I'm in the game

[John TenEyck]

I ordered a Woodland Mills HM-130 Woodlander this morning and will pick it up tomorrow at the Buffalo, NY warehouse which is only 20 miles from my house. I debated the pros and cons of spending the extra money on the trailer option, which led to spending even more to get the ramps and winch package, but I think it's the best option for my needs and situation.

I'll post some photos and comments of the assembly process as it happens later this week. I have a few nice 22" walnut logs to give it test run on and can't wait.

John

[Tom M King]

I was just looking at a video of that one last night. I had never heard of that brand before you mentioned it. Nice toy!!! I know you'll have fun with it.

[david privett]

may I suggest not practicing with the walnut there is a lot to learn if you have never ran one.

[Michael Todrin]

Looks like a nice mill John. I am excited for you. Please let us know how you like it.

[John TenEyck]

may I suggest not practicing with the walnut there is a lot to learn if you have never ran one.

I'm hoping you folks will help educate me, so please do. What pitfalls should I be aware of? A friend recently built a bandsaw mill and he reports having very little trouble from the get-go, and one would sure expect there would be lots of issues with a homebuilt unit combined with a new user. So maybe that has jaded me into thinking this is going to be far easier than it looks watching the videos. Any advise is appreciated.

And if anyone has actually drawings of a shop built sharpener I'd be very grateful to get them. I'd rather not reinvent the wheel. I see lots of YouTube videos and I'm sure I can replicate what people are showing, but it would be far easier to work of actual drawings or at least sketches and parts list.

Meanwhile, I'm biding my time untl the Noon to 3PM window to pickup the mill. Excited? Just a little.

John

[Martin Siebert]

Very glad to hear you got a new band mill on the way!!!! Keep us posted and forget about how hard it is to run or how easy it is to mess up...I found neither to be true. Wood is wood and you will only learn by running the machine. Might want to cut down a few pine trees or whatever tree you might use the boards off of that is common to your area or one that you have easy access to and mill two or three logs of that just to get the hang of it...after the first one I bet money you will be clamping up one of those walnut logs and going for it!!! Best of luck and keep us posted sir.

Edit: another way to look at it is that if a hillbilly like me can do it.......anyone can!!!!

[david privett]

have you gotten yourself a peavey or a good cant hook yet you will need one for rolling the log. Not a timber jack they look similar but not interchangeable tools.

[John TenEyck]

have you gotten yourself a peavey or a good cant hook yet you will need one for rolling the log. Not a timber jack they look similar but not interchangeable tools.

I had one peavey already to use with my very manual chainsaw mill. But I bought another from Woodland Mills because it can be clamped to their trailer for transport, and so that a friend can help roll logs if/when I have help. I bought the ramp and winch system, too, so getting logs onto the mill should be a low effort task now. And I plan to try rolling logs/cants with the winch, like Norwood shows on one of their videos using a cant hook on the end of the winch cable. I'm hoping the winch will make muscle part of the job much easier.

John

[John TenEyck]

Very glad to hear you got a new band mill on the way!!!! Keep us posted and forget about how hard it is to run or how easy it is to mess up...I found neither to be true. Wood is wood and you will only learn by running the machine. Might want to cut down a few pine trees or whatever tree you might use the boards off of that is common to your area or one that you have easy access to and mill two or three logs of that just to get the hang of it...after the first one I bet money you will be clamping up one of those walnut logs and going for it!!! Best of luck and keep us posted sir.

Edit: another way to look at it is that if a hillbilly like me can do it.......anyone can!!!!

