Honest Review of the Frontier OS27
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- Опубліковано 8 лис 2021
- After owning the Frontier OS27 sawmill for 1 year I give you my honest review of the mill. Hope you enjoy the video.
My Instagram account where I share my wood projects.
/ bigelowwoodcraft
website
bigelowwoodcraft.com
email
bigelowwoodcraft@gmail.com
Such a great video and presentation. So grateful that I found your channel. Thank You!
Darrin, thank you for the kind words.
Thank you for the review Jerry. Every mill is going to have it's goods and not so goods. I purchased a Woodland Mills HM 126 in May got it in mid August. Got sick with the virus. That took awhile. Then your strength gets zapped. My respiratory is what bothers me every day. But my wife and I have milled 3 logs. We both enjoy it. The surprise you get when you cut into a log is so exciting with some of themes designs. We have gotten several boards. I like the woodland very much so far. Enough about me. Jerry I enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing. Iowa cares. :)
Gene sorry about the late response. Didn't see it come through. Hope you're up to speed soon after the virus. That's a great mill everything I've seen. Happy milling and happy holidays.
Thank you for your honest opinion about your frontier mill. I’m think about getting a mill and I like the Frontier mills and the wood mixer too.
Thank you. I'll do another at the 2 year mark this fall. I'm still really happy with it. It's very easy to modify to make it better. It's a good mill. Thanks for watching
Great video! Tons of helpful information. I just purchased the OS27 trailer pkg from Andrew today. Took weeks to get Frontier to respond, but Andrew could not have been more helpful. Thanks again for posting this video and I may shoot you an email later about pricing a job. -TJ
Congratulations on your new mill. Andrew did me well. Anything I can help you with let me know.
Loved the review. I'll be purchasing one soon. I went ahead and subscribed, You4 channel looks like you've got some interesting stuff out there.
Than you. And you will love the mill. Please keep me informed on how it goes.
Great video Jerry. I purchased the same mill about 5 years ago, except not the trailer package. I too have similar issues, with the bunk paint wearing out. although my unit is totally under cover, that was the first thing we built, a 30x15 pole barn. I've re-painted them with POR-15, that is available in safety yellow, make sure you get the top coat one other wise the UV light will make it gray. Like you said too it took some time to prep up, and maintenance is a constant issue, making sure everything is level and plumb for good quality lumber. The only big issue I have is the water tank, specifically the drip control valve, had to rig a different one up, because theirs just isn't or wasn't that good for me, either it was full blast or nothing. even put an inline filter on it, didn't help much. anyway I've milled about 20k board feet with mine, still impressed after all these years. I'm in upstate NY, we've never run it in winter, looking forward to spring when we can get back to cutting. stay safe and god bless America.
This is all good to know. After 5 years and still enjoying the mill is a testament to the mill itself. Thank you for watching.
Thanks for the review. Keep it up.
Thanks Nick. Have a great weekend.
Hi Jerry, great video! You should mount the autolube kit on the mill, I have a Norwood LM29 and put it on mine about 2 years ago and absolutely wouldn't want to be without it! It is one less thing to forget. Thanks for the informed review of your mill you use it and it shows, maintenance is key on any piece of machinery (Thankfully as it keeps us millwrights employed!! LOL) Thanks again for a great video from Cape Breton Nova Scotia Canada!
Thank you James. I still have not mounted and not sure if I ever will. I know many like it. I may mount it one day. I've been to Nova Scotia once in my life and really enjoyed it. Beautiful country side. Thanks for supporting the channel.
Jerry: Thanks for taking the time to give this review! Seems not much agitates you! There was a lot of modifications you brought up that would make this a much better machine! The Frontier Co. would be well advised to heed the recommendations that customers come up with that are simple but wise ideas! The best was the oak chips behind the guide wheels to clean the saw dust off the track before it compacts and moves the blade out of track! Simple but ingenious! I am 75 and a retired automobile restoration technician. I always said ,along with countless thousands of mechanics that the the design “engineers” that dream up all these wondrous machines and tool that we use should spend several years out in the field that they endeavor to design their visions! Necessity is the mother of invention as they say! I enjoyed the run down on the Frontier portable Sawmills! I’ve looked at a lot of You tube videos on portable saw mills! The price point on these and how they are put together puts it as a contender! Thanks again , regards! M.M.S.
Thank you for the kind words. Thank you for your support.
Thanks you very much. Expertly done
Thank you for watching.
