Sawmilling in my blood

The Oscar 28 band sawmill is working good, the log pile is shrinking and the lumber pile is growing. With just a little gas and my time I have become even a bit more self sufficient. This mill is not a "commercial" mill, but just a hobby model, but just the same it works well with little waste. I'm learning a few tricks to get a better product and to get it a bit faster. I have a "sawmill mentor" so I feel like I'm learning fast. To be honest, I'm not a sawmill rookie. I'm a 3rd generation sawyer and I cut my teeth in the family mill that Dad ran commercially from 1972 until 1979. I guess that taught me that mill work is dangerous, hard and dirty. You sweat, you get cut, you get tired. I learned to watch out for the moving parts, you keep your curious fingers out of belts and saws alike. The main problem with the average "hobby mill" operator is that hard work is not something they know. If you can't lift slabs, turn logs, roll beams and love it, you should collect stamps for your hobby. The main advantage to having Oscar in the barnyard is that the logs come direct from our woodlot to the mill thanks to the old Farmall C. The slabs go directly into the sugarhouse and the sawdust, although very little, will go directly into the barn for winter bedding. The lumber is being stuck nearby to dry, or loaded directly onto the 1953 GMC rack body truck for a short trip to the next project. Overall, I like the process.

Dad's mill has taught me how it can be done when you are serious about production.

Farmall C resting under winter's blanket.