Is Buying A Sawmill A Huge Waste of Money?

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Is buying a sawmill a huge waste of money? I guess you could say beauty is in the eye of the beerholder. In this one we are just discussing the pros and cons of owning a sawmill. This one is purely informational so if you do not like a talking video you might want to move along.
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[@Ron1966deadly]

Very good points made, one point I would add for those considering buying a mill and possibly wanting to make a little money on sawn lumber is to research your area and the competition. I own an EZ Boardwalk 40, which is also a totally manual mill, I did not research the competition very much, but also my intention was not running a production mill, I mainly wanted to add this for my own woodwork and property upgrades (sheds, decks, and such) also wanted to get into slab/live edge furniture building. I have done a couple of jobs, but am turning down jobs currently due to an over saturated market of those nice orange mills with all the bells and whistles and for two main reasons. First my local market is over-ran with fully automated Wood Mizers (good mills and I am not knocking them) and many people learn I have a mill and inquire on getting lumber cut, tell me their cut list and think because a automated mill can run 10,000 ft a day don't want to understand that the numbers go down significantly on a manual mill (even more so as I am sole operator) and get upset that I can't mill some crazy amount of lumber by yesterday. Second is just like zero turn mowers and lawn maintenance crews, every Bubba with a pick-up truck is seeing someone making money with a mill so they go out buy more mill than they can afford on their current income, they get into a huge monthly payment, the first payment falls due they feel the pinch of being new to the game and not making $100,000 their first month, get desperate so they cut their price per BF, and not just a little, I have seen guys in this situation here that automatically will cut their rate by half so now where everyone else is running hardwood at 50 cents a BF, guy B goes to 25 and when you have enough guy B's it destabilizes the local market. I could combine both points and add this not long after I purchased my mill, I had a guy I did not know show up one day wanting 500 6x6 8ft pine post for a fence, he wanted me to procure the logs at my cost and then sell him the posts for $3,500 ($7 per post), another guy recently wanted enough 2x's to build a cabin roughly 800-900sqft in size and when I gave him my best price, he tried to tell me that another guy had quoted him 54 cents per 8ft 2x4 (my reply, I advised him to buy the guy out). Not a big deal to me to turn down these types of lowballers, as I said to start I mainly bought the mill for personal use and can make more by actually building and selling higher quality woodwork by doing so, just wanted to add this point for consideration. If you approach milling with the right attitude and don't fall for the get rich quick mindset, milling is fun and enjoyable, it is hard work at times, but if you enjoy woodwork or appreciate the beauty of wood, there is nothing more satisfying than opening up a log full of character and colors or getting those huge ray flecks on the quartersawn.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Excellent points here and spot on, well said.

[@edsmith4414]

The most valuable use of a small mill is just what you said....to build your own buildings, and have lumber for your uses. When I first bought my Woodmizer (manual LT40) in 1991, I had the notion I'd do some sawing out for other folks. I quickly got cured of that after figuring out most of them have NO way to handle logs at their place.....heck, stupid me actually sawed a big oak one time that was bucked into logs where it fell. I'd saw one log, move the mill up to the next one, saw it, move the mill up to the next one ! Nope....I quit that stupid stuff. I'll saw some for folks now IF they bring me the logs and IF they stand there and load the lumber on their truck, and then I charge $40/hr + cost of blade if I hit any metal.....and I discourage the heck out of anybody that calls ! The real value of a small mill is what you can do for yourself. Next is 'value added'. I sell some cabinet grade lumber (avoid the framing grade, that is a production mill market hard to compete in even with lumber prices the way they are). I also build a dehumidifier kiln that holds 1000bf using an old window AC unit for the heat/dehumidifier. I can kiln dry for 5 cents/bf.....but it value adds a dollar a bf easy to the price of the lumber. Then I'd build furniture, cabinets, make hardwood moldings (bought a small molding machine) and THAT really bumps the value of my lumber by the time it gets to the customer's hands. Red oak that brings maybe 80 cents/bf green goes to $2 for KD, or $5/bf in a cabinet or pc of molding. If you're gonna saw a 1000bf, would you rather gross $800 or $5000 ? Same amount of logs to gather and saw either way. Same labor. Same amount of scrap. Value added is where it's at !

