Thread: Challenge

Milling is something I do slowly and carefully due to the dangers involved, not sure if a race would be appropriate. I would however love to attend a milling day, assuming you are within driving distance, comparison of techniques and machinery would be good. If others want to race, it's up to them.

Where exactly are you?

Neil

race may be too strong a word.

With chainsaw racing its a timed event through timber.

Same as axe racing, first one to finish.

With sawmilling its more how much can be milled in a time period and how acurate is it milled. Speed is not everything as you may finish first but the timber milled may not be accepted due to being outside the tolerance required.

Also sawmilling on an obsticle course is something which has not been dont. It will mean many setups and moving of the portable sawmills. Mill one log then go to the next, might be 50m maybe 200m still requires another setup and will show just how portable the portable sawmills are. We do have tracks between each milling station so tractors, 4x4 and other smaller vehicles will be able to be used. Trucks and large front loaders just wont get between the trees.

We would have Workcover marshals making sure safety is prime bith with equipment and techniques.

We are just south of Coffs Harbour halfway between Brisbane and Sydney hence the offer of camping and other facilities.

I guess we should supply a pig roast for all those who compete (and family of course).

Prizes so far are still being negotiated but do include chainsaws and milling equipment. Open to sponsors input still.

Hmmm Arthur,

Sounds an interesting concept.

As someone considering a mill purchase it might be a chance to see, try and have a novices group to allow some 1st hand experience on different machines.

I'm up if that's the go

Jamie

Sounds like a briliant idea, Arthur. What sort of time frame do you have in mind?

WeisyBoy is organising something similar, not on the 'race' side of things but a get together of like minded folkes to see different bits of gear at his place in Brissy, probably will be sometime this month I think, I'm sure Carl will corect me.

How far from Gympie is Brierfiled Arthur?

norteren new south whales i belive.

im not going to be able to do it tis month or the mount after for that matter i just have to mutch work on to think about doing that. sorry guys

but i can take a weekend off to go down to authors not sure if id want to drive there on my own thow. might be able to get a lift.

i am quite good a ripping out fence posts.

Originally Posted by weisyboy

northern new south wales i believe..

Half way between Coffs and Nambucca from what I can see from the maps

Originally Posted by DennisDaMenace

Sounds like a briliant idea, Arthur. What sort of time frame do you have in mind?

Timeframe wont be next month although I think that local get togethers is a great idea not just for the sawmillers but wood workers in general. We need to network together to get past the big company controls.

A consulting company I am involved with has monthly meetings for locals and yearly meetings where they all get together.

I am looking at this much more as a yearly meeting over a weekend or long weekend depending on those who are going to organize it.

I dont want the meet to appear to be a big publisity stunt for our equipment but a use of our facilities to promote sawmilling and safe pracitise within the industry.

More of a 'Forestry Event' as to the normal woodworking events which are becoming popular. Might even be able to get the state forestry's to participate somehow.

Who knows? totally open to comment at this stage!!!

Any help welcome.

arthur

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Half way between Coffs and Nambucca from what I can see from the maps

12km south of Bellingen, 12km west of Urunga just south of the Kalang River.

Our property runs along Martells Road and across Bowerville Road. We have a sawmill next to us and state forests on the other sides.

10acres rainforest, 30 acres grass the rest native regrowth. If you flattened the property out we would have an exta 30 acres. 11 dams, 8km tracks.

At last survey we have 5 endangered speicies and 17 different varieties of native tree.

O and a homing pig!!!

How would you get insurance for something like that?Just in case something does go wrong.Sorry to play devils advocate.
Cheers,Steve.

Originally Posted by Steve Fryar

How would you get insurance for something like that?Just in case something does go wrong.Sorry to play devils advocate.
Cheers,Steve.

Steve

its no real problem. The insurance is a oneoff event insurance and will depend on attendance numbers.

However as usual there are restrictions.

We are required to have safety and crowd marshals. Onsite medical. Workcover attendance. Properly marked footpaths for the public or it needs to be a closed event, etc,etc.

Early next year our helicopter pad will be upgraded to all weather and with a small donation we should be able to have the air-ambulance attend.

First thing is to make the event as safe as possible, then as enjoyable.

I expect the first one to have a few hickups but thats also one reason for professional event organizers to do it.

arthur

Follows a list of categories so far put forward. More would be welcome!!!

1. mechanical vs person power - chainsaw crosscut / handsaw, etc.

2. split posts 4x6" and 6x8" - quanitity and quality, timed production.

3. dimentional timber production - under 10hp, 11 to 15hp, 16hp to 20hp, 21hp to 30hp, over 31hp.

4. slabbing.

due to the size of our tracks a limit of 6m x 2m for any trailer, tractor, etc,etc.

Another discussion point is sould front loaders be allowed ?

Competition open to any type of portable sawmill. Manufacturers or just users. Users with their own modifications or home made mills.