Between his medical practice, being a Boy Scout leader, and his sawing operation, “Ol’ Doc” Henderson’s a busy guy. One thing’s sure: Bryan’s getting great rewards out of owning and using his TK mill. Here’s his story…
“I’m from Kansas where logging and lumber production are not prevalent pastimes. I graduated from the University of Kansas with a medical degree and did my residency in Albany, New York. I got introduced to the idea of sawing lumber for my personal use in that heavily wooded area.
After getting into medical practice back in Kansas, I began researching different types and brands of sawmills. After 15 years of research, I decided to buy a TimberKing 2000 mill. On a trip to Kansas City, I was able to stop by their office and see the mill first hand. Everybody was very responsive and communicative. I talked a lot with their sales and tech people and decided the 2000 could saw everything I wanted to and was reasonably priced.
I saw as a hobby and produce enough lumber for myself and interested friends. My son and I are involved with the Boy Scouts and many of our projects revolve around our local scout troop, Troop 1. It was established in 1917 and we’re celebrating 100 years of service this year. Our latest project was a bench for my son’s past middle school; it was my son’s Eagle Scout project.
Backyard Saw Lot
My backyard is my saw lot. I have about 50 locally-sourced logs stacked and waiting to be sawed. These are trees that would either go to the landfill or be used as firewood. I have Eastern Red Cedar logs, oak, walnut, ash, maple, River Birch, spalted pine, locust and catalpa on hand. Catalpa works like Western Red Cedar. Years ago, the U.S. Government provided it locally for planting in groves for railroad ties. Nowadays, people just bulldoze it to clear the way for building a house or a highway.
I also mill some cottonwood and elm that are thought of as ‘trash trees’ but which are very beautiful when sawed. For example, elm is sold as an exotic hardwood on the East Coast!
My favorite wood is walnut. My dad bought some dirty, rough cut walnut boards at an auction for $10. It sat for years until I took it to my high school wood shop and planed it. I was hooked!
“Thanks, Honey, for all my equipment!”
Besides my TimberKing 2000, I have a 4,500 sq. ft. shop and lot of equipment including a cabinet saw, a 20” planer, and an 8” jointer. I have a CAT 277C with forks, bucket, grapple bucket and crane. I also have an 850 John Deere tractor, a 1976 Ford F-700 dump truck, a 2007 Chevy dually, a 32’ PJ gooseneck trailer, and more.
My wife, Georgia, and I always pick out what we want for our birthdays and anniversaries. So our joke is that she bought me all this equipment! ‘LOL’ (laugh out loud) as they say!
Fun Stress Reliever
I find sawing is fun and relaxing. After a long day at work, or on a day off, I’ll select a log and get a lot of satisfaction just out of sawing it into boards.
I saw as I need to or want to. I really enjoy cutting. It’s like Christmas — you can’t see what’s inside a log until you cut it open. When I see the color and grain inside, I may decide to make a table or a bench from it.
I’ve made over 25 rustic benches for gifts or to honor someone’s service. I make a bench every year for a local biker’s club — they’re auctioned off for charity. My wife decided she likes the rustic look and I’m making rustic projects and furniture for our home.
Another way I’ve used wood from my mill is for our local Boy Scout troop. I’m one of several leaders; other leaders and I made a ‘gateway’ for our campsite at one of our regional jamborees, a ‘Trapper’s Rendezvous.’ We’ve used that gateway at every campout since. We even won an honorary first prize ribbon with it!
“I can just relax and saw”
TimberKing has been in business a long time and their machines are engineered well. I particularly like the hydraulic direct drive and the computer setworks. With the setworks, I can just relax and saw and let the computer regulate the boards’ thickness.
TimberKing’s customer service support is fantastic. I can call sales or tech support and know I’m talking to people who understand these mills because they actually use them. They solve whatever problem I’m having. For example, one time I wanted to adjust the blade guides and wasn’t sure just how to do it. They had me straightened out in minutes. I’m very pleased with my sawmill and couldn’t be happier with the service.”
— Dr. Bryan (“Ol’ Doc”) Henderson, TimberKing 2000 owner, Hutchinson KS
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