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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    tasmania
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    2

    Unhappy Best portable mill for Australian hardwoods

    Gday Folks

    First time poster so here goes.

    One 'general question' for you all.

    MILLING WOOD

    We are Tassie based in the south. Trees on our property are for the best part stringy bark and silver wattle. In the short term we have a dozen or so large stringy bark trees that will need to come down. As for the silver wattle, this time of year, a handful of them, usually at the edge of pasture, seem happy to fall over of their own accord)

    I can imagine, there will be trees to be milled each and every year.

    The year before last, we had someone come in (8 days) with a lucas mill and mill up some logs. A pretty good result I think, but that wood will be gobbled up on our next build soon enough. And if we are doing at least that amount of milling each year, it 'might' make more sense to simply buy a mill and do it ourselves???

    I like doing a bit of this work each week.
    I have time to do it)
    I don't want to destroy my body.
    I will have a tractor (45 -65hp) hopefully with logging winch - another post.
    Hope to use wood on site for future building projects.
    With it's potable nature (mill on trailer) MAYBE I could do a couple days work a week to pay the thing off?
    About 20K max on the budget.

    So what kinda mill would YOU go for? (lucas, chainsaw, bandsaw)

    It seems common for most folk to use a Lucas Mill down this way instead of portable bandsaw mills?

    However, I do like the look of the new 'portable bandsaw mills' that are on the market these days.

    1. They look easy on the body? I'm mid forties.
    2. Some companies 'seem to have' fixed the band sharpening issue.
    3. A nice clean finish.
    4. How do they compare in adaptability and efficiency to the lucas?
    5. Easy to move around and adjust the log on the support rails.
    6. But ... shoot ... these are all just MY assumptions.
    7. Followed a past thread and there didn't seem a clear answer at the time as to if portable bandsaw mills were up to the job of Aussie hardwoods?

    I kinda like the look of the NORWOOD which now also makes a little brother called FRONTIER.

    Any thoughts or suggestions much appreciated.

    Cheers

    Glenn

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
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    Default

    I don't use one although my ex brother in law has one i QLD and is very happy with it plus good after sales back up

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    3,551

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    There are fores and againsts with all mills. The advantage with a band mill is the thin kerf, important with high value timber. I have both a band mill and a couple of Lucas mills. When it comes to mobility I'd take the Lucas every time. In the bush, a band mill is about as maneuverable as a tennis court. I have set up the Lucas in some of the most unlikely of places. Would have needed an excavator to position a band mill. Now think about hitting a bit of wire or bolt in the log. Major surgery with the band and 100 teeth in need of a dentist. Lucas gets a quick touch up on the grinder or a quick swap out of the blade. I find the Lucas far more versatile than a band mill. Particularly when running both a dedicated slabber and a swing blade on the same rails at the same time. Makes things interesting.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
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    Default

    I should have said the mill is a Lucas

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
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    1,141

    Default

    I would also look at the viability of the stringy bark from a sales perspective. It would ideally be quatersawn like they do with tassie Oak/vic Ash as its very close to being the same timber. I have not seen much in the way of flat sawn boards in messmate, I think it’s due to the amount of splits and checking that is inherent in the timber. Do you have an area to keep it stickered and stacked that is out of the weather (both hot and cold/wet) but ventilated? Maybe ask around at timber mills to see if they sell it and how it’s cut.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    the sawdust factory, FNQ
    Posts
    1,051

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    Look you got a 20k budget so that limits what we look at, and you want to be portable to some degree.


    Every mill is a series of compromises, and with whats available in that price range you're going to have to make some serious trade offs.
    In terms of portability a swingmill wins hands down.
    In terms of ease of use a hydraulic bandmill wins hands down. Dont pay no mind to band cost when someone comes along talking about that.... they only cost when they're cutting, and all that hydraulic stuff means they even it out on cost of production.

    The biggest determining factor is going to be your log resource. Bandmills have a throat width and anything that dont fit through there is a no go. A swingmill however can handle stuff out to 1.5m diameter (Lucas) as standard, and a whole lot bigger again with some playing around. Against which the hydraulic turn and clamping functions on a bandmill will make it easier to process smaller logs.
    Honestly if you got three big trees and only three I wouldnt worry about the size issue... you can always hire someone in.

    *Insert standard gratuitous plug for Lucas Mills for making a good product in Australia, with great backup service here *

    Just remember that owning a sawmill doesnt make you a sawmiller any more then owning a drill makes you a dentist. Its a skillset with a learning curve and it takes a while to consistently produce a commercial grade product

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    262

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    Lucas is the only way to go Glenn for that kind of going. As already said easy to use, move and only 5 teeth to look after.
    Happy milling Wayne

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Nerang Queensland
    Age
    66
    Posts
    10,766

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    Lucas
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    tasmania
    Posts
    2

    Default

    In short ... thanx for all yr time and input. Another quick question of i may .

    The Lucas sounds about right BUT could this option be better?

    https://petersonsawmills.com/portabl...ills-for-sale/

    Anyone with experience with these mills? It is marketed to be even better than a Lucas.



    G.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
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    There is nothing wrong with a Peterson. They have a few features that make them superior to a Lucas. If the two were available at the same price I would take the Peterson if I was basing my decision on performance alone. The Lucas is a local with good after sales service. The Lucas is also lighter, which can be extremely important in rough country or constant relocation of the mill. The Peterson can double cut without reversing the carriage, a big plus.
    Which ever way you go you will have a quality product.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Nerang Queensland
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    66
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    Quote Originally Posted by earthcreature View Post
    The Lucas sounds about right BUT could this option be better?

    https://petersonsawmills.com/portabl...ills-for-sale/.
    No.
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    the sawdust factory, FNQ
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    Peterson make a range of mills, some of which are considerably more automatic (and far less portable) then the Lucas.

    They'e a good mill, and the larger auto mills are considerably more productive then the smaller ones or the Lucas. But they're also more aimed at small pro sawmillers.... and the auto features come at a price. At the price of a new auto peterson there would also be a whole nother lot of mills to look at. I figure you're either looking at the Peterson ATS or JP models.

    Yeah I'm with Rustynail... they've got a couple features that might be more useful if you know how to use them (most dont), and a couple I'm not so positive about. At the same money for the same mill I'd probably go with the Lucas though, simply because their backup service is the best I've ever had with anything from anywhere... and the local made thing means something to me.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    bilpin
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    If this is going to be your first mill, you would be hard pressed to outsmart a Lucas. They are simple no nonsense machines with a good reputation.
    The extra features available on some Peterson mills are more directed at the professional miller requiring faster through put with less effort. These all come at a price and it would be difficult to justify the expense just for the sake of saying you have it. Dollar for dollar the Lucas is good value.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,091

    Default

    Hi Glenn,

    Can you clarify the dimensions (logs and output) and volumes you plan to mill? Mostly slabs, posts, boards, etc?

    Some mills are going to be ideal for large dimensions and some more suited to small to medium size logs our output.

    Regards,
    Anthony

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    NE Victoria
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Goodwood mill definatly worth a look. Has the capability to cut tapered logs.

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