One of the guys I admired most in my corporate days used to call himself a hillbilly who went to college! I'm sure we'd get along well, Martin. I picked up the mill and trailer crates at the Buffalo warehouse yesterday afternoon. There were lots of crates getting ready to be shipped and I saw several chippers being loaded on a semi while I waited for my stuff to be loaded. This is their US distribution center so it's probably not surprising to see their stuff to ship out nearly every day.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wHjrczoWtQt8hY_xwhMVtIm58gPiWqprEIM1eQhM_Wa2ghn3Es MxocHLFm3iVMIcDtyVzS1GkOmOGkGUz2WqnHzoLcACEEU2HBQo yQj9ZDzE9HZ1iidwjSi7K7L4UOO8Tknub8S8BzMpwsaDq1ke6v 1zADV_qIbLPjhlfiIE4BwNrDWP_xxMCQXpul59cvFrLKRSFt6H 4DCvpLbkZAl9iMOjaUqVjYvy1ILhB8Enna-3xdgfeWeFHX2hhTXEOx9d_7aVJk2Smjizz_auOjLn4vaKffVnA BUNq3imrSyCEppeyPsOdN8t-Q3t-0j0N9jW9waigraJExvIVzMbeE9dni5EoxGoJ8cNAlHMwcLCnkc 5zURvDlvwyk5xWCBnuIX4ATk1TVvsGccfGbElTho5e0JE5zbVu i9Eh-wZz51nw1klTHhWSWjrTwqV_-54lXKVPWX-2blZQfaN1eceXc5nH-siNmWGgcJ5ycwboyC71BCF_hN0yzau41jDKwdz4gZpVmVB8EQF ozzAO0H0irFBQvLwfOdR--7rZzfMHSOSGY9bWQNLPbvtp1jcTzSacmlBtcgG-QQbEcpFGTwaA14zuWTx18IiLJy8F47-DkMFkJ2vpKXyzgu8NECcYmPx-ob46Ick7JEF7VRfTLm8ugAYLWYBG52YXrItqWOVdifWftDl7h9 0JeLFo3zov324Ku58wo5DSKtA4ijeobGHbG7G81kSPA=w1049-h590-no

With about 3" to spare on each side the guys loaded my two crates onto the trailer.

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The trailer and ramp crates unpacked on my garage floor. Everything was beautifully packed. And I'm blown away with how robust the parts are and how well machined and welded they are. Most stuff is galvanized.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6-oqlIP40z47zBbv45X6CjiuHU54pQZNy3Zx5y4e_K5C7jXyqqM9 JroMQuPxmco-WVhDQANQVVo7gvQO7Ys3RLx_ucw2FZDjPWJIU6nVuoxAfNnvsr Pnx8qFPfHZfCabCbNGqFeo2QOwqIUQWkXp9ieyWfH_35m3ZAF1 p0opoa3c6VBonjThJEh0HIduOLjlnltC-B-HjPpmmjtW-qu7qyOnaFO8YWH72P_oTuq_HVJ4CHs6rtEzLPEQNpmgYk6fy4e 5AJFRTQpNYSB6g72XXQzsc1KhBgJNbbTwNtpkAreOfEnBX9PdC wrDneQ-hIIXCUsupXohyG5YuFJtlI3Gdn_RMB1vm5kZEAe1OQkpN-3WsqaPeefJxQ991XsRFcJjrMhdz_ftnpAK4C-qnt77lp-gYE9lqI7dcjhGxEHazr2hWPfV-6DK7lvLdDWkC21Vg1956RFGkyEN5Z_RizsoHOEaoyOu2TNwhWs rRK1Tkjc3NmeJXeiuf16F0DIBOM8_wjI09ecnGQynvfUWAO_dP QRKzsH4bOKMRcg7XxY7WEZWkLWQmmzoB5UNboptNk6a_9_GUAc MRTDvDP3xKgH4qW70rn1cTsUhUmyLs6NuEGWjipxAlNdVB77Jg dGfDYRLasbq0vOXKtdjTcvyeohR4skW3DCaA_s8dVWdh433VqT WWbMah6zZ3u_uqHR2X0_e40MuB_HTye4KmSyTxX7cK_4Gzg=w1 049-h590-no

I'm excited to start putting parts together. Some assembly required!

John

[Tony Roun]

I'm excited for you John! Based on your experience with re-sawing lumber on your bandsaw, and your chainsaw milling, you are well equipped with the knowledge to hit the ground running. I had limited experience, and find the actual cutting to be the easiest part. For me, the hard part has been all of the logistics of getting the logs on the mill, leveled, rotated, clamped, etc with it being completely manual. I am going to make some much needed upgrades to make these aspects of the milling more enjoyable.

[John TenEyck]

Well, at least you have a tractor, Tony. Regardless though, you are right, milling is the easy part, and it should be even easier once I get the bandsaw mill up and running. Getting the logs to and onto the mill is by far the hardest part. Of course, when you hit metal 3 or 4 times in a log milling is a lot less fun, too.

