Couldn’t agree more. I’m new to this so I’ve been all over UA-cam and the internet. This channel is by far the number one resource for one-stop knowledge. With a side of humor!
Thank you for posting your knowledge for us to learn. Just ordered a lt 40 wide. Watching your videos every morning before it shows up in 9 months. My dad’s side of the family is from Alabama.
Funny guy. Meant that in the most positive way! Haha. I’m old and new at all this and I appreciate the advice you’re providing. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. That doesn’t mean old but those who have been at it longer. Thank you for sharing.
Appreciate your time and effort to educate us. A video of the next five would be interesting. As a new sawyer i really find your videos where you attack a log and give your reasoning for cutting it the way you are as you go very helpful and educational. Thanks !
Hey Robert, thanks for another outstanding video, can't wait to hear the next 5 things. I've been saving your sawmill videos in a file and they really are forming a curriculum for aspiring sawmill operators like myself! This is the kind of video I value the most, so much more helpful than endless footage of people running their sawmill. Thanks for taking the time to produce this kind of content!
I'm a recent subscriber. I must say, I sincerely appreciate your educational style and last but not least, is your magnificent sense of humor! Keep up this awesome job!
Great to hear! Don't forget, we are a professional sawmill, and I give out real info as if I was training an employee on how to mill wood and maintain our equipment, to our standards. No spandex and no fluff here. Thanks for the comment.
New to the sawmill world. Love your content, but, have a Question, hopefully i can explain the picture in my head, would it be better to have one guide tool going in one direction and the other going opposite? Just wondering about the tool twisting the blade.
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience! As a new sawyer I watch a lot of milling videos. Your channel is the most instruction focused channel I have found. Your content has certainly shortened my learning curve and is helping me become a better and more knowledgeable sawyer
Hey buddy, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. My father in law just recently passed away and now I've been trying to pickup where he left off and continue to mill wood for people. He has a Woodmizer LT40. Old style lol. There's nothing digital or electronic on this mill. He ran it 7 days a week, matter of fact about 2 years ago he put a new engine on it cause he wore the first one out. I've been having problem after problem with the mill but watching your videos is great information. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with everyone.
Hey neighbor, I am a happily retired brain doctor in a not too far away Alabama city having a blast with my sawmill building a timber-frame mountain cabin with beams up to 8*8” hardwood beams. I think I enjoy milling the Timbers more than cutting the frames! Sawmilling is so much fun. I really enjoy your wisdom. Stay safe!
I hear "Southern" so I understand you perfectly! As far as types of videos, I love the ones like this. I like them all, but on these I always learn a little something. Episode #2: items 6-10; Episode #3: items 11-15; and so on,,, Starting a series and you didn't even realize it.
Just put some time in on my subpar mill using all the information in this video and tuned my mill into a dream to run. The two alignment tools are key.
Awesome! Just in time. I have an unknown brand of mill,40 years old or older. Heavily modified and still has a bunch of shortcomings. This video ticks all the boxes. Been using it about ten years with ok results but always looking for better performance. Thanks
So enjoy your videos, even if you talk slowly, but you don't in my opinion, You have such great info and so appreciate it and the work it takes to put them together, . Just purchase a LT 15 GO , and it looks like it just rolled of the showroom floor, really. Have so much oak and cherry that blew over in a straight line wind last Sept. 2023, like maybe 35 and average size is around 30" so have my work cut,, ---out , lol , with the LT 15 for sure,. 👍👍👍👍
I don't have two of them blade level bar. I have just one of them and just it one at a time and measure from the bar to the bunk. i will buy one more. Thanks
Greg from northern Michigan. Great content ! Love the way you are able to talk about complex subjects in simple to understand terms for the non-engineering crowd. I was a noise and vibration test engineer for a large green tractor company working on all product lines (ag, industrial, marine, and OEM engine powertrains) and retired in 2017 with 39-1/2 years of service. As such, i can see the gears rolling over in your mind as you speak on the videos. Engineers are trained in root cause analysis and to always look for ways to improve the overall operation and efficiency of any machine. You also excel in this area as well. Your wife is also 'top drawer' as well and a key part of your operation. What kind of engineering work did she do for NASA ? I also watch Nathan's 'Out in the Woods' UA-cam Channel as well. Take care, keep your wings level, and keep the excellevt videos coming.
