How to Start a Small Business with a Sawmill | SBS2
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- Опубликовано: 24 авг 2018
- starting your own sawmill business? please visit:
www.portablesawmilling.com In this video I run down some important topics to think about before starting a small sawmill business, which can help you make some critical decisions 
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I have an LT 26 that’s not hydrolic but I’m looking at getting a tractor with a grapple and forks. My sawmill is paid for and I got it to saw my own lumber for building my shop and kiln. I plan to do live edge and resin tables. I also have a wood lathe for turning a variety of products to sell. I will also cut lumber upon request. When I retire I still want to be able to generate some income. I can only hunt and fish so much. LoL Thanks for your input on your situation and the industry.
Where I'm from some people think their tree is made of solid gold. I can't believe how many people have asked me to come take their tree and pay them for it. Downed trees are a dime a dozen. I try to be as polite as possible and tell I don't buy trees. There's so many downed trees laying around and people just want them gone. Great video series. I find a lot of what you say very helpful. Slavaging logs and slabbing them on my chainsaw mill is a great source of income for me
Things have changed dramatically since you made this video. I have mill in South Ga. Retired forester and realtor. Nice vid.
Your ability to shoot a single shot 30 minute video is awesome lol. Great info and I get a lot of information from you sharing where you have already been. For someone looking to get into milling it would be good to watch your videos 2 or 3x but we may just go out and do it ourselves and learn the same lessons over years rather than minutes.
Great video, my father in law had a very early generation Wood-Mizer and eventually sold it. I used to help him out some and still do woodworking with him. I would love to have a "hobby" sawmill business and let pop help me out. He would love it. Trying to figure out a way to make it sort of profitable and your video surely helps. I am retired Navy and currently work a full time IT job. These kinds of videos really let you listen to those out there getting it done. Thanks for making the video.
great update charlie , you explain everything is an honest way . Congrats on having the character to be real and do business in a fun and truthful way :) stay at it !
Great video. I started sawmilling in September and it is growing quickly, I plan to make it a main source of income some time in the next year and am trying to do a lot of planning and business strategy assessment and your videos are great to bring up a lot of important considerations
I’m glad you mentioned the tractor I’ve been looking at 40hp class tractors thinking it’d be perfect for moving logs
Just stumbled upon your vids as I’m debating starting a side deal. I’ve been in the corporate world for a while but am a Carpenter by trade and am hoping to do something to fuel my passion for my craft and hopefully make some money with it as well. Thanks for your guys’ videos!
Appreciate your video. This was great information. I’m in the same situation, working in large corporation as an engineer. Moved to the mountains and ready for a change. Thanks for this video.
Totally understand that dislike of the corporate cult. I'll keep my day job for another two years--if it lasts--and then retire.
I reckon I am the extreme bottom of the sawing world. Some months ago I bought the HF mill, purely for a retirement hobby.
I entertained the sawmilling career change with a Wood-Mizer about 25 years ago, but there were a half-dozen high capacity sawmills within 30 miles, a paper mill, and at least five portable Wood-Mizer operators within 20 miles of me.
I thought I'd see what I missed with a few logs from my property along with a few logs from others who needed a place to get rid of them. I haven't quit sawing since!
I finally had to beg off a tree service bringing loads...they were saving tipping fees and I was getting logs for the price of also taking some tops. These were 10-wheeler loads. Two of which were loaded with very straight 20' pine logs in 18-24" diameter...50+ LOGS!!!
So much for just a hobby. On the bright side, I now have lumber for every project I can imagine. Love that part!
You made the right choice, if there's 5 portable WM operators already, you're gonna have a hard time getting your name out there. If the HF works for ya then heck ya, the lumber don't know the difference! Great thing about sawmills, is no matter what, you can always resell em for not too much less than ya paid, so if you ever decide to upgrade you probably won't lose much. The hydraulics sure make a difference, but it's all about how much volume you need
Awesome channel just found you guys and this is the info I have been looking for thank you much appreciated
Informative video friend. Thank you.
I'm just running a chainsaw mill and cutting trees down for people for a cost. I have all the fire wood I can handle and looking to offer more things and do something with my down time . I would like to make it full time but for now I'm still trying to find that sweet spot .