I had a few hours this afternoon to start putting the sawhead together. I'll start by saying Woodland Mills does a fantastic job of packing everything safely and in making unpacking easy. On of the only things that is preassembled at the factory is the actual sawhead and motor. You can see it here in the crate now that most of the other parts have been removed.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OTZ2gq8z5Ej83hdKTDnCqU4HgwCOpBOkWjk1-NzDMjQbB2-5Qk4RUqVHdR4Y68DAgIsGePymP1yp5RzbfUQmpcCZ3MfEt-W-fQUkqY9TBFjkin47E2U0Ael8frjQFA804pMaavhy-C7McaOhFkVs-NXOlKj-N5IW1XsIjK6-VbTIMYhdce8cKhPmYAnNHb5u09OfGKM1fsa1sYMZwVbgIK-8q1xDC7aJBU5HGLlrAo7EsgfVdlf-BAZ8shMinfYHLmqNgcogCJPte1lgtOtQsyvTFHOe6qq-j8ZH_nZW20IweHzXpNa4jZgvDIXZHWr1HGSR0OY5sQfCD7_ppR e4ffns6lQN7S7d0iz3HZK8tjglJN8Fa7upExDdHRZUJGdR8cuP y0Kt0LzlxxnS8IWwP7zHxQQzEEBsqHpdmosHK5tDXET1y_0Hes Jpi3qMaNeEbIz3tKD58CESOnd9oj9xxI9bna0as1tLguA54SdL TH1Mvo-hLHXfuR7skmb7nzSmzJMZXUMElNsFXmDUvLhBDoHnvcWNfyNCp tM_Tf6CDBB39KvleGoyT1LusnbxYfNvXHXURP07nRVvDBKOIAg yUzV1HgeCqm3_103IDCvYrFmDJ6kmtw9-RHjVZrZAnbx8hah2XJPqUaDuR5r11bq3FEYsKbdneU0p=w1113-h626-no

The directions are easy to follow, too. Each step gives a list of exactly which fasteners are needed and how many, and the instructions and drawings show what needs to be done. So nice to follow directions written in clear English by people who have actually put their product together. The crate is very cleverly designed, and makes removing the sawhead easy even for one person. the front of the metal crate unbolts from the rest and folds down onto some 8" tall beams. After putting down some cardboard you just tip the sawhead forward and lower it onto the cardboard, then slide the whole thing out.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GfhKIL-i9Pw7G90D42R0fISTtPF4fXh6zJKDG6gZrl8-5oQ00GVO4o_9jPNDDsDZfZLn2pWZgQbMPk7_a1cXJpS95gt695 XviYoX9cjjdKTj2ECfTiLQ0V709u6pu5DYRBBdx3WLev90aDaJ 07ARUu-epzYrPyFS45YGLeVzCImCfmI8mvjucyHbiiSau0pE5ddbDBUw_ 26-RsFKBDw7vvu3wVQs0LITvQdgN9N_rLgXi1MfuAzUJiZmD9kpid OUjWbSmq8L-yraAEKWdZUqR_Pgns3fvqXAlDIK40QbjoSUBvXcpMYnigbgowp 5CcQH7F6NAAdeuuPW-AF5EwH3XTc8-kZad9v0CI9qYdJIuxvgw5msA__47d6MdNUP-E7u-DxWACmsk5fRxsl7MnnVnfHF-1RGEyLa0xx5LJHHvUI1JJ-cAdrG4y1f9JO7fyRlXWloWrhItpROAvrLfpuWhxgZwkY40cp6j 2DGb3tRCFo9yOnTo73Fk5hmS-jTL7RG8vibpQlOQpVktCrh_h_j3jvf02NfPV1iyf5x54vMzLSR CHKl6N0_otIryH3t62n81PwFVXUGF7DBSfyUOybO5z6M_y-tP3ulKK7SPynUPdJ1jXSW6Y6ViF11QthFXORytNcMM5VJy2hzz uUC_BgV9O14syMX9rFzYy2Z-rvWwRguhgseSrKfNbpvGR3r2k2eRMsv-q_h22kXWi4w48rC98cQYw=w1113-h626-no