Thanks! I appreciate the compliments, it means a lot to have respect from a fellow engineer, so again, Thanks! Yes, both Martha and I are retired Mechanical and Aerospace engineers, she worked at Lockheed then NASA for 30 years in Propulsion, Structures, and other stuff and had some space hardware on Hubble and even did some stuff in Antarctica. I was the Chief of the Advanced Technology Weapons Development and Integration Directorate, Fabrication and Testing branch, and worked on things, analyzing, evaluating and giving feedback to some of the biggest missile and space companies in the world, as well as even briefing and providing intelligence reports for Congress and the staff of the Secretary of Defense. If you Google my name you will find a patent or two that can be published in open literature. Nathan is a great guy, we talk or text all the time, I've known him for years. He is also one of the few UA-camrs who actually like running a sawmill, and would do it if he was filming or not. Every now and then, you will see him filming while wearing one of my Hobby Hardwood hats. He will call me up and say he was running his mill while wearing my hat and he felt like he was sawing like "Superman." He's as nice in person as he is on the videos. Just don't tell him I ever said that or he will get the big head.
Good stuff, cut my first log on my new cooks yesterday. I really enjoy your videos. Very informative. I am guessing the belt tension has some say so also, thanks for sharing.
I don't even own a band saw yet and love your shows. I did, however, just buy a chainsaw for milling though. I figure I'm just learning correct information for when I do get my bandsaw.
Seeing and hearing your troubleshooting and setup pointers is awesome. My uncle passed away unexpectedly last month before he got a chance to teach me how to run the Woodmizer. He I know he crossed the million board ft many years ago, he left with decades of knowledge. The algorithm pointed me to you, and I’m so appreciative of the knowledge you’re sharing. Many thanks!
Just came across this video and liked it. Thank you for talking "Southern", that is the listening speed with distinct words and pronunciation that is easy to understand. Might irritate Yankees but those of us in the West appreciate people who are not racing to finish a sentence. Have a question, the alignment tool you used slips on the blade and I like that, could you please tell me/us where to get them? Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it and my accent! Funny story, I was in a room of Austrailans one time for business where I was giving a speech, and after a very short time, a new guy walks in the room and they all start laughing. So I ask what's going on, and they said they had to send out for "Southern American" translator because they couldn't understand a word I was saying! It was hilarious! I told then if it would help, I would talk even slower and it was a lot of fun. They were great group of guys who were a lot of fun. Anyway, the tool is available from Woodmizer for about $20 bucks.
Can’t believe you’re not over 100k… best place for all parties to learn how to saw. Series please… Merry Christmas from sweetest onion in world, vidalia, Ga.
Your tips are golden. Other channels are idiots not to memorize your information. I was chuckling a mite as you described roller and metal band maintenance. The same issues apply to wood shop band snd table saws. As a sawyer I once had the owner stop by and spray lube parts of the set-up and leave assuring me everything would work more efficiently. Of course the lubricant attracted sawdust and I had to shut down the operation to clean off all the gunk. The owner later apologized.
Some do, some don't. Many simply don't care if they are running a sawmill or a pizza oven, they are in the business of making videos, not lumber. Others have adopted many of these techniques and you may sometimes see them wearing a Hobby Hardwood hat or shirt.
I don’t own a sawmill but I love learning about it from you. I love the common-sense engineering explanations about each of the top five issues. Makes complete sense and that takes the mystery out of it. Thanks!
Yes you are correct. Joe uses coils of Woodmizer blade stock but they fit, weld, and grind the bands in house, and do a good job. Unlike most, they stress relive the weld correctly (usually), and grind it flat, so that rolls smoothly over the band rollers. The sound of a properly welded and ground band vs a "not perfect" WM band is noticeable.
Lets see 5 - 10 next. Would also like you to talk about rough sawn thickness targets and what you target for thickness after joint/plane. I would like to know if you have a rough sawn thickness guideline for really wide boards. I go 1/16 to 1/8 thicker depending the type of wood and flatsawn or rift/ quarter. Thanks.
Love your channel sir and your method of teaching/instruction is outstanding! As a Mechanical Engineer I agree that you talk pretty slowly but I attribute that more to you being just an Aerospace guy rather a southerner..😂😂
Nathan sent me and I understand why he follows you too. I just got my sawmill and I'm just starting to learn how. Any help at this point is great. This was very informative - thanks!
Yeah, I talk to Nathan several tines a week, he's a great guy. If you look at many of his videos, you can see that he wars my Hobby Hardwood hat in quite a few of them.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us . I am retired and buying my first mill . I have want to have a mill to saw lumber from trees on our farm.Harricane Helene has given us a supply of timber. I know I have a lot to learn and will be watching your videos.
BGATs are the sawyer's version of winding sticks. Thanks for being straight forward with your slow, Southern talk. It's much better than engineerese (I am fluent in both😂😂)
Yes the BGAT's are invaluable. As you know, one of the hardest things for an engineer to do is relearn how to talk like a "normal" person. Every now and then I slip up, but when I see people's eyes glaze over, I know to revert back to Alabama Hillbilly to get people to wake back up. However, being an engineer gives people like us an advantage, not only do we know what is happening, we know WHY it's happening, and that is huge when trying to improve a process or product, or explain it. Thanks for watching! Old joke "What did the one engineer say to the other?" "Nobody knows except them."
