You are a tremendous example to girls and young women that limber milling is not exclusive to men. In fact, your observations and diagnostic methods are very helpful to the gentlemen fabricating this equipment. Wishing you, Steve and your furry kids a blessed week, gentle weather and restful evenings. Peace princess.
I've been on the verge of purchasing one of those ever since they first came out. Each time I go to buy one though something else that costs the same amount comes up. New septic line, catalytic converter for me car, removal of trees that are threatening my neighbors' house, heart surgery.....etc. So, as much as I want one I'm not sure when I'll get one. Like you I've watched Josh and Neil grow their business. They look like a great bunch. Thanks for pointing out the pros and cons. You did a great job. And, yes, you made me gave my smile muscles a workout again.
Kohler small engines. Made in Kohler, Wisconsin at the same plant they make toilets. So if the engine ever figuratively belongs in the toilet you'll know the connection. 😅 Nurses are absolute angels. 😇 Had emergency gallbladder surgery in July and two weeks later back in the hospital for blood clots on my lungs. Every nurse I had was absolutely great.
Thank You for the honest hands on opinion of your sawmill. Thanks for sourcing locally and giving them your business. I hope they listen to your concerns and make their belt tensioning "system" more user friendly. Best wishes for continued success of your homestead. Thanks again for sharing your projects with us.
All through my youth I used to say, "Nurses are good, but teachers are best because they always make you do it again until you get it right!" But now that I'm pushing eighty, I'm going with nurses. They are all angles. They have a wing in our hospital where they store their wings. I call it the wing wing. You are so darned cute!!!
Hello Michelle. If you do not upgrade to using the adjustable idler pulley, you may want to consider purchasing a belt pulley laser alignment tool. It will greatly help you keep the pulleys in alignment as you change the engine position for belt tensioning.
I purchased the 10th anniversary mod. and it has the new tensioner, but it still was hard to squeeze with your hand and tighten with a wrench. So I welded a 15/16 nut onto the bracket so you can put a socket wrench on it and now so easy.
I bought a 126 last year and it had in the instructions to run the adjustment to the flat and turn it in 1.5 -2 turns. My blade kept jumping off the wheels. Finally they emailed me new instructions for torquing it to 20-25 ft lbs. Works great now! Love your videos. I’m in north Idaho panhandle.
Just got my HM126 assembled and tuned up. I originally purchased the ground mount but decided to add the trailer so I could haul it around to cut wood at friends' houses. Thanks for your inspiration!
Enjoy your content tremendously, your review should be seen by those who can address your concerns observations and determine there usefulness. Nothing beats listening to the opinions of end users. Keep putting out content like you do I enjoy watching and the weekend posting on a rainy day in SW Ohio was uplifting... Thank you dear !
Oh my gawd! How could I have forgot to mention my little shed at the cliff that I built!!?!? 🫣. I did use a lot of round wood from the surrounding land, but the sawmill definitely did contribute to that build as well. 😁
I have few hours on my HM126, but watching your R&D Video is very pertinent, Thank You. As you already know..."Woodland Mills" are also your fans, as the feedback is very valuable. I made my mill portable by constructing a 2'x6' tube frame 24" long, ultimate goal of 30' carriage run. I too have bugs....but they are MY bugs. For my investment, I feel it is my job to learn as much as I can.....and cut 150 8.5'x2x6" studs before 9/20................and get them vertical. Thanks Michy.
I loved this one..You amaze me at your creativity and your finished projects turn out so well..You need to come down to west Tennessee and help me build a cabin ...I will help.....I was watching one episode where the saw blade jumped out of your machine.... That was a little scary.....You were on the other side. Thanks for your post.I learn a lot from them.Now all I need is your saw mill.lol🤣 Have a wonderful day.Your fan Kenny D in Tennessee.
I have been subscribed here for a while now, truly enjoying your videos. I have been looking very seriously at buying one of these vs. a personal build of one. This is undoubtedly the most honest, straight forward critique, good and bad that I have ever seen. Bravo. Pretty much everybody else has tried to compare theirs to the Harbor Freight ones, which I have used, and would say, personally, don't even consider that an option. I don't appreciate how you were initially treated, with the bad engine, and that your friend had to stick up for you, but your very honest critique has convinced me more that I want one of these, more than any other. I now know what to look for, and I now know, buy a new one, not used, due to the updates are all very recent, and not on even your model. I basically never-ever give a thumbs up to anybody, and try to remain pretty much to myself, but in this case, two thumbs up. On a scale to ten, this perfectly honest video is a ten. It takes a whole lot to impress me, two thumbs up. 1 1/2 to Woodland, but 2 thumbs up to you. Extremely honest and right to the point, would I still buy one? Yes, but now, only their newest upgraded model. Thanks again.
@@michygoss7148 Other info on the mill is covered by their sites, and other users, but as of yet, no other person has been so honest and straight forward about the downfalls of them. This is truly, by far the best I have seen, by far in that you went into their shortfalls too, in detail.
I liked the video very much. Thanks. I have the HM 122 and the problem I had was with the blade tension and the decal they used. I broke 7 or 8 blades before I figured it out with the help of the staff at Woodland Mills. Adjusting by using just the decal and not having the proper specs at delivery, caused the tension to be to high. But It has been working just fine this year. I cut mostly Ash and Oak. It does a wonderful job. Thanks again for the video.
Well, Michy, I am not going to buy a mill, but I will be sure to eat more fiber!! I enjoyed your review. I loved milling at my neighbor's sawmill whenever he needed help. It was always a satisfying surprise to mill my own trees and smell the heady fragrance of newly milled wood.
Fabulous job on your review video. It’s nice that you let us know what you didn’t like and what you had a problem with, without dogging the company. I’m glad they helped you with your problems. Good customer service is really hard to find.
