I admire his “see the hill, take the hill” approach to starting and building his business. Glad to see his hard work has paid off and he’s able to support himself and his family. Much more success to him in the future!
I love to see people buying these small family farms and then use those little farms to make a living. I spent all my summers on my Grandparents small farm. I feel blessed by being allowed to gave done so. It’s a shame to see these farm disintegrated from not being used. So thumbs up for guy’s like him. Using the land as our forefathers did, to provide a decent and honest way to provide for a man’s family.
I had to drop my favorite oak tree (85’) a few years back. It meant a lot to me to (Alaskan) mill and preserve it. I had to bring in help since most of us don’t have the skills or tools. The stack is just about done drying. I understand the customer experience you describe.
Oops. My main point is that it took us over a year to (spare time) mill it with a 60” bar. And it’s taken 3 years of stickered, shaded air drying to reach 11% (The “cookies” are 55” and we got 20 10’ 10 qtr slabs). Wood is heavy!
EXCELLENT SHOW this week Matt & Matt2! Get a kiln Matt. I hear Matt2 is looking to upgrade and an iDry will soon become available! Really enjoyed this show!👍👍
This was by far an awesome learning experience especially for new sawyers. He went from knowing very little about sawyer working in 2018 to become pretty much an expert in the process of running a successful sawyer. If I lived near him I would volunteer my time to help him just to learn more. My sawmill won’t arrive until August 2022 but this video gives me a ton of insight. I only know of one kiln service near me and it’s a business aspect I’m considering getting into
another really enjoyable vid. so nice to see how brave people are to quit their job and start their own business like that. Especially doing something you really enjoy. I bet Matt's gonna end up buying the bigger iDry kiln and still keep the one he has too. he could have them both running simultaneously 🤔😃
I love to see the old Singer sewing machine in his workshop, 7:05. We had a bunch of these in my family, like everyone else I guess. I had a foot peddle machine and one of the first electric ones. They both were in the barn at my grandparents farm. Funny, nobody wanted them when the farm was sold, so I took them. Gave one to a small museum and the electrical one I gave to an old high school friend who was struggling and who worked part time as seamstress when she could. She made costumes for a place that rented them. Hadn’t seen her for years, but that machine was a blessing for her. She still uses it, newer machines don’t hold up to the old fabrics and its a work horse for her. That machine gave her the wherewithal to stay afloat and I heard she left that lazy husband. My grandmother would have been happy to see her mothers sewing machine helping a single mother for sure. She said she will pass it on to her daughter. I know that has nothing to do with milling wood but when I saw it, it just reminded me of all the history that sits in old pig barns all over the country. I suspect most is just thrown out. No one wants that old stuff, everyone wants things that are stainless steel, plastic or some other crap. People just throw it away because it’s old. Put a bit of work into it and if you ask around there will be someone who will cherish it and put it into good use.
It is neat knowing that I have stood in the very spot that you guys were chatting at then seeing it on the screen. Matt is a standup guy and has a passion for his job
Great video. Very informative and interesting. I run an LT40 mill and the modifications to saw wider slabs is something I would never have imagined was feasible.
Great stuff. It's a really nice change from your usual video, especially for those of us who have slabbing fever, and would like nothing better than to make a business out of it. Thanks Matt, and thanks idry.
Amazing to see his growth happen so fast. Proves you can succeed in less time when you put in the hard work. Cant wait to get a vacuum kiln but will be testing a few ideas with making my own for now.
thanks, Matt, for an informative video. I grew up near a sawmill that a cousin set up in the 1940's. Wow! How the process has changed! Matt Ruben will be an absolute business success story.
Great interview! Who wants to place bets on how long before Matt has an iDry on his new property? My guess: 1. Matt talks the other Matt into getting the new bigger model and our Matt buys his old model. 2. Matt just buys the new bigger unit for himself. 3. Matt builds his own vacuum kiln bigger and better out of a shipping container.
Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 PSI. That is 2116.8 pounds per square foot. You could probably dent a shipping container by kicking it. Sucking the air out of it, even only half of it, will make the container look like Godzilla stepped on it.
@@paulgrenier2279 That raises a question I've not seen. Is it a full vacuum? (well, as full as can be generated on earth?) Or is it just a partial vacuum?
