Milling your own lumber complete tutorial (Woodland mills HM126)

best and most detailed tutorial on how to mill your own lumber at home

[@Gruuvin1]

I've watched maybe 20 of these kind of videos in the last couple weeks, but this was one of the best... A good mix of all the essentials. You have a good work ethic and you respect your tools. Thanks for the video.

[@offgridhandyman]

Appreciate that

[@mooseguyable]

Woke up this morning with a plan in my mind, Gonna mill my own lumber, gonna work that grind. Got my chainsaw roaring, and my mill set up right, Turning logs into lumber, by the morning light. Milling my own lumber, it's a labor of love, From the forest to the workshop, it's like hand in glove. Every cut and every plank, tells a story so true, Milling my own lumber, it's what I love to do.

[@offgridhandyman]

That's awesome man. Almost needs to be a song or something.

[@RuralRevolution]

Good video whipper snapper. Just watching your video made me smile. A young man with a good head and strong will, excellent combination. You don't come across like a know it all and for that I subscribed, like and shared. 🇨🇦🤜🏻. Keep up the hard work.

[@offgridhandyman]

Thankyou i appreciate that alot! Take care

[@benjohnson8816]

Best demonstration of how to operate a woodland mill I've seen to date. Thanks

[@rodmagee7895]

Thanks for the video. I've got an older 126 (2014) which means I have been on it for about 8 yrs, I cut mainly Doug fir. I started out cutting 2 inch thick boards, but found it was a waste of wood, now I cut nominal sizing. 1.5 inch X whatever size I need. My main reason for doing this is the boards are much lighter in weight, making it easier for an old guy like me. I also do my own logging using an old 4x4 and log arch for pulling them out of the bush. I find the best time to harvest trees is in January or February when everything is frozen and dry. With the sap in the roots at this time of year the trees are as light as they will be and there is minimal sap left stuck on the blade. Have fun.

[@offgridhandyman]

Thanks for the advice. I've done a little of both nominal and "true" I would say they're definitely lighter at the normal size. I also like winter logging seems to be easier to skid them out in the snow. Take care!

[@chadwahlquist2743]

Great video; informative, interesting, and fun to watch. Thanks for sharing so we can all learn.

[@dallasfinch1100]

Great video, very helpful. I am considering purchasing a 126 mill myself, so I appreciate all your efforts in producing this video. Take care and stay safe!

[@terryatpi]

Where you from Dallas

[@Road_Rash]

I'm hoping to get one of these soon... I've got a lot of standing timber that I want to turn into a cabin, among other things, but I don't want round logs, I want beams & boards... this particular make & model I like much better than the Harbor Freight mill, not that there's too much wrong with theirs, but this one's still in the doable range & I like the design better... certainly a thorough demonstration...🖖🏿😎👍🏿

[@offgridhandyman]

Yea I've had it about 5 years or so and I can't say a bad thing about it. Works well for me. Good luck with your endeavors :)

[@bobbyg3333]

Thanks for sharing and Good stuff! My Favorite upgrade/mods are Remove the hand crank and use a cordless drill like Landis Legacy Farm and Mark the log stops by the inch like Sawing with Sandy. Save the arm and the blades! Happy Milling :)

[@offgridhandyman]

Thanks those are good ideas. I've definitely been evolving my techniques since I made this but haven't tried those things. Thanks

[@lostinaveyron2279]

Nice setup 👍 I know it’s not normal for a woman but I bought the HM122 & I’m putting it together so I found this video really helpful even through it’s a different model. Only thing that worries me is I don’t have a tractor or winch to get logs on the track yet, as a temporary solution I’m just planning to build a ramp out of earth & timber. Fingers crossed it works or I have a really expensive decoration for my field !

[@offgridhandyman]

Right on, I think you'll definitely be able to do it with the ramp style because I've seen it work for other and myself! Best of luck to ya!

[@dannylove1009]

Good luck!