[@Ron1966deadly]

@@edsmith4414 I have been stewing on building a solar kiln, but what you are talking about gets my interest. Looking around some and seeing ideas for using house dehumidifiers and small heaters, but nothing on using an AC for that. How exactly does that work?

[@edsmith4414]

@@Ron1966deadly Simple. Find a 'old dog' of a window AC.....needs to have R12 in it, not R22 (head pressure on R22 gets too high when the kiln temps hit about 115, and it shuts down). Build a nice insulated room for the kiln, then simply set the AC inside the room on a shelf. You may need to use a small electric heater to start the process if the room is below 65 because the AC won't start 'cooling' at that point. Once it does start trying to cool the room, the waste heat off the backside of the AC.....the part that would normally be stuck outside a window....will heat the room. (People often ask "HOW will the room heat if the AC is cooling ?" Answer: There is WAY WAY WAY more scrap heat off the back than the front can keep up with cooling....the cooling side can't win. WHY do you think it's normally outside the window, duh ? ) When it gets over 90- 100 inside, moisture will start to be driven off the wood and into the air. Hot air attracts and holds more moisture than cold air.....why it's humid in the summer and dry in the winter. The humidity level inside will reach 100% or close to it. Steam bath conditions. That humid air circulates over the cold coil on the front of the AC, condenses (like an iced tea glass in the summer), drips into the catch pan, which you'll need to connect a piece of tubing/hose to lead outside. I let mine drip in a bucket and watch the bucket. A 1000bd load of air dried wood.....(and I only use wood I've already air dried down to around 20%.....using green wood I suspect might result in mold as there won't be enough surface area of cold coil to remove the huge amount of moisture fast enough to prevent mold), I get around a 5 gallon bucket of water per day once the inside temps hit 115 and above....takes 2-4 days to get that high. Mine will continue to climb on up to about 130-135, and the water will become less and less in the bucket. When you only get a few quarts/day, go inside, check the wood with a meter....you'll be in the 8% range, or less. Time to quit. I then use the kiln to store my lumber and use it out of there for my work. I keep a regular dehumidifier inside and try to keep the room in the 40% and under humidity range. I use a small wall mount temp/humidity gauge to check....Radio Shack model, which tells you how long I've been doing this....ahahahahaa IF you bring it outside in a high humidity environment, it will absorb moisture out of the air like a sponge, and your kiln dried wood (or any kiln dried wood for that matter) will begin the process of trying to get back to 14-20% MC, which is what is called equalibrium point of wood.

[@Ron1966deadly]

@@edsmith4414 Thanks for the info. Now to find an R12 unit... My plan was as you stated to air dry first, your comment is right concerning mold I had moved a stack into my quonset hut last summer to get it out of the way temporarily and it did start to both mildew and mold, and in short time. I am currently clearing an area and will be grading to dedicate to an open shed for air drying, also a permanent shelter for the mill.

[@8Pointbuck]

Thank you! I live in North Cass County MN with trees all around. Retired carpenter and shocked by the cost of lumber these days. I have a source for red pine logs up the road from me plus 8 acres of my own Red Oak, Maple and Black Ash. Thinking of getting a mill for all the reasons you gave. Thank you again.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

All the more reason to get a mill, lumber prices are insane right now.

[@dcslapout5697]

I will never have one but knowing what it’s all about is priceless. Thank you

[@johncollado1151]

Morning Jim... my dad and I bought an Alaskan saw mill with a four foot bar and additional oiler when I started to build my log home. We got a lot of use out of it, but it was hard on the 051s we had. And it was a lot of work just to cut a few boards, not to mention we got buried in saw dust and chips. I still have it sitting in my barn, not sure if I'll ever use it again. But I will say, the Stihl 051s are still around and running from 1979, it's just my back can't handle them anymore! Good video, and the camera lens looks good!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I wish they had KZbin when you built that place, I bet it was an amazing project.

[@johncollado1151]

@@TheTradesmanChannel I would have had plenty of content for it, that's for sure. The only thing we had back then were three channels on our TV using a rooftop antenna....Not sure if you would have enjoyed seeing chainsaws fly on occasion. I had some days that nothing seemed to work right! Probably would have been funny to see, though.

[@grahamallen3941]

Forgot to say the camera lens is great. I have a Canon here, very happy with it! Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@BissellMapleFarm]

The best part about this video is the Gravely in the background. Lol. I'm a huge Gravely fan. I named my son Benjamin Gravely after the inventor!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I use it all the time, big fan myself.

