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Author Topic: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions  (Read 23611 times)

Offline Hoghead

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Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« on: January 18, 2011, 05:52:33 PM »
Good evening all,

I started this sawmill idea with the thought, that I'd get / buy a sawmill to prepare
wood / logs into blanks for use on the wood lathe.

As I started to research the makers / manufacturers of sawmills, I looked at Hud-son,
Cook's, Logmaster, Timberking, Norwood, I found that not all sawmills are made / look
the same.

In looking at the various models available, work neatness wasn't equal, ie saftey chains
& gears not covered, movement of various things, up / down, side to side, ect.

To shorten the story a little, I've narrowed the selection down to the 1220 sawmill made
by Timberking and the Lumbermate MX24 made by Norwood.

I set up excell spreadsheets, ran / compared the numbers, they come out about even.

So my question to the peanut gallery is, your opinion on the last two standing, if you
will, that being Timberking and Norwood. Good or not so good.

Thanks for your time this evening.

Robert Sherwood


Offline mike p

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2011, 06:20:58 PM »
i use a Kascosaw2B
the norwood looked to much like an erector set for me but the price is good
dont know about timberkiing
Eagle's Nest Tree farm & Sawmill
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Offline Kirk Allen

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2011, 06:27:54 PM »
Timberking Hands Down!  I have heard WAY to many complaints about the Norwood mill. Mostly cheap track system complaints but thats enough to stear me away from them.
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching!

Offline joasis

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2011, 06:58:13 PM »
I would also go TK......here are used mills...you may find something you like. http://www.sawmillexchange.com/band.htm
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Offline Carl Middleton

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2011, 08:12:02 PM »
Timberking makes a nice mill. Between them and woodmizer I went with woodmizer. I did run a B20 and was impressed.

Offline Hoghead

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2011, 04:27:02 PM »
Afternoon all,

Thanks for all the opinions and thoughts.

Baring sliding down that sawmill information trail, I've decided to go with
Timberking 1220, with the 25 HP motor upgrade, I'm at 6,000 feet here, at
least one ( 1 ) bed extension, maybe two ( 2 ), gauges - rpm's & hours, a
10 pack of extra blades, might even throw in the log ramps and a cover
for the saw carriage.

Planning to put a deposit on the sawmill before the end of March, before the
current sale ends. I'm thinking about picking it up the last couple of days of
May and the first couple of days of June.

Thanks again. I'm off to work here shortly.

Robert

Offline Kirk Allen

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2011, 06:54:59 PM »
I would have no less than 30 blades on hand because as you go through them your going to, I assume, ship them out to be resharpened and trust me its just a matter of time before you look around and your blades you shipped arent back yet and you have used all those you had on hand.   
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Offline camastown

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2011, 11:38:45 PM »
did you check out the turner mill ?
The see thru man

Offline Sawing/poolman

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2011, 07:52:01 PM »
I think timber king is good because i have one.Kasco  is built heavy for a manual mill.I ran my b-20 for timber king at an LSU forestry show.Wood mizer ,Easy board walk, also had nice manual mills. Norwood cuts good,but the log locks and dogs on my friends machine broke early on his.He pounds his norwood with big logs.  welcome to the almost free wood club,brian

Offline HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader

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Re: Sawmill Thoughts & Opinions
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2011, 11:52:25 AM »

 I'm gonna throw another wrench in the works.  Are you familiar with Swing Blade machines ?? Brand X is in your part of the country, and, they make a VERY durable mill, and, you sharpen your own blades. Just buy 1 extra, in the beginning, and you can saw whatever you like, with no wavy, rippley, warpy lumber. Blades can have new tips installed, instead of buying a lot of blades and throwing away all the ones that break or wear down.

 Yes, I know Band mills can cut real nice lumber. Built one that did an excellent job sawing most any species.

 Maybe check out the Brand X and see if that suits your tastes. Build your own extensions, out of Angle. Not familiar with prices, since I checked them out several years ago.