Good review Jerry. I have a Woodland mills 130 Max ( only 4 Months) The Bunks look almost Identical. The paint is already Flaking off the inside. Woodland does come with the Stainless bunk covers. The Log stops look the same as well. I cut a lot of Pine and find that bigger logs hang up or rips out some bark or wood when turning the log. I find it helps if I pull the log back from the stops then turn the log. I am looking at adding some bearings to correct this. My covers swing out rather than open up .I like the swinging out, I think it gives me better access to the Blade and Belts. I removed the yellow Blade guard from the adjustable Blade Guide. I had a Issue with it staying in the guide slot under the wheel and the Blade hit it several times. I have a 14 .5 Kohler Command Pro Engine. I would like to see them offer a Honda or Kawasaki option. I do have electric start and it also has a manual pull if needed. The price had increased just before I purchased mine and I did not go with the trailer package. with shipping, rail extension, 10 Blades, spare parts kit , I have around $ 5,700. At the moment I have mine mounted on a 18' equipment Trailer. It has it's Pros and Cons . Once I finish the concrete work in the Pole barn , I will probably set it up on the ground with a elevation a few inches lower that the trailer. I figure this Mill will pay for its self once I am done framing and covering the walls of my 40 x 60 Pole barn. I'm cutting my own trees so I have no cost in the wood. Like you I have found things I like and don't like and have some Things I will self upgrade. Like your videos keep up the good work. Derek
Thank you Derek. I follow Sawing with Sandy and almost bought the woodland mill also. It appears to be a great mill. Stay safe. Thanks for watching.
You did good job on video pops
Thanks
My OS27 has the electric start option for the 13 1/2 hp motor. The water lube system on the newer ones have a sliding clamp that opens with the throttle and closes when you turn loose of the throttle. I also put three sections together and built a 21' 4'' trailer out of used commercial bar joists. I support the 4 corners with 5,000 lb scissors jacks for travel trailers. I dealt with Andrew as well, but have never had to contact them for anything yet. Totally satisfied with the machine myself. I started with mine around October last year and the bunks paint is beginning to fail as well. I have some stainless and a brake to bend them. I may do that as well. And like you say, there are things that could be addressed. Great rundown of the mills performance for the first year Jerry !!
I do have the auto lube but never put it on. I'm happy as well with the mill. What maintenance there has been has been cheap.
I ended up getting the Woodland mills hm126 based on the reviews. Seemed like the woodland mills are better quality and they have better customer support. Now 2 years latter I can't complain. Frontier mill was going to be my second choice.
Absolutely. If the mill cuts straight and is dependable you have a winner. I've never used one but my friend down the road has a woodland Mills 126 and he loves it. It's a great little machine. Happy milling and stay safe. We like all people who have Mills lol. Thanks for commenting and watching.
I bought a os31. Had no problem getting them to call me back. I have not received it yet, I’ll let you know how the end product turns out. Thanks for the time you put in the video, happy milling!!
You will live that mill. I wish I went with the 31. I have a lot of trees right at 26 27 and the mill is maxed.
Did you get it and are you happy
I just ordered a Os27 been reviewing them for awhile now . 16 to 20 weeks for delivery but thats ok with me now that I have seen this review . I believe the quality of this mill is worth the wait . The price is also the best for what I'm getting . And I would rather buy from Canada then China anyday . So thanks for your video it will make my wait easier .
I'm extremely happy with the mill. You will enjoy it. Thanks for watching.
I’m putting mine together this weekend can’t wait
Did you get it and what you think
Best thing you can do with that blade guard is pitch it. Cut them slates out of the dust chute and drill a 2" hole in the bottom of the gaurd on the opposite side and below the belt pully and you will never have to stop to remove dust. I welded my tracks together and made solid. As with any of these mills, you can make it better. With bolted together construction, it will only be so strong. Weld the track system together with a little extra bracing and it will be as strong as the more expensive machines. You can compare all these machines but eventually they all have weaknesses. Do not be afraid to cut a new machine apart to make it better.
I've been really considering welding it together. That just might happen this winter. Thanks for watching
I ordered one last December. They said it would take 8 weeks. It is now 18 weeks. All they say is that it is on the way.
Sorry to hear that. Which model did you get? You will be happy when you get it.
Jerry, you were talking about painting or repainting some of the parts on your mill. I have found the perfect or near perfect match for the paint
Its Rust-Oleum painters touch. 2x Ultra Cover paint and primer. Its gloss Marigold. I've used it on mine and can't see where the original stops and the Rust- Oleum starts.
That's great. Thank you
Thanks for sharing your experience 👍.
How is the lumber quality, are they nice and straight? If you feel like doing a video on this, i would be interested in seeing the lumber produced, layed down at a perfectly levelled (probably concrete)floor.
I'm pretty happy with the mill. It's straight as long as you have a sharp blade. I have some videos describing good lumber and bad lumber I've milled. Hope that helps.
