Reasons (BEST 5) to Over Engineer a Concrete Sawmill Slab

[@barnyardbrio7597]

this is my favorite sawmill channel..... by a long shot!

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Thanks!!

[@garykersteiner4936]

Robert, I can tell you are a real dog lover. Me too. My lab Molly goes with me everywhere. She is an excellent watch dawg. When I'm out cutting wood and not paying attention she is on guard. Not once have I been attacked by a polar bear . .

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Love it. Chip does the same with airplanes. We live near an airport, and every time a plane flies low over us,. he barks at it. We haven't had one land in the backyard yet!

[@jasoncottrell1976]

Merry Christmas! I have a concrete slab under my lx 450. I love have concrete under the mill. I ended up anchoring it to the concrete because of it walking across. But since anchoring it a love it.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

That's good information, thank you!

[@MrCheaterpipe]

I plan on mounting mine to steel posts cemented 30 inches into the ground with pressure treated 4x6 timbers mounted between the steel posts and the track will be solid and secure but still have just a little give

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

That will definately work, using columns into the ground. I had considered that as well, using poured concrete columns, but decided to go to the 6 inch slab because I wasn't sure exactly where the mill was going to be set back in.

[@make-somedust]

I’m an advocate for concrete. So easy to clean up the mess. Merry Christmas

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

I hope it works out and thanks!

[@Z-Bart]

A lot more to it than I would have guessed. All valid considerations Robert. Over engineering is probably the key to success.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Sometimes you just have to throw everything at it and hope that is enough. Thanks for watching!

[@Z-Bart]

@@HobbyHardwoodAlabama People (customers) might not always say it but I guarantee you they recognize a neat clean operation. The cement will help to keep it clean.

[@Woodruffsawmill]

@@Z-BartI hear this from just about everyone of my customers. Your mill area is so clean compared to every other mill they have been to.

[@patwright6317]

Good video as always , will you be showing install and position of anchors ? Thanks

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Yes, but I may try the rubber feet thing first, I've had so many comments on that, I need to see how or if it works.

[@kevincasey7931]

I moved my Cooks AC 36 onto a concrete slab about a year ago. You'll be glad you did. Clean-up is much easier.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Thanks, I'm hoping it works out great. I'm not going to miss the dirt.

[@jasongriggs1502]

Great video Robert...I was asking myself the same question...think I'll stick with dirt. Thanks for the great info.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Dirt is a safe bet, I've been sawing on a dirt floor for decades, and it works just fine. I think a dirt floor is better for sawing and a concrete is better for cleaning. Since we are a "sawmill" business and not a "cleaning" business, I hope I made the right decision. Time will tell, and thanks for the comment!

[@Hunterworks]

I am a brand new saw owner, lx450, I poured concrete and where the feet are on the saw I used a 24" auger, that concrete is roughly 1 1/2' thick, I used 5/8 wedge anchors, drilled through the feel bases and put a piece of rubber from a rubber mat from from tractor supply between them. Time will tell if this is a good idea or not.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Hopefully it is, I had a lot of trouble with mine walking on gravel, much less slick concrete,

[@johanneslaxell6641]

I think I would go for a tarp wall, on a rail so that it can hold rain out but be drawn out of the way when sawing...

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

That is a good idea. Thanks for watching!

[@timbrantley8483]

Hi Robert I have an LT 40 that should be coming in any day after a long anticipated wait!!! I am considering a concrete slab just not sure what will work better my floor in the barn is dirt and gravel. Im brand new to Sawmilling and your videos are very very helpful keep up the great work would love to come see your setup sometime!!! Thanks Tim.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Sounds great, congratulations on your new mill. I’ve had an LT40 and it is a great mill.

[@timbrantley8483]

Please keep us posted on whether you like the slab better or dirt floor!!!

[@timbrantley8483]

Hi Robert just wanted to check with you and see how the concrete is working for you and see if you like it better than the dirt floor?

[@georgefeener8682]

Great video I'm from nova scotia canada and I am in thre process of pouring a slab for my mill

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Sounds great! Thanks for watching from Alabama!

[@WoodchuckCanuck]

Good video Robert. This past year we went from dirt to timber floor. Right away I noticed the "walking".

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Yeah, everything has its pros and cons, unfortunately.

[@James-ib2kp]

Great info Robert. Gives me a lot to think about. Thanks for sharing.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Sure, my pleasure!

[@Woodruffsawmill]

My mill is on a concrete pad. You pointed out all the good and bad points. Easy clean up, rough on the legs. Hope it works out for you.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Me too, we will see. Thansk for watching!

[@delprice3007]

Merry Christmas 🎄 Robert!

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Same to you! Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@johnwoody4905]

Good video and Job. I hope it works out for you.i tapcon my woodland Mills 130 max down it has worked well. Take care be safe and well.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Thanks, you too!

