Chainsaw Mill

In the days of the pioneers the wealth of hundreds of towns and families was built from wood. Those days are now gone but there is a new Australian-developed timber mill that is small and portable. It can be set up in the backyard so that hobbyists or home handypeople can build their own garden furniture. The mills are small enough to fit on the back of a ute and can do just about anything a large full sized commercial mill can.

Backyard mill

Westford Enterprises has developed a mini-mill which takes minutes to assemble and attaches to a chainsaw with several pieces including a rail with adjustable ranges. Even city dwellers can collect logs from the tip or from tree surgeons who are throwing them away and turn them into useable timber for furniture or cutting planks of weatherboard. The mill can also use branches and residue from old logging operations so there is no damage to the environment. The mills have been popular in countries like Papua New Guinea where aid agencies purchase the timber mills for villages and train the local residents to make their own buildings and also cut timber for resale.

Note: Setting up the mill as a small business may need council permission in Australia.

Safety precautions

Anyone can operate the equipment provided they have the appropriate safety gear including:

• proper work boots
• safety trousers
• protective gloves
• ear protection - ear muffs or ear plugs
• eye protection - goggles and face mask
• Experience with chainsaws is also recommended.

Cost

There are two products on the market; the slab mill and the rail mill which come in various sizes. Prices are listed below and show the cost of the mill and the cost of the recommended chainsaw for each mill.

• 24" Slabbing Mill costs $383.20.
• The weatherboard attachment is $31 (as shown in the segment).
• The recommended chainsaw is a 65cc and costs approximately $1,299. The total cost is approximately $1,708.
• 34" Slabbing Millcosts $420.
• The recommended chainsaw is a 94cc and costs approximately $1,949. The total cost is approximately $2,369.
• Economy Rail Millcosts $1,149 and the recommended chainsaw is a 94cc which costs approximately $1,949. The total cost is approximately $3,100.
• Deluxe Rail Mill costs $1,720 and the recommended chainsaw is a 120cc which costs approximately $2,200. The total cost is approximately $3,920.

Availability

NSW
R & H Mowers
Hollylea Rd
Leumeah 2560
Phone: (02) 4626 1908
(Our segment was filmed here.)

Alternatively contact a distributor in your state:

NT
Saw Safe Husqvarna
PO Box 2283
Palmerston 0830
Phone: (08) 8932 2997

QLD
Injak Mowers & Chainsaws
134 Howard Street
Nambour 4560
Phone: (07) 5441 3174

SA
Cowley's Motorcycles
62 Napoleon Street
Port Lincoln 5606
Phone: (08) 8682 4444

TAS
Reg McDougall's Mowers & Chainsaws
34 Brisbane Street
Hobart 7000
Phone: (03) 6231 0900

VIC
Eltham Hire & Fire
9 Bridge Street
Eltham 3095
Phone: (03) 9431 4444

For more information about Westford Enterprises Pty Ltd, 5 Forge Street, Welshpool, WA, 6106. Phone: (08) 9350 5555 or fax: (08) 9350 5068.

Copyright CTC Productions 2006