Portable Sawmill Fails. Woodland Mills Portable Sawmill Fails. Avoid My Mistakes.
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- čas přidán 15. 05. 2019
- After much effort to get my sawmill up and running beautifully, I still have encountered many mistakes that have lead to time lost and frustration. With much learned since I first started using the Woodland Mills HM130, I can now say that I'm able to avoid most of these mistakes when milling today. However, without following these simple procedures, it's easy for me to fall back into the rut of blade replacement and realignment on a regular basis. Check out this video in which I highlight the most important things that you can do to make your experience of using the Woodland Mills HM130 (or similar) enjoyable with as little frustration as possible. Oh and did I mention in my video that you should keep your sawmill blade sharp and change it BEFORE it gets dull? Watch the video to see the number 1 mistake that I made using this mill and the things you can do to avoid making the same mistake. Here we go!
**for business inquiries, please email sawingwithsandy@gmail.com ** - Jak na to + styl
I'm watching a lot of sawmill vids, an HM122 being on my wish list. Yours are among the best, both for information and lack of BS. Thank you.
This is the great thing about youtube. Learning from other's mistakes is such a valuable resource. Thank you for this. There are two types of millers.... those who've hit their log supports, and those who will. :-)
BUT, BUT, But! LOL Nice to see a bit of humor in the comments.
Gold info! Common sense from a down-to-earth guy. Plainly spoken wisdom. Thanks for taking the time to share with us. My mill is on the ticket for this year. Glad I have resources like you to help me along.
Every video I have watched involving a Woodland Mill has one thing in common. The people that own it, love it. Here in the states they cost about the same as the cheap Harbor Freight mill and they are so much better built. When I sell my house and move to my land, This and a tractor are my first purchases.
Thanks for watching. I do like my unit. Great durability and doesn’t require much in the way of maintenance.
Thanks for the video, all very simple things that can be done to avoid problems. but you know many of us will make some of this mistakes.
Hey, thanks for the information. It's always great to learn of others' mistakes so you have an educated chance of avoiding them yourself. Much appreciated.
Anytime. Thanks for watching!
My grandpa used to always say " you can learn from your own mistakes, or someone else's - and it's alot cheaper to learn from someone else's!" Nothing like real life education; stuff you never learn from a book! THANKS!!
I sure wish I could learn somethings from others. Especially the expensive lessons I learn myself haha
@@sawingwithsandy put some odour/fragrance/anything that smells into the lubrication-water, so you 'smell' it when running out of lubrication or clogging
Great video -- it's refreshing to hear honest advice and lessons learned. Thank you!
Ordered my HM 126 today! Better late than never! Great video for a newbie!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I have a hm 126 14hp ordered, my friend has the same mill also, so I am familiar with them. Just out of excitement & anxiousness I have been watching youtube videos on them for tips and tricks and what not, and I have to say, your videos are the best I have seen and I will watch them all! you are very helpful pal! Cheers!
Excellent video. Bought my 130 back in July and pretty much made all of the mistakes you've mentioned. Very helpful.
J. Smith yeah the learning curve can be a steep one. Glad you enjoyed the videos and thanks for watching
I don't often take the time to comment on videos, but as someone looking to buy their first sawmill, this has been the absolute most informative video I've come across, thanks for sharing everything you have learned the hard way Sandy. I'm leaning towards getting a Woodland Mills as well. Cheers.
Thanks I appreciate the positive feedback. Glad I was able to help you. Hope the sawmilling goes well for you when that time comes
As always very informative video. These are all things that need to be done on a regular basis. Thank you.
I myself dont have a mill but someday somehow I'm going to get one . Now I just need to keep this video handy for when I do get one . And like many others said already takes a real person to amite on camera there mistakes. You rock
Thanks I appreciate that. I’m just a regular joe I figure. Same as everyone else so why not share the errors. Thanks for watching
Just heard the lumber costs when you made this video. I laughed out loud at how cheap that was considering lumber prices nowadays. I just invested in an HM126 and so excited to get cutting. Love your videos, keep up the good work.
Thank you for the information, very helpful for any beginner.
Great job, a lot of basic stuff, but it is all so important!
Great series of vids! Waiting for my HM130 to be delivered. Nice to at least get a sense of what it'll be like. Hope you keep making these! Salut
Awesome video and great info. Thank you. I should be ordering my HM130 in a few weeks. Partly because I watched you other video comparing a bunch of other mills. The only other mill that is dollar for dollar to this is the frontier. But I’ve seen a lot of videos complaining about frontier’s customer service and faulty parts!