When you know you have that engine 100% square with the belt you should weld some guide rails along the edge of the engine block so when you loosen it is still stays lined then you can use your tightener just to tighten it up
Great video Michelle! Hope you're having a fantastic weekend! Looking forward to the next cabin update! (Or whatever? Lol) Just a thought why not mark on the metal with a scribe where the motor mount sits when it's square then you just have to line it up again with the marks next time you have to move it? (If that works?) Or cut a square metal plate to go between the motor and where it sits on that beam, that can't move/marked exact holes once it's lined up so it doesn't move back and forth/takes away the adjustment once you have it squared? Maybe tack welded into place?) Just a thought if you can get that to work? Have a good one! Cheers from London 👍😉😎🏴
I have always wanted to do and dreamt of what you’ve done! You are so amazing! I hope I can find someone with your spirit, dedication and perseverance. Hindsight is so 2020.
Your so funny. Your definitely right. Ur a nurse that's really awesome I never thought that. All that stuff u build is awesome. I really like that off grid cabin u got that's really smart too Love watching Your stuff.
Could you repeat that please. LOL 🤗🤗 That was a very great review of the woodland Mill. Especially after dealing with so many issues. Good to have a neighbor help put your mill together, and also stand up against the manufacture to correct the faults you found. Cant wait to see you back on the cabin build. I bet you have some good Walleye fishing in the Lake. Woo Hoo!!!!! back to the Cabin build. When you get to rooffing. Get yourself a safety Harness and rope when your on the roof. We all would hate to see something happen to you.
Michelle U R and have been such an inspiration to me (81 years old) that I ordered 2 weeks ago 130 MAX with extra goodies and it was delivered in 7 days. Steve is a very fortunate husband.
Hi Michelle thank you for another great video its obvious there is a design fault with the motor mounting plate and its adjustments when under a lot of torque and load the manufacturer needs to be notified and a replacement motor plate or more to the point proper torque settings applied to all those motor mount bolts so nothing will move under load good luck and glade to help .
Smart, beautiful, out doors woman, can work with her hands! My kind of woman! Looking at buying same make and model. Found one on craigslist, still in shipping crate, never opended, never used. For a discount with all the recomended accessories. Called Woodland Mills talked to sales rep. there. Read all the comments from there web site about this model. This is going to be my saw mill for use in east Texas. You did extremely well in your opnion on this piece of equipment to turn timber into lumber! Lowes and Home Depot are charging a fortune for 2 by lumber. We will see more and more folks doing the same exact thing. And stop paying astronomical prices for over priced lumber!
I have the 130max, partly inspired by you sharing your milling videos with us. It's become part of my life milling all my own lumber, and feeling like I have a lumber yard in my back yard of my property. Great sawmill, but with everything, everything can be better,
Awesome!! Yes - true. But as with everything in life, if all we do is focus on the little silly details of life, and what we don’t like, then our overall perspective of everything gets tainted. So - focus on all the great positive things, and great and positive experiences will be had!! 💃🏼
Nice explanation of your pros/cons on this sawmill. Others have made some good suggestions worth considering on keeping the motor square, but I'll add mine anyway. 😉Consider using thicker bolts that take up the space in those motor-mount slots so the motor can't get 'racked' out of square. Or, put bushings on the existing bolts to do the same thing. Just an idea. Hope you, Steve and your fur babies are having a great weekend.
You know, we actually did try that (Steve and I) but there was still movement. I should have mentioned that. Perhaps we’d need to take things a step further with bushings like you say, so yeah - maybe next time I need to adjust the belt I will try something again!
@@michygoss7148 The design needs to offset the pulley force to keep the motor from rotating. The tensioner does not keep the motor from rotating as designed. Maybe add another bolt that contacts the tensioning block on the outside of the single one. That would give you a way to apply a force opposing the pulley force to keep the motor from rotating. I think you could drill one hole in the bracket and use a bolt with two nuts (one on either side of the bracket). I think their fix is reasonable, but it seems like their orginal belt tensioning design could be tweaked to make it more usable.
Once you have the motor square, you might be able to fabricate a jig (metal or wood?) that you could fasten to the supports that would properly align the motor. Take it off while using the mill, then at next belt change and after you loosen the motor and change the belt, you could insert the jig which would take the guess work out of realigning the motor. Probably would need a bolt or two well placed to align the jig. Who knows? Think about it...you are creative!
You're so right! Must fix everything being mindful of the dynamics of alignment.. and feed speed ect.. hardness of wood.. blade sharpness . And a harbor freight engine.
Michelle, thanks for your very informative review. When I watch the builds you've working on or have accomplished I always reflect back to the fact you milled most is not all of the wood for those projects. We just had a serious storm rip through our area (Eastern Washington State) and right now there is a lot of timber just piled up and rotting. There's so much waste! Meanwhile, we keep driving to the Big Box Stores. Off the soap box. Love to see your smile. Thanks for Sharing! P.S. In your next video you should SMILE and say "I just built this beautiful cabin on a cliff and save $$$XXX,XXX.00 dollars milling the lumber myself!"
Hi Michelle. The simplest solution I think I could describe with a Key Board is. From what I could see in the video there is approximately 3/16" clearance between the black engine cover and the plate the engine is mounted to. If so you could find a piece of 1/8" , 3.18 mm steel plate approximately 10", 2.5 cm X 4", 102.5 cm (sorry I am American inches is my game) Before loosening the "motor mount bolts" slip the plate under the black cover against the legs on the motor and tightly "C" clamp it in place. Then when you loosen the mounts you could adjust the belt while pulling the motor against the steel plate to align the motor and tighten the mounting bolts. Try that It might work or make it easier. If I was closer I know I could design something more elaborate but, You know? 😉 Hope this will help.🌹🌺🌷 As Always John
Goodmorning Michygoddess. I always find power equipment of any sort facinating. Having a hostess such as yourself explain the pros and cons is a huge bonus. Thankyou. Hot dang those eyes. Cheers!
Jay and Jen sent me over, I wanted to see your review on the woodland mills sawmill and I enjoyed your review, good job! I’ve been looking at the different mills for a while now! ✌🏼🙏🏼
Michele. Great videos, I am a fan. Looking at you belt problem, may I suggest welding 2 guides on the topside that keep the engine square while tension.