Don't run a sawmill but I am a woodworker and I enjoy your videos. You taught me some things to look at when selecting wood for my projects, so keep the info coming.
Glad to help. That is one reason I do these. My lumber buying customers watch and see how lumber is supposed to be made, as opposed to when they buy from "not so caring" sawyers.
I haven’t gotten to all of your knowledge on videos yet… In case you haven’t done one, it would be great to see how you set yours up if arriving on a new landing. Also if your setup isn’t the how you would do it again, what you’d change?
My blade guides are blocks not rollers. My blade guide arm doesn't have the ability to be rock solid I don't think. I have a Woodland Mills HM 130 Max. Thoughts?
Cooks saw mfg sells complete roller guide retro fit kits. Requires some welding but gives you all that adjustment he described. There is a good reason Cooks , Woodmizer and Timber king use roller guides
@willcoe8419 Thank you for the response. What I'm asking is, does the same rule apply in my situation with guide blocks as far as have to have a rock solid guide arm? I'm pretty sure I can't even make it rock solid.
It depends, do the blocks actually contact the band during normal operation, or are they used as "bump stops" or travel limiters? If they do not contact the band during straight and level sawing, but only if the band goes "out of bounds" then the whole load of the mill is being picked up by the bandwheels themselves during straight and level sawing, and having a clean blade would be even more important to insure proper tracking and not affect the position of the band on the crown of the wheels. If the blocks do contact the band at all times and essentially steers it, then yes, they need to be rock solid. I would be interested to see a 130 in action, interesting question. For example, a WM mill like mine as the band rollers, but then also has what are called "High Performance Blade Guides" which are about 1.5" square, postage stamp looking flat pads of hardened steel, placed about .005" inch away from the band and the only time they get used or contacted is when the band starts to not cut level and they force the band back into position, or at least keep it form getting worse. They do not need to be aligned as precisely as the band rollers. I have never seen band guides that fully contact the band that didn't need to be rigid. If not, then sawing sawing speed and accuracy will be affected. Interesting question. Either way, keep the band as clean as possible, shiney as new. Great comment.
@HobbyHardwoodAlabama Thank you for the response. The blocks are located above and below the band. There is a bearing in the rear. They are all set to be about paper width from touching the band. So, I believe that the entire load is on the crown of the wheels. I was going to "upgrade" to rollers but decided not to because I'd be fixing a problem that may not be broken. That said, the Woodland Mills sawmills are very popular among your fan base. Most of your fans, I would imagine, are running bandsaw mills at the entry level and cost under $10,000. I could send you a video if you'd like the next time I'm running my mill. Thanks again.
I gotta send you a big thank you for this video. I run a Timberking 2000 and have been having some issues with wavy cuts especially in white pine. Your tip about the adjustable guide needing to be rock solid was the answer for my problem. There was very little slop, but taking that out of the equation doubled my speed and eliminating 90% of the waves. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Robert, Thanks for the lesson in all five areas. I learn something new every time I watch your videos, especially this lesson with the build up on the blade and setting the guide rollers. Checked my mill today and their was some movement in the guide shaft on the idle side. Thanks for the informative video.
You are an excellent teacher of this stuff. You should have an ongoing "So You Want to Be a Sawyer" series. It's awesome to hear you started with a 2 stroke like many of us getting started today. I'd love to hear your thoughts on chainsaw milling. I've been studying channels like yours and Nathan's since before I had the first board cut and stickered. Running the chainsaw mill has me shopping for bandsaw mills already, but I get the feeling I'll be starting with a narrow unit, so the chainsaw mill will have to stay to keep large logs and crotches on the menu. I'd love to see what you came up with for a first cut system, as that(and good sharp milling chain) seems the foundation of making good wood with the 2 stroke beast. Great stuff as always. Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge. This yankee appreciates the cheeky attitude.
I am currently use a solar kiln. I really want to move to something more controllable. The research I have done isn't for someone who is trying to understand the process. I know you can get into the weeds really fast with drying lumber. But any knowledge you can pass on would be very helpful.
Another great video. I have a suggestion, if you haven't already taped a video describing stress in a log while you are milling it. I would like to hear what you are thinking based on the reaction of the log in each cut and what your next action will be based on the movement you see in the log. Should you keep milling as is, turn 90, or 180 based on the last cut log or how the cant is reacting on the deck after each cut. After playing around a couple of years on a manual mill, my son and I have started a portable sawmill service. We are cutting mostly SYP. Your videos have already made both of us better sawyers. But we are always wanting to get better at our craft and provide the best quality product for the customer. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with us.
