My Sawmill is up and running!

I've been lusting after a sawmill for a while and finally decided it was time. After much research and reading a ton of reviews I went with the Woodland Mills HM126. This video shows the sawmill assembly, first cuts, and the start of one of our big homesteading projects I had in mind when I bought the mill. So far I've got a little over 20 hours on the mill. I've sawn mostly ponderosa pine and western red cedar. I was a little skeptical of the height adjustment mechanism at first but it works just as well as the more expensive mills I've used in the past. This is on of the less expensive home lumber mills on the market but it's built very well and does everything I need it to.
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[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

As a builder of 30 years, that meat shack more than paid for the mill at today's material and labor cost 👍🏻 Glad you shared this. I'll need to invest in a sawmill for our place in New Mexico. Great video

[@davidlynch3077]

Thanks Clay. Do what you love, nobody cares if you are saving money. Milling your own lumber is great. I’m a carpenter and bow builder, fisherman, hunter. I like to work with my hands and create functional stuff. It is very rewarding. Thanks for sharing the mill project !

[@davecolborn2665]

Thanks for the video. The different subsections of things to do in the world is massive. From processing your own lumber to hiking, fishing, school choices, flying a powered paraglider, archery, cars, overlanding, bushcraft, firewood processing, being a bowyer, making the best salt rising bread, baking pizza, the list is endles. Finding good reference materiel online for that stuff is priceless to a guy like me who doesnt attend a bunch of seminars, but wants to feed my brain the ideas without the expense. Thanks for all you do. Edit: "There is something about taking a tree and turning it into something, building something that will last. Be it an axe handle or a bow or a house....A satisfaction that money cant buy."

[@phylxguy5547]

Firewood is a good chore every kid should be required to learn imo how to spilt, stack & make kindling. Eventually learn to use the power saw by starting with bucking rounds then it's dropping leaners, then the fun of falling em begins & then when they can fully process the entire load by themselves class is over & the real work begins hahaha I grew up not far from where you are & still get my firewood in your neck of the woods & drive by on the paved road every time go cutting. The mill looks like a good one your sure not wasting time with it making one heck of a meat locker/smoker kudos Clay you sure are the real deal no doubt so much respect for you Sir 👏

[@4wheelwarrior]

Congrats!! I worked on a woodmizer a couple of winters ago building a small cabin ... God, it was like watching an ATM spitting out $20 bills every cut. Simply awesome!

[@tomsettle1163]

I love splitting fire wood myself it’s satisfying to me.

[@GoodWoodWorks-le4cd]

Its great doing what's needed with tools at home. Even nicer to see the young come along side to learn the process. Stay safe out there. Keep er coming!🙋‍♀️🍂

[@thebellbunch8]

We've had a woodland mills sawmill for about 12 years now. Lots of wood through it and still going strong. The cost of the machine is priceless if you are making lumber you cannot get anywhere else.

[@heyyoubuddy6749]

Hey buddy how are ya? I think you made a wise choice with the woodland mills sawmill. Great quality, good customer service, practical design. This mill will serve you and the boys for many decades to come with proper maintenance. That’s an awesome building you’ve built I can’t wait to see what ya smoke in it. I’ve had my saw mill a couple years now and love it so much. I’ve made all sorts of lumber with it, and folks pay for specialty saw work so it’s a win,win,win for me. God bless you and the family. Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@mastakow1]

incredible dude you are living the dream this is amazing, i hope to be a dad like you someday

[@clayhayeshunter]

Wow, thanks

[@sebastienraymond3648]

Yeah. Plus, you've just found a wonderful way to make planks, then cut them into 3/8s and make a great source of crude arrow shaft to process in 11/32 or 5/16 after that. Of course, it all depends on the wood you have access to. This can even be transformed into a small source of income in the long term. Have a nice weekend and take care ! 🙂

[@alanjohnson1204]

Great thing about splitting your firewood is that it helps keep those bowstring pulling muscles in shape, that along with all the other exercise you get through the rest of the hard work that makes your lifestyle work as well as you depict. Hat’s off, much respect. One other benefit to that mill is the money that can be saved if you have need for custom sized lumber. Custom sized posts and beams can cost a small fortune.

[@ChavsADV]

Nothing more satisfying than a good DIY. I just built a work station for building bows from a bunch of old repurposed lumber I salvaged from different projects.

[@markphillips5368]

Quite apart from the cost savings made not having to buy the timber you are using is the satisfaction you get having done the job from start to finish, including the task of producing the raw materials. Now that you have the mill, you will no longer be dependent on someone else to supply you with timber at a cost that you may struggle to justify.

