Thinking of getting a sawmill... which one should it be?

[Steve G.]

Hey guys, were thinking of getting a sawmill for some light milling here and there. I'm thinking about the LumerMate 2000 from norwood. What do you guys think about a sawmill for that purpose?

http://www.norwoodindustries.com/product.aspx?prodID=1000&cID=1002

[Kirk Allen]

Norwood makes a great mill as WB can attest.  Lots of variables to think about.  I would suggest making a list of what you want to accomplish with the mill, both short term and long term.  Once you know your goals, then you can map out a plan to evaluate all the options out there that will accomplish your goal.

The thread below has a list of most of the band mills on the market.  Many of them offer hobby type mills. 
http://www.sawmillandtimberforum.com/index.php/topic,48.30.html

One thing I do know, no matter if its a home made bandmill or a high dollar mill, they all cut great lumber provided you know how to set up the basics.  Like WB mentioned, take your time setting them up!

[Steve G.]

Well I have never set up a sawmill but I have built furniture for my sister as well as a lot of other wood projects and I've also built a computer so i'm ready for the challenge of building a sawmill... per-se Just in case you haven't realized... I love building things

[Kirk Allen]

There is a lot of satisfaction from building our own stuff! 

Several web sites have info on building your own bandmill and I know quit a few that have done it with great success. 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Steve, you might check with Gary at Linn Sawmill.  You can buy various parts to build what you want.


When I spoke with him, some time ago, he was nine months out on building a mill like I wanted.  I bought an Oscar 36 (Hudson) for $6,000 and had my money back in 3 months,

[mike p]

consider how you plan on loading logs , will you need hydlolicks or do you have support eq.
 budget needs to address  loading logs
sawing prices are cheap, kiln drying high & not as many around. its easy to hire a mill  sometimes on shaires hard to hire a kiln when you do its with travel expence  & they only take cash at least around here
hire a mill  ,go with kiln first let it pay for your mill

[Steve G.]

I don't want to actually build a sawmill... I ment I don't mind assembling it. We want to get a small mill so we can cut some of our own 4x10's and also so we can learn how to mill 

[The WoodButcher]

Hey Steve G, Norwood makes a smaller mill than the Lumbermate2000. Saving some bucks. I have noticed though, you would probably want to beef up the log bunks thats the biggest difference between them, Oh and the throat (distance between the blade guides) is bigger on the LM2000. It's called the LumberLite.
Here's a link to there site. http://www.norwoodindustries.com/default.aspx

[Steve G.]

Thanks, Do you know how much these mills cost? I looked on the site and couldn't find it

[The WoodButcher]

  Yeah Steve G, I have raised cane at Norwood about making the prices so hard to come by. I think they are around $3200.00 . If you push it a little bit you can make your money back in about a year maybe two. It's really according to the demand in your area. I made my money back in about 1 & 1/2 years. I have loved every minute of it too. It truely is the hardest work I have ever enjoyed. 

[Stevem]

For Norwood pricing I check on e-bay.  They generally run two or three ads.  If not this week then next week.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&catref=C6&from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=lumbermate&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=78209&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32%26fsoo%3D2&fgtp=

[Steve G.]

Thanks for the pricing guys.