[@austinrehl8545]

Thanks for sharing. You gave me considerations for my set up. If I can just get my sawmill dog to help me!

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Chip is ready for me to get back to sawing so I can buy him some dog treats!

[@kencross25]

Robert this was an informative video. My father was a Civil Engineer, with ADOT for forty-two years, whenever we built garages or sheds, he would tell me that you couldn't over engineer the slab because that is always your weakest point. I too believe that you will enjoy your concrete floor (Pad). I wish that Hobby Hardwood had an outlet closer to me, I love the excellent lumber you produce at your mill. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Ken & Maria in Mobile, AL.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Thanks! I also have had some not overbuilt concrete slabs and sooner or later, they fail in one way or another.

[@customsawyer2526]

Looking good. I will be keeping in touch on how you like it.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Thanks! Chip is a little PO'd because he's used to sleeping in the cool sawdust under the mill.

[@suemoore1965]

💝💖💗 THANKS FOR SHARING 💗💖💝

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

You are welcome!

[@TheCC89]

1st off, love your channel and have learned a lot.🙏 Add rubber feet or thick rubber shoes on the out riggers to reduce vibration and stress between the concrete and mill. The rubber by itself may limit walking by itself or just add set pins in the concrete to hold it from moving/ walking so you are not physically securing it down. Bolts to hold it from moving, but not sinching it down would be best. With the rubber, you won't need massive hardware to hold it in place. For your application, rubber horse stall mats, 1" thick would probably work perfect and last a decade plus. You could probably cover the whole floor, which would help fatigue on you and the machine. Also will not effect shovel clean up as much as you might think either.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

I agree, I've had so many comments on using rubber feet or pads, I am going to try that first! Thanks for commenting.

[@randysmith9796]

Great video very informative

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ronnielloyd4514]

And it looks good also.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Well, at least the pad and Chip looks good, me, not so much!

[@doc3356]

I really think you'll love it. Be interested to see you revisit it in 6 months and give us another update! I do like having rubber mat sections under the outriggers on my little mill. They seem to take up a lot of the shock.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

I will try that. Thanks!

[@RavensRidgeNC]

heh, figures, only of the two log dogs works very well - you go Chip! Was just thinking about a concrete floor on the new shed, now I'm leaning toward railroad ties that'll flex a bit, thanks!

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Yes, wood is still one of the best impact absorbing materials possible.

[@TheOldManAndTheSaw]

Good video Robert. I saw a Baker sawmill with the sawdust COVERING some of the bunks! I don't think that a concrete slab would help THAT guy. A belated Merry Christmas. Dave

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

About the only thing that would help that is a different operator.

[@TheOldManAndTheSaw]

Or a match!

[@briannapier8337]

Would it help just to put rubber under the stands and not anchor the mill down?

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

I've had so many suggestions in the comments for that, yes, I will try that first! it seems to make sense.

[@gregm312]

nice , clean up will be so much easier

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

I hope so, we've been putting it off for awhile, but so far, so good.

[@A..n..d..y]

Just wondering if a high weight anti vibration pad will work under the feet. Not sure about anchoring the mill to the floor. Another way I've seen other use concrete is to use plywood between the mill and the floor to give it a bit of flex.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

That's a greta idea. Thanks!

[@markhowes126]

I have concrete on the floor of my sawmill shed. I got some 1/2 " thick rubber belting from a salt mine 4ft wide. 3 side by side gives me 12 ft mill sits right on them with room to walk all way around mill on rubber. Also if you have mason pour it for you don't let them hit it more than once or twice with power trowel. Gabel belting in western ny sells used belting.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

That's a good idea, thanks!

[@adammoore7994]

If you set two vertical pvc pipes in the slab, you can cut them off flush then drill two holes in the mill feet so that you can drop a piece of rebar through and the mill will stay in place. Good luck getting them lined up after you move the mill, though. Also, there is rubber mat made specifically for putting under industrial equipment. A little square under each foot would probably be a good idea.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Thanks! I may try that.

[@randybowe3986]

I know you got your metal shelf’s from Uline,can you tell me which ones you got.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

The Heavy Duty ones

[@markdavis9384]

I haven’t run a band mill but had a Corley on dirt and now a meadows on concrete and it’s the best thing ever

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

I hope so, it's too late now!

[@falfas55bgas]

You're gonna want to pour a big apron in front of the mill too.

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Yes, definatly need an apron, I've been doing excavator work on it all morning. I've got some odd drainage problems I have to fix, and that big walnut in front of the mill came down this morning to clear the open span better. I'll put in a good bit of our creek gravel and then get everything to stiffen up before I do any more concrete.

[@GibClark]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Thanks!

[@cecilchristopher5092]

The reason you over engineered it is you like me are an engineer and that's what we do! 😂😂😂😂

[@HobbyHardwoodAlabama]

Yup!