Squirrels Sabotaged my Sawmill

[@colbiecolbie6979]

This months poster boy for woodland mills..........Sandy! Looking sharp.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad you liked the video

[@wallacefrey6247]

There's nothing I like better than "Sludging with Sandy" on Saturday morning.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’m glad to have ya along each time Wallace

[@Z-Bart]

Great. Something else for me to watch for. We also have tons of Red Squirrels.

[@sawingwithsandy]

They sure are a headache sometimes eh

[@frankdrahos8569]

Thanks Sandy. Loved the different camera perspectives during the milling!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Frank. Appreciate that

[@arkansasrob9745]

I hit my log stop last week, just put a new blade on. I thank you for all your videos that's what made me pick woodland mills. I have cut 25inch red oak on it and no problems,

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great to hear you got some mill time in Rob

[@tractortyme]

Darn vermins in the fall, they can do some destruction indeed. I've had them chew wiring on vehicles and what not. I noticed while milling the 2x4's it started to make wood hair, on the Wooldand Mill we have on the property that is usually early sign of a dull blade. Good video Sandy as always. On the addition on the powerhead, like they say in the north east of the US "Work Smaht, not hard". 😀

[@sawingwithsandy]

Chewing wiring is such a pain eh. I think you’re right about the wood hairs

[@Andrew_From_NB]

Hey Sandy! I was the first “thumbs up” this morning as soon as I seen it lol, anyways thanks for having us out! Great starting my Saturday with a “sawing with Sandy” and good hot coffee! Good point on using those smaller logs, an glad the saw didn’t get jammed up to bad with the critters snacks! Glad to hear your getting some railings ready for the tiny house! Looking forward to seeing the end result! Thanks again Sandy! A pleasure dropping by as always! Cheers! Andrew from NB :)

[@sawingwithsandy]

Cheers Andrew!

[@jeffhuffman5433]

Hey squirrels will be squirrels and those small logs May not produce a lot of lumber but it's easy and makes really nice lumber great video Sandy

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Jeff. I'm with ya there !

[@TerryC69]

Hi Sandy! I've not been watching much KZbin the last month, so I have some catching up to do. I guess to that squirrel, that little space was just another hidey-hole. Hopefully, he believes in hording redundancy.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hahah I hope so too

[@kllisk]

Yep! The critters got me, the mice and mud dobbers built a nest in the engine on the HD36 Norwood dang mice ate 2.5" of the sparkplug wire on 1 cylinder so that was a $75 bill. Now have dryer sheets tied to intake manifold hopeful that both will hate that and stay out.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I like that idea!

[@allenandmain]

Squirrels gravy n biscuits, thanks for show

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha

[@rodcros]

Those lasers are a great addition.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Rod, I sure like using them

[@timcahoon4911]

Nice jacket! Looking sharp in the woods!!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Tim!

[@johnwoody4905]

Sandy you need to get rid of your vermins. will not be long before they are chewing on wires, gaslines and belts. i have had them eat air cleaners. i have my dust collector hooked up it get 90% of sawdust. fixed a set up to turn logs hope it works well. i will have to get laser like yours the cheap one like i got do not show up in day light. good video. take care, be safe and well.

[@sawingwithsandy]

They sure cause havoc around here

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks John

[@keithprentice8298]

Haha I had a mouse in mine Sandy.. He didn't make it, the good news is the sawdust absorbs a lot of the mess. give the guards a Wack before you start the machine each time with a wrench or something, they'll move out before startup.

[@sawingwithsandy]

A good wack will scare em out for sure. Good idea

[@zerpblerd5966]

hey, Sandy, been a while since I've checked in - super busy summer+fall heading toward winter I FINALLY got my HM126 (14hp) setup after having it nearly a year!!! neighbor with experience helped (did the majority of it faster than I could keep up with what was going on - I'll take it!) did my first cuts today, had a BLAST!!! need some of those crates for slabwood now, and to build about4000 different things

[@sawingwithsandy]

That’s really great to hear! I hadn’t heard from you in a while but glad to have ya back

[@zerpblerd5966]

@@sawingwithsandy It was nice timing with you posting a video and me wanting to share that I finally got it together and cutting. it's a THRILL now, to get a covered spot for it built before snow comes and then one for the kioti

