ebinmaine 74,213 #1 Posted September 26 https://mechmaxx.com/products/32-portable-sawmill-420cc-15hp-e-start-gasoline-engine-29-board-width-17-log-length-13-track-bed BBT is considering this as a purchase for us and her daughter's family to use. Thoughts comments questions suggestions welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,904 #2 Posted September 26 Hmm.... By the time you toss in some of the optional accessories to make it portable and easier to use, you are up around $5k, plus freight. If all you are doing is hobby harvesting to make rough cut slab boards occaisionally, watch a couple of Y-Tube videos that involve an extension ladder and a saw...... It's still all about return on investment.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 52,705 #3 Posted September 26 I'd take one you was to give it to me ... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenneth R Cluley 608 #4 Posted September 26 If you have never tried "MILLING" with a chain saw, believe me it's not for vintage fellas like us. Numerous sawmills on market now. That one looks promising. I also liked Hudson models. Lots of comparison videos online. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,960 #5 Posted September 26 My father seems to have good luck with his WoodMizer. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,676 #6 Posted September 26 Don't forget how you will handle the logs. They are heavier than one would think. Two of us could not roll on level ground a straight 30" White Pine 16'-6" long let alone get it up on the mill. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,493 #7 Posted September 26 My son discovered folks in the area of his camp that will bring a portable mill onsite and mill your logs. They typically charge a daily rate plus extra if metal in your log ruins a blade. Made sense to him for occasional need. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gasaholic 333 #8 Posted September 26 It can be difficult to get and keep them level - You'd want to consider pouring concrete footings to below frost line for a permanent location installation or you'd have to re-level it on a pretty regular basis - and then you have to consider how you're going to get logs to it and up on it (fork lift?) Log jack/ peavey CAN do it a bit, but only with smaller logs.. you'll need a long (1/2" per foot) sloped ramp and maybe consider a couple of block & tackle systems on either end to roll logs more safely up onto the mill deck - whatever mill you get on a manual mill like that you can expect a lot of back breaking labor per log , and you'd want to have a good supply of logs - seems like out here in the boondocks, everybody and his brother bought a portable sawmill (since the covid pandemic thing) and then discovered it is so much work and they just have a big piece of machinery sitting around gathering rust and dust once they got a bunch of logs milled up and find they have more lumber than they can use, (and can barely sell it at fire-sale prices - it isn't easy to get good prime grade lumber that people would pay "going prices" for... So I'd just sit back and dig around on local ad sites , put up a wanted ad on facebook or somewhere, chances are if you are in a rural timbered area you'll find someone with a Harbor Freight or Woodland Mills or Norwood sawmill for half the price (or less) as a new one... I've been tempted by a couple (under a grand and just a few years old) but I'd have to buy log truck loads to get enough logs to mill , plus all the work that goes into properly setting up and maintaining the mill, just ain't worth it.... (and I'm a woodworker / woodturner) when I can buy a 20 Bd Ft pack of lumber from Muterspaw or KJP for $150 or so and its already kiln dried and skip planed ... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 29,172 #9 Posted September 26 No experience myself, but I watched a young buck in top notch shape muscle a chain saw mill on some18-24" logs... no thanks... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 44,414 #10 Posted September 26 When I bought my house the next door neighbor was President and owner of Timber Harvester portable sawmills. These big contraptions were always in his yard. Seems they didn't sell a lot of them and when they did, they were going overseas. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,904 #11 Posted September 26 Eric - that looks like an import mail order item - any New England Dealers that also provide experience and service?? This item looks loke an investment, not a tractor attachment or camoing toy.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 74,213 #12 Posted September 26 Bunch of great comments above guys. Exactly and precisely what I was hoping for. Thank you. I'll have Trina read this later. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
