Five tips on mobile gater services from an experienced custom woodworker

Watch this interview to learn more about custom wood cutting with a mobile bandsaw.

Keith Threadgall is a timber cutter from Scotland. He started operating a Wood-Mizer saw as early as 1999, first as a full-time operator and later as a custom sawyer. Keith now runs his own mobile sawmill company based in Southern Scotland, carrying out timber cutting for customers throughout Scotland. "I've been cutting wood for over 20 years"says Keith. It is known in the area as a mobile gate company that provides quality service.

Tip 1 - Discover your customers and the market in which you can operate

When he does custom wood cutting, Keith visits a lot of farmers, homeowners and others who need logs cut. Farmers and homeowners usually need softwood lumber for building construction, fencing, siding and other projects. Keith says many of his regular customers are builders who need custom lumber from the oak logs they own.

Tip 2 - Plan your trips in detail, visit as many clients in the area as possible

Much of rural Scotland is harder to reach. Sometimes Keith leaves home for days at a time, as it takes him up to five hours to reach more remote parts of Northern Scotland with many single-lane roads. "Often, I go a day early and check into a hostel near my workplace. I usually try to coordinate my work for different clients in the area so that I spend less time on the road. Sometimes clients agree to my arrival in the afternoon because they need time in the morning to prepare for my visit. This is often in my favour."says Keith.

Tip 3 - Take along sails, spare parts, tools and other supplies

Keith usually travels alone, so he has to make sure he has enough spare parts and sails with him. "I usually travel by myself and if special assistance or equipment is needed, I leave that to the customer. I always take enough fuel for my saw, blades, spare parts, chainsaw and other tools." I usually take four to six blades for a day's cutting, which gives me about one to two hours of cutting time per blade. If I go for 3-4 days, then I take at least 20 re-sharpened blades and at least a box of new spare blades. As for spare parts, I usually take B57 drive belts, blade guide rollers, nuts and bolts for adjusting guide alignment, and fuel filters. Basically, these things usually aren't available in remote areas."says Keith.

Tip 4 - Give the customer accurate data and always be punctual

Mobile cutting is not a very competitive market in Scotland. Availability has helped Keith to get more and more orders:"A lot of results come from hard work and dedication, and you can even plan for the future. Sometimes custom cutters just say they'll have time in a few weeks, but don't give an exact date. I always try to specify the exact date when I can visit clients. This allows them to organise their workforce, machinery, premises and the timber needed to be cut."says Keith.

Tip 5 - Don't hold back, share your experiences, sell your saws when appropriate

Keith says many of his customers are looking for used saws. Some customers are interested in purchasing a saw and like to do certain tasks themselves. "I keep my saws for a year or two and then sell them. I've found that there's a price range where people will buy a saw and keep it for part-time work."