I've kind of done that in some videos, but not a whole in depth video on it alone. I'm glad my videos are helping, and I will take your suggestions to heart when I make more videos. Reading the stress in a log is crucial, and becomes second nature, althogh many sawyers go their whole careers and never see the subtle but obvious clues when looking for stress. Thanks!
Every one else is to fast...😂, tomorrow om going out with my chainsaw mill and grind, i've got twenty Oak logs to cut....wish i had that LT70👍....maybe one day🌲
If you own a sawmill. This is the most important video to watch. Hands down.
Thanks!
Couldn’t agree more. I’m new to this so I’ve been all over UA-cam and the internet. This channel is by far the number one resource for one-stop knowledge. With a side of humor!
Yes, please make it a series. Your information is gold.
Thanks!
Thank you for posting your knowledge for us to learn. Just ordered a lt 40 wide. Watching your videos every morning before it shows up in 9 months. My dad’s side of the family is from Alabama.
Northerner here. You don't talk slow, I just watch you at 2x. 😂 Thanks for all the helpful videos!
Do I sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks at that speed?
Not quite. It's a little faster than people here in Wisconsin normally talk though!
You don’t talk too slow. I love your videos. They’re always informative. I have an LT 35 hydraulic and I always learn a little bit of something.
Thanks!
Keep the information coming I love the channel and think it’s the most informative sawmill channel on UA-cam!
Well, that's a great compliment! Thanks!
Funny guy. Meant that in the most positive way! Haha. I’m old and new at all this and I appreciate the advice you’re providing. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. That doesn’t mean old but those who have been at it longer. Thank you for sharing.
I appreciate that!
Appreciate your time and effort to educate us. A video of the next five would be interesting.
As a new sawyer i really find your videos where you attack a log and give your reasoning for cutting it the way you are as you go very helpful and educational.
Thanks !
Thanks for the compliments and comments!
Hey Robert, thanks for another outstanding video, can't wait to hear the next 5 things. I've been saving your sawmill videos in a file and they really are forming a curriculum for aspiring sawmill operators like myself! This is the kind of video I value the most, so much more helpful than endless footage of people running their sawmill. Thanks for taking the time to produce this kind of content!
Glad you like them!
Truly enjoy your video's, been a sawyer for a few years, I always learn something new watching. I vote for more content like this.
I'll do it, thanks!
Good stuff
Thanks! I hope at least some folks are "Yoda" commenting on your channel!
@@HobbyHardwoodAlabama they are
I'm a recent subscriber. I must say, I sincerely appreciate your educational style and last but not least, is your magnificent sense of humor!
Keep up this awesome job!
Welcome aboard! I appreciate it, I will keep making these as long as people keep watching them, or until I win the lottery.
I love finding like minded folks. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
I’m just getting started milling and I’m glad that I came across your video because it has a lot of useful information that can really help out
Great to hear! Don't forget, we are a professional sawmill, and I give out real info as if I was training an employee on how to mill wood and maintain our equipment, to our standards. No spandex and no fluff here. Thanks for the comment.
Great idea with using 2 guides for the blade alignment!
Thanks!
New to the sawmill world. Love your content, but, have a Question, hopefully i can explain the picture in my head, would it be better to have one guide tool going in one direction and the other going opposite? Just wondering about the tool twisting the blade.
Well I’m and old time northerner and didn’t piss me off, but I did learn something, great video thanks
Thanks!
Please make a video with more tips for cutting flat wood. Also please address when the cut is thick and thin
Will do!
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience! As a new sawyer I watch a lot of milling videos. Your channel is the most instruction focused channel I have found. Your content has certainly shortened my learning curve and is helping me become a better and more knowledgeable sawyer
Wow, thanks! I like to think I'm helping people, not wasting either yours or my time.
I have my 40+ year old woodmizer (one owner) and am enjoying your videos and cutting wood . . . slowly. Having fun!
That's great to hear! Thanks for watching!
Hey buddy, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. My father in law just recently passed away and now I've been trying to pickup where he left off and continue to mill wood for people. He has a Woodmizer LT40. Old style lol. There's nothing digital or electronic on this mill. He ran it 7 days a week, matter of fact about 2 years ago he put a new engine on it cause he wore the first one out. I've been having problem after problem with the mill but watching your videos is great information. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with everyone.
Sure, I hope these tips will help you. I will continue to post "real" videos of sawmill setup and adjustment.
I enjoy seeing the how to’s on working.
Thanks for watching!