You’ve explained the issues very well, and it’s good the company has good communication and help to solve problems. As many of the problems you’ve had, along the way you learned so much about the saw. And moving forward you have a better grasp of the mechanics. Sure enjoy your work and videos.
great video on your sawmill. i have the norwood mn 26, i love it. like u i mostly saw for myself. but i have sawed enough lumber that the sawmill has paid for it self. i would like to say greeting from Eastern KY. LOVE to see your videos.
Bonjour Michelle many thanks for the product review. all in all, i believe that you have a great portable saw mill. you've addressed the issues that concern your mill and thankfully the manufacture has listened. as you stated so aptly, a start-up will go throught many iterations before the product or device is 95 percent in general. your patience is palpable. although it may be a little warm, enjoy the warmth because winter cometh. have a great weekend and cheers
Thanks Michy! That was a really good and honest review of the mill that I am definitely interested in buying ,in fact the day I purchase a parcel of land, I'll be ordering one of these m126's the day after ,I've done a fair amount of research, and read hundreds of reviews and Woodland Mills always seems to do well versus many of the other available options in its price class, good video! Thanks again..
Great review, I currently mill with a chainsaw… sometimes it’s brutal and when I am done I look at the little progress and tell myself it’s time to take the plunge and buy a real mill. We have 14 acres of all woods and so many trees that just drop every season and are perfectly good for milling. Like you, I also build and love building new structures on our property. One question I have is how is it when milling hard woods like Ashe or oak trees? I have a lot of hardwood on our property and I notice a lot of people doing reviews on the mills are milling cedars and pines. Thank you for taking the time to review your mill I learned a lot and now know what I should be asking and looking for when I do buy one.
Just a thought for your sawdust, mount 2x2 on the cross braces on a downward angle to the opposite side you load on . Screw a piece of sheet metal to the 2x2. the vibrations should carry alot of the cuttings off of the deck, then just a little shovel blade away from the deck run along with bobcat. Loving the scenery at the cliff cabin, yup I can see a person sitting back relaxed looking out across for days. Just spent some time in the swan hills in Alberta. So peaceful and rejuvenating.
Seems to me a pretty easy solution for the belt tensioner would be to mount a pulley on a pivot arm with an adjustment bolt. But making your own may be harder than buying their upgrade.
When she stated "mechanical Engineers started the company....I bet they feel bad about not making the idler pulley be the tensioner....Heck...one from a KIA or Honda accord that is spring loaded would be a huge improvement.
When you got the talking about josh an Neal lol I just about cracked up from you wanting to laugh but you kept yourself chill with it an then the mole clip that played put the icing on the cake I lost it😂😂
Phil is right.. actually bandsaws are notorious for flexing under the pressure of wood harness/ moisture content/ feed speed ! Blade sharpness. Ect.. alignment is absolute!!
You did very well in describing the belt tensioner problem. So i was thinking that a C-clamp or whatever clamps fitted may be utilized to hold whatever adjustments but just tight enough to budge by hitting for a fine tuned square adjustment..also a small TrySquare.
Thankyou for this review. I have looked at the cheaper saw mills and more expensive ones and never understood the pros and Cons . The size of equipment you have to place logs or turn the logs kind of dictates the size saw mill you need. I think the support equipment is much more expensive than the sawmill itself, so it all comes down to the size of logs you have to cut off your land. that dictates everything else. This helps a lot to understand what to look for in saw mills.
Sorry you've had those issues with your mill. I bought the 2016 HM130 from Woodland Mills and haven't had any issues with it. Love your videos, thank you.
I have been looking at making 1 of these, The Idler pulley and blade extention stabilizer are no brainers, Im surprised they didn't put that in the original design. You did a good job expressing your appraisal on this unit. Well done.
Oh man.....I forgot to install my Duma-hickies on my sawmill platform....thanks for the reminder MIchy. 😁 Just FYI....I just filmed my first take of my Frontier Sawmill review video......There Will also be a 2nd...3rd,..maybe 4th take as well. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Woodland Mills HM126. I too was ordering this model until the inventory was gone and there was a 3 months wait time. Not wanting to lose a whole summer of milling....The Frontier OS27 ended up at my door 8 days later. Best wishes Michy
I was actually going to ask you your thoughts on your mill before I did my review, but I think my ZIT took over some brain cells. 🤣. I look forward to watching your review!! Don’t forget them Duma-hickies!!!! 😝
After watching, I think I can offer some help. two things, is the belt a Kevlar belt -this is commonly used on snow blowers and other equipment that use a single belt and 8 HP or larger, if you post the belt size I can cross reference. As to tightening, I spent over 10 years on service for electric motors , in the 50 to 300 HP range. A common problem with the slide base is the single adjusting bolt, always getting the motor on a angle. So several solutions, all easily done by one person. So when facing the adjusting bolt, if the drive shaft is on the right, use the rear most left mounting bolt, when you are 30% from being the correct tension, tighten that bolt, now continue to tighten the adjusting bolt, if correct, tighten the remaining 3 mounting bolts. The second method requires much less force but you need to be able to get bar clamps in, in the above example, shaft on right, the right bar clamp goes from the slide base to the rear motor mount ( you are pulling the right side towards you) The second clamp goes from the left side slide base at the rear to the left front motor mount ( pulling the motor square) . The ideal solution is a spring loaded idler pulley ( the instant you start a motor and the clutch engages, the belt is momentarily stretched, a spring loaded idler, compensates for the moment)
I was just at the mill all day today and needed to tighten the belt. I basically did those 2 things! Similar idea - barely loosened all the bolts and tightened the nut/screw which tightens the belt, and once I felt it was correct I tightened the one bolt to create a pivot point, then took a clamp (loosened the bolts I wanted to move more) and used the clamp to torque the engine back towards the blade and wheel harness, then tightened everything. (If that even makes sense to you…?) I still need to tweak a few things to make that system work even better, cuz it was still off by about a millimetre or so. It was the best I could do by myself. 🤷🏻♀️
... Thank's for the lookie at your hot mini mill Ms Shell .. the green ones are popular here and theres a couple silver ones made here in Zanesville, Ohio called American Bandsaw. .... kiss kiss .. Love Kelly ...!