[@aleklysikov8791]

Thank for showing video!! Looks like workings with you! You have a great time

[@nbeck956]

absolute pleasure to watch you work sir

[@mikejohnson3601]

Run one for the first time last week awesome

[@dougsmith548]

I truly enjoyed your video. I became your new subscriber. and God bless

[@offgridhandyman]

Thanks for watching. Playing catch up on videos got alot more to come

[@joeyanderson2264]

Haven’t finished video yet, but. Thank you for touching in wearing safety gear! I see all these guys on here milling away with dust going straight into their lungs lol. You only get one set! :)

[@offgridhandyman]

Ain't that the truth lol thanks man

[@crazycoyote1738]

Nice and simple, I like your straight forward approach. Thanks for giving your time to help others, God bless.

[@offgridhandyman]

Thanks God bless!

[@JosEPh-zy3yr]

Did you check each end of the log to see how much tapper you had? So that if you do you split the difference and raise the smaller end by that 1/2 measurement. This reduces waste.

[@dallasfinch1100]

It would be very interesting if you could do a short video describing and discussing how you set up the base rails for your 126 mill.

[@offgridhandyman]

Dallas finch thanks man. I did a little in the setting up sawmill video but as you will see in our next video the sawmill is buried under feet of snow lol

[@hillbillyfranks]

I just subscribed to your channel enjoy that I have AHM126 an older one but it works good and like you said I've done it Cut them bars with my blade So I'll be watching Your channel and you will have a good day

[@offgridhandyman]

Right on man. Yep first couple times then lesson learned haha 😄

[@billstmaxx]

Also make sure to put your log stops at either end to support the last cuts better. You had a ton of movement on it

[@wallaceviviansadventures2095]

Thanks i am getting a mill in a few months i like this video it was very interesting.

[@offgridhandyman]

Thanks good luck with your milling adventures

[@danielfixborn5860]

Good work! Thanks for shared your knowledge. Congratulations from Brasil! 👍🏿🤠

[@tomcogger2132]

Instead of flipping your log to 90 degrees just flip it 180 degrees. More stable to saw. The sides will be parallel. The rotate the log 90 degrees and set it against the log stops. I made log stops with a steel roller on the top. Much easier to roll the log. Won't get caught on the log stop edge that comes with the mill.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

Have had 3 diffrent saw mills i think woodland is one of the better ones

[@offgridhandyman]

I think so as well too it's up there with the best at least

[@davidmartin5179]

Great video. Man I wish I was young like you and doing this.

[@offgridhandyman]

Thankyou! Never too late to start

[@oby-1607]

Dam good video. I learned a lot. Thank you Off Grid.

[@offgridhandyman]

No problem man thanks for your intrest

[@richardwright5316]

Good video. Thanks

[@kwadisbeard8902]

Good video & good work!

[@offgridhandyman]

Thankyou

[@44warlord41]

If you watch Sawing with Sandy, he will describe that "tinging" noise when you start your mill and when it is at idle and explain how it is your clutch wearing prematurely. Good Video sir.

[@offgridhandyman]

Right on yea I turned the idle down but for some reason it runs a bit fast for the first little while and slightly ingages the clutch . Thanks

[@fiendeng]

Damn. i have the 122 model and the smaller kholer motor and she's made that ping a few times right from factory. Barely 10 minutes of cutting

[@robertjanez7467]

thanks for posting, very helpful. at 20min - how are you able to dial or adjust the scale arrow to zero out a measurement? I can't do it with mine?!? I think there is a hex insert in the back. I guess I need to loosen it !?!

[@a_farm_west_of_boring]

Great info. Keep safe.

[@millman26]

good video .

[@jacksievers2467]

A lot of mills use the water and soap method, some use diesel, but I like the 100% Pure D-Limonene Citrus Orange Oil Extract Best Natural Solvent Extracted from Orange Peels (Citrus Cleaner Degreaser & Deodorizer) (22.5 oz)

[@offgridhandyman]

Yep your right about that. Hmm I'll have to try that degreaser method that'd be a first for me thanks

[@danielfixborn5860]

Water and vinegard against bacteria and fungus? Nice trick!