Hey neighbor, I am a happily retired brain doctor in a not too far away Alabama city having a blast with my sawmill building a timber-frame mountain cabin with beams up to 8*8” hardwood beams. I think I enjoy milling the Timbers more than cutting the frames! Sawmilling is so much fun. I really enjoy your wisdom. Stay safe!
Yes, I agree, sawmilling is addicting and fun! Sounds like you are going to have a great build ahead of you!
I hear "Southern" so I understand you perfectly!
As far as types of videos, I love the ones like this. I like them all, but on these I always learn a little something.
Episode #2: items 6-10; Episode #3: items 11-15; and so on,,, Starting a series and you didn't even realize it.
Glad you like them, I feel guilty when I made the video, I never even turned the sawmill on.
😂@HobbyHardwoodAlabama 1John 3:20 When our conscience is against us.
Anything you are willing to teach is very welcome. Btw that was a drive belt tension tester.
Yes, you nailed it. Thanks for watching!
Lots of good information I'm a newbie and learning alot watching what others do. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Yes please! Make a 6-10 video
I will, Thanks for watching!
Bi golly g molly 5 stars for you again fella😊
Hey, Thanks!
I just bought a Woodmizer; it's incredible how much I need to learn, thanks,
Congratulations!
You definitely have the best explanation and tutorials on sawmill over anyone else on UA-cam. I hope you don’t buy 2x4s at a big box store. Thanks
Thanks! Full disclosure, until I get a pressure treating facility, I do buy some lumber from Lowes and Home D!
Just put some time in on my subpar mill using all the information in this video and tuned my mill into a dream to run. The two alignment tools are key.
That is great! The info I put in these videos is REAL, and I do it to help people out, and I'm glad you were successful.
Awesome! Just in time. I have an unknown brand of mill,40 years old or older. Heavily modified and still has a bunch of shortcomings. This video ticks all the boxes. Been using it about ten years with ok results but always looking for better performance. Thanks
Glad to help!
I am a new hobby sawyer. Thanks for the valuable information.
Sure, glad to help.
Good information, thank you
Glad to do it!
So enjoy your videos, even if you talk slowly, but you don't in my opinion, You have such great info and so appreciate it and the work it takes to put them together, . Just purchase a LT 15 GO , and it looks like it just rolled of the showroom floor, really. Have so much oak and cherry that blew over in a straight line wind last Sept. 2023, like maybe 35 and average size is around 30" so have my work cut,, ---out , lol , with the LT 15 for sure,. 👍👍👍👍
Thanks for commenting and have fun!
Awesome,you are helping us out....
Thanks for watching!
Yes, series! Next 5, 10 things to know!
It’ll be coming shortly!
I am extremely grateful for the wonderful information. I am going to fine-tune my mill. Gracias.
Thanks. These tips are real, and not many sawmills pass, and if yours does then Well Done. If not, fix it and then have fun sawing flatter lumber!
This is a great video! Next five please
Coming soon!
I don't have two of them blade level bar. I have just one of them and just it one at a time and measure from the bar to the bunk. i will buy one more. Thanks
It will speed things up!
We run this mill at work. I'll be shaking that arm tomorrow, Wood Yoda. 😅
Look closely for any movement, tug and rotate it hard, it should feel like it is welded on, with the band off. Thanks for watching!
Greg from northern Michigan. Great content ! Love the way you are able to talk about complex subjects in simple to understand terms for the non-engineering crowd. I was a noise and vibration test engineer for a large green tractor company working on all product lines (ag, industrial, marine, and OEM engine powertrains) and retired in 2017 with 39-1/2 years of service. As such, i can see the gears rolling over in your mind as you speak on the videos.
Engineers are trained in root cause analysis and to always look for ways to improve the overall operation and efficiency of any machine. You also excel in this area as well. Your wife is also 'top drawer' as well and a key part of your operation. What kind of engineering work did she do for NASA ? I also watch Nathan's 'Out in the Woods' UA-cam Channel as well. Take care, keep your wings level, and keep the excellevt videos coming.
Thanks! I appreciate the compliments, it means a lot to have respect from a fellow engineer, so again, Thanks! Yes, both Martha and I are retired Mechanical and Aerospace engineers, she worked at Lockheed then NASA for 30 years in Propulsion, Structures, and other stuff and had some space hardware on Hubble and even did some stuff in Antarctica. I was the Chief of the Advanced Technology Weapons Development and Integration Directorate, Fabrication and Testing branch, and worked on things, analyzing, evaluating and giving feedback to some of the biggest missile and space companies in the world, as well as even briefing and providing intelligence reports for Congress and the staff of the Secretary of Defense. If you Google my name you will find a patent or two that can be published in open literature. Nathan is a great guy, we talk or text all the time, I've known him for years. He is also one of the few UA-camrs who actually like running a sawmill, and would do it if he was filming or not. Every now and then, you will see him filming while wearing one of my Hobby Hardwood hats. He will call me up and say he was running his mill while wearing my hat and he felt like he was sawing like "Superman." He's as nice in person as he is on the videos. Just don't tell him I ever said that or he will get the big head.