There is a learning curve when starting out . I'm trying to figure out when the blade requires changing before I ruin a piece of wood. There are a lot of things to learn. But at this point I'm working 50 hrs a week and sawing when I can. I'm cutting logs that cost me nothing . Enjoyed the video.keep them coming.
If you notice the blade slowing down or a rougher cut, it's too late. You wanna change your blade before it shows any signs of being dull. Hard to say for sure, lot of variables, but if you don't have a debarker expect somewhere around 2-400 bdft, with a debarker maybe 5-800 bdft. I've gone as much as 1500 bdft on softer woods like poplar, but it's really not good for blade life.
Something people forget to take into account when you are self employed is the non-paying hours involved. Equipment maintenance, bidding jobs, bookkeeping, etc. I'm retired, but I've owned a couple of businesses and there is much more than just going and doing the job. Good discussion series.
Not sure about festival sales. I have been to several community woodworking shows where there were multiple companies out there selling slab wood, and even if people did not purchase cut wood there, they were introduced to a new source of furniture grade lumber and the end result is increased sales. Also the goal is not to sell at the Festival, since there is a limit on how much lumber you can bring, but the goal is to get them to your shop/store where upsell is the answer. But it is that introduction and putting a face to a name that is important. Getting them into your booth is key, using wood as the hook. Introduce the sawyer business at the same time.
Bought a used Cooks AC-36 a couple of years ago and a New Holland TND 65 tractor. We were trying to buy 55 acres in Al. Deal fell through when we found out the land owner was asking 35% more for the property than market value. Now deciding to put the mill and tractor to work instead of selling them. I have been collecting logs for the last month. Mostly pine and oak in central Fl. However the logs are free. I get them from construction sites where they are clearing land for subdivisions. Saves them having to burn the logs, and they have the equipment to load them on the trailer.
As far as a business, if you consider the cost of a mill $40-50K , the number of hours it will last, maybe 5000. Then you have to figure cost of operation and mtc. $20/hr + is going to buy/maintain the mill alone. Figure in blades, tractor, truck, trailer. It's a good thing everything is tax deductable or you couldn't afford to be in business.
Don't forget the tow vehicle, fuel, blades, supporting tools, or insurance!
spent time up in Asheville, Marshall and Hot Springs - beautiful country
I found a decent corporate job doing automation with my BSME after several jobs that I didn't like.
I have some land to clear. I already have enough firewood and found this video trying to consider cutting the wood to be used for a shed.
I'd start to look into the woodmizer lx25, its about $3k and a great deal for the quality you get. WM hold their value very well, so you'll have no privlem getting your money back if you just have a couple bunks to mill
@@charleyandsarah I saw the woodmizer in another of your videos. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Looking for something to do with a part time job so work 20-25 hour job and rest of my time for the bussniess. My family have been tree surgeons for awhile but I wasn't a fan of that work but processing the wood I enjoyed. I'd love to start something like this on a smaller scale. Selling slab of hard woods or even making my own wood products like you said clocks or maybe tables or chairs. Something to put my family name on be proud of. Looking for my niche
Not sure if this is it. But definitely something I'm researching
The reason an autozone opens next to a discount auto etc is because the existence of one means there is enough market for it to open in the first place. Not to battle it out for the lowest price.
totally understand the 'corporate thing'. I live in eastern NC - Hubert - 'hurricane alley' w/trees down all over. Going to invest in a portable mill and dump trailer w/winch to bring logs back here to mill. Retired and want to keep busy and make a few dollars. Have no illusions - not scared of hard work. Have soc sec and retirement acc't to back me up which is nice so I've decided to dive in. What are ur thoughts on swing blade mills?
Good video! I just bought an LT35, just called some local tree services and just got a load of oak and walnut dropped off I paid $650 for the load but I got some huge logs but as I get the word out there I'm sure I'll be paying less money and the logs come to me
good deal! I know when you're starting off, 650 sounds high, but think of the time it'd take you to get those logs home, it's not bad. You're better off spending those extra days milling IMO
Thanks bro 🤙
I dont think there is anything wrong with bringing some raw wood, or samples anyway, and BUSINESS CARDS. A lot of guys will see what you do and give them your card, they will reach out to you.