Hey Matt and Matt. Thanks for sharing. My friend and I are building a saw mill business. We have purchased your sawmill plans and are planning on scaling your mill down slightly! Not sure if we need one as big as yours. This video allowed me to see how one mill operation is set up and gave me some great ideas for our setup. Also the vacuum kiln is amazing. I am going to seriously look at the benefits verse cost on one of those units thanks for sharing!
One thing you should consider is what market your looking to take your business. One advantage of Matt's mill design is the width capacity, which 90%+ of sawyers with typical mills will only be able to operate on diameters up to 27-36". So if you're looking to get business from those with larger diameter logs, then maybe take that into consideration. If you are intending on only operating smaller diameter logs, then you should probably strongly consider purchasing one of the many commercially available machines. The amount of money saved building your own versus the labor you will have to put into it, may not make financial sense if this is meant to be a business for you, as time is money, and potential reliability/up-time issues you might run into. Probably things you are already considering. Good luck.
Go into business on your own or not at all ! I sat down with an accountant before starting a business and didn’t take his warning. You can do it yourself and the decisions will be 100% your own good or bad.
Awesome go getters. Matt R has a good attitude. Maybe he'll buy not just one but two larger capacity I-Dry's. Thanks Matthew C for sharing your life and friends lives and experiences.
Great video. Both of you guys are terrific people. Wish I lived closer so I could drop by and meet you both and support your businesses. Keep working hard and sharing your talents and good things will continue to come of it!
I am so glad to see that there are still places in this country where younger people can be successful in in bushiness. Connecticut just gives you a hard time. They do not what small businesses it seams .
Matt, keep pushing on. I’m sitting right where you where at 3 years ago. Been wood working for ever. Great that your idea is paying off. God is blessing you 🙏👏
Thanks for posting this. it's nice to see somebody take a risk on the unknown, and be successful at it. God bless, I hope your business continues to grow more and more each day!
Great Stuff Matt....Love the time to move on attitude from working for other people. I have been building and remodeling houses for almost 35 years. I hope to purchase 2 buildable lots together with a total of 7 acres this coming week....very pumped. I have a 5 year plan to build two houses and a custom 36 x 60 rough cut barn to setup a milling / furniture / riveredge and live edge business. Im in the lower hills of Mount Washington in NH. Time for this guy to finally make his dreams become reality. Hope to have some videos out with the start of building my 2 homes and start up of my Mill business. One day at a time as they say. Best of luck and thanks for your insights. Peace Out. Mike.
Hey Matt, I loved watching your videos a few years back and found you again, Its good to see you're still making videos! I lost my old account but subscribed again!
That was a great change up from some of your regular/current content (not complaining about that - just that this was a welcome, refreshing change with some great insights into Matt's business)
Believe it then achieve it, that’s what I was told by friends and family, 25 years later still self employed, never regretted it. America is in good shape with entrepreneurs such as yourselves! not all in the basement playing video games
Great video. Helpful information! Thanks for sharing this success story. Questions : Have you noticed any slowdown in the Live Edge slab business? Are the slabs you sell used for a live edge slab finished project or are they cut apart for use as components of furniture and other finished products?
Wow thank you and a little to late. I looked what seems for ever to find a vacuum dryer. I found a couple and only one that seemed good. I was doing this for a friend and it was like jumping through hoops to get info on it. I found a Radio Frequency Vacuum Kiln but again it was a pain and no where near local. He ended up building one which does the job but not as good but way better than a hot box kiln. He is still looking as he is no where near keeping up with the demand. We are pumping out slabs and tables left and right. We need a piece like this where you don't need to be so hands on through the process. A kind of set it and forget it, a RONCO of vacuum kilns I find that about 98% plus of the people have no idea that it takes years to dry a log to get it to a proper slab or even molding/cabinet grade wood
At 2:29 when Matt is talking about selling chickens, a little hen runs out from behind the log like, "Nope I'm out, ain't selling me to Butterball" lol
Great video! Almost done in the style of an old episode of This Old House. Comfortable informative conversation without too much to distract from the purpose of the video. Good insight on starting a sawmill business from the ground up. I wouldn't mind hearing the amounts invested for the equipment necessary to get it all going. Once again, Great video!
