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Is it worth it to mill your own lumber?
Milling your own lumber can produce quality material for a fraction of the price of a lumber dealer. This means you select how you want the lumber cut and are in control as it’s drying. In my experience you’ll end up with stock that is much higher quality than you can readily buy.
Is it easy to mill your own wood?
Is it cheaper to mill your own wood?
In the end, only you can decide if milling lumber from your own property is worth it. Because every job is different, we can not tell you the actual amount of money you would save or not save. Generally, it costs 5-10% more to have your lumber milled on-site.
How much does it cost to mill lumber?
By the Board Foot Pricing varies by species and location but ranges from $0.25 to $0.50 per board foot of sawn lumber. This pricing method places all of the risk of productivity on the sawyer since the customer is only paying for the lumber they receive.
How long should wood dry before milling?
Depending on the thickness of the lumber and where you live, weather and time of the year, it will take anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months. Most lumber is in the 1” to 2” thickness and the time above applies to thicknesses.
How long can logs sit before milling?
From Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor: As a rule of thumb, there will be a measurable loss in four to six weeks of warm (over 50 F) weather. It is just a rule of thumb.
How much does a mill cost?
Generally, the less expensive the mill, the lower the production. New portable sawmills range in price from less than $4,000.00 to over $80,000.00 depending on the amount of production you need.
Should logs be dried before milling?
A: Summary: Logs should be milled for drying as soon as possible, and the ends should be sealed as soon as they are felled. A bandsaw mill will create less waste than a chainsaw mill. They should be milled about 1/4″ over than your intended final thickness.
Is a portable sawmill worth it?
A portable sawmill can be worth the investment. It can provide a source of wood for your own projects and give you a side business. For a source of lumber, as well as a profitable business, a portable sawmill can be a key piece of equipment on your farm.
Can I build with my own lumber?
In order to finish to the sizes required, lumber must be cut oversized to allow for shrinkage during drying, planing, and sawing variation. In most of North America, using your own lumber for construction material is an option available to you, and in some places, it is actually encouraged and rewarded.
Is a bandsaw mill worth it?
A well cared for bandsaw mill can last you over 10 years. Taking the time to maintain and protect your sawmill is worth it. If you are looking to build for yourselves, the sawmill will quickly pay for itself once you start looking at the cost of wood at lumber/hardware stores and comparing it to what you are cutting.
How long does lumber need to dry?
Depending on the species and your climate, it can take from 2 to 12 months to bring 4/4 lumber from green to air-dry (12- to 20-percent moisture content, depending on your location). Air-dry isn’t dry enough for indoor use.
Are lumber prices falling?
Lumber prices have dropped 70% from their all-time highs. However, some analysts believe Lumber could continue to fall even further in the next few months before hitting bottom and then remaining flat or rising slightly for a brief period until they can return up to previous levels by 2022 at the latest.
Why is pressure treated lumber cheaper?
Affordability. Pressure-treated wood is notably cheaper than cedar, redwood, and other types of wood. And, because of its durability, you’re much less likely to experience a need for costly repairs in the future. It is a great choice for those operating on a smaller budget.
Is it better to cut wood wet or dry?
Wet Wood Vs Dry Wood But wet wood is actually much easier to cut than dry wood. With dry wood lacking moisture content, more friction is created as the chainsaw chain comes into contact with the wood fibers. This friction results in the chain slowing down.
Why do lumber yards spray water on logs?
Storing logs under sprinklers or in a log pond helps prevent end checking and slows deterioration caused by insects, fungal stain, and decay. However, chemical staining can occur under wet conditions. Today, softwood logs decked in the log yard are typically protected by water sprinkling during warm weather.
Do dead trees make good lumber?
Dead trees that are bare or with bark either partially or completely gone are a good source for seasoned firewood as they are probably dry enough to use. Typically, standing dead trees work better than logs that have fallen.