[@BissellMapleFarm]

@@TheTradesmanChannel they beat you up pretty good. That rotary plow is one of the best tools no one knows about.

[@dirtcop11]

I used to own a five acre plot and it had red oak, white oak, walnut, and cedar on it. I could have made some very good lumber then.

[@TheGogeta222]

I just think the way my grandfather thinks: it is just a waste of money if you want to make money! If you don't expect Anny profit from it every earned dollar is a winn^^

[@pointerg6181]

Thanks for your input. I have been contemplating buying a mill. It wouldn't be a cost saving decision, but rather one that puts me in control. Sometimes I need a specific grain direction or an unusual thickness.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hope it helps, they are good to have around, even if you don't use them a ton.

[@davideshoo8269]

Just found this video, want to say thank you for doing it. Found it to be very informative as I'm considering buying one of these. Thank you.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You'll love owning one, it becomes it's own addiction.

[@grahamallen3941]

Another great video thanks Jim. Very informative. I struggle get good lumber here in the UK. Close by it’s just a big box store....not good as it’s very expensive for what it is. Thanks for showing us the thought processes and pros and cons. Fully appreciate it, many thanks Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@CrimeVid]

I can see having a bandsaw mill, if you own woodland,or if you have access to cheap logs, I of course would love one to play with. I’m getting a bit too old for this, and probably live in the wrong country (UK) but would love to build a small house/cabin as my swan song ! One thing I can see with this, I would absolutely love to be able to produce softwood floor boards cut the right way, it is really difficult to buy anything but slab sawn crap that cups to buggery ( no I don’t really like plywood floors ). There a few mills that will do this,but charge you way over the odds for the privilege. Of course I understand the waste thing but waste timber is not worth more than gold ! You have shown me that a band saw mill should be set on blocks so you can get a broom under it, thank you.

[@ruthannbennett8347]

About 20 years ago I built a cabin in West Virginia, while living in Virginia. A weekend project. My dad has an old sawmill he and my grandpa built themselves. My floors of the cabin are made of oak. And the trim around my windows and window sills are made from trees here on the farm. It is such a special feeling knowing I am walking on floors that my dad sawed for me. And my grandchildren can enjoy and live in a cabin that is built from trees on our farm. My dad sawed ALL the lumber and trim for HIS house on his antique mill. He also had a planner and edger. He custom made the trim around all his windows and doors out of cherry trees. My grandpa sawed lumber for many projects for his house. He cut out boards to replace his roof. Him and my dad saved thousands. And with the price of a 2X4's today, it saves. And you get good quality boards. My dad had another job, but ran the sawmill on his days off. Me and my sisters grew up hearing the sound of the big blade cutting a log. R Bennett

[@mikehegdahl5393]

Nice lens nice to hear all your thoughs, well the ones you can publicly share anyway...... Grin

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You don't want the private ones, negative and tragic they are!

[@mikehegdahl5393]

@@TheTradesmanChannel lol

[@tomfeller6707]

I can listen to tell your story every day. You have great insights. Thanks. The video looks great.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you sir.

[@timberray9572]

I have freehand milled a few rustic benches for sitting around my firepit, I used a 76cc saw and I would suggest if you are planning on milling with a power saw look at a 90cc and up.

[@joshhickman416]

Thanks for the informative video.

[@bricyclezenrun1044]

Thanks Jim.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hope it was helpful.

[@westend3019]

i was thinking about buying a mill but I decided my ambition and dedication to making lumber is lacking. I can enlist my buddy that has a good mill, will cut my logs, and not charge a fortune. As you said, having the ability to just roll one on and come away with usable lumber is magic, though.

[@judymahanna4227]

Good for low light condition ,seems shorter on focal length. Thanx for videos. JIMM,TEXAS

[@David-fv7zg]

Well.... wait, I don’t have any. Just found the channel, LOVE IT. Thanks for doing this!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Good evening. You didn't just come over from that ZZ Top stunt double channel did you?

[@David-fv7zg]

@@TheTradesmanChannel Ha! Why yes I did...how did you know? You must have espn or something.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Nathan and I are pretty good friends away from the LubeTube, he told me he shouted me out today.

[@jonathonhoffman1856]

Thanks

[@exotictones1054]

I'll have a bunch soon.i have some 30 n 40s on the ground now.