[@d.faulkner8210]

best thing is having straight and good quality lumber that you know is good, Great Video.

[@user-McGiver]

Congrats on your new ''toy'' Clay!... I know that you'll enjoy using it... you could do with something cheaper, hell! you could do with just your hand tools!... but I know that you're thinking ahead... that's something that will serve for generations to come... and you'll make sure of that!... Just imagine your son, teaching his son how to operate this beauty...

[@skeetermalcolm1655]

Great video brother, looking forward to seeing the smoke house video

[@mikerobertson197]

Good stuff. Lots of great projects ahead.

[@offgridhandyman]

Hell ya bro I built my whole house with one of those. You'll love it. Keep up the good work

[@brettnewman7390]

Kohler is a good name in engines. I have a 20 year old riding lawnmower with a Kohler motor and it still runs great.

[@LizardKing513]

I would love to buy one of those and build a cedar-wall sauna in the basement.

[@joeycurtis1872]

With a cold plunge, and a float tank for all your healing needs

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Hi Clay, those pencil pushers trying to justify a saw mill don't factor in some factors, like when you need a timber or plank that is not available at the box store, more often this in the case with me and my mill, which I have had for 30 years and professionally build traditional timber framed buildings, for many years with only hand tools. You don't just go the big box store and pick up 4, 30 foot 9"x12" timbers. Nor do they take into considerations using your own logs from your own land, no shipping or transport cost which come with much more than just the simple shipping figure. I wouldn't trade my mill for anything its a full on necessity. BTW, how are you grinding and setting your bands? Send them our or are you doing it your self? I have been using a simple bench grinder for most of the 30 years and it is simple, accurate, sharp solutions. I can share a video if its of interest. I can grind my 13 foot band in 3 minutes and if its super dull I run it twice for 6 minutes total. A sharp band keeps the quality of the lumber up where it needs to be.

[@franmarder1127]

👏👏much love & respect 💕

[@petrokemikal]

Serious bit of kit !! As far as justifying it as an investment.. sometimes I think you really have to just say, I'm living my best life, I can do good with this purchase. I don't want to justify it any more than that.. I'm happy with it and that's all that matters..

[@user-pu5vd1hw4v]

I love watching people saw. Show me something.

[@simeonbeiler639]

Clay, you have made a worthy investment. Plus you can have the mill pay for itself by cutting lumber for neighbors and friends.

[@stihl888]

It's a great investment and teaches your children some valuable lessons.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Absolutely!

[@timothylongmore7325]

I recently finished a hardwood cherry floor for my wife kitchen remodel. I was my first real cutting project on my own mill. I've had guys come in with woodmizers before so I knew what I was getting into. I luck out and found an hudson trailer mounted oscar mill. Nothing like making your own lumber. I've heard good things about Woodland mills. Looks like a pretty solid design. As for how much money your making , you don't want to know. Ain't no money in splitting wood either but I enjoy that too.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Definitely some value in doing things yourself!

[@timothylongmore7325]

@@clayhayeshunter Absolutely. Knowledge and family is real wealth.

[@donaldeugenealford4080]

Very nice sawmill,it will definitely pay for itself in time.😎👍

[@superthrill4610]

Awesome! I have a sawmill and my own kiln. It is a lot of fun to see what you get inside a tree when you open it up. Then building something with it is very satisfying.

[@billbearback2591]

great presentation ,,i love it ,,i love firearms , bow's ,motorcycles ,tractors ,steam engines ,diesel motors, generators, contraptions, devices , i just love mechanical equipment ,,stuff the cost every guy needs one of these , cheers bra

[@caribbeanearthskills5865]

Hell yeah, I love running my mill.

[@northernoutdooradventures3883]

Woodland Mills is a class act! I love mine!

[@jasonkeith674]

Just put this on my to do list. DIY version of course. Thanks for another great video 🙏

[@stevefisher2121]

I'd say you got a good start on getting your money's worth already!!!!

[@clarkansas6590]

Good job

[@journeyman7189]

Looks like a great piece of equipment It would be immensely satisfying to process from start to finish the wood you need for any given project. You are definitely going to get great use of this. Nate

[@clayhayeshunter]

Totally agree

[@randiegadberry5448]

Greetings from Sagle, Idaho. I have the Sam mill. I got it two years ago. I can cut 16’. Love my mill!