As usual your lessons are golden. New sawyers who come to me get my 20 minutes of wisdom then I refer them to you.
Stan Stevens, Missouri
Thanks!
I’m still catching up on your videos so I’d bet u have already made the 6-10 video, I’ll find it, keep up the good work I’m a catching up 😅
Thanks! Actually, I never got around to it. I will next week. Or maybe the week after, or ....
Wood Yoda-- Love it!
Thanks!
Yes on the 5 to 10 things please
I will do it, thanks for commenting!
Good stuff, cut my first log on my new cooks yesterday. I really enjoy your videos. Very informative. I am guessing the belt tension has some say so also, thanks for sharing.
Hey, congratulations! Yes belt tension is crucial! Have fun sawing and dumping the sadust out of your pockets!
Your videos are the most helpful of any I have watched.
Thanks!
I don't even own a band saw yet and love your shows. I did, however, just buy a chainsaw for milling though. I figure I'm just learning correct information for when I do get my bandsaw.
I was hoping to do a chainsaw milling trick soon, on an upcoming video. I used one for years.
Seeing and hearing your troubleshooting and setup pointers is awesome.
My uncle passed away unexpectedly last month before he got a chance to teach me how to run the Woodmizer. He I know he crossed the million board ft many years ago, he left with decades of knowledge. The algorithm pointed me to you, and I’m so appreciative of the knowledge you’re sharing. Many thanks!
Thanks!
Just came across this video and liked it. Thank you for talking "Southern", that is the listening speed with distinct words and pronunciation that is easy to understand. Might irritate Yankees but those of us in the West appreciate people who are not racing to finish a sentence. Have a question, the alignment tool you used slips on the blade and I like that, could you please tell me/us where to get them? Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it and my accent! Funny story, I was in a room of Austrailans one time for business where I was giving a speech, and after a very short time, a new guy walks in the room and they all start laughing. So I ask what's going on, and they said they had to send out for "Southern American" translator because they couldn't understand a word I was saying! It was hilarious! I told then if it would help, I would talk even slower and it was a lot of fun. They were great group of guys who were a lot of fun. Anyway, the tool is available from Woodmizer for about $20 bucks.
good info sawmill Yoda. may the "forks" be with you at the project! thanks, Doc
It was a fun weekend, wasn't it? Thanks for the demos you did!
Thank you for teaching us all
Glad you found it helpful!
So much good information! Thank you for making this video and sharing your knowledge with us!
My pleasure!
Thank you for all the info and he’ll ya we want to know. Great video and info
My pleasure!
I appreciate all of the great content.
Thanks!
Dawn dish soap and water is all we use on white pine seems to work well
As long as your bands stay 100% clean, and look new, out of the box, then you are doing it right.
Can’t believe you’re not over 100k… best place for all parties to learn how to saw.
Series please… Merry Christmas from sweetest onion in world, vidalia, Ga.
Maybe one day!
thanks, really enjoy the educational value of you videos!!!
Thanks for watching!
Yes... Tips 5 thru 10
Will do it!
Want the next 5
Thanks for watching. I will do it soon!
Thank you Robert....so much great info....please keep em coming...
Will do!
Your tips are golden. Other channels are idiots not to memorize your information. I was chuckling a mite as you described roller and metal band maintenance. The same issues apply to wood shop band snd table saws. As a sawyer I once had the owner stop by and spray lube parts of the set-up and leave assuring me everything would work more efficiently. Of course the lubricant attracted sawdust and I had to shut down the operation to clean off all the gunk. The owner later apologized.
Some do, some don't. Many simply don't care if they are running a sawmill or a pizza oven, they are in the business of making videos, not lumber. Others have adopted many of these techniques and you may sometimes see them wearing a Hobby Hardwood hat or shirt.
I don’t own a sawmill but I love learning about it from you. I love the common-sense engineering explanations about each of the top five issues. Makes complete sense and that takes the mystery out of it. Thanks!
Glad you like them!
I'm confused! You said Joe Maine makes your blades, then you said that you run the Woodmizer Turbo 7.
Did I miss something in between?
Yes you are correct. Joe uses coils of Woodmizer blade stock but they fit, weld, and grind the bands in house, and do a good job. Unlike most, they stress relive the weld correctly (usually), and grind it flat, so that rolls smoothly over the band rollers. The sound of a properly welded and ground band vs a "not perfect" WM band is noticeable.