I was going to suggest a tensioner pulley, but you mentioned they now have that. Another option is to secure a steel guide rail to the base that the motor bolts to (either weld a steel angle or bolt it), one either side of the motor would create a cradle, so that when you loosen and slide the motor it stays straight.
Michy, Wood always follows metal. The greatest upgrade you could make would be to drive the big pulley through a gearbox from the motor. You would then run your blades around the two big pulleys. It looks like the idler pulley already has a tencher. Then get your blades from Travers. This is how my 7x9 horizontal bandsaw is set up. Art
Try a leaf blower for clearing sawdust from the bed. You can also mount a grass catcher bag from a lawn mower over the port too catch most of the excess. Had someone cut me 12 inch pieces of square tube to hold logs on the bed, I find I can cut about 80% of what I need to without switching to the longer or shorter ones.
I love your videos . Very talented and hard working. A video mentioned so.ething about your outfit. Lol. Your gorgeous and your outfits are fine. Be comfortable while keeping your self safe. Stunning young lady. 😊
Maybe use a leaf blower for the sawdust ? just an idea.. you are rockin' it ! Great job making your lumber there..i'm jealous :-) Another nice vid, and thank you. Loving the cabin build series !
FINALLY, a real honest opinion, because I'm tired of those other hot Canadian band-saw babes ripping me off on disingenuous reviews, fake product endorsements, and gear they don't use themselves. Me?; I'm putting mine in the (fmr) living room- great view, lots of space. Sure it's a condo, and will piss off the neighbors, but I love the smell of fresh cut wood. And they will too!
For the sawdust cover in the middle, I thought to suggest putting a piece of sheet metal and giving it a ridge in the middle and to fall down to either side, it would be self clearing then, at least for the hard to access areas.
I am a millwright & machinery erector. This problem I have seen in many plants that I have worked in, and whether it is adjusting an electric motor or a gasoline engine. These machines come with jack bolts on one side of the drive system. When you put force the motor it should be on the drive pulley end of the motor. The belt will get tight, and the other end of the motor will swing wildly out of alignment. Put tension on the pulley side of the motor to increase tension, and place a jack bolt on the opposite away from the drive pulley to push it back in alignment.
Kohler has a good reputation but like anything else the are a certain amount of defects that can slip by in assembly. Glad that you can get an aftermarket tensioner! 👍
I spent 42 years as a industrial Millwright, and most machinery that uses multiple v belts uses some type of motor carriage with 2 draw bolts. If the engineers had any practical industrial experience, they would have encountered such devices. You may be able to purchase one at grainger or msc industrial supply. Perhaps even Amazon these days 🤔
Idea: When you go to close-in those spaces on your runners, slant the boards so the saw dust will "slide" towards the side of the ground that you don't normally walk upon. So glad you're not twenty feet in the air - on your tip toes - dancing around on a skinny beam! 😵💫
The biggest improvement I can see from the one I had a few years back is the cut area opening. It used to be a triangle so you lost cut depth on the corner. i would guess these engineers weren’t previously sawyers. I sawed thousands of brdft on that mill. some big timbers. It was the little mill that could. Lots of little issues but overall held up. I do this full time now so I switched to a woodmizer lt 40 fully hydraulic with 42hp diesel kubota. if I dont have my own logs I tow it around south vancouver island and mill for .40 - .60 cents a brd ft. Im on my own and happy if can do around a 1000 brd ft in a day.
Great review Michelle very informative thanks for taking the time to share. If a purchase a mill in the future it will be probably be Woodland Mills Love the domihickeys had a chuckle at that sorry. 18:43
I hope Woodland Mills appreciates your honest review of their machine. You probably gave them several thousand dollars in free advertising. More free blades for Michelle!
You are a tremendous example to girls and young women that limber milling is not exclusive to men. In fact, your observations and diagnostic methods are very helpful to the gentlemen fabricating this equipment.
Wishing you, Steve and your furry kids a blessed week, gentle weather and restful evenings. Peace princess.
I've been on the verge of purchasing one of those ever since they first came out. Each time I go to buy one though something else that costs the same amount comes up. New septic line, catalytic converter for me car, removal of trees that are threatening my neighbors' house, heart surgery.....etc. So, as much as I want one I'm not sure when I'll get one. Like you I've watched Josh and Neil grow their business. They look like a great bunch. Thanks for pointing out the pros and cons. You did a great job. And, yes, you made me gave my smile muscles a workout again.
Kohler small engines. Made in Kohler, Wisconsin at the same plant they make toilets. So if the engine ever figuratively belongs in the toilet you'll know the connection. 😅 Nurses are absolute angels. 😇 Had emergency gallbladder surgery in July and two weeks later back in the hospital for blood clots on my lungs. Every nurse I had was absolutely great.
vs. engines made in the ultimate toilet, China.
I'm not a builder...just a musician, but this woman is amazingly skilled and unequally beautiful
What a great looking wood worker and hard worker
Well done Michele. You are well spoken and the camera loves you. Kudos to you.
Thank You for the honest hands on opinion of your sawmill. Thanks for sourcing locally and giving them your business. I hope they listen to your concerns and make their belt tensioning "system" more user friendly. Best wishes for continued success of your homestead. Thanks again for sharing your projects with us.
All through my youth I used to say, "Nurses are good, but teachers are best because they always make you do it again until you get it right!" But now that I'm pushing eighty, I'm going with nurses. They are all angles. They have a wing in our hospital where they store their wings. I call it the wing wing. You are so darned cute!!!
You got me laughing Curt 😂. I’d have to say you’re pretty darned cute too!! ☺️😙
LOL, yes I am. And if I live long enough, I may even learn how to spell angel...lol.
