Anybody mill their own lumber?

[Meck77]

I'm tired of buying lumber from Home Depot and want to start producing my own for various projects. Do any of you own your own portable saw mill? Have experience cutting lumber?

I've just started my search but I'm thinking something like this would get the job done. http://www.hud-son.com/Oscar28.htm

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Orange_Beard]

A good friend of mine in Michigian has one. He makes a living with it. Also had to get a bobcat to move the logs around with.
He built his own Kiln.

I don't think he cuts "construction" grade lumber, mostly hard woods.

****, I have not talked to him in a long time, I need to give him a call.

[Los Broncos]

I did when I lived on Utah.

Worked for Big Horn lumber company down at the mill.

Collected end trims from the planer mill.

I helped run the planer and would use some 2x16 for some siding.

[Taco John]

That's hard core.

[TailgateNut]

You have way too much FREE time!

[Rohirrim]

Damn. That's for doing mucho lumber. If you're not going for big production numbers you can always get a big band saw. That thing is for running your own lumber company. I was reading about a guy up in Minnesota who salvages lost hardwood shipments from the Great Lakes. He's getting this amazing figured wood off the bottom of the lakes. Old sunken barges. Don't forget, a good metal detector is worth its weight in gold.

[loborugger]

You're making wood, dude.

[Meck77]

Originally Posted by Orange_Beard

A good friend of mine in Michigian has one. He makes a living with it. Also had to get a bobcat to move the logs around with.

Already have a Bobcat. I just don't have the grapple attachment but forks and a chain should work for now.

I've found some very simply low cost ways to get into this. For a few hundred bucks you can convert a standard saw so it can rip logs into planks. Pretty cool. I'm starting here and will upgrade once I get my feet wet. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...4&ci_sku=11879

I've read about that story Rohirrim. I'm looking at producing some beetle kill hardwood flooring/siding/ etc.

Girlfriend has a knack for building benches/basic furniture. We'll see where it goes. Right now I need a few hundred 2 x 6's and beams to start.

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Orange_Beard]

Originally Posted by Meck77

Already have a Bobcat. I just don't have the grapple attachment but forks and a chain should work for now.

I've found some very simply low cost ways to get into this. For a few hundred bucks you can convert a standard saw so it can rip logs into planks. Pretty cool. I'm starting here and will upgrade once I get my feet wet. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...4&ci_sku=11879

I've read about that story Rohirrim. I'm looking at producing some beetle kill hardwood flooring/siding/ etc.

Girlfriend has a knack for building benches/basic furniture. We'll see where it goes. Right now I need a few hundred 2 x 6's and beams to start.

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wow, the reviews look good. My first thought was you will need to keep your chains VERY sharp, also I wounder how many planks you can cut until you have to move the position of it on the log.

If I remember correctly the kiln was very important. I think he also broke down and brought a really good plainer.

I wish I had pictures of the furniure my friend makes, it is very basic, he really let's the grain of the wood show.

[Orange_Beard]

Originally Posted by Meck77

Already have a Bobcat. I just don't have the grapple attachment but forks and a chain should work for now.

I've found some very simply low cost ways to get into this. For a few hundred bucks you can convert a standard saw so it can rip logs into planks. Pretty cool. I'm starting here and will upgrade once I get my feet wet. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...4&ci_sku=11879

I've read about that story Rohirrim. I'm looking at producing some beetle kill hardwood flooring/siding/ etc.

Girlfriend has a knack for building benches/basic furniture. We'll see where it goes. Right now I need a few hundred 2 x 6's and beams to start.

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Funny, they show the "guide" riding on a very flat cut, how do you make that first cut?

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by Orange_Beard

Funny, they show the "guide" riding on a very flat cut, how do you make that first cut?

You make a jig that your piece rides in through a band saw. At least, that's what we used to do.