They use Woodmizer coil stock to manufacture the blades from.
Yes, please make 6 through n !
I will.
Lets see 5 - 10 next. Would also like you to talk about rough sawn thickness targets and what you target for thickness after joint/plane. I would like to know if you have a rough sawn thickness guideline for really wide boards. I go 1/16 to 1/8 thicker depending the type of wood and flatsawn or rift/ quarter. Thanks.
That's the plan! Thanks for watching!
Love your channel sir and your method of teaching/instruction is outstanding! As a Mechanical Engineer I agree that you talk pretty slowly but I attribute that more to you being just an Aerospace guy rather a southerner..😂😂
That made me laugh out loud! Good thing I'm not an Electrical Engineer, nobody could stay awake!
Nathan sent me and I understand why he follows you too. I just got my sawmill and I'm just starting to learn how. Any help at this point is great. This was very informative - thanks!
Yeah, I talk to Nathan several tines a week, he's a great guy. If you look at many of his videos, you can see that he wars my Hobby Hardwood hat in quite a few of them.
Don't have a saw mill, but I think I'll try that cotton picker spindle cleaner on my saw chains when I service and sharpen. Thanks!
Sounds good!
Yes sir!!
GOOD JOB!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us . I am retired and buying my first mill . I have want to have a mill to saw lumber from trees on our farm.Harricane Helene has given us a supply of timber. I know I have a lot to learn and will be watching your videos.
Thanks! Sawmilling is fun, you will enjoy it.
I enjoyed your video and would love to see the next 5 things I need to know. I just purchased a sawmill
Coming soon!
BGATs are the sawyer's version of winding sticks. Thanks for being straight forward with your slow, Southern talk. It's much better than engineerese (I am fluent in both😂😂)
Yes the BGAT's are invaluable. As you know, one of the hardest things for an engineer to do is relearn how to talk like a "normal" person. Every now and then I slip up, but when I see people's eyes glaze over, I know to revert back to Alabama Hillbilly to get people to wake back up. However, being an engineer gives people like us an advantage, not only do we know what is happening, we know WHY it's happening, and that is huge when trying to improve a process or product, or explain it. Thanks for watching! Old joke "What did the one engineer say to the other?" "Nobody knows except them."
Thanks that was one of the most informative sawmilling videos ive seen yet that looged like a tension guage in the end there
Yes, a drive belt tension tool.
Don't run a sawmill but I am a woodworker and I enjoy your videos. You taught me some things to look at when selecting wood for my projects, so keep the info coming.
Glad to help. That is one reason I do these. My lumber buying customers watch and see how lumber is supposed to be made, as opposed to when they buy from "not so caring" sawyers.
Thank you for the info! I run a LT 40 super hydraulic wide head in your videos are beneficial to me
Glad to help
Always enjoy your videos. They are very entertaining and informative. That little tool at number 7 looks similar to a drive belt tension gauge lol.
Yes, you nailed it! Thanks for commenting and watching!
Thank you for your help 🙏
You're welcome 😊
Learn something every time 👍👍👍
That's great, thanks for watching!
Great info for a newbee
Thnaks!
Your info is appreciated. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Great video as always!
This should be required viewing for anyone buying a sawmill.
Thanks! Tell that to Woodmizer and the others!
That's very helpful information.
Glad to hear that!
Ek het vandag baie geleer. Baie dankie
Nie te dankie
Wood Yada for sure gracias
Thanks!
Thanks that was so good. Real good usable info.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I haven’t gotten to all of your knowledge on videos yet… In case you haven’t done one, it would be great to see how you set yours up if arriving on a new landing. Also if your setup isn’t the how you would do it again, what you’d change?
Yes, that sound like a good idea.
What part of Alabama are you in?
Good tips, Robert! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
Thanks!
Yes I went to know
Will do!
Great information I appreciate it and would like to come visit your operation, and Yoda says HI.
Sounds good!
My blade guides are blocks not rollers. My blade guide arm doesn't have the ability to be rock solid I don't think. I have a Woodland Mills HM 130 Max. Thoughts?
Same here...❤
Cooks saw mfg sells complete roller guide retro fit kits. Requires some welding but gives you all that adjustment he described. There is a good reason Cooks , Woodmizer and Timber king use roller guides
@willcoe8419 Thank you for the response. What I'm asking is, does the same rule apply in my situation with guide blocks as far as have to have a rock solid guide arm? I'm pretty sure I can't even make it rock solid.
