I could really get some use out of a real sawmill.

I have a hard time considering a bandmill a 'real' sawmill.
They are wonderful for custom work. But not production milling.

it seems like an enjoyable way to make a few extra bucks....

"Enjoyable" and "operating a bandmill" are not two thoughts
I would associate together. Of course if you are already
using a chainsaw mill, a bandmill would be a massive leap
forward for you in productivity and ease of operation.
It is still hard and dirty work.

If I was looking into getting a bandmill (like the one I used),
I would have to consider the following things:
The basic mill could handle 16ft long logs.
With extensions I think you could get up to 32 feet long.
Power feed is a must. And power height adjustment.
You need a way to get heavy logs onto the machine.
I used a forklift. You can use loading ramps and a winch.
Some of the newer (more expensive) units use hydraulic loaders.
And, can you justify the cost of one of these things.

I used to want a bandmill. Then I got a job at a place that
had a bandmill. I quit when I got stuck running that thing
on one too many days by myself. I hated it.
But like I said, if you are already using a chainsaw mill....

Make sure you can keep the blades sharp and with the correct set.
Otherwise the blade wanders all over when cutting.
You don't want to have lumber come out of the mill this way.

Pooh Bear

The one I used was basically a trailer and could be towed anywhere.
For setup, you extended several supports to take the load off the axle springs.
This leveled the mill and steadied it for use.

For use away from the shop where we didn't have the forklift,
we setup the mill on site, and used the ramps to load logs.
Just set the ramps up, and use a winch on the tow vehicle
to drag the logs up the ramps onto the mill. There was an
optional winch available for the mill but we already had the truck winch.

At the shop we had supports setup at the same height as the mill bed.
We could use the forklift to load several logs onto the supports
and then just use a cant hook to roll them onto the mill.

To operate the mill effiecently you need at least two people.
One to operate the mill and one to stack lumber and other chores.
But it's still hard work, and like I said, us bears are lazy.

If you're up to the hard work you won't have any problem.
Bandmilling prices around here range from $125 to $200 per 1000bf.

Hudson Hydraulic Mill in use

All Hudson videos on YouTube

Woodmizer Mill in action

You can find more videos on YouTube for bandmills.
I just did a search for 'bandmill' and another search for 'Woodmizer'.

Pooh Bear

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

Still hoping to get a link to the Forestry Forums.

Pooh Bear

You are past bandsaw land and even smaller head saws.
That is full up industrial lumber cutting land.