[@selador11]

Let's pause this for a minute so I can see if it is in focus... Yeah, we know you had too much coffee. =0)

[@AmericanAdventuresTJ]

We bought a woodmizer LT15Go last year, we love it! We are clearing some of our land and building a small farm, so for us, this was the way to go instead of buying lumber for our outbuildings. And it is fantastic to have your own lumberyard!

[@edsmith4414]

Exactly. LT40 owner since 1991. Built my house, multiple barns/sheds/etc on my place, cut materials for neighbor's structures, built 3 rental homes, and so on. IF you have timber on your place (often hard to get loggers to bring you logs), and you need lumber, you're crazy if you don't own one !

[@SWC44]

Jim, Now that I watched the entire Vid,, the New Camera is SUPER! Wow, what a difference, I would do the Cecil way, But with forklifts and overhead cranes, and an Ellis Metal Cutting saw,, 2 days! I thought I would be Buzzing your Property around this time,, I'm Lucky I can spell Airplane Now! Yea I know I'm getting old,, 1 Doc. I did tell him to EAT ME!, that took me off his Christmas List,, if I was ever on it, and Opps, I also told him I would not let him trim my DOGS toenails, Think I went a little overboard? Well, He should lose his license to practice, Plus his driver's License! Love the new camera!. Jack

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Damn good to see you Jack.

[@SWC44]

@@TheTradesmanChannel Jimbo, Glad to see all the New Subs!,, Sorry for the Rant, But I knew you for 1 would Understand!, Keep up the good work, And I always enjoyed your Rants,! , Jack

[@SWC44]

Wow, just looked at your Subs, Told Ya it was going to grow, I've been with ya since the Start, Aint leaving now,, and NO, I'm not dribbling Oatmeal down my Front!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You must at least be pissing in your pants or something...

[@howardemery1443]

thanks again jim great advise

[@clydedecker765]

Looking good Jim. You seem rested .. not pushing the remodel?? Camera is doing great.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I'm doing the work here and there but running the camera in the house is near impossible.

[@Grunt49]

Thank you for the info.No snark.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Glad you liked it

[@Mrjohnboyd1959]

Thank you for that very professional explanation on your end. I appreciate you taking the time to do that. I stand corrected.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you for watching, hope there was some useful information there.

[@ronaldcarroll2947]

Thank you for your thoughts. Your lenses are well focused with good depth of field. Sometime tell me about your Gravely tractor I can see in the background.

[@hobonickel840]

why did you choose Hudson over the other top brands? I am shopping for a mill under 10k now ...just want to have something that does a little production for farm use and to sell ...then maybe scale up down the road

[@blainebrodka5335]

I’m shopping around too, My eye is on the ez boardwalk brand, check them out

[@hobonickel840]

@@blainebrodka5335wow .. I just heard about them today ..it's a sign lol

[@hobonickel840]

@@blainebrodka5335 I certainly will ...someone mention that one in an article I was reading earlier ..thanks

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I chose the Hudson because of its simplicity and because I can drive there being about two hours north. They're a small, family owned business and I really like that as well. Honestly most of the sawmills at this level are about the same performance wise and price wise.

[@hobonickel840]

@@TheTradesmanChannel thanks for the great points ...I'm seriously considering ez boardwalk due everything would need delivering anyway. I really like the Hudson also ..def those are my two favs ...anything but Mizer lol Thanks a bunch

[@eduardom800]

I've notice that yours comes with a coffee container... ¿is that an expensive extra? (nice field has that lens) Oh, and you forgot room, I wish I had one but I have no room.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

The manual holder, looks like a thermos for sure.

[@johncourtneidge]

Before watching, the answer is no! I want one! Well, need! one!

[@kfstreich4787]

If you've got wood, get a mill! I told a friend about a deal, the harbor freight mill with the 20% off coupon. Then the raised the price and ditched the coupon, damn he got a deal!

[@NAMESNOTMARY]

Not if you poach the wood

[@kfstreich4787]

2:47 apology over video starts

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It's a bad habit I have.

[@kfstreich4787]

@@TheTradesmanChannel no worries, I came for the content others may too 👍

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I appreciate that. You learn after a couple of years to shut the trolls up before you even start.