Enjoyable segment, Matt x 2. Knowing you have to edit content since you're not producing a documentary series, I found myself continuing to come up with questions that never get answered. Maybe a part 2 deep dive in the future? How do some slabs dry flat while others become almost unflattenable? How does he "tag" slabs when they're bought wet and not lose track of whose is whose, etc.? I love the operational stuff I guess.
So that lift off the trailer & over the dump trailer there at the end…. Just a normal telehandler day, eh? Thanks for sharing Matt’s operation. His solar kiln is so close to being usable - he might find a local “high volume hobbyist” who would finish it off & put it to good use. The iDry is awesome. Great to see the background. Good luck both of you…
Interesting story about drying. In Sweden, before around 1850, only masters were allowed to build furniture. Then the master saved up wood to try over 30 years for the next generation. While he got the wood dried and nice from the previous master.
Amazing video and very helpful. I am as well going to venture into the sawmill business and it’s very promising to see someone with such ambitious goals and able to obtain those goals . Best of luck to your business ! I hope I can follow in the same steps .
Awesome video, tells me if your name is Matt, you might have the talent to work with wood, I am a computer analyst so my tendency is to analyse everything to the max, and I really wonder what are the characteristics of the water coming out of trees, I would have it analysed by a university lab, to find out if there is something special that can be done with it, I know my son when he did his PhD in biochemistry they found great things to do with a liquid that farmers were just ditching in nature....
I'm wondering how long after the house is done being worked on does Matt get himself a saw enclosure? I was thinking kiln but a shed/enclosure for the saw surely would come first IMO.
Nice to see the development of a fellow Woodmizer owners business, although we're milling for personal use at this point. So when did you get the dump trailer Mr. Cremona?
I admire his “see the hill, take the hill” approach to starting and building his business. Glad to see his hard work has paid off and he’s able to support himself and his family. Much more success to him in the future!
Compulsive viewing for all us wannabe woodworkers. Bravo. 👍👏👏👏
I love to see people buying these small family farms and then use those little farms to make a living. I spent all my summers on my Grandparents small farm. I feel blessed by being allowed to gave done so. It’s a shame to see these farm disintegrated from not being used. So thumbs up for guy’s like him. Using the land as our forefathers did, to provide a decent and honest way to provide for a man’s family.
this guy is a remarkable example of living the dream!
Look what followed me home!
I am impressed with the vision and determination required to run an operation like this. I hope he has much success.
I had to drop my favorite oak tree (85’) a few years back. It meant a lot to me to (Alaskan) mill and preserve it. I had to bring in help since most of us don’t have the skills or tools. The stack is just about done drying. I understand the customer experience you describe.
Oops. My main point is that it took us over a year to (spare time) mill it with a 60” bar. And it’s taken 3 years of stickered, shaded air drying to reach 11% (The “cookies” are 55” and we got 20 10’ 10 qtr slabs). Wood is heavy!
@@MikeWest_W Do you run the Stihl 880 with that 60" bar milling that tree? How many hours would you guess you have in running the mill? Thanks!
EXCELLENT SHOW this week Matt & Matt2! Get a kiln Matt. I hear Matt2 is looking to upgrade and an iDry will soon become available!
Really enjoyed this show!👍👍
This was by far an awesome learning experience especially for new sawyers. He went from knowing very little about sawyer working in 2018 to become pretty much an expert in the process of running a successful sawyer. If I lived near him I would volunteer my time to help him just to learn more. My sawmill won’t arrive until August 2022 but this video gives me a ton of insight. I only know of one kiln service near me and it’s a business aspect I’m considering getting into
Good for Matt. Always good to see someone figure out how to make it in a business they started.
Great video
Guy had a dream, and did it!! Winner!!! You keep working man!! Thanks for sharing
Woodworkers are great people always so willing to share there knowledge and business experiences. Great video!!!
another really enjoyable vid. so nice to see how brave people are to quit their job and start their own business like that. Especially doing something you really enjoy. I bet Matt's gonna end up buying the bigger iDry kiln and still keep the one he has too. he could have them both running simultaneously 🤔😃
I love to see the old Singer sewing machine in his workshop, 7:05. We had a bunch of these in my family, like everyone else I guess. I had a foot peddle machine and one of the first electric ones. They both were in the barn at my grandparents farm.