I am head over heels for you. I love a woman who will do anything to do what it takes to learn & build what you like. 👍😍
Hello Michelle. If you do not upgrade to using the adjustable idler pulley, you may want to consider purchasing a belt pulley laser alignment tool. It will greatly help you keep the pulleys in alignment as you change the engine position for belt tensioning.
I purchased the 10th anniversary mod. and it has the new tensioner, but it still was hard to squeeze with your hand and tighten with a wrench. So I welded a 15/16 nut onto the bracket so you can put a socket wrench on it and now so easy.
I bought a 126 last year and it had in the instructions to run the adjustment to the flat and turn it in 1.5 -2 turns. My blade kept jumping off the wheels. Finally they emailed me new instructions for torquing it to 20-25 ft lbs. Works great now! Love your videos. I’m in north Idaho panhandle.
Ahh. So the torque wrench-less system may not be working that well?
Thanks for that honest appraisal. I think the tensioner pulley would make your sawmill life better.
Morning Michelle. Great videos. Love watching, want to help you, nice eyes. Very entertaining. Keep up the fantastic work.
Just got my HM126 assembled and tuned up. I originally purchased the ground mount but decided to add the trailer so I could haul it around to cut wood at friends' houses. Thanks for your inspiration!
Enjoy your content tremendously, your review should be seen by those who can address your concerns observations and determine there usefulness. Nothing beats listening to the opinions of end users. Keep putting out content like you do I enjoy watching and the weekend posting on a rainy day in SW Ohio was uplifting...
Thank you dear !
Oh my gawd! How could I have forgot to mention my little shed at the cliff that I built!!?!? 🫣. I did use a lot of round wood from the surrounding land, but the sawmill definitely did contribute to that build as well. 😁
I have few hours on my HM126, but watching your R&D Video is very pertinent, Thank You. As you already know..."Woodland Mills" are also your fans, as the feedback is very valuable. I made my mill portable by constructing a 2'x6' tube frame 24" long, ultimate goal of 30' carriage run. I too have bugs....but they are MY bugs. For my investment, I feel it is my job to learn as much as I can.....and cut 150 8.5'x2x6" studs before 9/20................and get them vertical. Thanks Michy.
Excellent presentation on the pros and cons Michy. Thank you so much.
Excellent explanation of your mill, very articulate !!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I loved this one..You amaze me at your creativity and your finished projects turn out so well..You need to come down to west Tennessee and help me build a cabin ...I will help.....I was watching one episode where the saw blade jumped out of your machine.... That was a little scary.....You were on the other side. Thanks for your post.I learn a lot from them.Now all I need is your saw mill.lol🤣 Have a wonderful day.Your fan Kenny D in Tennessee.
I have been subscribed here for a while now, truly enjoying your videos. I have been looking very seriously at buying one of these vs. a personal build of one. This is undoubtedly the most honest, straight forward critique, good and bad that I have ever seen. Bravo. Pretty much everybody else has tried to compare theirs to the Harbor Freight ones, which I have used, and would say, personally, don't even consider that an option. I don't appreciate how you were initially treated, with the bad engine, and that your friend had to stick up for you, but your very honest critique has convinced me more that I want one of these, more than any other. I now know what to look for, and I now know, buy a new one, not used, due to the updates are all very recent, and not on even your model. I basically never-ever give a thumbs up to anybody, and try to remain pretty much to myself, but in this case, two thumbs up. On a scale to ten, this perfectly honest video is a ten. It takes a whole lot to impress me, two thumbs up. 1 1/2 to Woodland, but 2 thumbs up to you. Extremely honest and right to the point, would I still buy one? Yes, but now, only their newest upgraded model. Thanks again.
Wow! Here I was thinking my review sucked and lacked other info about the actual performance of the mill.
Thanks! I’m very glad it was so helpful!
@@michygoss7148 Other info on the mill is covered by their sites, and other users, but as of yet, no other person has been so honest and straight forward about the downfalls of them. This is truly, by far the best I have seen, by far in that you went into their shortfalls too, in detail.
I liked the video very much. Thanks. I have the HM 122 and the problem I had was with the blade tension and the decal they used. I broke 7 or 8 blades before I figured it out with the help of the staff at Woodland Mills. Adjusting by using just the decal and not having the proper specs at delivery, caused the tension to be to high. But It has been working just fine this year. I cut mostly Ash and Oak. It does a wonderful job. Thanks again for the video.
Well, Michy, I am not going to buy a mill, but I will be sure to eat more fiber!! I enjoyed your review. I loved milling at my neighbor's sawmill whenever he needed help. It was always a satisfying surprise to mill my own trees and smell the heady fragrance of newly milled wood.
Ahhhh, isn’t that smell just the best!! 💝
Fabulous job on your review video. It’s nice that you let us know what you didn’t like and what you had a problem with, without dogging the company. I’m glad they helped you with your problems. Good customer service is really hard to find.
You have a lot of energy. I get tired just looking at your videos. I just watched a few more of your action videos with the sawmill. I need a nap.
Always like watching a build and seeing these things … Vancouver island out!
When you know you have that engine 100% square with the belt you should weld some guide rails along the edge of the engine block so when you loosen it is still stays lined then you can use your tightener just to tighten it up
Great video Michelle!
Hope you're having a fantastic weekend! Looking forward to the next cabin update! (Or whatever? Lol)
Just a thought why not mark on the metal with a scribe where the motor mount sits when it's square then you just have to line it up again with the marks next time you have to move it? (If that works?) Or cut a square metal plate to go between the motor and where it sits on that beam, that can't move/marked exact holes once it's lined up so it doesn't move back and forth/takes away the adjustment once you have it squared? Maybe tack welded into place?) Just a thought if you can get that to work?
Have a good one! Cheers from London 👍😉😎🏴
Nice presence and honesty. Nurse pay paves the way.
Thankyou Awesome advice,also when I worked in winter with saw mill used Windshield Washer fluid so not to freeze in tank on mill outside.