[@kfstreich4787]

@@TheTradesmanChannel I get it, I have a half burned lt15 I bought from a neighbor I'm waiting to find a place to refurbish it, I was looking for a place and hitting some walls so I haven't refurbished it yet. The intro cinomatography was beautiful but not what I was looking for and perhaps consolidate your explanation? I understand it and I watch from time to time unfortunately at nearly 3 minutes I was getting frustrated, although I understand I am not your usual base and may not understand their perspective, I may not know what regular viewers prefer, looking foreward to my future 2400sf barn and restoration of my weathered brand new tools.

[@kfstreich4787]

@@TheTradesmanChannel I'm not saying avoid the intro, I enjoyed it, perhaps a quick disclaimer? I'm not trying to nitpick, it seems you do one straight shot, this is a challenge and if you get it on the first shot it is beyond amazing. Most talking videos are well cropped combinations that remove the mistakes and missteps, I'm not sure I'm explaining this clearly but I hope it helps.

[@alvinsbees518]

Honestly the traffic noise isn't that noticeable.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Always louder to me, breaks my train of thought.

[@exroyalcanadian]

Definitely not a waste of money these days......price of a 2x4 today is ridiculous

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You got that right

[@gregwarner3753]

A tool is only a waste of money if you do not use it.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Absolutely

[@totherarf]

I know you have a "To do" list as long as both your arms, but................ Is it time to start thinking of vacs? Specifically I am thinking Vortex Chip separator! Maybe a homebuilt pulley fed fan! Exterior vent so you don't chew the dust afterwards! A man of your abilities could knock one up fairly easily and it would be a double whammy ..... A good video (able to drag those strangers in via the hashtags) and making it easier on your chip shovelling! Then there are the add ons for it ..... dust collection upstairs ..... bin storage for the chips ...... extension hose for the household hoovering ;0)

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

This is a snarkey rude comment.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Well played

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

@@TheTradesmanChannel I couldn't resist, great channel.

[@Mrjohnboyd1959]

Boy.. you told us off didn't you? Very unprofessional!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

With all do respect I've been putting out videos for a few years and the comments can be viscous at times.

[@Mrjohnboyd1959]

@@TheTradesmanChannel With all due respect sir... Simply stop putting videos out if people upset you. Did you ever think that there maybe a legitimate reason why people respond to you the way that some do?

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I was referring to folks who come across extremely rude because you try to explain what you are doing and instead of turning the video off and moving on they feel compelled to tell you from the comfort of their keyboard why you are useless. I very rarely mention that kind of thing in my videos as it does not help but at times it does come out. I was not trying to be rude with you at all and I apologize if my response came across that way. Folks have a basic lack of civility these days mostly because there are no consequences for it, folks like myself are seen and putting what we do out there for the whole world to see and we do open ourselves up to comments by our actions but more times than not the nasty ones are not excusable and generally baseless. If I do something wrong on camera then I do not mind being called out for it, I do not know everything and I learn as much from my viewers as they do from me.

[@Debtfreehomesteaders]

Beautiful video love the intro. I think owning a sawmill to some people is there own church. methodical, peaceful, relaxing. The boards are just the icing on the cake. -Will

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

That's exactly how it is.

[@selador11]

There was a time in my life when I would have been complaining about having to do all that cleanup. Now, I'd patiently work at it like you, and be thankful for having been ABLE to make all that mess. =0)

[@KrugerrandFarms]

Good thoughts Jim. Free lumber is a relative thing. I like to cut things,ie. species and dimensions that I can't buy at Lowe's. Clean up must be systemic so you don't have to spend all that effort on unbillable time. I have a friend who has an LT40 and he uses a small electric snow blower to manage sawdust. Now I know more airborne sawdust is the thing you dream about but it works for him. I could spend a half day per week cleaning up around my mill and that will have to change when I finish my barn.

[@meehd01]

It's like a boat. When you first get it it's great then as time goes by all you do is work on it until you are lucky enough to find another sucker to take it off your hands.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I've had mine for five years, run the piss out of it and have had zero issues.

[@pamelaarescurrinaga3295]

I'll never use a sawmill, but for some reason, they fascinate me. Your video today was just right for all walks of sawmill folks.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Never say never

[@scottconner2058]

Am buying one anyways. Just for my own use. If I make money with it over time perfect. If not perfect.