Awesome info. Your videos and knowledge are great. I’m waiting for my mill to arrive. I feel Confident I will produce quality lumber. Thanks again.
Thank you for the fantastic youtube clip. I have just had my HM130 delivered and plan to assemble it tomorrow. I have waited 20 years for the opportunity to buy my mill. Your experience will help me greatly, again many thanks. cheers Thor Pedersen from Tasmania, Australia.
Hi Thor. I'm glad I could help. If you have any other questions feel free. Take care.
Here's a hint when putting together, Get a pot of coffee going and be prepared to put more bolts then you can imagine if you bought the trailer package I should say. But I love my HM130 and my hm126
Love this Guys honesty. Most of the problems "are of my own doing." top man. No different from the rest of us we all push our luck with our gear at times and its lesson learned when it all goes wrong.
Thanks for G B. Hope all is well with you
The world should have more people like you , really.
Thank you
You have changed countless life situations for the better.
Thanks Jake appreciate that
Got my mill 1997 LT-15 and the sharpener at same time.All still works like new ..thanks for your videos..
Sounds like some good equipment you got there Dan. Happy sawing
Great advice. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Glad it helped. Thanks for watching.
Sandy these tips are so true as I have a HM126 mill and have made the same mistakes you did and wished I had seen this when I just started milling. I have a high idle and the pinging sound you spoke of so this spring when I fire up mine I will be slowing the idle down to help the clutch. thank you saved my clutch! great videos keep up the good work!
Glad I could help!
Good stuff, thank you for sharing, great advice. Just ordered my HM130Max, can't wait to start cutting.
Have fun!
Wonderful video -- super helpful and I appreciate the honesty.
Very well planned and informative video. Thanks Sandy
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for your great information! I am planning to purchase the HM 130 this week. Lots of logs here in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia after hurricane Dorian! Your information about blade care is invaluable. Thanks again!
Reg Rand
Glad it was helpful. You’ll really enjoy having a sawmill
Thank you for this. I just ordered one.
Very helpful. This all makes sense
Good to hear that I could help ya out there. Take care!
I love your sawmill enclosure so cool. I’m going to build a shelter like that. Thx
great recommendations. thanks for posting
Thanks for the video. Helpful and succinct.
great video, I am also in Canada, Dornoch, Ontario. My neighbor and I just bought the same mill and got it up and running. I have allot of white pine and will be learning very soon.
thanks!
Hi Rick. Good to hear about your mill purchase. I’m sure you’ll have a great time making lumber. Nice area you’re from. Thanks for watching
Great job as always, by Sandy...
Thanks for the lessons learned, my dude.
Friendly Local glad they helped. Some days my lessons are worth 2 cents the next day half a cent haha
Great information. Very clear and consise. Yes, and keep your blades sharp. Dull tools are much more dangerous than sharp tools.
Keep up the good videos and work.
Thanks David
Great job! Thanks for the tips and tricks
Anytime. Thanks for watching
I've always wanted a sawmill but figured it was more of a luxury thing. But I build so much stuff and with a cabin project next, pricing out lumber like you said at almost $4 CAD for a single 2x4, it adds up real quick. I think the unit should pay itself off after almost 2 projects if that and then it's all fun and games after. I plan to get the same unit as you and am also Canadian. Thx for the great info!
Thanks for sharing and being honest, most guys/people would never admit on camera they made a mistake! You sir have gained a follower for being honest, and willing to help. God bless
zeke1eod always willing to help for sure l. Thanks for watching and welcome aboard
Thank you for the great advice. I will definitely pay attention to everything you've mentioned.
Thanks for watching Robert
Thanks for taking the time to share
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching
Fantastic and honest video. Glad I found your channel
The Happy Hermit glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the channel
I have an HM130 and I love mine. Got mine almost 3 years ago. Great video and appreciate you sharing. One added tip on the lube tank. Dont leave water in it over winter. It will freeze, expand, and crack the tank and it will leak. Guess how I know, lol. Also, for sediment in the tank, you can take the hose off and blow into the other end and force air into the tank loosening the debris. Mine got so bad I had to blow it out. Thanks for the tips, especially the one on the clutch wearing and throttle adjustment. Take care my friend!
