“I worked in the trades for 42 years. I was a journeyman millwright, working in plants setting up equipment like turbines in coal mines, milling machines, welding, and more. Everything we did was very precise, within thousandths of an inch. I built my own home. In fact, I’ve built two or three homes over the years.
As a millwright, you’re supposed to be able to do just about anything so I ended up knowing a lot about machinery. I researched all the mills that are available and went with TimberKing. They’re simple, very well built mechanically, and they have a lot of hydraulics.
I chose TimberKing’s 2000 mill because of my age and my recent full shoulder replacement. It has full hydraulics and will take logs up to 36” diameter. Most of what I saw is between 24” and 36”.
I once ran a Wood-Mizer mill. Looking at it as a mechanic, it’s a good saw but there are times when there’s variation in board thickness. It had solenoids, electronics, switches and so on that can go out. Plus, it has a single-post cantilevered head that isn’t as mechanically stable as TimberKing’s 4-Post Head. For the same price, I could buy a TimberKing and from my point of view it’s a better saw.
Sings through logs
I got the TimberKing 2000 with the Kubota 35HP diesel engine and it sings through logs. It has more power than you know what to do with! I don’t know how you could bog it down. I got TimberKing’s debarker, too. It’s worth the money because it takes off the rocks and dirt.
Big plans
I’m going to set up a retirement business as an LLC, a limited liability corporation. I’ll make timber frames like the timber frame shed I’m building to house my TimberKing. I’ll buy a chain mortiser to make mortices. I bought a Woodmaster Molder/Planer to make trim and finished lumber for folks around here. Then I’ll get a dry kiln to dry the lumber.
The 725 Woodmaster had a good price on it. I got Woodmaster’s Super Pro Pack that includes their 3-Side Molding System and the Spiral Cutterhead. This molder/planer will work well with my sawmill. From my millwright days, I think it pays to get the best.
3,500 wooded acres
I fell and saw my own trees — maple, hemlock, red oak, poplar, and other trees native to West Virginia. My wife’s family owns 3,500 acres that haven’t been logged since ’66. I have all kinds of access with my excavator and trailer. I already have a pile of logs ready to saw, maybe 8,000 to 10,000 board feet in all.
Treated me like a real person
I think the world of the TimberKing staff. I picked up my TimberKing at the factory and they treated me real well, like a person. The mill is American-made so I know I’ll get good service. They showed me how to run the saw and I sawed some logs right there. I even got a tour of their plant in the limestone caves. That was a surprise!
— Michael Stalnaker, TimberKing & Woodmaster Owner, Mount Nebo WV
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