[@timmorris8932]

"Yeah, that can happen on your own mill..." Which allows me to know who exactly is responsible and who needs a "stern talking to". One of the biggest reasons I like doing things myself. Its like the local permit inspector told me once (to paraphrase) "Yeah if you are doing your own work we aren't as crazy. We know you are doing the best work possible for you and if you've shown any competence at all you get by on a lot more trust."

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Well said

[@davesilvia9711]

i got a used woodmizer, then a bobcat to move the logs, moving the logs is the hardest part about milling your own wood, then i picked up a dump truck and trailer to move the bobcat so i can go get more logs. now i need a bigger building to store the lumber in. it is addictive and very rewarding to have an abundance of live edge and hard to find lumber.

[@jasongannon7676]

I find great logs all the time but I have no mill 😂

[@jimmyscott9574]

Find the other two pieces play middle man and make a buck on it

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

I have wanted a saw mill for years to build a storage barn, but being on social security limits me to just surviving with nothing extra. So I have decided to start collecting stuff and make me a saw mill. I can't afford the main wheels but don't know wether to use car wheels and tires or motorcycle wheels and tires. I will figure it out somehow. Lol

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I've seen folks use trailer tires and they seem to work quite well. Just make sure you get tires that have a good crown on them.

[@warrencraig6948]

the traffic wasnt that noticeable mate when you have my full attention didnt seemed anoy body else ether woza

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I hear it much more on my end.

[@danryan3146]

Good info Jim. My bandsaw mill paid for itself in the first year of milling my own cedar. I do it for the sense of satisfaction more than any other reason. Helping out family, friends and neighbours is another good feature of having your own mill.

[@MrThenry1988]

I like milling logs. I have a chainsaw mill. I got it for building my log cabin. I've been milling more wood. I like the looks with the wood. I'm horrible with wood otherwise. Lol. It's piling up around here.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It becomes a hard habit to break. What a good habit to have.

[@petershale9940]

G'day Jim another good video, camera lens seems fine, I would not own a mill but I sure do like watching you guys that have them and the projects you build, cheers and thanks again.

[@dennisbinyon9023]

upfront i sell portable swing blade mills over here in australia 3 things i tell prospective buyers you need time, trees and space.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Those mills are incredible. You are absolutely right about time, trees and space.

[@ssx2channel977]

Good general information and I do enjoy owning my own sawmill. 💚💜

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Absolutely

[@helmighomestead2976]

I am laughing out loud over here! That is excactly what i did too brother! I bought an Alaskan mill for my homestead. And I love milling, all parts of it. But it is just sooooo crude, the lumber comes out super rough, its hard on your saw, it kills your low back..... After 3 years of Alaskan milling, I just went out last week, and bought a Woodmizer LT15. will be delivered in 9 weeks! No more alaskan mill. LOL. Will hang it up in the shop, as a reminder of how much life used to suck!! LOL

[@HomesteadingNorthernMichigan]

I just bought the woodland mills hm122... Small but I love it..... Great video my friend.. Subscribed and rang the bell .. stop by sometime if ya like.. Have a great day

[@Daresoberme]

Thanks, I bought the new 500cc stihl. Was about to ruin it... lubrication. But sounds hard on the saw.

[@Tomhohenadel]

Good info Jim. Have thought about a mill for 10 years now. Probably won’t pull the trigger now, getting older slows down the body. I have enough going on to keep me busy. Have a great week

[@kellyjones334]

Hello. Your lens works great. Really enjoyed the video. Take care and be safe. 🙂

[@gregbloom9292]

We're looking to build a sexy pole barn. We got in touch with a company for all the beams we need in the 40x60 barn. They said the bill would be $70,000.00. It has a few 36' beams. Pretty sure I can buy a mill and extra track for way less.

[@dalepage5511]

You took a full minute to show us how to shovel sawdust!!!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You took the time to leave this comment? I tell you what, go get a camera, start making videos and do it better. I'll be the first to watch and leave you positive feedback.

[@dalepage5511]

@@TheTradesmanChannel Your defensive reply reinforces that you have nothing to tell me.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Well, I'm sorry you didn't like the intro but you aren't the one in front of the camera now are you? Again, start your own channel, do it better and I honestly will be the first to leave you positive feedback. As for the response you got, that's what you get when you leave rude comments. There's no need for stuff like that. Have a good evening.