Nice video. Northeastern Kentucky LT 40 wide, hydraulic 2018 model. Working our butts off to do our own thing but also build our own home with our own timber and time. Working full time for the State. I feel your corporate life. Actually work both side I have to say State is so much worse with the political crap. We’ve been doing our RUclips channel for yr and half and I’m not sure my mill has make but one appearance on our channel. But she will soon when we start milling for the house. Right now we are just felling timbers.
Ya, stuff's hard for sure, and trying to youtube it just adds to it. I used to work for Lockheed Martin, gov't contractor, not so much political, but was quite a bit of "politicking". We were going back and forth between the 40W and 50W, cost was a big factor, but mainly the drive to make this into a business is what pushed us to the LT50 for the extra speed and other doo-dad's. Just subbed to ya, sounds like you've got your plate full
We are busy for sure. I had to put the camera down for a few minutes to get things done. I’m familiar with Lockheed. My uncle was in aerospace division in Florida. Thanks for the sub. Keep up the nice work
Great video. I am just getting into milling to get free wood to build with. My wood shop is fully rolling, and wood cost are not cheap. In my area I have an Oak, Cherry, Walnut and Hickory trees dropped within a half mile of my house a couple a times a month it seems. I have started asking for the wood and getting it with no problem. Now that I have about 14 nice logs I am looking to start with a chain saw mill with the Stihl 880 with Alaskan chain saw mill. If that goes well I will grab the WoodMizer LT15 wide. Anyway, I am really looking at used tractors to pull logs home, as well as lift the slabs and move them into drying area without taxing my 50-year-old back. Do you have any recommendations on what size tractor is needed? Does that tractor behind you do the job well? I am probably not going to pull anything over 6000lb, or lift more than 3000lbs. Thanks from the Shenandoah Valley Virginia.
If you're moving logs, get the biggest tractor you can afford. That 46hp kubota is great, but only less about 2000lbs, anything more than that I have to roll and nudge around which I hate doing... much more time consuming and much more risk of breaking something.
@@charleyandsarah Thank-you for the response. I will look big then.
Great video buddy. Very honest and comprehensive. How's the sawmilling business doing now?
thanks. you mean now in covid-19 times? not sure, we sold the mill a few months ago, but we haven't taken down our sawmill website (keep meaning to), and we keep getting phone calls about it on a regular basis. Seems like if people have money, theyre looking for something to do.
I have spent many days watching ,building and designing my sawmill,now that I am finished and cut many boards, all the cheapskates are coming out of the woodwork trying to get lumber cheap,not much reward for my hard work.
regarding selling lumber....could you advertise it in another location/state and then ship it there? a place where there is more demand for the type of lumber you have>
We've thought about that, but haven't spent much time researching. My concern is the costs associated with the freight, not just actual dollars, but keeping it protected during shipping and advertising. I think we'd have to get a close to final surface sanding done and have high quality photos published so people know what they're buying. I'd also prefer to have them kiln dried first to keep the weight down, no point in paying more to ship water. It's doable, and I think there would be a market for that to justify the expenses, we're just not yet in a position to meet all those requirements as I see fit
@@charleyandsarah Then you have the regulations involving agriculture (wood included) crossing state boundaries such as fumigation by certified professionals, etc. Be sure to check CAREFULLY about this entire subject before shipping anything; trust me, it's a real process if you want to be totally legal.
Any tips on how to cut 12 inch diameter trees into boards?
After doing this for over 25 years. One big thing people forget to figure is jow much a board foot costs to produce. If yiu are not figuring depreciation, taxes,insurance, maintenance, fuel, grease, oil, blades, tools and labor into every board, you have already failed. Those things will eat you alive and its not fun. Go sit down with a good CPA and. Get that figured out. Learn how. Go do it!!!!! Now
Hi my name is Robert. Are you still in the tree business? I remodel homes wth my Son.we only have a few employees. We do alright ,we stay busy. My question is can I make money if I bought a pine tree farm . The land is beautiful 25 acres 30 year pines. I am buying the land for 50.000 .it looks like thousands of trees. If I mill the trees into 20’ beams 8”x8” .just am example. I am just thinking the price of lumber is crazy. Even if I sell log cabin kits what ever. I am going to build on the land later or subdivide and sell lots. Any ideas ? Thanks
great video -- what I need is help in pricing my work. Any help I can get - much appreciated
Start on trades, get experience and lumber. Then start low on pricing until you get busy and then slowly bump your prices up until you see diminishing returns
$70 per hour is probably your before tax value at your previous corporate job.