Thanks for the tip about the sediment. I definitely have that issue. At the end of the year I just leave the valves for the water tank open. I dont mill anything in the winter as it's so cold here that everything becomes brittle and it's not fun to be standing out in the cold. Enjoy the mill
I know I come late to this video, but mistakes are better teachers than success. Thanks for your humble pie approach. I'm, sure you have helped countless people with this. Good on you. BTW, nice setting.
Thanks for tuning in and watching. I appreciate the feedback.
Good tips. Thanks.
Thanks for all your help this is going to save me a lot of headaches
Anytime Richard. Thanks for watching
Been running a band mill, different brand, for 30 years and agree with your points. #1 sharp bands, #2 sharp bands, #3 sharp bands. Thank you . Your other points are well taken as well. Situational awareness.
You definitely know the fine details of band saw mills after 30 years I’m sure. Thanks for checking out the videos and appreciate the tips.
Great Advice! I have an HM130 also and I have run into many of the issues you speak of. Some really good tips to make sawmilling easier and more fun! Thinking of building a sawmill shed but unlike the logs on your shed most of my logs are big firs so I have to mill them to dimension for use on the shed.
I'm looking at purchasing a model what are the options for sharpening the blades I know they sell a blade sharpeners it's $900 is it possible to hand sharpen these blades or is that the only option? How long does a brand new blade last before it needs sharpening?
wow man excellent video! i was thinking about buying one, was looking at the norwood but might consider this one. i'm glad you said witch mistakes are operator fault and which ones are design flaws.i think the way you ended the vid might have convinced me...tks
doi467 yeah it’s a good sawmill. I’ve not seen any real weak points on the mill other than the idle of the machine being too high from the factory. That was an easy fix that I’m sure they’ve corrected by now. Other than that I’d buy one again for sure
Hey Sandy, really appreciate the time you take to share your experiences and learnings. I recently bought a 130 and a large reason for that was the review videos I'd seen of yours. I'm currently about to sit the sawhead on the track and I'm really glad I watched this video so I can learn from your mistakes before I start milling...although I'm sure there are going to be lots of other mistakes for me to make. Thanks again, from BC 👋
Hey Mountain Man, thanks for dropping in again to see another video. I’m glad they’re helping another sawyer out. Let me know if you have any questions but I’m sure you’ll love ot
I'm looking at purchasing a model what are the options for sharpening the blades I know they sell a blade sharpeners it's $900 is it possible to hand sharpen these blades or is that the only option? How long does a brand new blade last before it needs sharpening?
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Thanks for watching
great advice, thank you
Some excellent tips. I need to borrow your idea and mark the uprights on my Woodland hm 130. I’ve hit the uprights twice myself.
I replaced the magnetic scales with a aluminum ruler that I attached with bolts so I don’t have problems with the scale moving. Also I installed a cheap laser guide from Harbor freight to shine on the scale and removed the plastic marker.
I agree that I wish I had gotten my mill sooner.
Thats a great idea about the laser and ruler. Yeah it hurts when you hit the log stops. Anytime I see that spark I feel sick to my stomach. Maybe that's because I'm pretty cheap haha.
I think no matter what cutting process you're using, keeping things clean and blades sharp is always a good starting point!
Very true
Your channel has pretty much sold me on buying an HM126. Just trying to get a few trees down before I do it.
Right on. It's a great mill for sure
really enjoyed this Thanks!!
Thanks Mike
Nice stuff. Just putting my 130 together now, hope to saw a few logs before winter hits!
Hope it goes well for ya. It's a great pastime for sure
Lot of good information!
Thanks Herb. Hope all is well with you
Very good video thank you very much!
JAZZBASSMC glad you like it. Thanks for watching
thanks for the advice,planning get 'woodlands mill' to mill larch and douglas fir here in the uk.
Douglas fir sure would be nice to mill. You’ll love having a mill. Thanks for watch
Good stuff my dude
Valuable info. Thanks
Glad I found your channel because I just bought the HM130 and WC68. I also just bought a 40 hp tractor but not the same brand. Really enjoying the content and presentation. My chipper and mill were delivered to Anchorage and are now waiting for the river to get higher for a 80 mile trip upriver to our cabin. You should have seen the tractor arrive! Most things we can put in the floatplane but obviously not these large items. I like the structure you use to feed logs onto the mill, I think I'll do that as well. I also like the water catchment, clever. I subscribed. Thanks.
Hey Stephen. Glad you found the channel. Sou do like you've bad quite the adventures yourself up in Alaska. I've seen videos of Anchorage and the way materials can moved about on rivers like the Tana? (On discovery channel). Seems like an awesome area. Hopefully your setup goes well and you'll be making the chips fly in no time. You'll also wo der how you did without the mill before you got one.
