A Sawmill Story

This belongs on PBS. It's a very enjoyable, well executed video. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this through. Thanks for sharing.

Appreciate your videos. My father run his own portable sawmill cutting railway sleepers here in Australia. He lost his best mate and business partner to a tree felling incident. My father found him and drove him 60 mile back into town (no phones in them days) My father passed away at 43 when I was 14. I'm 43 now. I used to love going to work with him on the weekends. Working with the boys, they all treated me like a man. Dad used to hand out the pays, cash in a envelope on Saturday morning and I'd get my pay. It was awesome. My mother sold the business as I was to young to run it and she couldn't. I miss the smell, the sounds, the laughter, the sweat, the swearing, the danger and my dad. Thanks.

The sound of a big blade cutting through a log like that, brings back memories of working in my dad's sawmill. And every once in a while with a 1 1/4" blade my bandsaw makes exactly that sound. Brings back memories every time. Good memories now, but I didn't enjoy the work at the time.

Me watching every other EC video: "There is no way this guy has always been this badass his whole life. I need to see what he used to be like!" Essential Craftsman: "Hold my chainsaw... " Hahaha

I love how you respect the past but you embrace the future and the development of technology. Thank you for your videos and the motivation they provide

This is the best/most wholesome comment section in whole youtube.

Gotta Love this Throwback... when you're a child of the 80s and we see how previous genertions worked so skillfull & very hard to keep us Alive.

"If you're looking at this video and thinking that mill looks dangerous, you're right. And I was aware of that, but I had a family to feed, I had work to do, I had a dream about making money with this thing, and I was careful." This is such an inspiring display of true manhood. Not arrogant bravado, not foolishly doing dangerous things just for the sake of it, rather working hard, enduring even when it's hard, and above all, bearing sacrificial responsibility for those who depend on you. I pray I can be half the man and enjoy half the fullness of life you seemingly are and have. God bless.

Interesting story and nice video. My father attempted to make a circular saw mill back in the late 70's, powered by a 74 Comet off the back axle. Never did see any wood go through it, though.

amazing video. You are a great narrator. I loved this and will watch it again

You sir, are a teacher, storyteller, scholar, inventor, scientist, craftsman and a gentleman. I really, really, enjoy your videos. Thanks for that.

The beauty of a life well spent is unsurpassable.

I am 28 years old, and I realized while watching your sawmill video that I am similar to you. I solo operate a Lucas Mill. I mill lumber from second growth doug fir that I fell. I use the lumber to teach myself carpentry and make things we need around the property. The more I work with my hands, the more I desire to learn the skills and hone my proficiency needed to become a craftsman. I guess I am at the beginning of a lifetime of learning and perfecting my craftsmanship.

So glad I found this Channel,.....thanks for sharing!

These kinds of men built the modern world.

Forget Bob Villa, you should have your own TV show.

Thank you, That video burned right to my soul. When I was young, I worked in a circular saw mill that later burned to the ground. I was devastated when I showed up at work, only to find a loader cleaning up the pile of ashes.

This video damn near made me tear up. If there was a person who should live forever it would be you. Actually, you are living through a legacy that will never die. Definitely what every man and woman should aspire to have. I wish there was a word to describe what this video shows. Heart, dedication, dreams, appreciate for knowledge passed through generations that is timeless. In a world where our youth is pressed into over priced often pointless education, these qualities are under valued and looked down upon. These qualities are what matters more than money and fame and achievements. You are one of the wealthiest men i've come to see.

My dad started his sawmill company around when I was born (21 years ago) and did most of the work himself. 14-20 hour days usually of work, had to raise 3 kids alone, couldn’t afford employees. Sadly he couldn’t keep up with the bills so he sold almost of his dreams including the entire warehouse he built by hand with the lumber from the mill. But I’m grateful for the memories sitting by my dad, band saw-ing through lumber and teaching me how to operate the controls at 5 years old, how to drive the giant diesel forklift! What I’d do to help him start it back up. Thank you for posting this, it reminded me of my dad and grandpa.

Any time I catch myself in doubt I remind myself "greater men have done much more, with much less" and get back to work. I love how much you respect the forefathers of your craft.