All the parts needed are bagged in clearly labeled bags when necessary.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BjXiOunWg37TqS7b8TmMCMQ1U_Qmx8a2ceAQUMOp84QsQcMsfI b60mE8K-FssieNFgaxW22lyWJCUFFceWSwDjpDpZm0a4B8wiN_jc0370T5 6UIthWWyjJ2bIRMrmIOff0IicnjzQ5qW6bsgHT7o1lchZM6Bw_ KzEre3yhZ0foO5p3D5WLXPM1X674M6HnBM1QdAu3UcHep1wMSN eqR74vw2qDCC2IfPZx0sfgmOx5Vy1OT429gq48KerovDtsF-EV4SF8iDzmROVOEWi1IAGHITEm7briPXi7V7rpjpax6cZCBnQ8 omtq-sz2L8R4tYIclmC6SqdqQMCmAFbj3PfLceEz6rxeqHkbwbcAdfC sKWCeBwVyxv5F_WcIOEVeZaA2SMQmxmKb_jP378nK1t8D69IWP dtUqXU5rB7AXmi6iphcfuxBcNRt68jSq9fSp5ytDhl-6mdppMXFatMWMiZsUWWJ2Oqr_-_N_foDj57Fj60YMHhruywl0GuSethXfP9r9ae1mhyXNaRn9TWc pCDrLQs9ChwpQgaQBa6W1uMYhqQyd74pEPfA8FUMB074VpTY2y K4p9jt0KqInS-54oVmo0ULJz_VmO5pEQqkKgwnGqTPQ-IBNQH3d8hR2SYKlbsrvjNC04XOFq_e6fpeOBe_4ZTbyq7q2yQc ugRj9_kVR4D1bmhXOtCoHdeovw85VzhKW7GF3R3dZDV9BZsvoG gRhBFg=w1113-h626-no

After installing the front posts up through the mating tubes in the sawhead and bolting on the lower carriage assemblies (also factory assembled) you simply stand up the whole unit. I did this alone w/o difficulty and I'm not a big or young guy.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VuFJSVeW0YWSbP_s45KlM6todF51KF_kCiBHEK0wL0rrLx4wcp jaJR0z4J4DytTL2_O3U77js3yKg_rQW-LP6shNj2Izctca5D7Ak0vWUANgmatjQZr_hH_bRSzMQ4zaIquj hJyhc4L1EFhcriFDO0pAFPnaVvs2yhMch5LGCKYJtwaS1vKEl5 9EbDE9D_ItnYqY6NcEuf59Jtw96i_KUw9Raa9YaEWCuVIseD5M ngJrAj0hO3PDu-Zjo9szniMTvMvhH5sEIksVOVsN_Os1QUZXpA_m2i9miArLf-UV_WOdNFzGvlpFLkRL1ivj0PC5Zqv8baDtpLxwg32lg515BC_H AgzpEn1xbh9i8i_9DZ_qSSjEYx8hC7QCzmQ-X2qSdiLEOecOuvxC08HWU3paapdGg7vftgJ_2u0RlUfmRk91zi qiO5-niYa3bLR7GCh8IHQ-L15gs_l8Yq78DeXVQurIH-rvHUUWULLJLMI3X0ilW1ujgpjOPcyP-e_ExXC01GtOyjAZ4E9NNIrJ8I2fEPghGUKRaKrLl0wuv7Th5JV wKuPdaDCO-2Vg5hfdBcgTN68MA7D4konjDs6ZkEl7169z4XS9BefAOFmiC4K 6VSGlY3Yy0T86L8-ebZOe5J7Ek_DsTbBWYgrjMvvp-7FxWpN726WRCMMAG-0TL366ls9Q5as_vEHOw0JpTI-spViUNslBdDXYhcUYRcy9wSMaGliOwA=w1113-h626-no

Just following along with the directions I installed the rear posts, the top yoke, , the very cool looking lube tank, the dashboard, and lift assembly. This is where I was before I had to go tend to other chores, ie - things my wife needed.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8QyVPltcgyyLelh5ZEe1QajWroNU_LWT9DtVARfikNAfx8I0HC woEEcs-DlDThpj1lQSdsnLd0Bp9c5-VNIbMViObhbS8fIIbXvT5vYEteRCGja7qSmoRTNbCFG2U5lfpq Yw4h5xA3wuFJnUif8r3gKdgb8xKV_JQ0pnC6V1Jy3UP8GWiqJV gUca00NVqiJl9u0d_neHfOGa0Z8dQloFUgdG3NPZkmKVwWsAIz 9BnhHFls4o0l8gYnxpEwKVOyrlb1RpKqdnS4O2yn5UqggGlwfy Z6PQmb-jUU8TxnmvFaqW4KY6D9CF3Zh2LNBFD1ODkGdjW8lIg5pgC0bx-tJNAuSp8IiaxZBaHYWzU51-4VwcyH3ygVXJHCvHlW08Mw3hkHF9tRz4lUgHMaMZRBb6O0d3T8 p8yhWU9m3CJTrZdOdidkSP6e6TVVyOOCwNAwKI7HLpzFKxa5jR 33yGa7dxu4CyUeesQCE3gvosu6Ns6es3sMKXsS6ivJsE-JzMV2rXTQd_SxlPfVa4SVE40YsVAXeIl7pgfvtiNYe5lj0olN0 RTCmVWgDZm2HHA0_4Qi82asLNc1cL0AJEjukj8CqpWCisLanmK mps-FNzSHErqiHQsyOB5_6Z1pMuQJXPKVVZhyXOXKQqJIE7raFx0Kz aDvobXApEqpM6iqELDHUgsBbthV-a4-ThuhTjdU9S6bYNJO0vVxqcDkmicAEtEDm1gJf4aA=w1113-h626-no