Sawing with Sandy I have the mill set up Sandy! I only lack a 24mm socket to tension the blade. I would have winged it had I not seen your video. I'll be marking my risers as you did if I can find a sharpie. Someone is bringing me a socket tomorrow so I'll be making lumber soon!
@@M5tworude glad I could help. For sure the torque seems to be important. With the cost of new blades ive found out the hard way. Hope you enjoy milling. It's a rewarding task for sure.
Great advice - thanks!
Thanks for tuning in!
The first and only mistake you made was not buying a woodmizer mill. No doubt I have also made my own mistake , but those you mentioned never occurred with my woodmizer after 4 yrs of operation. Maintenance yes , but that goes for any moving piece of equipment. Thanks and have a great day.
this is a very important video so i saved it on my computer
Glad you liked it Frank. Thanks for watching
Thank you best wishes
I am an old man and will not be buying a saw. I watch many different saws and people operating them. The things you are pointing out apply to almost all saws not just the brand you have. If people buying saws would watch this video it could save them much heart ache. I also want to say thank you for going to the trouble of making this video. Sometimes doing things that help others can make you feel really good. I hope this gives you that experience
Well I can appreciate where you’re coming from and know what you mean about the work involved in running a sawmill. I likely encounter a time one day when the work is no longer worth the reward. Thanks for tuning in. Hope all is well
Great info, thanks
Thanks for watching John
Thank you for sharing and pointing out almost all the issues I have myself with blades. Now if I could just get it completely level and not have taper on one end
Yeah I hear you on that one. I struggle with that sometimes too. I’m leaning towards large beams under my mill or concrete pad
Does a planer sort that out? Obviously it would be great to not have to do that...but I've wondered that before I start on my journey of milling.
Mine is on a cement pad at the job im doing right now. Have not had to adjust it at all. Going to pour a pad at home for it now it the best way to go
Great/helpfull video. I have had that idle ringing right from the start. I loosened the throttle a bit that got rid of it for a couple hours. Today on my thrid session of milling it came back and decided to ignore it a bit. Now i saw spark coming from the clutch while letting down the throttle. Wondering if there's a bigger problem going on. Probably only 5 hours of motor time.
powermetalfreak yeah sparks can’t be good. Your idle may be the issue causing the clutch to prematurely engage. Folks at woodland mills have amazing customer service so I’m sure they will take care of you if you give them a call
Your not the only guy who has hit the log rest, since the wheels of the saw run on the rails i made sure that the rails were straight after bolting it together it they had a slight crown so i loosened my bolts & used a come along to straighten, string line from end to end then tightened up my bolts again. So all the bunks should be in line height wise since thats what they bolt up to. I dont even try to use the log scale i just measure it. Wish i had this mill when i was young just turning 65 now.
Thanks for checking out the video John. Good tips about the bolts and getting the mill setup correctly. I also always say you’re only as old as you feel. Some days I feel young, some days I’m ready to pack it in haha
great video for a sawmiller new or old. I am thinking about buying a mill and need all the help i can get
Glad I could help Rob
Great stuff. I'm buying one soon. Glad to hear your experiences. No reason for me to make the mistakes that others have already made.
Good video, one thing I thought of while watching it was, your wheel has a small crown on it to keep the blade running straight, if it has a little bit of pitch or fine sawdust build up this will throw off the blade and it won’t track right, so by keeping the wheel clean the blade will stay in and also as what you said, keep it sharp and guides close. E.J.
That’s a good point E.J. Thanks for sharing
Excellent video sir. Great tips and advice.
I have owned and used a HM126 for about 5 years now. While thinning my white pine plantation, I have produced a fair bit of lumber and have run into very few problems with the sawmill. However, It really has been a learning process.
I tend towards neglect when it comes to maintenance, though not entirely, and it seems to keep working. Change the oil yearly, de-tension the blade every time I am finished with it, lube things once in a while; Although my clutch kinda sounds like your example of what not to hear, so I better take a look at it ;)
I think your main tip on blade replacement is important whereas I tend to push them a little further than I should. I go really slowly when I notice it isn't cutting as efficiently. I have had only one break on me.
Hardwoods really shorten blade life. I can cut pine for days with one blade but white oak will dull it in one or two logs.
