just wanting to get your guy's take on an idea I had... A neighbor of mine just bought a brand new bandmill to "play around with." (Tax write-off) Long story short he is our local general contractor and is always busy. He litterally has milled maybe four logs in a year and the thing has sat. I would like to mill my own lumber to build up my small farm (barn, machine shed, outbuildings, livestock shelters) that I just can't afford otherwise on my teachers pay. So my idea is to ask him if I can have free run of his mill in exchange for working the mill (milling, maintenance, etc.) for all the stuff he wants done. What do you guys advise? Is this a fair deal to both of us? Does it sound reasonable and like something he may go for? Thanks, Hellbent
I'd say it's worth a chat with him. But don't sell yourself short.....running a mill is demanding. Even a bandmill. Does it have a debarking blade thst runs in front of the band blade? If not, the band will dull faster. Make sure yiu have plenty of bands available and if you don't sharpen yourself, have a reliable place to resharpen your blades. All kinds of variables , may pay you to write up some kind of agreement....
Yeah blades are $15-25 each plus shipping. Some mills are cheaper for the blades. Gas or diesel for one isn't too bad right now.
Regardless of the costs to run the sawmill, in the end it's still cheaper only if the owner agrees to let it happen. I don't think it will hurt to ask. Do you have the material to run through it yet? Liability and insurance on whoevers property may be a concern.
Hmm... Good stuff to think about. A written agreement is a smart idea. I haven't cut anything for milling yet, save a few cedars. A big part of it is working up the courage to ask. I suppose the worst he could say is no.
So you are going to work for him...then work for yourself? Perhaps you could offer him a set amount of hours per week that you would "give" him?
Yep him saying no is the worst that could happen, looking back I missed a lot of good opportunities by talking myself out of asking.
It's cheap to purchase green lumber from a sawmill. If you are building out buildings then #2 grade lumber is mostly what you would shop for, so crunch the math of purchasing milled lumber v.s. working a deal with someone (don't forget where are the logs coming from because a pro logger can log cheaper than a home owner).
