I am going to town to interview for a position at a nearby lumber mill and was wondering what some of you older fellas have experienced doing that work. I would basically be cutting lumber with the saw and stacking it accordingly. The guy said it was extremely physical but it doesn't sound too bad to me. What do you say?

Slivers

It's hot, dirty, dusty, noisy hard labor.

An honest man's work.

I would say that it is very physical work but because of that turnover is very high, which means if you have a strong work ethic you will quickly gain favor with your supervisors and soon find yourself in a less demanding position...such as in an air conditioned cab doing something somewhere on the mill site.

And think SAFETY at all times!

shouldn't be any worse than taking your turn in the hay mow for 8 hours , if you have done that and let them know you can handle that should be good.


people describe things as extremely labor intensive because so many find basic work hard.

Wear your hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, and steel toe boots. If they offer the job take it. You are always more valuable to another employer if you are working somewhere instead of sitting home collecting.

The new guy doesn't cut anything . You have to earn that position . The machine and Sawyer dictate the speed and as you stack the wood it continues to come at you . If you can't keep up you will be burried in lumber cause ain't nobody stoping. Lol

That's how it use to be anyhow

All the answers here pretty much sum it up. I run a small one /two man saw op on my property and I just call it fun! I do work another full time job until my milling op takes off a bit more..but either way I love it. Definitely a mill addict here.

Good advice

yep

Hard work and watch your fingers.

That was my experience when I worked at a mill.I had the job of taking the lumber away from the trim saw. There was no rollers, lumber came off the line and right on the ground. I never touched the saw. And as AntiGov said you can get buried in hurry if they're really pushing the logs through, but I'm proud to say I always kept em cleaned up. Whenever a new guy showed up for the lumber pile and I got promoted to the trim saw..the new guy more often than not couldn't handle the pressure, so back I'd have to and take over again..lol

Best wishes for you on your new job.

same from here,forgot to say.started in one 5 days after i turned 16.

Safety, safety, safety.

Know at all times where your feet and hands are. It only takes a moments inattention to lose body parts, or worse, around saws, conveyors, power equipment.

Check your clothing as well. Nothing loose or hanging out to be caught up to pull you into a machine.

Nice advice.

Keep your phone in your pocket.

Someone pulled green chain in the day.

My grandfather was a Sawyer for many years back when they still road on the saw. Some of the stories he told.

I manage a fence post mill, 7,8,10 and 12 foot red pine 4,5,6, inch diameter. It is very physical for my guys on the stacker end, 2500 posts a day are stacked, stickered, banded then end cut. After that sent to pressure treatment. Watch the guys that have been doing it for a bit, don't fight the weight of the wood. A balance spot in weight exists and don't break momentum stacking. Clean ups can be a lot of work also, scoop shovels and stiff brooms. Watch your footing while stacking. You will hurt and be stiff for a few mornings, that's normal. Eat a good protein lunch but don't overeat, drink lots in hot weather.