[@jamiegratton9748]

I had a robins nest in mine with 3 eggs this past spring in the same place the squirrels made home in yours. I was forbid to move the nest or eggs by my wife… long few months waiting for them to hatch and spread their wings.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I know the feeling Jamie. I had a birds nest up inside my canoe hanging form the shop rafters and watched them closely until they finally grew up and left

[@m9ovich785]

Thanks For for the Crazy "Ride Along" on the Mill Sandy HAHAHAHAH Leave the doors open when Done ?? Mike M.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I’ve certainly learned my lesson this time. After several years they finally found a good hiding spot

[@johnos4892]

I think I am going to use the metal stand that my woodland mill used for shipping as a slab rack. I've tried wood racks but never made them sturdy enough.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks actually a pretty good idea

[@kenbowers8423]

Good morning Sandy! Today is November 5th and it is supposed to get to 21C, who'd of thunk it, nutty weather ( pun intended). Greetings from Peterborough.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I hear ya Ken. I’m wearing a t shirt as we speak!

[@buddyreed2623]

Hello Sandy. I have said for a long time, " You are as old as you feel", so tighten up a bit. I also like the power head. As for the slab rack, if I were doing it, I think I would start over as there may be some points that have been stressed and when I would go to use it, they might break sending me back to the start. It would be nice to be able to add a board return to your machine, but I looked, and it is not listed as an accessory. Have good days!

[@sawingwithsandy]

I think you’re right about rebuilding. Maybe I’ll come up with an even better design. I’m the boat return is also great idea

[@buddyreed2623]

@@sawingwithsandy If you decide to, you will.

[@scrhino40]

I was wondering why you not using the slab rack. Now I know why. Have a great day be safe.

[@sawingwithsandy]

hahah I thought I"d get it fixed before now but that's now on the project list

[@saintaugustine1715]

I am glad to see you are using g all you can get out of your logs myself if I can get 2. 2x4x8 feet long it gets put on my mill I got only 12 acres and by doing this I know I have plainty of wood to built what I want on my propriety Now for the little pest in your saw mill I have my mill for almost 8 years and I never found tree rats ( squirrels ) in my mill bit us here in Florida we wait till the cold season. ( hope not to offend any one) and we get Reed of them but we cook them and my favorite way crookpot over night let cool off some remove bones get a couple canes of cream onion mushroom soup make a gravy and put the meat in it semer for a little and serve they are very tasty have a great day for the squirrels I am talking about the big gray ones

[@sawingwithsandy]

It’s the same for me with today being the first time ever having the pine cones inside like that

[@rickchapman3051]

I made wooden saw stops 1⅝ square and rounded the edges. Made from maple scraps. No more damaging blades for me. Lots of critters here, so far no issues with them.

[@sawingwithsandy]

That would certainly do the trick Rick

[@adamg2702]

Hi Sandy Would you please do a video on setting up a laser; specs, install etc Tks!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Adam, I've got a playlist with this laser install and use on my both of my sawmills. Here's the link kzbin.info/aero/PLlIqRYdFUXsVerMUonTkFuoBzMbBPWRaY

[@skippyross8011]

The squirels attack all of thw wiring in both of my cars. i now buy peperiment spray thru amazon and spray all of the hoses and wiring under the hood. several times per winter. no more problems for the last winter season. I live about 30 miles north of Philadelphia.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I'm going to have to give some of that a try. I've got critters trying to get into everything around here. Thanks for sharing that one

[@jimmaskell7537]

You and the Robertson should get together and make some critter stew. 👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

hahaha

[@mabloodhound]

I saw that 1st 2x4 you cut and it had the pith on the edge. One thing I just learned from Nathan at Out of the Woods YT was that the pith will shrink in length more than the other wood so it will end up creating a bow out of your 2x4. He always plans his 2x material so the pith is either in the middle of the cut or eliminated altogether.

[@sawingwithsandy]

That makes sense. Since I’m just using up some small logs I figured I’d just use whatever I could get from the log and nail it well

[@artcard5965]

I see you haven't made a firewood rack out of the metal saw shipping crate yet. Winter is coming fast. I know never enough time to get it all done, always more to do.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I think that shipping crate will be an easy solution. Thanks for that idea Art

[@bay9876]

Might be a good idea for welding a slab rack together from scrap metal. For durability and "Sawing and Welding With Sandy." Just a thought.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I think that’s a great idea.make it once and for all

[@acreageliving]

a chainsaw in a metal rack? or whats the plan?

