Thread: so who here uses the lucas mill as their main source of income?

Not I The plan is to build it up until I can cut two days a week and teach the other three or vise versa, then someone will always be paying me for some holidays

It's not that great, I get $120 a cube

i would be increasing your rate mate. if a plumber or electrician can charge close to $60 an hour with very little tools and you are using your vehicle, chainsaws, lucasmill etc. Do the same as me and charge a minimum of $180 a cube and if i have a extra guy helping its $220 a cube flat rate. but if you can get onto timber for nothing thats where you make some real money. i believe not to under value your service and expertise.

That's the thing 1030, FC forgot to mention one or two small details, he doesn't own the mill and the $120 he is quoting is what he might be getting after his boss takes his share out.

If you guys are going to cut on a cube rate, would it not be fair to saythat at first you assess the value of the green timber that you are cutting, then maybe quote cutting it for 50% of its value. Or at the end of the day, experiment with your hourly rate verses how long it takes to cut a cube of timber in different species and adjust your cube rate accordingly. EVERY customer thinks they are sitting on a goldmine, but YOU are the one that has the machine to make that resource valuable. That to me is not something to forget. And 1030, I too was a chippy and moved on to the timber game. I was lucky because locally my family have been sawmilling for four generations. Its a very competitive game, so be innovative and cut every log on its merit. If its good stuff, cut good timber in a size you know you can sell, if tis not, dont be afraid to cut fence posts if need be. I make more money cutting fence posts than good timber, but thats only due to the quality of logs I can get hold of sometimes. 220 a cube is too cheap unless you think you are looking at first grade logs all day which in the modern world aint gunna happen. Surf the net and learn how to build a simple solar kiln and think about it too. Its the best thing I ever did. Always think value add boys

I do! And have for the last 12 years

Cheer's, kevin

I charge per hour as most of my jobs are small volumes, in addition I have a minimum charge based on whether you come to me or I go to you. Clients can help out with setup of logs and tailing to drop their overall costs if they wish (most want to be involved so jump at the chance).

I use my bosses fixed site lucas and I get paid per sawn cube

so nifty what do you think i should charge per cube? is the posts worth doing, im thinking of doing it as big as i can. split posts by the thousands.

Well where do I start???

I've been cutting as my only source of income for 5 years - the boss also works so that is a big bonus at times.

FC do you really get $130 per cut cube? What sizes are you typically sawing?

1030, it's okay for nifty to say charge more, but he runs a lot of ancillary equipment other than just the sawmill. Also the concept of changing your rate depending upon how good the customers logs are, is rather unbelievable. I charge a log cube rate, I find customers like the idea of knowing what they are being charged. Imagine someone rings you on the phone asking about a 'job' and you say it depends on what the logs look like - then they think "he's just gonna say they are more expensive when he gets here"

Why should the rate be based upon what timber the customer gets - neither of you have any control over the quality of the log. I feel it is a challenge to my ability/skills/knowledge to get the most useable timber from the logs the customer has. Surely the rate is based upon your running costs/expenses and ability/experience as well as the commodity you produce, not just on the commodity alone?

I've done a heap of 'numbers' on milling, a heap of hours with hardwoods and softwoods (local to me) I can give you a figure for anything to do with my cutting - just ask Every paid job I've calculated, the customer has got the timber for less than 50% purchase cost of the equivalent timber and it is graded within the grading rules, not just BS'd about some reason why it's not within grading rules.

Is doing posts worthwhile???? 1030 I'll PM you about posts!!


That's where I'm up to at the moment - probably have more to say later

Oh one last thing - I love my lucas!

would love to but can make better money elseware.

if you charge at an hourly rate the first question anyone asks is how mutch is it gunn cost all up.

if i charge at a cube rate. i can quote over the phone and they haev the money waiting for me when i arive and everyone knows what its gunna cost and how long it will take.

and yes getting the timebr milled always works out less than 50% of buying it. and u get free firewood, garden stakes and split posts.

Originally Posted by Sigidi

FC do you really get $130 per cut cube? What sizes are you typically sawing?

Nup, I get $120. I typically cut:
8x2
8x3
4x4
4x3
(Fence grade stuff)
6x2
4x2
(Building grade)

Or whatever is needed. I was cutting 5.2m 150x150mm today, They work out at $14 each

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sigidi
FC do you really get $130 per cut cube? What sizes are you typically sawing?

its not bad money when u got no expences. its streight profit.

hes got a tailor so he should easily clear 3 cube a day.

thats $360 / day or $45 per hour.

Originally Posted by weisyboy

its not bad money when u got no expences. its streight profit.

hes got a tailor so he should easily clear 3 cube a day.

thats $360 / day or $45 per hour.

Funky said he's paid by the cut cube, not the log cube. Be a bloody hard days work getting $360 - that's like slicing up 7.5 cube of log a day....