Michelle, thanks for a Saturday morning video a boat the saw mill! 🙌💥
I have always wanted to do and dreamt of what you’ve done! You are so amazing! I hope I can find someone with your spirit, dedication and perseverance. Hindsight is so 2020.
Love the videos, I always learn from you . The beautiful view and the puppies 😊love y’all 🙏🇺🇸❤️😎
Your so funny. Your definitely right. Ur a nurse that's really awesome I never thought that. All that stuff u build is awesome. I really like that off grid cabin u got that's really smart too Love watching Your stuff.
Could you repeat that please. LOL 🤗🤗 That was a very great review of the woodland Mill. Especially after dealing with so many issues. Good to have a neighbor help put your mill together, and also stand up against the manufacture to correct the faults you found. Cant wait to see you back on the cabin build. I bet you have some good Walleye fishing in the Lake. Woo Hoo!!!!! back to the Cabin build. When you get to rooffing. Get yourself a safety Harness and rope when your on the roof. We all would hate to see something happen to you.
Michelle U R and have been such an inspiration to me (81 years old) that I ordered 2 weeks ago 130 MAX with extra goodies and it was delivered in 7 days. Steve is a very fortunate husband.
Hi Michelle thank you for another great video its obvious there is a design fault with the motor mounting plate and its adjustments when under a lot of torque and load the manufacturer needs to be notified and a replacement motor plate or more to the point proper torque settings applied to all those motor mount bolts so nothing will move under load good luck and glade to help .
Smart, beautiful, out doors woman, can work with her hands! My kind of woman! Looking at buying same make and model. Found one on craigslist, still in shipping crate, never opended, never used. For a discount with all the recomended accessories. Called Woodland Mills talked to sales rep. there. Read all the comments from there web site about this model. This is going to be my saw mill for use in east Texas. You did extremely well in your opnion on this piece of equipment to turn timber into lumber! Lowes and Home Depot are charging a fortune for 2 by lumber. We will see more and more folks doing the same exact thing. And stop paying astronomical prices for over priced lumber!
From a mechanic. You can always tell a engineer but you can`t tell them much. Aloha from Maui
I have the 130max, partly inspired by you sharing your milling videos with us. It's become part of my life milling all my own lumber, and feeling like I have a lumber yard in my back yard of my property. Great sawmill, but with everything, everything can be better,
Awesome!! Yes - true. But as with everything in life, if all we do is focus on the little silly details of life, and what we don’t like, then our overall perspective of everything gets tainted. So - focus on all the great positive things, and great and positive experiences will be had!! 💃🏼
@@michygoss7148 ❤
Nice explanation of your pros/cons on this sawmill. Others have made some good suggestions worth considering on keeping the motor square, but I'll add mine anyway. 😉Consider using thicker bolts that take up the space in those motor-mount slots so the motor can't get 'racked' out of square. Or, put bushings on the existing bolts to do the same thing. Just an idea. Hope you, Steve and your fur babies are having a great weekend.
You know, we actually did try that (Steve and I) but there was still movement. I should have mentioned that. Perhaps we’d need to take things a step further with bushings like you say, so yeah - maybe next time I need to adjust the belt I will try something again!
@@michygoss7148 The design needs to offset the pulley force to keep the motor from rotating. The tensioner does not keep the motor from rotating as designed. Maybe add another bolt that contacts the tensioning block on the outside of the single one. That would give you a way to apply a force opposing the pulley force to keep the motor from rotating. I think you could drill one hole in the bracket and use a bolt with two nuts (one on either side of the bracket). I think their fix is reasonable, but it seems like their orginal belt tensioning design could be tweaked to make it more usable.
Once you have the motor square, you might be able to fabricate a jig (metal or wood?) that you could fasten to the supports that would properly align the motor. Take it off while using the mill, then at next belt change and after you loosen the motor and change the belt, you could insert the jig which would take the guess work out of realigning the motor. Probably would need a bolt or two well placed to align the jig. Who knows? Think about it...you are creative!
You're so right! Must fix everything being mindful of the dynamics of alignment.. and feed speed ect.. hardness of wood.. blade sharpness . And a harbor freight engine.
What better spoke person for the company 🥰 stay safe and enjoy your projects. 🖖
Loving your many video moments...also good learning you’re a nurse...my moments as well...
Michelle, thanks for your very informative review. When I watch the builds you've working on or have accomplished I always reflect back to the fact you milled most is not all of the wood for those projects. We just had a serious storm rip through our area (Eastern Washington State) and right now there is a lot of timber just piled up and rotting. There's so much waste! Meanwhile, we keep driving to the Big Box Stores. Off the soap box. Love to see your smile. Thanks for Sharing! P.S. In your next video you should SMILE and say "I just built this beautiful cabin on a cliff and save $$$XXX,XXX.00 dollars milling the lumber myself!"
Hi Michelle. The simplest solution I think I could describe with a Key Board is.
From what I could see in the video there is approximately 3/16" clearance between the black engine cover and the plate the engine is mounted to. If so you could find a piece of 1/8" , 3.18 mm steel plate approximately 10", 2.5 cm X 4", 102.5 cm (sorry I am American inches is my game)
Before loosening the "motor mount bolts" slip the plate under the black cover against the legs on the motor and tightly "C" clamp it in place.
Then when you loosen the mounts you could adjust the belt while pulling the motor against the steel plate to align the motor and tighten the mounting bolts. Try that It might work or make it easier. If I was closer I know I could design something more elaborate but, You know? 😉
Hope this will help.🌹🌺🌷
As Always
John
Yes - great idea! And the most simple too (no welding). I will definitely try that. Thanks!
👍
Goodmorning Michygoddess. I always find power equipment of any sort facinating. Having a hostess such as yourself explain the pros and cons is a huge bonus. Thankyou. Hot dang those eyes. Cheers!
Jay and Jen sent me over, I wanted to see your review on the woodland mills sawmill and I enjoyed your review, good job! I’ve been looking at the different mills for a while now! ✌🏼🙏🏼
Michele. Great videos, I am a fan. Looking at you belt problem, may I suggest welding 2 guides on the topside that keep the engine square while tension.