[@CedarTrailsLiving]

You are lucky there wasn't a squirrel in there. That would have been a mess for sure. I had a mouse inside the Bobcat and he got where he shouldn't have been and I heard him hit the back door and it didn't end well for him. Threw the belt off and made a mess but glad he wasn't in there long enough to chew up everything.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yikes. Yeah I am fortunate this time

[@ryanmc3073]

Feel like you've answered this before, but how many acres (do you use hectares in Canada?) is your plantation, and how many trees would you say are planted for harvest? Do you have anyone that helps you to manage the forest planting and reclaim?

[@delmanicke9228]

Not much to say right now, hunting season in full swing👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for watching Del. Good luck

[@roymarshall8415]

Hello Sandy were do you get your lazers from to put on your sawmill love your videos iv learned alot watching them I'm down in Central TX and I have alot of big pines in my area getting good lumber from them thanks and keep up the good videos

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Roy, Great to have ya on the channel. This video of mine has the details on the lasers and mounts listed in the video description. Hope this help and glad to have your support here on the channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4THgnaIndaqfZY

[@shanepatterson7492]

Hi Is it best to use straight windshield washer fluid in the tank? Does colour matter?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great question Shane. I use straight windshield washer fluid. I use whatever colour is on sale

[@erickschmidt432]

A couple questions, does the 4 jack stands keep the sawmill very stable? And was thinking if you left the doors open on the saw blade compartment maney the squirrels wouldn't store up the pine cones. At the least bit, you would have to close the doors before sawing and you'd notice if they been there when closing the doors.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Erick. I find the 4 jack stands do a good job at keeping the sawmill steady. I like that idea about leaving the doors open .Think I'll have to remember to do that next time out. Thanks for that

[@erickschmidt432]

@@sawingwithsandy thankyou for taking the time to make such nice videos. I'm hoping my 130 max will be here this week. I have alot of logs to get 2 sided for my cabin.

[@BissellMapleFarm]

The arch nemesis of maple farmers! Squirrels!!!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Isn’t that the truth

[@brianwestveer9532]

What are the problems you have with them

[@BissellMapleFarm]

@@brianwestveer9532 they chew the tubing that we collect sap. Those tree rats cause all sorts of vacuum leaks. If we could just create a market for squirrel tacos!

[@jeanlefebvre6458]

Where can I buy lasser what kind is it and so on thanks

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Jean, thanks for watching. I put the links for where I got the laser in this video description

[@fredanderson5544]

still waiting to see a 42" diameter log on the mill. as for the slabs, some of the better ones would be nice sidings for a faux cabin. btw, why not have a sludge maker in a corner?

[@sawingwithsandy]

hahah 42" . May be waiting a while on that one. Main reason I don't have a sludge machine is just because I don't have electricity out there

[@mikewatson4644]

@@sawingwithsandy Didn't you have a solar panel and 12v battery to run LED lights? An inverter would be able to power a sludge maker? Fresh would be so much better!!

[@fredanderson5544]

@@sawingwithsandy my self i use a perculator or a pot to boil my coffee on a stove or campfire

[@sawingwithsandy]

Ahhhh now I remember Yeah I do actually have that solar panel and I completely forgot about the inverter idea

[@sawingwithsandy]

Now that’s livin!

[@charlesdaily5549]

Hey Sandy, great channel. Have you ever thought about installing a DRO on your mills? Curious on your thoughts.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Charles, I have thought a little bit about it but for now I Figured I'd stick with the scale as I'm getting some pretty consistent cutting with it.

[@George32295]

Hi Sandy, watching your video today I had an idea for you. (That I will be using myself) the laser on the back side is great but you still have to walk around to see it . What if you put a mirror on the outside beam or post so you can just glance to see if all’s well while pushing the saw head.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Wow that’s a great idea Richard. I’m going to have to see how I can make that work. I appreciate the idea

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks!