I think reading a log for what I can get out of it and positioning it properly is something I have learned to do well but this took time, trial and error.
Did you have any issues getting and keeping the bed perfectly level?
God bless and keep milling,
Cliff
Cliff Dunning good to hear that you’ve had a number of years of good operation out of your mill. I’ve had trouble keeping the bed level due to the freezing and thawing of the ground I figure so I end up having to relieve leach spring. Maybe one day I’ll find some long pieces of steel to run under the bed or cut some large timbers for the mill to sit on. Happy cutting!
Thanks for honest comments, I too am in Canada and wood prices are just getting stupid. I bought the HM130 Max Anniversary edition in February and have made a few mistakes myself too. It is a great sawmill for the price and I would highly recommend it. I recently purchased the auto blade sharpener and that has increased my productivity a great deal. Thanks again for the honest comments...
Anytime, thanks for watching
I'm looking at purchasing a model what are the options for sharpening the blades I know they sell a blade sharpeners it's $900 is it possible to hand sharpen these blades or is that the only option? How long does a brand new blade last before it needs sharpening?
@@garyenwards1608 Hi, you can sharpen the blades by hand but it would take some time. I bought a pack of 10 blades with my mill and plan to buy another pack soon. According to woodland mills these blades can be sharped about 5 times but I will check mine once I get to that point. I have owned my mill for 2 years in February and I am still on my first 10 blades. I typically change my blade after cutting about 3 to 4, 12 to 16 foot logs, averaging around 20 inches in diameter. So it is not unusual for me to change a blade 3 times in a day. The mill works best with sharp blades and I can sharpen 3 blades an hour with the sharpener. The sharpener was definitely worth the investment. For the price the woodland Mills HM130 max is great but it is the largest that woodland mills sells. If you are looking for something a bit heavier duty check out Norwood as they have a bit larger unit with a more powerful engine but it is also more money…..
@@ruby5631 Thank you for the feedback that's very useful I guess I should plan on buying that sharpener. I have been looking at the Norwoods for a couple of years and the price for their entry-level model just went from $3,000 last year to $5200 this year which is a huge jump in price where as Woodland Mills entry-level model has only gone up by $200 I've been thinking about purchasing the HM 126 10th anniversary unit for $4300 it has the 14 horsepower engine on it
Hi there
Good information
Have a good day 🇺🇸👍
Thanks for watching!
Invaluable info, thanks so much for sharing!
If you happen to see this.. how long can I expect a blade to last? I don't even know what unit of measurement that would be, but if you could give me any idea at all that would be awesome!
I can make a blade last a few weeks usually before I notice it starting to dull. That’s cutting probably a few hours every few days
all good info
I'm looking at purchasing a model what are the options for sharpening the blades I know they sell a blade sharpeners it's $900 is it possible to hand sharpen these blades or is that the only option? How long does a brand new blade last before it needs sharpening?
A wing nut on that water valve would be a good idea, woodland mills design team.
Just a friendly comment. I bought a Woodlands for my first mill and pretty much had all the same problems you have mentioned. I finally upgraded to a larger mill and just want to say that I have zero problems now. Tracking with every blade change, blade breakage, belts, blades jumping off all gone. Woodlands is a good starter mill but if you plan to mill for many years just get yourself a good one to start with and save yourself in the long run.
Glad your milling is going well for you. Thanks for checking out the video Kevin. Take care!
Great video
Thanks Stephen. Appreciate you watching
Valuable video. I have the HM130 (purchased 8/19 -----six weeks before they came out with the electric start grrr) I still love my Woodland Mills130 . The electric start engine is not "swap-able" I asked.
What's your procedure for leveling the mill? It's such an important item. Maybe you've done a "show and tell " already. That would make a valuable video. Just subscribed.
SWWW
Thanks for checking out my channel and I appreciate the subscribe. Hope the sawing keeps going well for you. Here’s a levelling video I made a while back. There’s some other sawing videos within my sawmill setup playlist if you’re interested.
czcams.com/video/eQbc8zjT8Jc/video.html
Do you go through bearings I noticed they sell bearings on their site
Lol Ive heard your clutch rattling in other videos. How many guide guide bearings have you replaced? That should be another tip. Ive chewed up the back of the blade after a bearing failure. Me to getting lazy trying to finish a cut. Looked like a arc welder ran the length of it..lol Ive cut hickory for log stops after I cut one of mine. I joined the club there as well not a tooth left on the blade. I have built a 40x16 cabin for a camp with my 126. A 16x22 foot shed. I have a cnc router I make signs with live edge stuff. I custom built the cnc router. I got 4 roofs this year to cover my equipment the sawmill and other things almost finished. New beams in a old building here that was rotted out ready to collapse in heavy snow. Live edge tables I got to hide from people cause the wife wanted them for camp. I had to sacrifice one to the mail lady. I love my mill. We would of never been able to afford lumber at the big box stores to do all that. Like watching videos like yours. Im a tip top mechanic 35 years fixing other peoples stuff.. But knowledge from others helps to. The siding jig is my next purchase for me. How do you like it?