[@offgridhandyman]

Yea it works pretty well!

[@kennkid9912]

Ahh yes. The scraper as a counterweight. I did that. What a pain. It caught on everything. trees. rocks, roots, buildings etc. Finaly I made a mold and poured a concrete weight. Much easier to maneuver. Cheap too. 500lbs. Kioti 3510If you build a brow, a platform to put logs on and then roll them onto the mill,its much easier. You dont hit your mill. You dont throw it out of level. I know this because,,, I did it all the hard way first .Thats quite the set of chains you have there. I used bed springs to tension mine. The chains I made out of scraps I had and some truck cross chains I was given. The cross chains were too big ,so I cut them down. They had twisted links. They work. I did put my mill on a concrete slab.

[@wnewman1869]

Good Video buddy

[@johntillotson4254]

Thx for sharing

[@offgridhandyman]

Of course, seems to be what people are most interested in

[@M5tworude]

Firewood is usable, as firewood! Food call on the ppe, especially the mask.

[@Glock2201]

Great video. One thing you did not show is how you make boards out of the live edge slabs you take off the sides of the logs. Is this mill capable of that?

[@ginashakese5502]

i have one 130 max that i have neve use since 3 yearsr, i want to know the oil which must be use for the engine. give me your idea

[@garyschoeller8769]

I always spin the blade all the way around by hand as sometimes the soap will made the blade stick to the belt and bunch up under the blade and knock it off

[@joemommone3619]

Very good video question why not use white scale for final cuts

[@offgridhandyman]

Hi Joe, I'm not sure what that means man. Pretty much just self taught winging it as far as videograpghy goes. Enlighten me?

[@JosEPh-zy3yr]

You need to clamp the cant.

[@anotherfifty]

have you experimented with painting the end to prevent greater moisture lose through the ends? Have you had cracking at the ends?

[@offgridhandyman]

Yeah I have in an older video it shows me using anchor seal which is a great product that prevents this from happening.

[@kylerezansoff3699]

I’m interested to hear more about the water and vinegar combo on the lumber pile. Just an enzyme killer? Good video.

[@offgridhandyman]

Ya know I'm not entirely sure what process goes on but it works. I'm guessing it makes a sterile environment that mold and stuff don't like though, you can also use bleach water

[@kylerezansoff3699]

@@offgridhandyman Makes sense. Thanks

[@tcmits3699]

Great job. I have to ask, how many logs and how long did it take to make those two impressive stacks of lumber?

[@offgridhandyman]

Thanks hard to say probably around 25 large logs

[@jimhamilton9805]

I see your sitting your rails on cement blocks and ties. Do you get frost at your location and if so, do you have to keep checking your rails for level in the spring time?

[@offgridhandyman]

Yea we get frost im pretty far north in the lower 48. I have to adjust it in the spring once it thaws but I will micro adjust every so often.

[@jimhamilton9805]

Ok great, I'm in northern Maine so really didn't want to set footings 6 feet down. I can live with minor adjustments every spring. Thanks again and great video

[@bard44]

why not turn it 180 for the second cut?

[@offgridhandyman]

You can absolutely do it that way as well. Both work and have pros and cons

[@M5tworude]

You're cutting 2x4? Not 1.5x3.5? I don't use the scale much, 5 rotations is 1.5 inches, etc.

[@offgridhandyman]

Yea I cut all true lumber. Over a year later they're down to 1.75 x3.75 give or take . And about 6-9 % moisture content

[@jeffersonprice3800]

Oh God a 2×4 that's actually a 2×4!

[@sshumkaer]

Handyman can a person mill wood to make a timber cabin?

[@offgridhandyman]

Yes definitely

[@mattwernecke2342]

Buy 30k + heavy machinery to move logs.

[@cheechandfriends3083]

Great video! Thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I was wondering, do you ever use "green" wood to build with? How long do you typically wait for the wood to dry out, and do you get much warping? Thanks for the feedback!

