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The most stable or secure method for pricing for the mill owner is a flat, hourly rate. Rates vary from location to location and range from $65 to $105 per hour plus extra charges for travel, broken blades, etc. Pricing on an hourly basis transfers all of the risk of daily output to the customer.
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.
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.
How much does a wood 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.
How long does it take to mill a tree?
As a very rough estimate, a 12″ diameter 8 foot long log will take around 25 minutes; an 18″ diameter 8′ long log will take around 40 minutes to saw; 24″ diameter will be at least 1 hour.
Is buying a 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.
Is chainsaw milling worth it?
A chainsaw mill is a great machine for cutting wide slabs out of large trees. If you’re planning, for example, to build tables that have a single slab top, this could be the saw for you.
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 a log 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 sawmill cost to build?
A brand new, high-quality mill can cost anywhere from $20,000 – $50,000, whereas a used sawmill can be significantly lower, often from $15,000 – $20,000.
How much does it cost to run a sawmill?
The most stable or secure method for pricing for the mill owner is a flat, hourly rate. Rates vary from location to location and range from $65 to $105 per hour plus extra charges for travel, broken blades, etc.
Can you mill a freshly cut tree?
If you saw green hardwood and don’t stack it and dry it properly, it will mold, mildew and rot, and in pretty short order. When I mill a freshly cut tree, the cast-offs basically go into a spoil pile on the ground, and the bark edges and off-cuts disintegrate in a matter of months.
Should you let logs dry 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.
How big should a tree mill be?
It’s got nothing to do with the age of the tree but with the age of the piece of the tree that you cutting. Most mills are also designed to saw a minimum of 8′ long. Folks like Deadheader that have been around a mill some will know that shorter pieces are more available and will design their mill to handle them.
Will a portable sawmill pay for itself?
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.
Do I need a sawmill?
If you are regularly cutting logs, then yes, it will benefit you to get a portable sawmill. These saws make cutting logs far easier than any other method. They are very dangerous, just as any saw is, but with proper training and respect for the machine, you can safely operate one.
Can you mill with a chainsaw?
The Alaskan mill is a simple metal frame, which attaches to the chainsaw bar and can be adjusted to change the depth of cut. If you didn’t own a chainsaw and decided that you wanted to cut some lumber, you could be making your own lumber for about $500, for a small chainsaw and the Alaskan mill attachment.
What size chainsaw do you need for milling?
You will want to have a saw that has at least a 50cc displacement and can run a 20-inch chain. However, if you’re cutting smaller logs and milling smaller boards, you can use a smaller saw.