It depends, do the blocks actually contact the band during normal operation, or are they used as "bump stops" or travel limiters? If they do not contact the band during straight and level sawing, but only if the band goes "out of bounds" then the whole load of the mill is being picked up by the bandwheels themselves during straight and level sawing, and having a clean blade would be even more important to insure proper tracking and not affect the position of the band on the crown of the wheels. If the blocks do contact the band at all times and essentially steers it, then yes, they need to be rock solid. I would be interested to see a 130 in action, interesting question. For example, a WM mill like mine as the band rollers, but then also has what are called "High Performance Blade Guides" which are about 1.5" square, postage stamp looking flat pads of hardened steel, placed about .005" inch away from the band and the only time they get used or contacted is when the band starts to not cut level and they force the band back into position, or at least keep it form getting worse. They do not need to be aligned as precisely as the band rollers. I have never seen band guides that fully contact the band that didn't need to be rigid. If not, then sawing sawing speed and accuracy will be affected. Interesting question. Either way, keep the band as clean as possible, shiney as new. Great comment.
@HobbyHardwoodAlabama Thank you for the response. The blocks are located above and below the band. There is a bearing in the rear. They are all set to be about paper width from touching the band. So, I believe that the entire load is on the crown of the wheels. I was going to "upgrade" to rollers but decided not to because I'd be fixing a problem that may not be broken. That said, the Woodland Mills sawmills are very popular among your fan base. Most of your fans, I would imagine, are running bandsaw mills at the entry level and cost under $10,000. I could send you a video if you'd like the next time I'm running my mill. Thanks again.
I gotta send you a big thank you for this video. I run a Timberking 2000 and have been having some issues with wavy cuts especially in white pine.
Your tip about the adjustable guide needing to be rock solid was the answer for my problem. There was very little slop, but taking that out of the equation doubled my speed and eliminating 90% of the waves.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Glad I could help!
Robert, Thanks for the lesson in all five areas. I learn something new every time I watch your videos, especially this lesson with the build up on the blade and setting the guide rollers. Checked my mill today and their was some movement in the guide shaft on the idle side. Thanks for the informative video.
That’s great! I’m glad the video was helpful!
You are an excellent teacher of this stuff. You should have an ongoing "So You Want to Be a Sawyer" series. It's awesome to hear you started with a 2 stroke like many of us getting started today. I'd love to hear your thoughts on chainsaw milling. I've been studying channels like yours and Nathan's since before I had the first board cut and stickered. Running the chainsaw mill has me shopping for bandsaw mills already, but I get the feeling I'll be starting with a narrow unit, so the chainsaw mill will have to stay to keep large logs and crotches on the menu. I'd love to see what you came up with for a first cut system, as that(and good sharp milling chain) seems the foundation of making good wood with the 2 stroke beast. Great stuff as always. Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge. This yankee appreciates the cheeky attitude.
I will do a chainsaw milling How To, I have done some things I haven't seen on the Tube to make it easier. Great comment!
I am currently use a solar kiln. I really want to move to something more controllable. The research I have done isn't for someone who is trying to understand the process. I know you can get into the weeds really fast with drying lumber. But any knowledge you can pass on would be very helpful.
You are correct, and there is lots of snake oil and bogus information out on the web.
Another great video. I have a suggestion, if you haven't already taped a video describing stress in a log while you are milling it. I would like to hear what you are thinking based on the reaction of the log in each cut and what your next action will be based on the movement you see in the log. Should you keep milling as is, turn 90, or 180 based on the last cut log or how the cant is reacting on the deck after each cut.
After playing around a couple of years on a manual mill, my son and I have started a portable sawmill service. We are cutting mostly SYP. Your videos have already made both of us better sawyers. But we are always wanting to get better at our craft and provide the best quality product for the customer. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with us.
I've kind of done that in some videos, but not a whole in depth video on it alone. I'm glad my videos are helping, and I will take your suggestions to heart when I make more videos. Reading the stress in a log is crucial, and becomes second nature, althogh many sawyers go their whole careers and never see the subtle but obvious clues when looking for stress. Thanks!
I use a magnetic torpedo level to tell if the blade is level side to side and forward back
Yes that will work fine as long as its weight doesn't induce twist or deflection in the band. Thanks for watching!
Very nice. I like knowing how to take care of equipment.
Yes, it will perform better and last longer.
great video. Keep the tips coming for all us non-engineers Mr. Wood Yoda
Thanks, will do!
Every one else is to fast...😂, tomorrow om going out with my chainsaw mill and grind, i've got twenty Oak logs to cut....wish i had that LT70👍....maybe one day🌲
Hey, I started with a chainsaw mill. I'm going to do a video on it before long. My hat's off to all the chainsawers out there! Keep on grinding!
@HobbyHardwoodAlabama these answers and comments are just as fun as your vids😎🌲👍