thechknhwk
ArboristSite Operative
Anyone know of any resources or websites where one might find used bandsaw mills for sale?
Irinically what I keep finding is that you can't get a used mill cheaper than you can get a norwood brand new.
But how much is your time worth? Doesn't Norwood still come as a many box "kit"?
http://www.arboristsite.com/milling-saw-mills/169869.htm
I've read several threads on here and another forum of people taking days to assemble a Norwood. I've read no threads of people complaining that they wished they had assembled their mills of other brands from scratch so they could keep them in tune.Assembleing your mill teaches you everything you NEED to know about how to tune up your BSM and keep it in tune!
If you don't have enough time to learn how to keep one in tune, you don't have enough time to mill lumber, so just hire it done.<snip>
Rob
Now many of us suspect you dissassemble and reassemble your Norwood for fun, but other brands are supposed to work correctly when you get them.<snip>
The one we bought came with a 23 or 25 hp gas engine, I believe. I sure wouldn't't get any engine smaller than that for sure.
Here's the bad news: These machines come unassembled and in a million pieces. (bags and bags and bags of small parts). After several days of having my employees try their hands at assembling it we finally just hired a professional machinest after hours to get it going. That worked out well.
If you are mechanically inclined and can keep from getting discouraged, this machine is a real bargain. Nothing out there under $15,000 comes close to it. I think we paid about $6,000 plus $1,800 for assembly + S&H so it came in under $9k in all.
The few other people I've spoken with who also own one of these all complain about the irregular and problematic cutting with theirs. Once they run our machine, and see how well and fast it cuts, they realize that their machine must be way out of kilter. One 2000 owner we know hired this same machinest to tear his apart and put it back together properly and now his work fantastic too.
As much as I like this machine it's like putting together a 50,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. However, it does come with a great photo rich instruction manual of about 150 pages.
Assembleing your mill teaches you everything you NEED to know about how to tune up your BSM and keep it in tune!
If you don't have enough time to learn how to keep one in tune, you don't have enough time to mill lumber, so just hire it done.
I don't care what brand mill you buy, you WILL have to learn how to adjust it, and keep it adjusted.
Rob
Yes.OUCH!
I can't buy a Woodmizer mill and use it, because it'll be mostly assembled? That stinks.....
Was hoping that if I had any questions about keeping it 'tuned', customer support would help me out until I learned enough to be dangerous all on my own.
I didn't assemble my chainsaw that I use to mill with.....do I need to give that up and let a guy that assembles chainsaws mill my slabs?
Scott B
All the MAJOR mfg's seem to have mailing lists for used mills of their brands.Anyone know of any resources or websites where one might find used bandsaw mills for sale?
Yes.
You need to buy a all the parts for a saw and build it. There is nothing like building a product from scratch.
Since you are on the internet I assume you are using a computer. The only RIGHT way to do this is to buy the appropriate basic ingredients (sand, copper, etc.) and manufacture it yourself. I used to manufacture transistors at IBM, it's fairly simple, with the right tools (maybe you should also build the tools).
Rob,Anyway, each to their own, my Lumbermate has needed NO parts yet, and it keeps on turning out quality lumber that makes my customers smile. All i've had to do is keep it tuned up!
No reason to get smarky, after all your the one milling with a chainsaw...OUCH!
I can't buy a Woodmizer mill and use it, because it'll be mostly assembled? That stinks.....
And quite honestly why haven't you taken your chainsaw apart yet?
Irinically what I keep finding is that you can't get a used mill cheaper than you can get a norwood brand new.
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