Peter, thanks for the reply the bandsaw I was looking at was like your first pic and cost about 3 grand, how do they preform on hardwood do you know? love the swing mill what would an entry level unit cost me? I would be fine with 6 in boards, any idea how these perform on hard wood? Did you check out the link for the solar kiln? sounds really good it says it will dry 2000bf in 30 days down to 8 or 9%. I appreciate your response to my questions because I seriously think i may go this way simply because two or three trees would give me a lot of expensive lumber over the a few years the thing would pay for its self, and for an added bonus my father in law is a farmer big flat bed trailers and big tractors a couple with bucket loaders a big bonus to move the trunks around with and plenty of storage
Colin.
Lucasmill prices start at $8250. I notice VERY little difference between softwood and hardwood on the Lucasmill. Cuts anything like butter. The bandmill is much slower on hardwoods. Of course, the Oscar 18 is only 5.5hp and the Lucasmill is 13hp. Both are considered entry-level units. I also have the slabbing attachment for the Lucasmill. It's basically a 50" chainsaw bar that allows slabbing wide logs up to 50" wide and 6" thick. As with any chainsaw ripping equipment, it's slow, but a heck of alot easier to operate than an Alaskan mill attachment.
A manual bandmill like mine is fine for the hobbyist, but you can't get any real production out of it. Keep in mind the capacity, though. While it can handle a 16" log, that's assuming it's a ruler-straight 16" log. Any crook or bend will reduce the size of log that fits on the mill. If you go with a bandmill, I would suggest something bigger (i.e. Oscar 28).
Yes, I have done some research on solar kilns. I prefer automating the whole process with a DH unit. More control over the final product and alot faster. Drying hardwoods can get very tricky if one wants to reduce drying defects.
Concerning Dan's comment on milling be hard work: The actual milling process is easy. It's all the pre- and post- production work that's a bear. Hauling/moving the logs, turning the logs on the mill, tailing the boards, stickering, moving, drying, moving again, dealing with the scabs, cleaning up the MOUNDS of sawdust, etc.
Check out the video on the Lucasmill:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KuxVre4WJeU