Red pine sandy territory. Im on a sand maple ridge. I dug a hole 10 feet down, used a plastic culvert, cut slits and holes in it the bottom 4 feet of it and stood it up in the hole. Backfilled it with B type 2,( clear stone would have been better), the bottom 4 feet stone, top 6 feet native sand, and threw a pump in it. I have virtually unlimited water. Its the middle of august dry season now, and there is only 2 feet of water in the bottom but i can run a garden hose for hours and hours watering my garden chicken amd ducks and offgrid cabin storage before the pump starts chugging. It refills instantly. Water runs through the sand like its not even there.
I may have to give this a try
great review on dos and don’ts...One thing these sawmill videos are lacking tho.....how long does a band last IF you have clean logs? Can you get a day of cutting? how many hours of cutting on average per blade?
Hi Jim. I can get a full day of cutting without issue if the logs are clean. II bet I could cut a good 10 hours of softwood without noticing any reduced sharpness in the blades
I've been debating on buying one for years I think I want one on a trailer. It would have been nice to cut the lumber package for the tiny house I'm finally almost done with. Did alright with cull and salvage thought less than a grand cabinets, wood paneling, and siding included definitely doesn't include labor...
You'll know when the time is right to buy one I'm sure. I've gotten by for years without one. But now that I have one I wouldn't be able to go back.
Good video, may I also suggest that you torque your blade, start the mill and let it run 5 minutes with the blade running. Do this while your getting the rest of your sight ready for the day. Then before you cut, shut off the mill and re-torque the blade, I bet you'll find it loosened up!
Almon Jacob that’s a great point and I’ll be sure to try that out. Appreciate the tip
good video,god bless
Rob.gov G.money thanks Rob
"Hit subscribe if you're into that." Great phrasing.
Good video
Robert Honeycutt thanks Robert. Thanks for watching!
I'm a meat department manager, we do these protocols with meat band saws all the.
In addition to mistakes all saw millers make and learn from, this video SHOULD be a case study in "you get what you pay for". Watching you go over the things to watch out for, I'm comparing them in my head to my Woodmizer LT40 manual mill with 18hp engine.
Torque wrench the blade tension ? WM solved that with a hydraulic pressure gauge, you simply crank the tension to the setting on the gauge.
Hit the log dogs ? That pc of square tubing is clunky to start with....WM uses a dog that stands up 11" tall, and is made to pivot 90 degrees as you saw the log down....all the way to below the bed rails. The other thing is on the WM, you work the controls from the SAME SIDE as the dogs so you can keep an eye on them, versus you working from the wrong side on your mill.
Raise the head when you back up. WM LT series uses a small 12v motor to raise/lower the head. When you get to the end of the cut, it becomes near automatic memory to toggle the switch that raises the blade a little to back up....no hand cranking up/down.
The magnetic scale on yours....WM has a fixed scale bolted to the upright based off the bed rails, and a sliding scale with the 'quarter' scale on it you can move if you want to use that scale...held with a simple locking thumb screw, not a magnetic backing.
Then there is the overall amount of steel in a WM compared to a simple angle steel frame on most of these lightweight mills. Put a 20" or so log on one of these and watch it flex. Mine will saw a 20' log as well.....which is handy for rafter material if the building is any width at all.
I've sawed over a million board feet on mine over 30 years, and it's good for many million more and another 30 years to the next owner (some day). There is just no comparing the overall quality of a Woodmizer mill once you run one a while compared to all these lower end mills. Not saying there isn't a place in the world for lower end mills, but you truly DO get what you pay for.
Years ago they used to sell rebuild kits for centrifugal clutches, now they want you buy a complete unit. Some clutches can be rebuilt but most companies will try to keep manufacturing costs lower so they use a cheaper clutch assembly , can't blame them, these machines aren't cheap to build in North America, a welder in China makes less than $200 a month, over here they make that in a day.