Rain is forecast for much of the next several days so I'm not sure how much more will get done on the sawhead. Not much more to do on it actually. But I have the trailer parts in my garage and will put that together if the weather is poor. It all has to get done so it really doesn't matter which I work on.

John

[Martin Siebert]

Wow!!! Thanks for the photos. What you need now {if you don't already have it} is a stock pile of logs to mill!! I remember the very first day I had my mill set up and ready to go...I milled logs for 12 hours straight, it was so much fun. Of course sticker stacking it all wasn't quite as much fun. I think I spent almost as much time the next day cutting up all the stickers to stack with. The fun is about to begin for you Mr. TenEyck!!!!!

[david privett]

let the fun begin, does your tractor have a front end loader or a back hoe attachment? that will make it more fun easier.

[John TenEyck]

let the fun begin, does your tractor have a front end loader or a back hoe attachment? that will make it more fun easier.


What tractor? No, no tractor, nor any other easy means of moving logs. This is what I use. It will pick up a log up to about 30" diameter, one at a time of course, and will go behind my car or an ATV. I don't own an ATV, but my next door neighbor does and let's me use it whenever I want.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RV3hcVAWAXLHjh_LyVkB6lp88WHtN3mM0ZeZ7oFNndMltCYx16 SMe6xTp7pLsQTL5Vijy7jI2IfcPAEDRqULWWdX-5ddfPJ5AH8LylsYYAamJadO_GpHlmk3fCkSEJcj1vSJkZ_Bv0r 0d7XGDAcs55xn3gQXan_YqHjlO-XfWXdcelOTBEe7H07NiAhTPUXomh2sYhHGG2trtUHke9zkREXW e_FLgvexZMBFm6NfUN767fKn2LH60lWDBgv70q9X95_AorcmBJ 0umZSFZothWgn0TWyTBCnqvr7J1NB4pwI3cWuqmN428VAy_Yua PWK7Kre9VEoStkRud4BrNIRfqEdj4d-c_JWR6Po9IGH58XJ7Q4A0MG14BKnS2rmivo5yDFg5535sGNstP 9cFqj6rk3TfksmqYirbBZVNbX0ggrF9R1LLcpr-UO74LQwlb_yXk-pCObjwOjaPTXx5-QUZPPx_cz6M3vjGC-Zu_gF3LqPB7LcT1vrw-MNVw-dySuIaOY5M1Ec0ly96owF7d1czAFo1R7VsJTTW_w3ausWd_xxn ycPtN9vAwXXJ8mvvlVYfuWXUjXec0vpi1E_SHBd4a3gVC_5r-zWMFGN0VnDAUyeBOtLQkZgbkaRr_I0xu0deN7W_7lalv7HyOXs leq-u3WsmaI4N-30EC8LDel7AUMmS3Q08FUKJjxb_KjGSilF56fbcEGA3WJRistc tuA52Hq7pJQ=w1113-h626-no

