Showing reviews 11 - 20 of 21
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lucas sawmill model 618
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Posted by: terry d from iowa on 5/16/2008
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A well constructed mill anyone can use.The learning curve is short and the mill is capable of sawing very accurate dimentional lumber as well as cants.I used mine to saw oak trees from my timber and built a log home.I get requests for custom sawing but im to busy on my own projects to do outside work.I had never ran a mill of any kind prior to purchasing the Lucas mill.
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113 people found this review helpful.
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Lucas Mill
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Posted by: Chris J from VT on 5/16/2008
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Performs great once set up. Instructions and manuals were terible, however. No one to call for tech support. Am worried about spare parts on wear items going forward.
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357 people found this review helpful.
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A great portable saw
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Posted by: Barry B from Oregon on 5/16/2008
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I have used the Lucas 830 mill for about 3 years and have cut several thousand board feet of Fir and Oak. Log diameters have varied from 12 to over 60. The saw is easy to set up and use and cuts a nice board. I have cut most of the wood by myself. The Lucas mill has been problem free and proven to be a good investment. I am using a lot of the Oak in a new river front home currently under construction. I bought a circular mill instead of a bandsaw because some of the Oak logs weigh in at 9,000 lbs and are over 5'' in diameter. I am very pleased with my purchase. -Barry Burnsides, Grants Pass, OR.
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310 people found this review helpful.
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lucas 838
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Posted by: allen j from Iowa on 5/15/2008
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had mine twelve years- first thing that shelled out was the tach/hour meter- obviously not built for the elements- next problem- steel bolts holding valve covers on go into aluminum heads- did I say galling? these bolts are not easy to remove to change fuel pump- bolts broken off- not a good thing- some minor electical problems with safety switches-- that''s the bad stuff- now for the good- I love this mill- it is very accurate and mostly built for the long term- very portable and is light years ahead of the old circular mills in ease of use and portability- bandsaws I am not impressed with- this lucas really does cut accurate lumber- I would buy another if this one ever craps out.
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323 people found this review helpful.
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Work Horse
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Posted by: Rick P from Louisiana on 5/15/2008
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After working with this LITTLE mill for 3-1/2 years, I find it has proven to be a very solid work horse. The design seems simple enough on the surface but the proof of a well thought out machine is in the performance. My 613 has performed flawlessly under heavy use for the 1st 2 years and occasional use for the last 1-1/2 - Not a single failure of any kind. I even bought spare rollers and belts...and they're still in the box. This mill is economical enough for the hobbyist but can be pushed to production class performance if necessary.
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213 people found this review helpful.
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830 Lucas
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Posted by: Richard C from VT on 5/15/2008
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I bought this to develop another hobby during my retirement in a few years. After a few weekends of use, I find myself churning out 12 foot 4x8 oak joists, 12 foot 3x5 purlins, and a few thousand board feet of siding for a new barn addition without stress. So far, calls to Bailey's have been answered satisfactorily and the one warranty job needed on the engine happened successfully without a hitch. It sharpens quickly, and I have learned to re-tip the blades. Once I have finished the lumber for the barn addition this summer, it will have paid for itself. No complaints. It has been enjoyable outdoor work, and the lumber looks great.
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327 people found this review helpful.
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827
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Posted by: Drew B from Canada on 5/15/2008
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Rating: 
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My mill has 150 hours on it and I've cut from 6'' diameter to 16. I've had to go with a Mobile Dimension log dog on a wooden 6x6 frame to keep the logs from moving. I've had trouble with the blades wandering off to the right in a vertical 8 cut in Douglas Fir. I'd like to try a cam lock for the trolley rather than the existing trolley lock device which I find only works sometimes this lock keeps the trolley from rolling when adjusting height of mill. I think water onto the blade in the vertical deep cuts would be better placed where the blade enters the cut: i.e. at the end of the blade furthest from the operator. This would require some linkages in order to move the water tube out of the way when swinging to horizontal but seems to me to be worth the effort. I have not had the time to play with this. I've changed the transmission oil several times more than recommended but have a noise from that area that gives me a little concern. When cutting large beams it is difficult to match up cuts accurately. The instruction video and booklet that comes with the machine is really second rate and you should have your butt shanked for not putting more effort into this and I've been milling part time for 20 years! The sidewinder was a vast improvement and I was surprised it took so long to develop. I've been satisfied with the customer care and responses to my inquiries and some of the difficulties encountered. When I have a choice to mill with my band or the Lucas I choose the Lucas 80% of the time due to less problems and usually quicker. Outside of the wandering blade I'd have rated the machine a 4 as it does what is advertised.
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347 people found this review helpful.
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LucasMill 618
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Posted by: Bob K from VA on 5/15/2008
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OK...so I've never owned a mill before. Well, I had used a chainsaw mill and found that way too slow for making lumber. So,went for the 618 with slabber attachment and siding attachment. Rather quickly, I discovered how much easier it made things if you could actually set the mill up on totally level surface. It can be made to work on an uneven surface, but it takes a good bit more work! Right away I was able to saw out reasonably standard 2X material..suitable for rough framing of sheds, etc. Getting everything level really helped make consistently standard boards of all sizes. I had some difficulty with the height adjustment guides on the winch poles getting moved by the carriage framework and losing some quality as a result. My biggest awakening comes not from any fault of the mill...but simply the realization that when cutting smaller logs...14 range pine thinnings...I couldn''t stand the thought of pulping so much good lumber...anyway, setting up to do these small logs takes some time and you don''t get all that much out of it...but it''s still worth it to me to do it, I''m just not getting as much done as I thought I would. Other than the height guide problem I mentioned, the only other problem I had was with the B&S engine somehow chewing up the pull rope even though I don''t use it! Had to take the housing all apart and clean out the mess to prevent damaging the engine from lack of airflow. I wish I had been able to afford the next model larger. Having the ability to cut 8 boards would be quite nice at times. Over all, this is a very very capable piece of equipment that I see providing a lot of my lumber needs on our 60 acre homestead and providing for some supplemental income as well.
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364 people found this review helpful.
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Experimental Projects
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Posted by: Mike J from CA on 5/15/2008
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Our Lucas Mill, coupled with a zigzag yarding system was used to remove bug-kill trees in difficult terrain. The zigzag was used both to deliver the mill, in parts, to the log and subsequently, to yard out rough lumber. The system worked well even under the most demanding circumstances. A well-trained lead sawyer was key to the success. Down-time due to inexperienced workers was the only real problem that we experienced.
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369 people found this review helpful.
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Elegant Design
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Posted by: John L from Oregon on 3/21/2008
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I have respect for functional and elegant designs. The Lucas Mill has achieved those two standards. This mill is economical, maintainable, functional and safe.
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217 people found this review helpful.
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Showing reviews 11 - 20 of 21
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