[@offgridhandyman]

Thanks, yes I've built with green wood it tends to shrink more in width the length but not the end of the world. They say to wait 1 year per inch of thickness but I'm going with a year. Most of my stuff I milled last year is around 8-10% moisture content

[@miminkipgen6469]

Price plise this sawmill

[@dusty7838]

They used kerosene to lube the blade back in the day, wonder if that would be better than soapy water

[@offgridhandyman]

I'm sure it would work basically thin oil. The way gas prices are ill prolly stick with soap lol

[@cgindustrial1859]

Are you Canadian bro?

[@offgridhandyman]

Pert near lol no I'm in the north east corner of Washington state near the border of Canada

[@cgindustrial1859]

@@offgridhandyman Cool...Glad to see you are like us Canadians, push through winter weather like it's just another day. Great channel man.

[@billstmaxx]

You should 100% clamp it every time..

[@Loan--Wolf]

you should seal the ends of your logs if your not you didnt say

[@offgridhandyman]

Yea I use anchor seal the day I logged them

[@Loan--Wolf]

@@offgridhandyman i dont own a mill yet but i have been working with a lathe and found out the hard way it has to be done lol

[@offgridhandyman]

@@Loan--Wolf yea same here man lol

[@mortenmyhrmoen7592]

🇳🇴👍💪👍🇳🇴

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

Check out George of Texas channel, he can provide some great assistance with what you are doing here.

[@marshallohio5512]

My neighbor installing this mill right behind house 🏘️ in residential area !! I was showing wife the noise level !! Now she understands!! Two acre land in working it like a farm !! No respect for the neighbors!! The signs along our property line is just the beginning !! Town says he can operate mill from 7am til 10pm every day if like !! I replied " I don't think 🤔 one hour " Cheers

[@offgridhandyman]

Darn that sucks. Living in town has its perks like living near modern conviences but the draw back is having to deal with people. The off grid life is much harder but i dont have neighbors that bug me. Somthing to think about forsure

[@marshallohio5512]

The rich girlfriend bought him estimated $100k of toys ! First , chainsaw ! Then Bob Cat CT2035 tractor including grapple, forks, turf tires, stump grinder ! And, now mill ! He started with chainsawing most all the trees around house !

[@marshallohio5512]

The rich girlfriend who owns the house bought her lived in trucker boyfriend chainsaws, bobcat CT 2035 tractor including all the accessories like grapple, stump grinder, forks, turf tires etc estimated cost $100k ! Tractor's lug tires laying on ground for you can't use them on lawn ! He started first by sawing dozens of trees around the small little house. When he got to the property line next to my house, I confronted him nicely that those trees are not coming down, for the wife and I don't care to see the whole backyard front yard from our house. Then he proceeded to clear out the half acre behind the house of all the trees. The wife mentions that this guy doesn't care about other people ! I reply by saying that The sawmill hasn't arrived yet. It has now arrived. LoL

[@stevengonyaw1617]

Glad I have 17 acres in the mountains of northern Vermont, I have neighbors, but can't even see them ! 😜

[@kevinwilson5118]

​@Marshall Ohio you should move to China you'd fit in well...

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

20 dollars would be cheap 40 is what i have to pay for each blade

[@offgridhandyman]

Yea I bet they are now. I bought 30 blades pre covid and they were about 20 bux each. Welcome to inflation-ville

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

Iam in alberta canada And mister commi trudeau is diliberatly driving this inflation

[@graphguy]

My question is on ............tractors! I am buying 40 acres of mountain, mostly forested land to clear a plot of pines and build a cabin. Any thoughts on buying a tractor, new? used? size? etc. PS... I would get a better mask, actually you should be using a respirator. Those paper masks do not sufficiently protect your lungs.

[@offgridhandyman]

Yea youre probably right about the mask but its better then nothing. Lol i would say it depends on your budget. If its hilly terrain or muddy definitely get a 4x4. Obviously a 50k tractor would be best but old stuff was built like a tank back in the day and last along time.

[@graphguy]

@@offgridhandyman Thanks for the quick reply much appreciated