[@davidfleer5307]

I also enjoy cutting and splitting my firewood and also thought of buying one of those cheap ones you just use on the chainsaw because I just remember how long oak last. I think that’s why so many people don’t work because they think they are worth more money than what companies will pay them so they set on their ass and don’t do anything. Time is what you make of it not how much you could be making 👍✌🏻🇺🇸

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

Im drooling over here. The wife and I have been dreaming of a sawmill since before we ever moved out of our 500sqft apartment and into our own house. Clay, word of experience with those Kohler engines. They are garbage. Keep your eyes peeled for an old running B&S 14hp engine as a backup because that kohler and its horribly weak crank case casting will give out. PS, I really enjoy splitting firewood too...great work out and stress relief. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us all!

[@3passa]

What a cool thing to have! What a fantastic addition to your homestead, and your independence! Hope it will give you lots of fun and boards and save a lot of money, and that smoker cabin looks great already.

[@robertconner5126]

A couple of cool projects you have going on.

[@bearskinner2601]

Awesome! Those boys are getting big, too.

[@johnd0e25]

Really cool work!

[@wbhenderson6791]

Awesome video

[@to8860]

Good stuff!!

[@manuelwebe]

Cool. Congrats

[@Swamp-Fox]

Very cool! Looking forward to more sawmill content!

[@terrydouglas2777]

I like it all. If i had good health i would definitely get a sawmill, but on wheels. Or maybe not, someone could drive up, hook onto it an off it goes. It is better to have it without wheels i think. But being able to cut the length you want and size is totally up to you. When the grid goes down and no body has power, no fuel, no phones, no problem right. The slabs can get cut and put into a gasifier that will make fuel to operate it just as if you have a full tank of fuel for the sawmill. You just need a reall long hose to connect the 6wo together. Then once others know that you can cut them lumber to build with, thats when you get popular with the people. I love helping people who cant afford to the price, but im not working for free either. Trade lumber for livestock. But im not going to eat them, they live a happy life on the farm. Share the live just like thus video. Send it to your friends and maybe two of you can go in halves and buy one if the price is to much for you. There is always a way. Pray for it and see what happens my family. I believe we are all related in one way 9r another.

[@nateo6805]

Sweet mill! Would you be able to do a video on different white tail calls/noises, Clay?

[@jasonvickers2265]

Totally sufficient set up

[@nicktucker1477]

Ive had a lucas mill for about 10+ yrs, great investment. Love milling and working with stuff you cant find in stores.

[@raycecil4643]

Hey Clay, I bought the HM126 a few years ago. Its been a good one. One peice of advice. WINTERIZE the engine properly. The Kholer 14 HP is what I have also, and the damn carb lasted only a season before needing gaskets and a rebuild. I NEVER got that carb to run right after that. Ive been through 2 other "ready to run" carbs from online before I got the sawmill back up and operational. Im not a novice mechanic either.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Will do, thanks. I’ve been running ethanol free fuel as well.

[@raycecil4643]

@@clayhayeshunter That will help. I unfortunately cannot find ethanol free anywhere near me.

[@bartcalder2791]

Please keep us updated on how the Mill works out for you. Am also looking at sawmills for the large amount of oak on our place.

[@JuliaJulia007]

Nice!

[@multiversevariant4944]

Hey Clay , great video always looking forward for your videos and learn new things I just have a quick question , I'm looking for an Osage stave for bow building where can I get my hands on one and is fire hardened oak make a good bow? thank u so much❤

[@mikoro88]

Cool!

[@MrTemplerage]

Seems a good investment in the event of SHTF too.

[@alph8654]

I am 69 and still enjoy splitting fire wood. I would not want to do it for a living, but to split my own, i find it pleasurable. Re - Creation.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Me too

[@bob-the-Millwright]

If you and your family would like to tour a local sawmill, I can arrange that if you would like. Depending on species we cut anywhere from 100K to 300K board feet per shift. I enjoy the content no matter the subject.

[@MrRLH93]

I just looked at some cedar lumber for a project here in Wisconsin and to build that smoke house would have put you in the poor house.

[@JohnDoe-ls2ww]

Not just in Wisconsin brother.

[@nathanengland5235]

Random question. Have you built a bow with mountain mahogany? It’s native to my area and I read that natives made bows with it back in the day. Wondering if you had any thoughts on it.

[@guadalupeskitchen3734]

And I thought i was resourceful.

[@mikemike9501]

A 1x8x8 red cedar is $25 to $35

[@michaelgonzalez8863]

Nice !