[@gikent1]

I noticed sometimes after the first cut you rotation 90 and some times 180 degrees. Is there a difference, benefit?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great question. I probably rotate 180 degrees most just because that gives the flat part of the log a spot to sit nicely on the log bunks. If I do rotate 90 sometimes it's likely to limit the number of times I have to raise and lower the log stops

[@wheelloader8176]

Pesky tree rats. Nice video Sandy

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha tree rats. I’m going to start using that

[@rickcreel3657]

Why can you not place two or more logs on the mill at a time and each trip with the blade will increase your production?

[@sawingwithsandy]

I can put two. Sometimes I dont just because it’s hard to find two small logs close to same size and I end up wasting a bit. On such small logs I have to be careful with my cuts as there’s not much wood to work with

[@terryk3118]

2 questions: 1) You move the saw through the wood at such an even speed it makes me think it's a power feed. It's not - is it? 2) Lots of nice camera angles! I can almost smell that pine. Can you teach me how to walk upside down?

[@sawingwithsandy]

hey Terry! Thanks for watching. I have had some practice over the years with a consistent feed rate so no power feed here, just my feet.

[@SeanSteggs]

Loving the push button height changer, a real game changer. How are you finding it ? Sean.

[@sawingwithsandy]

So far so good. Liking it quite a bit actually. Makes for a lot less effort

[@SeanSteggs]

@@sawingwithsandy just watching the end of your Vlog now and you read my mind. Great stuff Sandy. Thanks for the reply anyway. Sydney, Australia.

[@bryanbest5113]

Will your pines be impacted by mountain pine beetle when it gets there?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Bryan, I sure don't want to find out how the pines react but I"m hoping they don't make their way here for some time.

[@garrysgarage1958]

Great video … good to see you back sawing again … I guess you have a new check you need to do before sawing on the mill … don’t want any shredded critters blowing all over the place … are you going to move your white tarps over to the new area ?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Garry! Those critters are not being too friendly to me. I’m not too sure about the tarps yet to be honest

[@leonschufletowski8874]

A week or so since you’ve ran the mill?? They suggest to relieve the belt tension. Do you relieve the belt tension? I’m just wondering why you wouldn’t have noticed the squirrel activity when you open up the saw to set the tension and alignment.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I don’t always take the tension off the blade

[@leonschufletowski8874]

That’s interesting. That could be a time saver from one day to the next. Do you notice belt flat spots?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Leon. I’ve not had any problems with leaving the tension on the blade before in terms of belt wear

[@m9ovich785]

Do not need to open the Saw to set tension.

[@leonschufletowski8874]

Thanks Sandy. Keep up the good work.

[@PondamnsOutdoors]

That could have been bad especially since they're just overgrown rats that happened to taste good LOL. Good thing it just stored instead of chomped.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha

[@JosEPh-zy3yr]

Sandy where is your broom? That outside rail is loaded with sawdust! ;) Tsk Tsk! :D Also, as you placed the camera on the log as you sawed it, I saw what looked like a bit of wavy edges? Sawing too fast? Blade tension a bit off???

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Joseph! I tend to use my leaf blower to clean off the sawmill but it was in use elsewhere. Think the blade was getting ready to be changed

[@mikefromwv1010]

Sawing, when at waist has got to be more comfortable at the end of day.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I think I agree with ya there Mike

[@ronaldmyers7784]

Hi Sandy like your show and love how you saw your lumber. You have a soft voice and my hearing not the best. Was wondering if you could improve your sound. Keep on sawing you make it so simple.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Sure Ronald I’ll be sure to keep that in mind for future episodes. Thanks for watching

[@lumberjill6598]

Had mice invade my car last week. I welcomed them with a little peanut butter and shelter equipt with a rather quick bale! Sorry little fellas. Get your sawing in now, winter is here! Take care Sandy. ✌❄🥶

[@sawingwithsandy]

I’m worried about the mice getting into my vehicles as well. Sure can do some damage I bet

[@lumberjill6598]

@@sawingwithsandy Check your cabin filter, they love it in there. Makes you think twice when you turn on the heater.

