How much to mill oak

[woodworm]

Hi all,

I have an piece of oak, felled today, gun barrell straight, about 330mm top diameter and 3.6m long. How much should I expect to pay someone to cut a couple of 150mm x 125mm beams and a couple of 150mm x 50mm planks from it. I will deliver to site and wait while its done. Roughly how long would it take to do?

Your opinions and help would be appreciated.

Mike

[slack ma girdle]

If you are getting it milled in-situ it will only take a couple of hours, so it will be their hourly rate x2. Or buy yourself a chainsaw mill and do it yourself !

[agg221]

In my experience, prices vary widely.

 

Note that there's a bit more timber there than you're asking for out of it - you could get 2x beams and 3x planks of the dimensions you're talking about, and it might be worth skimming a couple more planks off the sides at say 4x2.

 

You should be able to get it milled easily in 2hrs by someone with a small bandmill who knows what they're doing and works out an efficient cutting sequence. Take that up to half a day for someone who doesn't.

 

I've seen day rates of £350 and hourly rates of £40 lately, so that gives you a range of about £80 to £175.

 

The above figures assume you don't value your time of course - if you do, then you might want to consider bringing someone to site to do it. You'll have their travel time to add rather than yours, so it depends how far they're coming, but will save loading/unloading time, and can take it straight to where you want to stack it after milling.

 

I wouldn't do this one with a chainsaw mill myself - it would be too inefficient.

 

Whereabouts in Norfolk are you?

 

Alec

Edited June 17, 2011 by agg221

[Rob D]

For what you want a Peterson mill or Lucas would be best.

 

If you brought it to my yard I'd mill the bits you wanted for £100-00 and any offcuts I get to keep for firewood!

 

But I expect I'm a way away from you!

[woodworm]

Whereabouts in Norfolk are you?

 

I am at Thetford. i dont know of anyone with a mobile mill locally though.

[arbwork]

If you can bring it to Milton Keynes I will mill it for you for free, I am having a training day with woodmizer for our newly acquired mill and would willingly saw to your requiremants.

[Rob D]

What a great offer

[woodworm]

If you can bring it to Milton Keynes I will mill it for you for free, I am having a training day with woodmizer for our newly acquired mill and would willingly saw to your requiremants.

 

Thats a really kind offer. Thankyou. I have been given the number of a local mill who may be able to do it, but if I have no luck I will give you a call. When would you be looking to have your training day?

[arbwork]

I am hoping soon, and am waiting to hear back from supplier, I can arrange day to suit you, if you have preferred day please let me know , cheers J