LOL!!! I’ll saw logs with you any day !beautiful I have a Norwood lm29, very therapeutic ! Love from British Columbia Canada
You’ve explained the issues very well, and it’s good the company has good communication and help to solve problems. As many of the problems you’ve had, along the way you learned so much about the saw. And moving forward you have a better grasp of the mechanics.
Sure enjoy your work and videos.
Yes ! I should have mentioned that in the process of all these struggles I learned so much about the samwill, and am grateful for that!
great video on your sawmill. i have the norwood mn 26, i love it. like u i mostly saw for myself. but i have sawed enough lumber that the sawmill has paid for it self. i would like to say greeting from Eastern KY. LOVE to see your videos.
Bonjour Michelle many thanks for the product review. all in all, i believe that you have a great portable saw mill. you've addressed the issues that concern your mill and thankfully the manufacture has listened. as you stated so aptly, a start-up will go throught many iterations before the product or device is 95 percent in general. your patience is palpable. although it may be a little warm, enjoy the warmth because winter cometh. have a great weekend and cheers
Winter IS coming. Wish summer was one month longer. But I do love autumn, and always get a burst of energy in that season!!
Enjoy your weekend too!!
Thanks Michy! That was a really good and honest review of the mill that I am definitely interested in buying ,in fact the day I purchase a parcel of land, I'll be ordering one of these m126's the day after ,I've done a fair amount of research, and read hundreds of reviews and Woodland Mills always seems to do well versus many of the other available options in its price class, good video! Thanks again..
Love your knowledge in using the sawmill-love using rough wood in bldg!
Great review, I currently mill with a chainsaw… sometimes it’s brutal and when I am done I look at the little progress and tell myself it’s time to take the plunge and buy a real mill. We have 14 acres of all woods and so many trees that just drop every season and are perfectly good for milling. Like you, I also build and love building new structures on our property.
One question I have is how is it when milling hard woods like Ashe or oak trees? I have a lot of hardwood on our property and I notice a lot of people doing reviews on the mills are milling cedars and pines. Thank you for taking the time to review your mill I learned a lot and now know what I should be asking and looking for when I do buy one.
You should put in some Amityville horror style windows in your cabin on the cliff for some spooky vibes.
Just a thought for your sawdust, mount 2x2 on the cross braces on a downward angle to the opposite side you load on . Screw a piece of sheet metal to the 2x2. the vibrations should carry alot of the cuttings off of the deck, then just a little shovel blade away from the deck run along with bobcat. Loving the scenery at the cliff cabin, yup I can see a person sitting back relaxed looking out across for days. Just spent some time in the swan hills in Alberta. So peaceful and rejuvenating.
i have a wood mizer over 20 years never sold any lumber just build build build lol love it
Great way to settle some curiosity on a saw....
Looking good in sunny BC.
Seems to me a pretty easy solution for the belt tensioner would be to mount a pulley on a pivot arm with an adjustment bolt. But making your own may be harder than buying their upgrade.
When she stated "mechanical Engineers started the company....I bet they feel bad about not making the idler pulley be the tensioner....Heck...one from a KIA or Honda accord that is spring loaded would be a huge improvement.
When you got the talking about josh an Neal lol I just about cracked up from you wanting to laugh but you kept yourself chill with it an then the mole clip that played put the icing on the cake I lost it😂😂
Amazing! You can run circles around a lot of guys!!
Thanks for the review, I bought the 130 max , so far so good, still learning, but I do enjoy it
Phil is right.. actually bandsaws are notorious for flexing under the pressure of wood harness/ moisture content/ feed speed ! Blade sharpness. Ect.. alignment is absolute!!
You did very well in describing the belt tensioner problem. So i was thinking that a C-clamp or whatever clamps fitted may be utilized to hold whatever adjustments but just tight enough to budge by hitting for a fine tuned square adjustment..also a small TrySquare.
I love your channel. What an excellent assessment and review! Thank you 😊 I'd love to acquire this sawmill one day. Great job doing all that you do!!!
Thankyou for this review. I have looked at the cheaper saw mills and more expensive ones and never understood the pros and Cons . The size of equipment you have to place logs or turn the logs kind of dictates the size saw mill you need. I think the support equipment is much more expensive than the sawmill itself, so it all comes down to the size of logs you have to cut off your land. that dictates everything else.
This helps a lot to understand what to look for in saw mills.
Thank you for the good review! Really enjoy your show.
Sorry you've had those issues with your mill. I bought the 2016 HM130 from Woodland Mills and haven't had any issues with it. Love your videos, thank you.
Thank you for the review on Woodland Mills.
I have been looking at making 1 of these, The Idler pulley and blade extention stabilizer are no brainers, Im surprised they didn't put that in the original design. You did a good job expressing your appraisal on this unit. Well done.
Oh man.....I forgot to install my Duma-hickies on my sawmill platform....thanks for the reminder MIchy. 😁 Just FYI....I just filmed my first take of my Frontier Sawmill review video......There Will also be a 2nd...3rd,..maybe 4th take as well. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Woodland Mills HM126. I too was ordering this model until the inventory was gone and there was a 3 months wait time. Not wanting to lose a whole summer of milling....The Frontier OS27 ended up at my door 8 days later. Best wishes Michy
I was actually going to ask you your thoughts on your mill before I did my review, but I think my ZIT took over some brain cells. 🤣. I look forward to watching your review!!
Don’t forget them Duma-hickies!!!! 😝
After watching, I think I can offer some help. two things, is the belt a Kevlar belt -this is commonly used on snow blowers and other equipment that use a single belt and 8 HP or larger, if you post the belt size I can cross reference. As to tightening, I spent over 10 years on service for electric motors , in the 50 to 300 HP range. A common problem with the slide base is the single adjusting bolt, always getting the motor on a angle. So several solutions, all easily done by one person. So when facing the adjusting bolt, if the drive shaft is on the right, use the rear most left mounting bolt, when you are 30% from being the correct tension, tighten that bolt, now continue to tighten the adjusting bolt, if correct, tighten the remaining 3 mounting bolts. The second method requires much less force but you need to be able to get bar clamps in, in the above example, shaft on right, the right bar clamp goes from the slide base to the rear motor mount ( you are pulling the right side towards you) The second clamp goes from the left side slide base at the rear to the left front motor mount ( pulling the motor square) .