My chainsaw mill can handle some big logs, and will still be the only way I'll have for cutting slabs over 22" wide. Thought you might enjoy a picture of it with the largest log I ever had on it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5fdyECOvXrFwcjN4tW7PL_sMLxAxxSpdohSU-XHUm46QsIGUOHtAzWgN-caqKwTTjkSOcsArikxGlThSquDHeZRusmCVFZ7t9_IuIUEGXtY JpUdMkXlAAFTLsyYork_-CUUuy1tW6bRpCVIT2gQel5gXwwJDjQGT4qBNcQWjcEK4d7pjFx WeyCEhQ690xlT7KBFX040c_PUI9P6lRU0wKZhN4AnhXh9U-w2ED3OXUJn5bttP6HYrZTVuiuljhDJ4P8EZ8OSKRtBCbyaXCxm ViGuW3BcVRuILHUrYP7L8DUQzLm4tG9KvTlBPuBfEBsf9sCkNa y93gv7WeqJjSPgeM95-0uDYO_g21nUwstMis5g0Uoltch0vFQyN7UjqlnL3Sk8iiJR3iS 7QZzvlIbuv4C2-BXH91EBK38EEj_YVYpNZzme_SycaOL5em7SWGz9zXFMG8VDT6l C9vJA7rWBwlGnDy8DoFLKQjQ5WerSCua7ub_ZBX5bdihW09jJr VyXBDEk0OEr6cSRLhv-dbKYJQM4Tbhb3T5YILGafAZOFSsU13yGeUq06RFGRJCub0FIel hwkMtftyQbQD5yz5yKuymi_uipiTbjOqAKNRcdd9EmIrcZK2da 1oC7IFg2VRAA0T6I3HtYewD8F_YaRbloLXkyNMlslYDSgMCFkW ZrgjWiFfr_trVCYazkTlRcYK45G77IiGutV5eD7yfh8WV6P0Vv 6Cg=w835-h626-no

Same neighbor, who owns every machine imaginable at his gentleman's farm 120 miles distant (unfortunately) brought these two red oak logs to me. He wanted a 3" thick mantel for his boss; the rest was mine. We parbuckled it up onto my mill using his truck.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/G_fvB2zctAOGVOpMxQuVJgt6msfV_MNCfkQ-4kwVWoChCHRNpxCWO3T_HFQAxbawt3SGWLpuQD_HJzF3CFD76z ITKPiOr_DmJIrhY2JvDxyOxdmbuNGId0BzFMpybdKSQOvHn8F4 P_ivXo8Rn5qokit7H2F0E36MCMks_yAwz1mpfjgzCwq8Pvxi9Q t7UuLDFdTA7-ZLcT6Sdox0G9AWs0AgvGZnLiK2T6g7yNw5MEyaNt5pJJCLFswx 8_d2hCmmwouA5bsRLkhFmGoxGXULiQnEr9k2O6mtklAzsADuUV StfT7geVrmHRZCXc-M39J1JxjfdTGoTGOZQRfWDFbMrmtGTSCy3EqEojQG-cbpWJ1zbviUP1gvMKyaMloZpeerqp28qMDAnq6GjMHs3Jj9O-HPc1uAYW-p3PQucC_wfbaA1MReB9HH1j-eT1lxS_-NzSEu8aKgKXOjusqTrFGitDuQwoL9qZoCJaFaVApJgJr7eNWl_ 91tgny-nRqOOewDKgC--JTPRNqyrz0DVzMWKQRnp9tfP7F463nXHR2o_rScX0plqmr7mDr NtkYrYqhaFwCufheAyYauF1inTI_Mj8Uqp0Qgx4iXnNbyo_OzQ KoBTO4rL6yCkwWZN7l8AKexm_wd-7Ze1_kh5iqXwB0pcky3_8-nFmoTRpYe7YySbNOmsEblX-9jP7Ry9XNCghBX6U8w8oZh6NW0VJEN3Bdo0DpEeg=w835-h626-no

There was some beautiful wood in those logs.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FwJN8HGERNa-DBsyMXby2LAsyUZbN_TJRp6Mxo0zmXMA5tIa0z4mRPvzkpOakw UIJSwqLNfV-r4e6Bn3Un8Zwl6rjiuGeQL4QhTdEnirNwQsxe5KxitNC9-R38Gy8MqXekHzTGLmM7QAk8N1cnp5mRk2iIqa8AeMpL6x_s3SN dBMYi9PIQ_39vMqSqxGL5mOSO2UrmhNf1lyIRs1V29DOV3aGtH b_5Kt2puMq4vdTZm0HgftL4IRHdAN4WNItrtZHHU8XKcOFu_JW qjECiV-zfkvZzgfeQzEmewXAkfNgFDeXqvKAe6w3f_0V3rk2ud8FmPxjl Rp6x8iUQn0LYgCkTTZghzZt2JsnTEgwXwMRYJIA86g1PQMIwPX bOpmp-HfAu8gEY5Tcj4D5wv2WpmyAg5xYaWs_kuCdtJ-pcjHIkwEwq03Ea05-ZMNOZ_9esYKfxNhv9bIVY1p4MYYiVK2aBlwjuYROM_Z_A1UXAL bh4-Y8a41cEJ9WpgyRJ_AEeKYzeHTdAXTORI_D0YH5O_qCz8gEpx-9kGTHatZbvvJdKD2qM9jE0Wugd98ZdmpsAZO0NhktEGtZGnEPJ kexw2GKfniZ98Z6n2cBAGSEoB_BAmKzV4AXITONOvmw8kiyjKJ EOQ1Vc0kYrSRsxeJpeET_d7mWa4hCPUTqfiKNax1Fc60XBFnMC A2JaJA2ivxd_IhNtSdGnJxtBhAkVxJckkrTyUgdQ=w835-h626-no