[@forestMog]

@@TheTradesmanChannel I thought it, you said it. Armchair critics need to take a good look in the mirror. Sometimes I make a video of myself doing a project to humble myself. It really is a lot harder to do than most people think. But it is a great way to improve yourself.

[@thomasarussellsr]

#SNARKY ... "You talk too much". LOL Morning Jim. Sometimes the "BASE" unit is more than enough, sometimes it's just right. Not really a business machine, depending on how much value your time adds to the milled lumber or slabs. For personal use, most people don't really need one. For a farmer who needs to clear land and have usable lumber from it for building or sale, heck yeah, get one. Resale when it's no longer needed is quite decent. I guess it all depends on how much you need to cut/slab/mill vs what a local mill, if you have access to one, charges. Nice talk.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Knew it would be you or Hegdahl!

[@trickster11300]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Great video.

[@vonRow]

We pulled the trigger on one of those HF china-clone mills a few years back. To date it's milled through over 150k board feet and it's more than paid for itself many times over. Like you said, milling things you want, the way you want it, is a pretty sweet thing. The figured material I can mill out is not something you can find in the big box stores, or even at some the "production" sawyers in the local area.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You just can't go wrong with your own mill.

[@bwillan]

As with anything, it's a matter of application. You built a timber frame barn, so in your case getting a saw mill was well worth the investment. If you're a woodworker then having ready access to lumber certainly can be a source of savings. If you enjoy the milling processing, then this is just another hobby. Whether or not you save money is not a primary concern. When is the solar kiln build project going to start?

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Getting cleaned up right now for it in between baling hay and work.

[@user-pn6mv4wy7w]

Great video, thanks for sharing your prospective for us new guys.

[@PaulSmith-gf6nr]

Nice video. I am old and will never own a mill , but enjoyed listening to you explain about yours. Thanks!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you very much sir.

[@TheHarleyhillbilly]

Snarky rude comments lol, well I will tell you this you have a damn good talking voice, and if you haven’t tried talking on a video without stammering and screwing up well just try it, it’s not easy, you do a good job!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you sir, it's not easy for sure.

[@ibfgarage9365]

Every sawmill video I see pushes me closer to getting one of my own..... some good info. 👍👍

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Worth every penny and they're getting a lot cheaper.

[@ibfgarage9365]

Yeah I noticed the affordability is getting better. Someday soon when my wife isn't paying attention I'll order one....haha 😄

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You sound like me, this one kind of showed up one day...

[@ibfgarage9365]

Haha. I hear ya. Cross my fingers and hope for a big visit from the "tool fairy". 🤞

[@jaredeberly9724]

@@ibfgarage9365 did you get one yet??

[@GibClark]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@ccswede]

Is that Gravley tire flat? When that happens to me the tire separates from the rim. That’s no fun. Talking is ok that’s the way you have educated viewers on timber frame jointers.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Tire is flat, bead is still set. Been running it for years that way, blow it up and use it all day. I should just buy a new tire.

[@brianhillis3701]

If the bead comes off try putting a ratchet strap around the tire. When you tighten it the tire acts evenly and expands width wise. I find that The bead just engages enough to allow inflation to complete the process. Good luck with a bad problem.

[@SWC44]

Hey Jimboooooooooo!,, How the hell are ya,, Well now, I need a New Hip, Right Rotator Cuff, and My back is still shot from 25 years ago, All due to the negligence of others!, If 1 more Fing Doctor tells me " Well yer getting Older " I'm going to, better not say it in this Tree Hugging, Politely Correct World. I was going send ya a link to a radio skit, well it was on the first amendment, but, I figured it get kicked back,, it has a lot to do with your opening, if ya don't like it don't watch it! OK,, Done with rant, 👍🤣 I Like your talking vids! Jack

[@zzbloggs]

I worked in a sawmill for a good number of years. It's hard work and dangerous too. It's nice when you get everything straight!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I agree. Good morning Paul.

[@zzbloggs]

@@TheTradesmanChannel hi Jim nice to see you hard at work, as always. I'm a homestead boy at heart, but now live in the city, your videos make me feel better. And Mary's are good too!

[@marktwain580]

Guitar music credit?

[@rudygtrz]

get a big vacuumn

[@KT-en8pq]

Thanks.