[@danlarue6895]

when the logs are that small I would try to cut two at a time

[@sawingwithsandy]

For sure Dan that would work well

[@TheCritterWindow]

The wife and I started on our HM126-14 XL Woodlander yesterday. I may have found another option for power feed less money more options. Since I don't have electric start so I can charge a battery I am changing the engine. I can buy a 15.8 hp HF engine cheaper than a conversion kit for the Kohler.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good to hear you've got a solution figured out.

[@billrichardsjr]

I love my power head! I hate squirrels! Mother effers are in my attic!

[@sawingwithsandy]

I know the feeling Bill. I had raccoons in my attic about two years ago and it was a nightmare to get rid of them

[@cindyb5462]

Try putting up some like bird houses in your mill area then maybe the squirrels will use them and not your saw lol

[@donwimberley4772]

Why can't you saw 2 or 3 logs at a time ???

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Don thanks for watching. I can cut two logs in this case. Sometimes I find cutting two is a bit of extra work when only getting a few boards from each log so I just often stick with 1 log at a time

[@contrafax]

No Squirrels Were harmed in the making of this video 😁 , thank goodness.

[@sawingwithsandy]

haha

[@offgridonthecanadianshield5185]

Great, something else to worry about.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha

[@CaycuseClyde]

Hey Sandy. I haven't seen the cone storage before in the mill. Not to bang a drum but are you the person that sets the prices for your Merch? I would like to support but I will not spend $40 for a ball cap.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Clyde , Yeah it was a new one for me as well with the squirrels. In terms of the merch pricing of printing has gone way up so unfortunately that has affected the price of the items

[@CaycuseClyde]

@@sawingwithsandy Roger. I get it. Thanks for getting back to me. I'd say I'll be right over to get one in person but I'm on Vancouver Island... A bit of a trek.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Beautiful spot you live. I loved visiting there a few years back. I’ll continue working as best I can to keep the prices down as best I can. Thanks again for your support

[@CaycuseClyde]

@@sawingwithsandy In all honesty, thank you for the videos. They have been very helpful to us over the years. 2019 we bought an Hm130max and haven't looked back. It seems that when I have a question about something you either have covered it in a video or within the next month you cover it off. Happy to have ya for a visit if you're ever back this way. 😁👍

[@davidjenson4512]

'Looks like the work of our ubiquitous Northern Red Squirrel. I keep a .22 rifle handy wherever I am on our property. They are so destructive that I aim to collapse the population every year.

[@sawingwithsandy]

They sure are pesky critters aren’t they

[@kellymountsr2358]

Had a rat build a nest in my mill, imagine the surprise when I opened the cover, and saw the rat in the nest in the corner same place as your’s

[@sawingwithsandy]

Sure would surprise ya I bet

[@vinodprajapati9751]

Work with you for cutting logs i cutting all type logs... interesting work.i owener sawmill in india gujrat

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great to hear you're out cutting logs. Thanks for coming along for the video

[@zerpblerd5966]

pee around your mill, will deter the critters

[@sawingwithsandy]

Really eh. Can’t hurt to try

[@SuperHurdman]

Sandy! You will have to start calling yourself Mr Woodland Nice Coat ha ha! Those little span pieces would be referred to as a Bunk! This is what you need Sandy ! I picked up a couple tread mills if you keep your eye out you can pick them up for free this guy didn't use one but I thought incorporating one for the feed would probably work better than his set up! You'll like this! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWmvinWmj5msqLM My wife wants me to build her a Cattiow and I was milling some of that little stuff today out of cedar! I love milling cedar but the little stuff drives me nuts! I like your power raise and lower what I don't like about it is the 1000 dollar price tag! I would say your 38! Great video always enjoy following along! Can't wait to see the excavator video! Later dude!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great idea there Marc. I used to have a treadmill when I into running but now all I run from is wasps and hornets haha. Thanks for watching

[@pearsc5d]

PRO TIP . Never do a pre check on anything when operating a saw mill . It takes to much time and cuts down on productivity.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I do a lot of pre check off camera but unfortunately I make mistakes like anybody else

[@pearsc5d]

@@sawingwithsandy I wasn't being critical,just offering a pro tip based on what I saw . It's all sarcasm to teach . Sad thing is someone out there will take the tip seriously.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah it’s all good. I figured it was some sarcasm . I like to joke around myself. Thanks again for watching and hope you’re doing well out there