You can find the roller blade guides on line. They don’t wear and they don’t cause friction on your blade. They are very easy to set and the blade won’t ever wobble on you.
I was actually looking the other day at the cooks roller guides. What brand would you suggest
Excellent review. I know it was done a while ago, do you still have a good opinion on Os27? I'm seriously thinking of ordering shortly. Would you recommend auto lube with throttling up? On sale now for 3100 ,seems like a heck of a deal if they're as good as your saying.
Thanks Steve Johnson
Steve I'm extremely pleased with this sawmill. It's a homeowners mill that has treated me very well. I've done a lot of modifications. I bought the auto lube and never installed it. I still have it. If you buy one tell frontier you saw it on my channel. They probably never heard of me but who knows maybe they would scratch my back lol. If you do buy one let me know and I'll send you my auto lube for free.
I have had the OS23 (no trailer) for 2 yrs. Same mill as the OS27 with a smaller engine. Delivered it cost me about $2,700. I too found it not hard to assemble but it took me just over a day. I have enjoyed using my mill for personal use only. I recently just had to replace my clutch which I got from Norwood. How would you know how to order this from some other vendor?
Was there any markings on the clutch? I'm guessing if not there would be an equivalent available...good question. Thanks for watching. Safe milling.
all the improvements cost money, how expensive a mill did you buy? I agree, many things could be better. Your Log stop brackets you have bolts to align the log stop for square. build some 5/16" thick clamp plates to use as a vice jaw on the inside of the bunk tube. The increased area would fix your log stop post movement problem. Also have you ever checked the alignment of all the log stop posts end to end? All improvements cost money time costs money so everything you can improve is a feather in your cap. good vid!
That's a good idea about the clamps. The Frontier mills are not that expensive hence the minimums to get the job done. I've got my mill in the shop now. I'll have to check the log stop linear alignment. I'm currently building and installing a possible big improvement on the mill. Thanks for watching.
Why does my mill shake while I'm milling a log ? It's all clean .no build up
Martha, there are a few reasons. Often when I'm at the very highest the mill can cut I'll get shaking as well. As it gets lower mine smoothes out. It is compounded when the blade is bad or dull. Another reason could be an insecure log. Also the finale thing I've heard people talk about is the bolts loosening up on the carriage uprights. Hope this helps.
Those track are laser cut for acuracy
They probably are.
Took me about the same amout of time . Where was the dealer located
Oh gosh. I know the company is in Canada but I believe I called a place in New York when I ordered it. I wish I could confirm that right now with you. Thanks for the question.
I will check i had. A good. Mennonite built mill i sold and have kicked my self ever since
I use a leaf blower to clean my mill
I do it at times as well. Keep the machines clean. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Buying either. A woodland ot a frontier
Had one i got here in alberta from princess auto simalar to ur harbour freight i returned it a day Ago
@@wilmamcdermott3065 either one... You will love it.
OS27 is listed on their website for $3470 with recoil starter. So why did you pay so much? What's the hidden charges?
I bought the trailer package.
Ahhh, I see. I was assuming it came with that. Makes sense. Thanks for your reply!
Been watching the video and..........SQUIRREL!!
I get squirreled a lot lol. Thanks for watching
i have called andrew 4 times left messages no call back im done with them also, have figured out how to get bearings and belts from napa and blades from cooks but i like my mill very much ,customer service sucks
Dang so sorry to hear that.
Price
I have a bit over 5K in everything including the trailer frame. I'm not sure what their current prices are.
it looks like its cheaply made and could be a lot of trouble after awhile of use
I hope you're wrong
They NEVER answer there phones...done with them, next bigger mill Woodland they answer the phones Always
I've been hearing that. It's not been my experience but I've not called lately. They must be understaffed tremendously. It wasn't like that when I was purchasing. You'll enjoy your woodland mill. Thanks for watching.
Same here bin trying for 3 weeks. Call woodland at 11 an 10 min had everything ready for me customer service is very important
Dang Gerry, I'm really sad to hear this. I think I'll give them a call and see how it goes for me.
Can U believe that 8 foot 2by 6 is $11. at HD as of yesterday. ? Really. What a ripoff.7--20-22
That's actually cheaper than I thought. Our lumber yard in town was selling 2x4x8 for 10$
@@BigelowWoodcraft Shocking. And Canadian lumber should be cheaper because the C$ is down compared to the US D.Lots of framing lumber is Canadian. Boards are US. The Canadians bought the Big Framing lumber mill in the Dixfield Me area. Lots of US logs go north to CANADA.
I did not know that. Thank you
goud job!!
Thank you.
Thanks for the info. Good video.
Thank you sir.