The lower production of the swing mill does not necessarily bother me as any production advantage of the band mill is overshadowed by what the many head mills in the area can do anyway. If you can work with a swing mill owner and a band mill owner – maybe just helping out on one of his jobs, you’ll get a quick feel for what you like and need. I own a band mill that I built, but am considering building a swing mill as well.
From contributor E: I have a band mill and would take a swing blade any day. “What a Lucas and other swing mills will do better than bandmills is cut big logs without having to first cut them smaller! The only other common choice for big logs are dimension mills, which cost at least twice as much. I’ve got five 45+” logs right now and don’t know of any band mill that I could afford that can cut them. This, in my opinion, makes the swing blade mills more complete machines.
Log size – The mills really shine when you get to cut big logs. You can cut small logs as well, but you loose the advantage over a bandmill and you need to give some thought to the log bunks and some sort of clamping. The mills work like they say they do, how you set up your business and get customers is up to you though.
I’ve started this thread in response to a request from phill-nz who was wondering why the bandsaw is not well received in New Zealand and asked if I could identify the pros and cons for each type of saw. The two types are the horizontal bandsaw and the circular swingblade saw. Typically the style of mill for the bandsaw would be the Woodmizer and for the swingsaw the Lucas.
Swing Blade technology works similar to band sawmills in that a movable head travels along a track to cut a stationary log. Production on swing blade sawmills seems to outpace similar sized band sawmills most of the time. The circular blade on a swing blade mill has carbide teeth, so it will stay sharp longer and can be sharpened without removing the blade from the mill.
bandsaw vs swing blade Related Question:
Who makes swing blade sawmills?
The circular swing-blade portable sawmill has been Lucas Mill’s flagship product for over 23 years. These machines are designed to suit the harvesting of both hard and soft timber species, and can be operated on any terrain.
Is a bandsaw mill worth it?
A portable sawmill can be worth the investment. It can provide a source of wood for your own projects and give you a side business. For a source of lumber, as well as a profitable business, a portable sawmill can be a key piece of equipment on your farm.
How long does a bandsaw blade last on a sawmill?
On average your bandsaw blade should last 6 months to as long as a few years depending on what your cutting with it. Make sure to match your blade strength and quality to the project and material your cutting.
How much is a swing blade sawmill?
Swing blade mill prices can range from $6,000 to $40,000 depending on the model and options you choose and they retain their value very well. You can expect to sell a well maintained used mill for anywhere between 70% and 90% of its original price.
What is a swing blade?
A swingblade sawmill utilizes a single circular sawblade which pivots about a 90 degree point, to saw in both vertical and horizontal planes. The single blade travels horizontally in one direction down the log, and returns in vertical position, thus removing a sawn piece of timber.
Do dead trees make good lumber?
Yep, it’s worth it. If you sell the wood, you will have to find or create a market. Most that I have sawed has been treated and the bugs killed. Buyers will want to be assured that the wood is bug free.
Is owning a sawmill profitable?
It’s true that owning a sawmill can be a very lucrative business venture, and in the right circumstances it is not only possible but very likely to earn you a significant profit on a regular basis. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that building a business with only profit in mind is not sustainable in the long term.
Will a sawmill pay for itself?
Re: Sawmill – Paying for Itself Yes, you can do that and pay for the mill. The length of time will depend on how much you spend initially. If you can cut and dry special or unusual stuff that people cannot buy at the lumber store, that will bring you customers.
Can you cut logs with a band saw?
In addition, the blade should be as wide as your band saw will allow and have 2-3 teeth per inch. This way, the blade will cut straight without bogging down. Simple Sled. Before you cancsaw the log into boards you need to create a flat surface to ride on the saw table.
Are bandsaw blades worth sharpening?
Since a carbide-tipped bandsaw blade will cost well over $100, spending a third of the cost of the blade (or more) to get it sharp and working like new again can make financial sense. However the majority of bandsaw blades, the Wood Slicer included, are not worth spending money to have sharpened.
Why do bandsaw blades break?
Machine Defects Even the best blades can fail if there is something else wrong with your bandsaw, and even a small misalignment of bearings or guides can put a twist in the blade as it goes around. Resulting in tension being applied in all the wrong ways which will lead to early breakage.
Can a bandsaw blade be sharpened?
If you’re looking to sharpen your band saw blade, you have two options: manually sharpen the blade yourself or use a mechanical sharpening machine.
What is a swing saw used for?
A swing saw is used for cross cutting wood in a sawmill, or for cutting ice off of a frozen body of waters. The saw is hung on a swinging arm, sometimes with a counterbalance weight.
What is a twin blade saw used for?
A dual blade saw is all about control. With it, you can cut forward, cut backward, cut up, or cut down. Kickback is not entirely eliminated but it is greatly reduced. Additionally, a twin blade saw delivers a cleaner, sharper cut than single blade saws, even when fitted with toothy blades.
Can standing dead trees be used for lumber?
Dead and dying trees can be milled for lumber, but it has to be done within about two years before they rot or become infested with insects.