I would imagine that now, four years later, you are not having any trouble selling lumber.
Get an off tree services you don't have to cut down trees anymore
yea I've worked with a few around here, but my area doesn't have much market to sell lumber. I did a 3 day job in January on trade, came back with about 1000 bdft of cherry, and another 1000 bdft mixed of white oak, poplar and maple. So far I've sold 3 maple boards, made like 60 bucks or something. Still haven't been paid for that job yet because of it, so I don't currently do trade jobs unless I have a personal need for the lumber.
So that would be 80 to 90 dollars Canadian per hour.
If I get 300 for one slab it made the job worthwhile
I have excavators worth 3 times what your sawmill is worth. Replacement value and operating cost plus insurance is higher then running a sawmill... Their isn't a sawmill on the market that is worth over $50 a hour.. I have a sawmill that is rated for 40 inch logs and I mainly use it to cut my own stuff. Competition in this area is very high and their is people here charging $120 a hour competing against people charging $35 a hour... Many people go under because they think they are worth more then the guy down the street because he spent more for his mill.. Many try to do by the board feet but in the end are trying to make like $200 + a hour because many people just don't know the difference.. In the end all these guys loose out because people find out by word of mouth they paid way to much and that person has no more business.. I know the operating cost of a sawmill because of that blade is high but at $70 a hour you wouldn't get much work in this area for long plus if your operating cost is that high you may need to look at your as a hole
Part of the reason I did some of these videos was to open up the discussion about this, but I gotta disagree with your $50 comment. I put about $20/hr toward the actual sawmill (payments and maintenance), but another $20/hr for my truck. Fuel/lube/oils, $5. Blades $15/hr (the big blades I run are about $35 each, and I pull them after an hour to resharpen, plus they only last 4-5 hours total before breaking). So my operating cost is $60/hour, before I make any profit. That guy making $35/hr is losing money, no matter how you look at it, he's just too dumb to realize it, or won't be in business long. With that logic, I bet you charge about $90/hr for your 120k excavator? Ya right.
@@charleyandsarah You have everyone and their uncles running excavators around here that is why you cant make much money here by a job, you make money by doing many jobs.. Sawmills in Ontario are many and when you have people buying the $5k to $8k mills and charging $35 to $50 a hour.. The fully hydraulic $50k mills can't survive around here even when you put out double the board feet these people can... Like i said you are lucky where you are because you would never make that much per hour here.. You would be forced to buy a much cheaper mill if you were around here... You need to check your area to see what competition you have and what prices they run at before buying a mill...
@@sirwallygator565 I am from southern Ontario, Never seen anyone less than 60-80 an hour. Even people running woodland mills or other off brands that cost under 10K still charge 60 an hour and produce lower-grade lumber at half the speed (at best). Small mills end up costing the customer 2-3 times the price they would pay if they hired someone with a 50K mill. With the price of kiln-dried walnut/cherry/hard maple, you would have to be a lazy moron to make less 60-80K a year profit.
@@zackd4770 go look on kijiji ontario you will find some asking $120 a hour and they go all the way down to $35 a hour
@@zackd4770 you need to look on Kijiji Ontario.. Do your research about hydraulic mills, they don't produce higher grade lumber but more the reverse, hydraulics are for production only not quality. Many sawyers have sold their hydraulic mills and have gone to the manual mills to get higher grade lumber. Many wood craftsman won't touch kiln dried wood to make furniture or boat craftsman. Kiln dried wood is a lower grade of wood to them. I have never paid for a log of walnut/cherry/hard maple or red oak. The cities/towns and townships give it away for firewood. They drop it off at your door. I don't sell ruff cut lumber