This was the slab for the mantle:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0ZufyVKpyszJKr9xVJtWQNmmhZRgvwypwMtoDv9FVicEtIe94F g42HFB7fvJhzLQO8xUgaP7uA-IJQbSmnWk3RmGuQOezklm8bmXnfrcX9GqU49onSOfVb8ClC7Q5 9rcXqZYPiX3J7UrB-UkaXsZaBMWxIv2C-7aFdNsVCgVpHtcruf7dBwtoG2SIEtUIWEXCvQABgFEVD5PeDxi jINh9aii5ksru55gasu9JYGaN25DGlkJE0ltOKyHHsjR9WkvIg X_uCSPPd8S2Su3ZLxFl_Tl7VKc3geRsd7zvlETLjBVI5jzWstH z0l7iWVXN-JHrTKAbqvgWBlIpIyGW_LyVPPHthjay28zyb1UhJ68_K38JAhR 8iv2iSSx6xFZUM6DLW0M49mukFb1yyNSC80mlK7Sh5SOLbZn_H QCHofy67nJH6BV9AuZYbT_p1QUoyFPS26dpwVaOul-FyPDwUf0FLSVtGhl-rIETcGwZFXZdeDd_UdHkWhBfRIDePWzXQvKTLg8HHvVnuzIx69 lKJN5T5U89It1htXw8Dti9vvlUdlgxP9-B2flCRSfAzzjOSJ1RexG0UPZ6U1NQJ7fDDLNidyi8hFJM1-IQ2QHOeMIEyG_HDjqwkZcCfwtYb-TzlraqjtsvpKiwV4KSWmWG7et_K8P2_h3XOsX3lmIGIwVquznf Cz73ZepwqQ_2o1ZdPa8sLQ2T2QR5e5qjdaK1luMOmcqvg=w835-h626-no

And this is the stack of lumber and slabs I got out of them.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o6_HltdLQ4931OrB5owFBoK2HEEMfra28pwD8ZpTTAOCu1n1Xn oqkOcXwBGHQUPZ8BsQumM601pn8nJVwaRnOQRFit-Hen80Utf-afYAK_aNcFU1rqfWIDrT6U15wGWAAZCCnfIzCbX8qSek94nD-bGV2_2MAlJ68DAyxVjP71zOsE_mPiwf3JEcKYiK_0f6gsQasIX 5OeSvMrIn1aSqPfEcE0G_vE8DfhAoovq4AgxCWUML-ek1Uw6GZdAow6Gfq4SE9KM4R2jnba3JP9NRrRT6R2MtYv8hnh2 qm1lCi8uLmYt-sxxMH_dJdCvg1qvEJm0bhVfQDkPXpRXS8UO6T77xmV-7zYTKc6-mFAV4vkLVTHhmB6P_9ilaxBQ0Aj5cMz8qAz97wW83hgcHHRfuF AgiDgmyvYwBVsA-Z2wdrkLJUausIU5HtQ_uELL_on5SSG8zWEjBhUwLFtzRd22Qg1 x7IuyHYXUFN5N53919DVtfUCBCnKoDWFEv5wGYaYVlrc1Zo_KG GXCKt_3AtLapa7VgoYIttWn7rPtTecHN3Y5qS8qrw_BAgJ5Gd8 sC7J-Ky_BWFYrdqtg-cvPJtzP7QN1zcJuetKIvu7GGfgxRu9MHuReJJGeB5slRCLG9Jb VqDrw9JdlGz6ScZDK-gWxlWex2rKQH9faBylHhB5lABko6FN1MksREWg3hE_YW33QpLB vYlu7CpW1U_lUsB5NXfg2tNQ=w835-h626-no

The milling part of this is going to get a lot easier but the schlepping part still needs work.