The ideal solution is a spring loaded idler pulley ( the instant you start a motor and the clutch engages, the belt is momentarily stretched, a spring loaded idler, compensates for the moment)
I was just at the mill all day today and needed to tighten the belt. I basically did those 2 things! Similar idea - barely loosened all the bolts and tightened the nut/screw which tightens the belt, and once I felt it was correct I tightened the one bolt to create a pivot point, then took a clamp (loosened the bolts I wanted to move more) and used the clamp to torque the engine back towards the blade and wheel harness, then tightened everything. (If that even makes sense to you…?)
I still need to tweak a few things to make that system work even better, cuz it was still off by about a millimetre or so.
It was the best I could do by myself. 🤷🏻♀️
... Thank's for the lookie at your hot mini mill Ms Shell .. the green ones are popular here and theres a couple silver ones made here in Zanesville, Ohio called American Bandsaw.
.... kiss kiss .. Love Kelly ...!
I was going to suggest a tensioner pulley, but you mentioned they now have that. Another option is to secure a steel guide rail to the base that the motor bolts to (either weld a steel angle or bolt it), one either side of the motor would create a cradle, so that when you loosen and slide the motor it stays straight.
Nice review! I am gearing up for a major project and will need a sawmill. Thanks! This is helpful.
Thank you for taking the time to explain that I have been thinking about buying a saw mill thanks again
I wished I had known about you earlier; I think you’re great
Michy,
Wood always follows metal. The greatest upgrade you could make would be to drive the big pulley through a gearbox from the motor. You would then run your blades around the two big pulleys. It looks like the idler pulley already has a tencher. Then get your blades from Travers. This is how my 7x9 horizontal bandsaw is set up.
Art
Try a leaf blower for clearing sawdust from the bed. You can also mount a grass catcher bag from a lawn mower over the port too catch most of the excess. Had someone cut me 12 inch pieces of square tube to hold logs on the bed, I find I can cut about 80% of what I need to without switching to the longer or shorter ones.
I love your videos . Very talented and hard working. A video mentioned so.ething about your outfit. Lol. Your gorgeous and your outfits are fine. Be comfortable while keeping your self safe. Stunning young lady. 😊
😁
I so wish I had a sawmill! Great video, Michelle!
PS. That was a Grasshopper 😎
What’s funny is I never call them crickets! I did there for some reason though! 🤷🏻♀️
Maybe use a leaf blower for the sawdust ? just an idea.. you are rockin' it ! Great job making your lumber there..i'm jealous :-) Another nice vid, and thank you. Loving the cabin build series !
FINALLY, a real honest opinion, because I'm tired of those other hot Canadian band-saw babes ripping me off on disingenuous reviews, fake product endorsements, and gear they don't use themselves. Me?; I'm putting mine in the (fmr) living room- great view, lots of space. Sure it's a condo, and will piss off the neighbors, but I love the smell of fresh cut wood. And they will too!
For the sawdust cover in the middle, I thought to suggest putting a piece of sheet metal and giving it a ridge in the middle and to fall down to either side, it would be self clearing then, at least for the hard to access areas.
Beautiful and the saw isn’t bad either!
I am a millwright & machinery erector. This problem I have seen in many plants that I have worked in, and whether it is adjusting an electric motor or a gasoline engine. These machines come with jack bolts on one side of the drive system. When you put force the motor it should be on the drive pulley end of the motor. The belt will get tight, and the other end of the motor will swing wildly out of alignment. Put tension on the pulley side of the motor to increase tension, and place a jack bolt on the opposite away from the drive pulley to push it back in alignment.
Kohler has a good reputation but like anything else the are a certain amount of defects that can slip by in assembly. Glad that you can get an aftermarket tensioner! 👍
Glad Steve always helps you when you need it 😅😅😅
I spent 42 years as a industrial Millwright, and most machinery that uses multiple v belts uses some type of motor carriage with 2 draw bolts. If the engineers had any practical industrial experience, they would have encountered such devices. You may be able to purchase one at grainger or msc industrial supply. Perhaps even Amazon these days 🤔
Idea: When you go to close-in those spaces on your runners, slant the boards so the saw dust will "slide" towards the side of the ground that you don't normally walk upon.
So glad you're not twenty feet in the air - on your tip toes - dancing around on a skinny beam! 😵💫
Ya!! That’s a great idea! I’ll do that! Thanks. 👍👍
The biggest improvement I can see from the one I had a few years back is the cut area opening. It used to be a triangle so you lost cut depth on the corner. i would guess these engineers weren’t previously sawyers. I sawed thousands of brdft on that mill. some big timbers. It was the little mill that could. Lots of little issues but overall held up. I do this full time now so I switched to a woodmizer lt 40 fully hydraulic with 42hp diesel kubota. if I dont have my own logs I tow it around south vancouver island and mill for .40 - .60 cents a brd ft. Im on my own and happy if can do around a 1000 brd ft in a day.
Great review Michelle very informative thanks for taking the time to share. If a purchase a mill in the future it will be probably be Woodland Mills Love the domihickeys had a chuckle at that sorry. 18:43
Mills / Miller sir names are from the families that usually are mechanical our milling,forging, carpentry 🤘
I hope Woodland Mills appreciates your honest review of their machine. You probably gave them several thousand dollars in free advertising. More free blades for Michelle!
Hello from the Netherlands .
thanks for the video Michelle .
Sincerely, Hollandduck
Hi from Ottawa. Probably my next mill. Tks!
So far, that cabin is a veritable cliffhanger! (ta-dum-tisshhh)