Funny, nobody wanted them when the farm was sold, so I took them. Gave one to a small museum and the electrical one I gave to an old high school friend who was struggling and who worked part time as seamstress when she could. She made costumes for a place that rented them. Hadn’t seen her for years, but that machine was a blessing for her. She still uses it, newer machines don’t hold up to the old fabrics and its a work horse for her.
That machine gave her the wherewithal to stay afloat and I heard she left that lazy husband. My grandmother would have been happy to see her mothers sewing machine helping a single mother for sure. She said she will pass it on to her daughter.
I know that has nothing to do with milling wood but when I saw it, it just reminded me of all the history that sits in old pig barns all over the country. I suspect most is just thrown out. No one wants that old stuff, everyone wants things that are stainless steel, plastic or some other crap. People just throw it away because it’s old. Put a bit of work into it and if you ask around there will be someone who will cherish it and put it into good use.
Great video and operation he has. I wish him success
Very informative. I wish I would have seen this 25 years ago. Good stuff.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. Thanks for the Great content.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your's.
It is neat knowing that I have stood in the very spot that you guys were chatting at then seeing it on the screen. Matt is a standup guy and has a passion for his job
Great video. Very informative and interesting. I run an LT40 mill and the modifications to saw wider slabs is something I would never have imagined was feasible.
This video pushed has pushed me closer than I've ever been to quitting my job. This is a dream to work towards.
That’s quite a good learning day for you Matt..
Good on him. Hard work pays off, always.
Superb two men doing what they love. Job satisfaction 👍👍👍
Great stuff. It's a really nice change from your usual video, especially for those of us who have slabbing fever, and would like nothing better than to make a business out of it. Thanks Matt, and thanks idry.
Thanks Matt, that was a great video you folks shared. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻✋🏻✋🏻
Thanks to both of you most interesting. That system pull a pretty good vacuum.
Amazing to see his growth happen so fast. Proves you can succeed in less time when you put in the hard work. Cant wait to get a vacuum kiln but will be testing a few ideas with making my own for now.
WTF dude? That shed structure would make an AWESOME green house/grow room in the winter!!!
thanks, Matt, for an informative video. I grew up near a sawmill that a cousin set up in the 1940's. Wow! How the process has changed! Matt Ruben will be an absolute business success story.
Great video, such a treat to see a young man build his dream.
That's so cool. Thanks for sharing.
Great interview! Who wants to place bets on how long before Matt has an iDry on his new property?
My guess:
1. Matt talks the other Matt into getting the new bigger model and our Matt buys his old model.
2. Matt just buys the new bigger unit for himself.
3. Matt builds his own vacuum kiln bigger and better out of a shipping container.
2 or 3
A shipping container build with Andrew Camarata would be interesting
Haha vacuum would implode a shipping container quick!
Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 PSI. That is 2116.8 pounds per square foot. You could probably dent a shipping container by kicking it. Sucking the air out of it, even only half of it, will make the container look like Godzilla stepped on it.
@@paulgrenier2279 That raises a question I've not seen. Is it a full vacuum? (well, as full as can be generated on earth?) Or is it just a partial vacuum?
Hey Matt and Matt. Thanks for sharing. My friend and I are building a saw mill business. We have purchased your sawmill plans and are planning on scaling your mill down slightly! Not sure if we need one as big as yours. This video allowed me to see how one mill operation is set up and gave me some great ideas for our setup. Also the vacuum kiln is amazing. I am going to seriously look at the benefits verse cost on one of those units thanks for sharing!
One thing you should consider is what market your looking to take your business. One advantage of Matt's mill design is the width capacity, which 90%+ of sawyers with typical mills will only be able to operate on diameters up to 27-36". So if you're looking to get business from those with larger diameter logs, then maybe take that into consideration. If you are intending on only operating smaller diameter logs, then you should probably strongly consider purchasing one of the many commercially available machines. The amount of money saved building your own versus the labor you will have to put into it, may not make financial sense if this is meant to be a business for you, as time is money, and potential reliability/up-time issues you might run into. Probably things you are already considering. Good luck.
