Which Saw To Buy???

[HaroldCR]

 I just sent Kirk a couple photos.

  You killed the band saw thoughts, when you said 50+ feet long and working solo.  I LOVE our Band Mill, but, you would work yourself to death, turning 50+ feet long stuff.

  Click on Lucas sponsor at the top of the page. Google Peterson, for a rep in your area. I bought my old model Peterson from a guy in Tennessee that builds gittaars. Can't remember the little community, but, I couldn't get there from Florida. I had to pick up a buddy to go with me. Somewhere near liberty, I think

  Believe Baileys in Tenn IS Retail. Do the Google thing.

[Kirk Allen]

[HaroldCR]

 In the one photo, where the guy is using a Chainsaw, it's a Stihl 090. It has a 36" CUT and the fumes will knock you down  

  They use the "Alaskan mill principal to mill logs down here. PILES of sawdust and slabs left behind.

  Wish I knew more about Pellet Mills and exporting 

[Kirk Allen]

Pellet mills are spendy and to date I have not heard any positive stories from those that baught one.  All seem to be made in China, or they are industrial pellet machines that the common joe cant afford.

[HaroldCR]

 You are correct. I've done a bunch of searching. A commercial mill can produce about 2 tons per hour   That isn't much, considering all the necessary steps involved

[mike p]

Quoit
Mike: This project is my swan song......I want to do it all.........call me crazy.......

sounds like you got the same attitude as most of us here
if you use a chain saw mill for the long stuff
a band mill wood be ideal for the rest of your house project
i use a Kasco saw 2 B
check out cooks for used mills a few years ago they had a lot of used stuff & sawmill exchange

[Carl Middleton]

Welcome Nutjob If I remember right Frank knows a gal out on the left coast that cut 50' and longer beams with a band mill. I think it was a cooks mill not sure. Ihave a woodmizer Lt 40 and have sawn 26' 4x10 beams without any bed extentions. I use a bobcat with pallet forks to lift the beams after I saw them.

[Carl Middleton]

I rember now Look at http://Truecutcustommilling.com Her name is Gia and she uses a Baker band saw Check out her site. Beams dont get any better than hers.

[LogNutJob]

Ok - - - I need some no b-s advice.....

The Peterson models are $3000 to $5000 higher than the comparable Lucas model.......is the Peterson that much better a saw?

If you were buying a 8" sawmill......which would you pick???

[HaroldCR]

 Your location and your project, I would go Lucas. Peterson IS a more feature mill, but, you can always sell that Lucas and not lose a lot of money.

  Have you gotten BOTH Videos, yet   Do that before buying. Ya got all winter to think about it.

[Kirk Allen]

I would go with the 10" over the 8".  Does Lucas make a 10?  If so, I would probably go that route living where you live. 

Before I did that though I would definatly check out the Brand X mill. http://www.brandxsawmills.com/

[Ricky P]

OK!!!  No BS!!!

If I had to do it again....I'd buy the same rig....Lucas 613.  Well, 618 now, since they don't do 13hp any more.

Why???  Still the biggest bang for my buck that I see.  And, mobility....set up is a breeze.

Watch all the videos...then....if at all possable, find some mills near you and go watch them in action.  Get your hands dirty helping and ask a lot of questions.  I was able to see a Peterson, a MD, and several band mills before I made my desision.  It was well worth all the driving.

Pay close attention to what it takes to set up each mill....log loading and log set up.  I realized that the actual sawing of the log is the easy part...getting it all ready to go...that's the hard part.

Besides the above mentioned reasons, the ease of log set up with the Lucas played a big part of my desision.

The Bailey's web site used to have a list of people that would demo their mill...if you can't find it....call them, I'm sure they'll help you find one.

[LogNutJob]

Thanks folks for all your feedback....

[LogNutJob]

Does anyone have an email address for somone high up at Bailey's? I can't reach anyone on the phone to talk about the mills......

[HaroldCR]

 I have heard they are VERY helpful to talk with. Emails don't get it, for me. I would try them tomorrow, or until I get a live person on the phone.

  That's just me, though

[Ricky P]

I sent them an email last Friday with questions on the slabber head for my rails.  Someone called me back Monday afternoon.  Answered all my questions.

[Stevem]

Lucas just started marketing a 10" mill.  The 8" mills can be stretched to 9".