Sawmill/Sheepscot Mills

[Ken Fleming]

A few flat cars of marketable trees would offset some expenses.  Think of our saw mill, in the future.

[John Kokas]

yeah,  maybe a "steam powered" sawmill ............

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

Well, the more you think about it....
we've gotten one complete boiler built for us already, but I'm sure there's a working stationary boiler and engine out there to be had somewhere at a decently affordable price.
I'd concider making sure it'll burn wood as there's a good supply of it from the logging itself.
Perhaps a combustion engine or a diesel for back up, or to get things started till steam power becomes available.
Lotta possibilities!

[Stephen Hussar]

Surprised no one has answered this yet... but this has been in the works for a long time. In fact, there's already a stationary steam engine under a tarp at Sheepscot yard, purchased by a small group of volunteers, planning to build a sawmill.

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

 
Woooaaahhh!!!
Deja' VU!! 

Sweet! Hopefully when I get back from my Med/Gulf deployment I'll get to see it running! 

[Ed Lecuyer]

Another point of clarification. (However, I might not have all of the facts right - if someone knows otherwise, please speak up.)

There are actually TWO sawmills floating around the museum.

One is partially setup at "Sheepscot Mills" - which is on Brian Fanslau's property. This is also where the work on B&H #7's boiler is being done. There is a plan (at some point) to put in a siding there. (Note that this is not museum property and that visitors wishing to inspect the sawmill or #7 should first check with the property owner.)

The second sawmill is disassembled at Alna Center. I understand this one is owned by the museum. I do not know its condition or the long-term plan for its use.

Regardless, there is mention of on-line industries in the Long-Term plan of the Museum. A sawmill would certainly be an appropriate industry to feature along the WW&F.

[Mike Fox]

Ed,
  You are correct. Brian's is more complete than the museum owned one I believe.

[John Kokas]

Is there anyone in the area that does custom sawing and milling?  Might be a possible ancillary business for the museum.  If anything we could always rough cut our own timber for things like buildings, bridge timbers, crossing planks, etc.

[James Patten]

Actually the Museum owns both the sawmill set-up at Sheepscot Mills, and the partial sawmill equipment at AC.  Brian asked us if he could set it up and use it to saw the logs to build the house.  Unfortunately (for sawmill fans) it ended up being cheaper to buy the lumber than cut it off the land and saw it there.

A sawmill would certainly be a good addition, as we could saw out our own lumber for cars, boards, and other timbers.  Maybe even ties, but that would also require a tie treatment plant online!