John

[John K Jordan]

...I don't own an ATV, but my next door neighbor does and let's me use it whenever I want.


You have great neighbors!

Keep the pictures coming. When you get the mill up and running you might start a separate thread so the messages and new pictures aren't buried deep in the thread. Perhaps add a link to the end of the new thread so someone reading could continue following seamlessly?

[Tony Zona]

Mr. Jordan, I use that little hickey to the left of the thread listing to hop right to the recent posts. And I’m hoping for a bunch of pictures, too.

Mr. TenEyck, too bad you can’t drag that thing here to northwestern PA. I’m betting I could scare up an audience.

Have fun with it.

I hired a portable band sawyer to come in a few years back when I had my woods logged. I helped him and his wife, and it was a lot of fun. At the end of the day I was tired, but it was a rewarding way of getting tired.

[John K Jordan]

Mr. Jordan, I use that little hickey to the left of the thread listing to hop right to the recent posts. And I’m hoping for a bunch of pictures, too.


Thanks. I have no problem finding and following the messages. I was thinking about others who might not now be following this "I'm in the game" thread about deciding and buying but would be interested in reading about the sawmill itself. A separate thread with a more descriptive title on initially firing up and operating the mill might catch their eye while the same messages deep in this thread might be missed.

Operating a small mill is far more work than some realize. I've had friends offer to come help just for fun and after a mere 4-5 hours of handling the logs, mill, and boards they sometimes look like they've been beaten with a stick! I agree that it is rewarding - I love to see what's inside the log and love the magic of creating lumber. I also enjoy analyzing the log and deciding how to saw it. BTW, I grew up south of Pittsburgh and we passed through your area to visit relatives in Erie. This was in the 1950s and '60s.

JKJ

[Jason Mikits]

Congratulations John!!!! I switched from CSM to bandmill (lt15) about 7 years ago. You are going to be amazed at how much faster cutting goes.

I'm not too far from you and have also been to that warehouse to buy a stump grinder. I'd suggest you get a logrite cant hook or 2.... They are great for parbuckling and to have at the mill. Logrite really makes a nice hook. Pm me if you're looking for logs/wood.

I've been on the fence about getting a Woodmizer CBN sharpener. Financially it doesn't make sense, but for convenience it may be worth it to me.

[John TenEyck]

Good idea, John. I'll start a new thread with the rest of the build and initial start up. At this point the sawhead and carriage are as I last left off since it was raining yesterday. I spent the afternoon starting on putting the trailer together. There must be 500 bolts! Talk about an erector set for adults.

John

[John K Jordan]

There must be 500 bolts! Talk about an erector set for adults.


Yikes. Let's see, what to use: impact driver or hand wrench, impact driver or ....

The Woodmizer came on a single pallet with the head assembled, requiring only to bolt together the bed sections and set and latch the head in place. But I didn't get the trailer.

Remember to recheck the tightness occasionally! (or maybe use locktite) I've had big bolts loosen on the backhoe frame.

JKJ

[John TenEyck]

Yikes. Let's see, what to use: impact driver or hand wrench, impact driver or ....

The Woodmizer came on a single pallet with the head assembled, requiring only to bolt together the bed sections and set and latch the head in place. But I didn't get the trailer.

Remember to recheck the tightness occasionally! (or maybe use locktite) I've had big bolts loosen on the backhoe frame.

JKJ

Woodland lists the required torque for every both type used. The only way I have to do that is manually with a torque wrench. Must have torqued well over 200 bolts/nuts today on the trailer. The weather was nice this afternoon so I finished putting the rest of the parts on the sawhead/carriage, then went back to the trailer. The bulk of it's done now; just have to put the tongue and hitch, wiring and lights, and a few minor things on it still. Then I'll need to make a gantry crane to hoist the sawhead up off the ground so I can roll the trailer under it.

Selling a "some assembly required" kit limits how long any of the components can be in order to keep shipping costs reasonable. The upside is a very attractive price. The downside is having to use a lot of nuts and bolts to end up with a straight and rigid finished product. The Woodlander trailer is well designed, the factory welded subassemblies are perfect, everything is very robust, and all the parts fit together without having to horse or pry on them. Just a lot of nuts/bolts to tighten.


John

[Jerry Olexa]

Wow, quite an undertaking!!! The first cuts look v good....Keep us informed...