These are the most common questions my customers ask me. If you have any other questions, please email me at cbmilling@aol.com
Why mill your own trees?
There are many benefits to milling your own trees. I can cut 2x4s and 2x6s cheaper than you can buy them, and they are a much better grade than what you get from lumber yards or home improvement stores. If you are thinking of having a tree taken down, milling can turn your logs into lumber that is more useful than firewood or mulch. If you have already had logging done on your property, I can help you salvage any pieces left over that were too small for the big mills to process.
What costs are involved?
LT50 Portable Mill – The cost to bring out my LT50 is $100 per hour. There are no setup or travel fees for moving the mill (minimum 4 hours milling). Damage to the blade from nails or other foreign objects is $25 per blade. Cutting capacity is 36″ diameter, 20′ long.
WM1000 in Cottage Grove, Oregon – To have me mill your wood at my stationary mill is $200 per hour, with a $75 minimum charge for quick jobs. Damage to the blade from nails or other foreign objects is $100 per blade. Cutting capacity is 67″ wide, 23′ long.
Are my trees worth cutting?
To be a good candidate for milling, a tree needs the lowest branches to begin above where an average person can reach. This will allow for longer boards to be cut. But if you are cutting for sentimental purposes, or for figured hardwood, there is nothing too short or too small.
Another consideration is the area around the tree to be cut. The milling site needs to be flat ground about 30 feet long, and wide enough for a truck. The mill loads from the driver’s side.
What kind of boards are produced?
Generally, for logs with a diameter of 12 to 20 inches, you will get one 2×6 for every inch of diameter. There are several cut types that can be used to provide you with either the most lumber or highest quality lumber from your logs.
What different types of cuts produce
Hardwood is sawn in 1/4″ increments, with an additional 1/8″ added to allow for shrinkage. For example, a 4/4 (“four-quarters”) board is actually 1 1/8″ thick.
Here are some common ways that the different thicknesses are used.
- 4/4 – Cabinet stock, Flooring, Furniture, Molding
- 5/4 – Desktops, Tabletops, Stair Treads
- 6/4 – Tabletops, Stair Treads, Desk Doors
- 8/4 – Handrails, Tables, Benches, Doors
- 12/4 and 16/4 – Mantle, Heavy Benches, Turning stock
Hardwood board sizes are different than softwood board sizes. Softwoods are cut to specific widths, like 4″, 6″, 8″, etc., whereas hardwoods are cut to random widths like 4 3/4″, 5″, 6 1/2″, 10 1/8″, etc.
How long is the milling process?
I can cut an average of 200 bf/hr (board-foot per hour) of 1″ material, or 500 bf/hr of material 2″ or thicker. Set up and take down of the mill takes about 10 minutes.
How should I stack my wood for drying?
Other Questions? Please send me an email at cbmilling@aol.com