Go into business on your own or not at all ! I sat down with an accountant before starting a business and didn’t take his warning. You can do it yourself and the decisions will be 100% your own good or bad.
@@oakleyjack7600 Most businesses will succeed with low overhead and putting in the time !
Congratulations on your work and effort creating your own milling operation...good luck
It's amazing what you can learn and how you can change your life/future by watching You Tube
That was a fantastic video, Matt & Matt! Great content! Well done, Mr. Ruben! Thank you #IDry!
Awesome go getters. Matt R has a good attitude. Maybe he'll buy not just one but two larger capacity I-Dry's. Thanks Matthew C for sharing your life and friends lives and experiences.
Matt and Matt - Don't get much better than that... Enjoyed!
Excellent video. Big asset that both Matt's are excellent communicators.
Great video. Both of you guys are terrific people. Wish I lived closer so I could drop by and meet you both and support your businesses. Keep working hard and sharing your talents and good things will continue to come of it!
I am so glad to see that there are still places in this country where younger people can be successful in in bushiness. Connecticut just gives you a hard time. They do not what small businesses it seams .
Matt, keep pushing on. I’m sitting right where you where at 3 years ago. Been wood working for ever. Great that your idea is paying off. God is blessing you 🙏👏
Great look and thanks to Matt for the info. My best to you both.
Really appreciate this video. Thank you for sharing!
The chickee took the spot light during that water check up....!!! lol
Have been enjoying your videos for several years. Would be great to see you produce a series on "Discovering Small Mills". I think it would be a hit!
Thanks for posting this. it's nice to see somebody take a risk on the unknown, and be successful at it. God bless, I hope your business continues to grow more and more each day!
Great Stuff Matt....Love the time to move on attitude from working for other people. I have been building and remodeling houses for almost 35 years. I hope to purchase 2 buildable lots together with a total of 7 acres this coming week....very pumped. I have a 5 year plan to build two houses and a custom 36 x 60 rough cut barn to setup a milling / furniture / riveredge and live edge business. Im in the lower hills of Mount Washington in NH. Time for this guy to finally make his dreams become reality. Hope to have some videos out with the start of building my 2 homes and start up of my Mill business. One day at a time as they say. Best of luck and thanks for your insights. Peace Out. Mike.
Hope it all works out, Mike!
I spy some bench slabs! This video was great. So informative and I now have a new list of dream equipment.
Hey Matt, I loved watching your videos a few years back and found you again, Its good to see you're still making videos! I lost my old account but subscribed again!
Interesting video, I imagine with your skill-set creating a few kitchen cabinets you could do in your sleep
That is quite a setup for the log business. I thought he was going to roast a couple of chickens in the I Dry, hahaha
That was a great change up from some of your regular/current content (not complaining about that - just that this was a welcome, refreshing change with some great insights into Matt's business)
Informative for any thinking about owning a mill. Best to both of you.
What an education I totally enjoyed watching this video As the saying goes You learn something everyday
Believe it then achieve it, that’s what I was told by friends and family, 25 years later still self employed, never regretted it. America is in good shape with entrepreneurs such as yourselves! not all in the basement playing video games
Great vid. Always great hearing how people start a business and make it successful
Great Video! I just bought my first 2 sawmills this year after going full time working for myself in May last year doing timber framing.
Great video. Helpful information!
Thanks for sharing this success story.
Questions :
Have you noticed any slowdown in the Live Edge slab business?
Are the slabs you sell used for a live edge slab finished project or are they cut apart for use as components of furniture and other finished products?
i know the truth. Matt isn't the boss. the rooster is. i like the way he hangs around and supervises! :)
Great video. Very informative and learned a lot . Thanks
Hey, first time viewing your podcast, looking forward to more of your podcasts and adventures on the homestead
Very cool raw operation great guy !
That is so cool that Nathan was the inspiration for this fellow. He has a great channel..
