picking a hundred ton load with cable clamps

[@jacobtodd1105]

@Jeremy Bleakney using cable clamps at all on the matter is wrong if your concerned about it falling on your hand

[@frukc]

the blade is running on naked steel wheel? like it can be seen on [13:36] ?

[@ronalddenn4418]

I just got this mill. I too had issues with alignment. The 1" reference is out the window just to line up the motor and the other blade idler wheel. Had to move the wheel on the shaft to keep my belt from rolling over. Could not adjust the engine enough to fix it. Does it matter what direction the wheel and pillow blocks are put together from your factory vs how I bolted them on? It could use better motor adjustments. Mine came with round tubes and not square like the video. Is the round a better design? Just finishing putting it together. Hope to be milling at our North Shore Cabin in MN by Mamorial Day weekend. I would love to help make your instructions better for future customers. All in all the mill is welded well and looks like it will mill at my scale for years to come with a steel track to come soon. Thank you, Dennsplace Family

[@suhardisultan400]

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[@AdirondackNY]

what is the price of these saw mills unassembled

[@DanHudon]

The Hunter and Sawyer is priced at $2,195.00 unassembled! www.hud-son.com/products/product-detail/sawyer-sawmill

[@zelasafina1593]

How much ?

[@bobschwaller5293]

Pick a side to video from. One side. Makes it very hard to follow the instructions when the aspects change

[@southernsawyers6543]

hey bob did you get yours going ,I just got mine fixing to start putting it together.do you still have to drill the bearings ? did you have any other issues ?

[@bobschwaller5293]

@@southernsawyers6543 I didn't drill the bearing. That seemed already set when I measured. I just tightened the set screws. And I didn't want to mess with it until I had the carriage on the tracks. So much has to be square and level it's going to take some tweaking to get it all set up right the first time. I expect to flat butcher the first few logs and ruin at least one blade

[@southernsawyers6543]

I hear ya Bob ,I hope you got yours up and going ,I got my tracks built and just started putting the mill together,i got the carriage and the winch on,but the rest ill put on tomorrow,

[@bobschwaller5293]

@@southernsawyers6543 be patient. I've a feeling this is going to be a seat of your pants machine. They're going to be quirky getting the carriage and sawhead all running smoothly.

[@РазныеУвлечения-л1ж]

Сколько стоит

[@صلاحالكندري]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@w96725]

This video has much to be desired unless you have lots of knowledge of this mill already, a nice big garage in which to assemble everything, and the ability to read between the lines of very hastily given, and in many ways incomplete instructions. What would solve this is a good diagram of how it should be done. The only help in assembling this besides this video are written instructions that are foggy to any green horn. I am sure a good diagram added to the package would certainly alleviate much assembly trauma in setting up this mill. Otherwise, it is without question the best their is as many mills are not built nearly as well costing much more money.

[@matthewmoilanen787]

Well thank goodness for your freedom or this saw would never be able to be built. Cause other countries don't allow wood sawing. Oh never mind I just watched the Ukranian guy who built all his own logging equipment. Goodness sakes the ridiculous freedom crap is getting old!

[@barryrobinson722]

G t 0

[@uhmgawa1435]

I dismissed these mill designs after finding the mickey mouse manuals which scream "Made and Printed in China". Can't really tell quality from the pitiful manual but the video here confirms my suspicion. Looks like a high school welding project which earned a C-. Add to that the ghastly paint job which is more appropriate for a parade down main street and it boggles the mind who would buy one of these monstrosities. If forced to buy a mill I'd probably choose the HF which is at least designed/constructed better and is a larger, more powerful mill. But frankly I'd otherwise pass on both.