Planning to Buy a Portable Sawmill

What kind of trees are there in your part of the woods.

-- "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" Solomon

I live in the Houston, Tx area. I have made arrangements with two local Tree Service companies. They both confirmed they can provide me with a steady supply of Oak, Maple, Cedar, Pine, and various other species. Houston is a very large area with constant churn of land developers and older neighborhoods. Between the two, there is an abundant amount of trees that are just going to the mulch producers. I have loved woodworking for years and have a small workshop of my own at home. I have recently acquired another piece of property next to my home and I am considering if and when I should move forward with the purchase of the portable sawmill. I have reviewed many of the different types and manufacturers on line and have visited one local sawyer who owns a Lucas Mill. My real concern is, what do I do with the raw lumber? I can’t use all of it for my own projects. I would like to find an outlet to sell most of what I mill and use some of the rest for personal projects. Any advise?

-- Jimmie, Houston Tx, cajun28201@yahoo.com

Selling lumber or custom cutting for shares or money on other peoples logs are a good way to get some cash.

Try to find a local club or user of hardwoods are some of your first contacts.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Thanks for the suggestion about a local club and hardwood users. I plan to visit a couple of local commercial mills in the area. They may or may not be willing to provide me with guidance or opinions. I have not yet found a local club or group of sawmillers. I have found only 3 portable sawmill owners in Houston area while searching on the internet over the last 12 months.

-- Jimmie, Houston Tx, cajun28201@yahoo.com

Depending upon the amount of low grade wood you make. Pallet makers and repairers are a commercial user and usually will use green wood.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Thanks…that may be a viable outlet.

-- Jimmie, Houston Tx, cajun28201@yahoo.com

If you get lucky and run into some highly figured or splated wood, you could probably make some quick bucks on it. I know a local miller who does that, but he also owns a kiln. He goes to a local log broker to look for prime logs too. I haven’t talked to him at lenght, but he has told me he has troulbe finding markets because he can’t fill big orders. He has been at for 30+ years.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

You could always sell your lumber online.
I regularly buy #1 Common to use for unseen parts of furniture, drawer sides/bottoms and kid’s toys.

I’ll buy some!!

-- Matt Garcia Wannabe Period Furniture Maker, Houston TX

great ideal,, I love being around cut logs
mills and watch them cut logs.
You should not have any problem selling your wood, but make yourself a kiln was well because no one wants wet wood
Good luck

Have a friend who has a portable bandsaw mill. Am in the process of preping a blown down red oak that should yield 45 feet of logs 24 to 16 inches diameter. Very straight. Harvesting my own wood is a blast but it sure is a lot of work. Figuring my time I can’t really justify it. However, now that folks tend to be more impressed, it should be good for added value on custom pieces. As much as I enjoy harvesting wood, I just can’t see how a bandsaw can compete with a large circular saw operation.
That said, if you haven’t found it already, I happened on to another website for sawyers. I have learned a lot from it. http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3/
Hope you do well

-- Keith, NW Alabama

If you want to check out a great sawyer forum check out sawmillandtimberforum.com

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

Thanks for these tips. Really appreciate the community spirit!

—Jeb

-- --Jeb

ONe of the sawmill companies just sent me a ad saying they would let u try a mill free for 60 days. you might liik into that. it was either Woodmizer or Timberking i can’t remember which.

-- flash=250,100]http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/sprxtrerme/BANNERS/thornax.swf[/flash]

Many of the sawmill manufacturers will put you in contact with owners of their mills near your area if you ask. Not sure if you’ve been to this place to check it out.

www.mgsawmill.com

They’re in Huntsville which isn’t too far north from you. Might be worth checking out just to see their operation. I’ve found most sawmills to be very generous about showing you around and talking about the business.

Good luck with your purchase.

-- Allen, Milwaukee, WI