Funny how things work
Wow thank you and a little to late. I looked what seems for ever to find a vacuum dryer. I found a couple and only one that seemed good. I was doing this for a friend and it was like jumping through hoops to get info on it. I found a Radio Frequency Vacuum Kiln but again it was a pain and no where near local. He ended up building one which does the job but not as good but way better than a hot box kiln. He is still looking as he is no where near keeping up with the demand. We are pumping out slabs and tables left and right. We need a piece like this where you don't need to be so hands on through the process. A kind of set it and forget it, a RONCO of vacuum kilns
I find that about 98% plus of the people have no idea that it takes years to dry a log to get it to a proper slab or even molding/cabinet grade wood
At 2:29 when Matt is talking about selling chickens, a little hen runs out from behind the log like, "Nope I'm out, ain't selling me to Butterball" lol
This video was extremely inspiring thanks!
Great video! Almost done in the style of an old episode of This Old House. Comfortable informative conversation without too much to distract from the purpose of the video. Good insight on starting a sawmill business from the ground up. I wouldn't mind hearing the amounts invested for the equipment necessary to get it all going. Once again, Great video!
150k
Hey Lindsey, you know what will go on the back side of the new sawmill shed in 23/24..... Looked good
Enjoyed your video with your timber drying segment what a set up he has there wow keep it up Matt
Enjoyable segment, Matt x 2. Knowing you have to edit content since you're not producing a documentary series, I found myself continuing to come up with questions that never get answered. Maybe a part 2 deep dive in the future? How do some slabs dry flat while others become almost unflattenable? How does he "tag" slabs when they're bought wet and not lose track of whose is whose, etc.? I love the operational stuff I guess.
So that lift off the trailer & over the dump trailer there at the end…. Just a normal telehandler day, eh? Thanks for sharing Matt’s operation. His solar kiln is so close to being usable - he might find a local “high volume hobbyist” who would finish it off & put it to good use. The iDry is awesome. Great to see the background. Good luck both of you…
another great video, thanks very much!
Happy Thanksgiving. Great video!
Good video very enjoyable…makes me jealous at the moment cause I got a huge maple to cut into bowl blanks. Shame he can’t drive to Switzerland ;)
Great insight to what is needed to dry.
GREAT video! I have always been interested in vacuuming since I built my first press 25 years ago. Thanks!
Awesome video. Enjoy the determination
the sawmill machine is very good, greetings from Indonesian wood workers
Great vid Matt
Ooh do I see an iDry in your near future. That thing is super awesome.
This was fantastic, huge thanks for sharing!
U always got interesting content keep it up matt good stuff 🤩🤩🤩🤩🔥🔥🔥💰💰💰💲💲💲💲💲
Frigg'n excellent episode. Great information and well delivered.
Impressive Matt especially the Oak Burls
i enjoyed this very much.hope you get to do more like this
Good video, love to see someone successful starting a business.
Interesting story about drying. In Sweden, before around 1850, only masters were allowed to build furniture. Then the master saved up wood to try over 30 years for the next generation. While he got the wood dried and nice from the previous master.
Thank you Matt, Happy Thanksgiving
You too!
This was very informative. You two do great work.
Amazing video and very helpful. I am as well going to venture into the sawmill business and it’s very promising to see someone with such ambitious goals and able to obtain those goals . Best of luck to your business ! I hope I can follow in the same steps .
Awesome video, tells me if your name is Matt, you might have the talent to work with wood, I am a computer analyst so my tendency is to analyse everything to the max, and I really wonder what are the characteristics of the water coming out of trees, I would have it analysed by a university lab, to find out if there is something special that can be done with it, I know my son when he did his PhD in biochemistry they found great things to do with a liquid that farmers were just ditching in nature....
Very very nice thank you for the video
I'm wondering how long after the house is done being worked on does Matt get himself a saw enclosure? I was thinking kiln but a shed/enclosure for the saw surely would come first IMO.
Interesting. Thank you for this video
Cool tour!
This was good, lets some of us know it can be done even when you are starting "green".
Nice! Also seeing you in tshirts had me confused but you ended in parkas.
Nice to see the development of a fellow Woodmizer owners business, although we're milling for personal use at this point. So when did you get the dump trailer Mr. Cremona?
My mother was born in Nashville Township, and grew up in Westbrook, Minn.
Thanks for the video