[@tubularguynine]

The video looks great, Jim! Good deal on the lens. If I was 20 years younger, I'd love to get a sawmill. Watching you and Nathan diggin' gold out of logs is really enjoyable!👍🏻❤️📹

[@wolfro2674]

Mate I am 45 and bought a LT40 new. Do it if u can. Greets Wolfgang

[@tubularguynine]

@@wolfro2674 - That photo of me rockin’ out is about 25 years old, I’ll soon be 67.

[@johnparla6252]

I am hand huning my house bean timber framing with old barns my antiyer life we are Manchester atec barn

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

That's some work and art all at the same time.

[@arnoldromppai5395]

before even watching the video, it depends on were you live, but also the are a waste of money as they are so over priced, and are back brakers unles you get all to things needed, then it is really grossly over priced for what you get, dont mater the brand the frames are flimsy as hell, they call them a portable mill, a good mill that never moves is on a 12 to 18" heavy i-beam frame .. hell you can buy a dam good 100hp tractor for want they want for them, unless you live were you have wood that is worth a ton of money per slab, yes a big waste of money, here we only have cedar, bitch, balsam and spruce, some apple, jake pine and white pine is illegal to cut down do to the few we have

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I look at what the mill cost me vs. how much timbers would have cost me, this thing paid for itself with one project but I didn't go out and get all the stuff I didn't need. The walnut I just sawed up paid for the mill twice.

[@07negative56]

I’m currently clearing out a blackberry patch. That’ll house a Woodmizer LT15. I’ll continue to use the Alaskan mill to cut down huge logs to fit onto the bandsaw. To purchase a unit of western red cedar to redo my barn is around $12,000. Saw pays for its self.

[@linzierogers7479]

Bottom line? If the mill does what it is supposed to do that's that. Be happy. If you want it to do more then buy up or modify it. Most of the business of comparing mills is like comparing one wine to another. They do different things to the palate. Lumber prices being what they are having a mill isn't a bad idea.

[@TheHillcityhobo]

Thanks for posting. I have about 6 acres to clear for a Christmas Tree farm. I was thinking this may be a good way to make some cash while waiting on trees to grow. Any thoughts?

[@TK-yj1gm]

Love this guy staight to the point! Seen office guys talk a big game then fumble around the mill sad really.

[@toolsconsumables7055]

Dear Jim, Somewhat refreshing to hear sound advice from someone with experience. That's how one learns & avoid costly mistakes. Your new camera lens is just fine, maybe when you're next doing a project, we'll get a better perception of just how good it copes with showing details. Very well done. Kind regards.

[@lostcreek163]

Must have a huge need for buying mill, always contact local small mills for your needs, then make a decision!

[@Actias1974]

I want you to get a new mic so badly.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I did get one not long after this, this video was a few years ago.

[@pup734]

Looks great shoveling sawdust is better than shoveling snow LOL

[@Richardson501]

Wondering how much to pay for trees when I have to buy lumber?

[@vowelsounds6312]

Good information succinctly presented. Thanks 🙏

[@wolfro2674]

I really like the way u explain everything. Great job 👍

[@russellclement2058]

Thank you ,,, Silent vids are rubbish ,,

[@edsmith4414]

The other day, I cut a large poplar tree on my place. 24" diameter chest high. Cut 4 12' logs out of it. That turned into 105 2x4x12'. Those Big Box retail for over $10 each here (with tax). So, if I use those 2x4's instead of buying them (penny saved is a penny earned), I 'made' $1000 and did NOT have to earn $1300-1500 working to HAVE $1000 to spend on lumber. How many trees to I have to saw to pay for a mill ? (answer: not too many......ahahhaaaaa)

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You got it. I built a 2800 square foot timber framed shop with mine for around $14k, that includes buying the sawmill.

[@davidwhalen2924]

I think the camera lens you used on this particular video is EXCELLENT. The lighting was A1 too. The focus seems much better than in many other "You Tube" videos I have watched. If it were me, I wouldn't change a darn thing with regard to your camera and lens choice.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you sir. It is a 50mm cannon lens on an m50 cannon camera.

[@Daresoberme]

Dude you crack me up lol 😆 more videos. And be yourself!

[@pauldjerassi620]

Hi Jim lately that mill has paid you back ten fold and i think has paid for its self all ready ,i don't believe you could be without it its doing one hell of a job for you.servicing your saw is like your truck just common sense i enjoyed the video ,Good Night .

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you Paul.

[@SilverBack.]

Nice video Prof, letting people know how it is 👍👍👍👍