What would be the benefits of owning a handheld mill?

Sawyers around the world are using their mills to earn money. Owning a sawmill means you can give downed trees a purpose. Arborists and tree removal services can provide cheap or even free logs for your mill. Sawyers have the control to make unique boards not sold in stores.

How much does it cost to mill lumber?

The most stable or secure method for pricing for the mill owner is a flat, hourly rate. Rates vary from location to location and range from $65 to $105 per hour plus extra charges for travel, broken blades, etc. Pricing on an hourly basis transfers all of the risk of daily output to the customer.

Is there money in owning a sawmill?

There will be highs and lows in any business, and if profit is the only objective then owners will be unable to be satisfied with their work during those low moments. Owning a sawmill can be a big earner, but it takes a lot of work to operate to its fullest capacity.

Is milling wood worth it?

Milling your own lumber can produce quality material for a fraction of the price of a lumber dealer. In fact, if you purchase your own mill, like I have, you can actually make a profit off of it by selling lumber to other woodworkers and by offering to mill other people’s logs.

Does it pay to mill your own lumber?

What is rough sawn red oak worth?

Re: What is a good asking price for sawn red oak My prices for rough sawn, air dried red oak are $1.50 for #2, $2.00 for #1, and $2.50 for select grade.

Is it economical to mill your own lumber?

In the end, only you can decide if milling lumber from your own property is worth it. Because every job is different, we can not tell you the actual amount of money you would save or not save. Generally, it costs 5-10\% more to have your lumber milled on-site.

How much does a portable sawmill cost?

Portable sawmills are generally priced from $3,000 to $10,000. If you want a heavier-duty portable sawmill with a hydraulic feeder system, you may be pushing $40,000 to $70,000. Pricier options can come with a conveyor and transfer table and are more like a mini industrial mill.

Should you harvest your own lumber for your saw mill?

They trickle through the mail every few months: glossy brochures for portable saw mills that leave a woodworker wondering. Ironically, the appeal of harvesting one’s own lumber has little to do with economics. Access to new species and cuts (quartersawn, rift) is probably No. 1 on most woodworkers’ lists.

Do you need a stationary or portable sawmill for log processing?

Some business owners may require a stationary mill to process big logs. With both portable and stationary sawmills, you load the log yourself unless you have a feeder system. Industrial sawmills are used in commercial facilities to produce a range of consumer products, whereas portable mills are more for hobbyists.

What is the difference between a sawmill and an industrial sawmill?

Some commercial mills have two to four stations set up for log processing. Industrial sawmills are also designed to process large logs that a portable sawmill couldn’t handle. For example, industrial band saws use blades that are typically 4 to 14 inches wide, whereas portable sawmill blades are around 2 inches wide.