00 Frick

[Bjt]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I've found a 00 Frick sawmill that's not been in service for 5-6 years, the owner wants to sell, it comes with 2 52" saws and a jockey grinder asking 5,000. The carriage and the track frame is steel, the husk is wood and is solid but is in need of new bearings in the drive/friction pulleys. The knees have what looks  like a lot of wear to me that may need attention not really sure though. It comes with a old 4 cylinder case diesel power unit and has the v belt drive pulleys,with the the drag chain dust removal pulleys and hardware  (no chain). Advice/opinions please. Thx

[moodnacreek]

A lot depends on the condition of the mandrel. Worst case would be undersize where the bearings sit or a bend somewhere. If the mill could be run for a few hours and the bearings monitored with a thermometer and the collars checked for taper, that might tell you something. To get a new mandrel would be expensive and it must be done by a machine shop with sawmill experience. I think the mill would be worth the asking price in usable condition [with the diesel]

[Bjt]

Thanks moodnacreek. If a new mandrel and collars has to purchased, what would be a price estimation of a medium size new one? 

[Woodpecker52]

Had a mill similar to this one was in about the same shape,  took a lot of work to restore, had to update with a Detroit diesel 671 because it was underpowered, carriages were always slack from worn cast iron.  I cut a lot of lumber with it but it was a bogger and would get you if you didn't pay attention.  If you like to restore old machinery,  like to work with people ( will need a few to help you) then go for it.  If you want to saw lumber then I would look at a bandmill.  For about the same price you can buy a mill new and have fewer headaches.  There is a reason you do not see a lot of these mills anymore.

[Ron Wenrich]

An option for the mandrel is to do away with the feedworks and convert over to hydraulics.  The biggest problem I see with that setup is that there is no support back by the main pulley, and that puts a big strain on the mandrel.  

It could be that the bearings are overpacked with grease.  Some guys put too much grease in a sealed bearing, and that causes them to overheat.  You have to flush them out and put in new grease.

D&D Sawmill Services has mandrels and bearings in stock.  They could give you a quick cost estimate.  D&D Sawmill Services.  

[moodnacreek]

   Yes, call D&D. Back in '97 I had Lane do a mandrel for around $1000 and then almost that much for 3 spherical roller bearing pillow blocks plus we made adjustable mounts.     Nobody wants a circle sawmill unless they get serious about making lumber and then they might go to a band saw resaw.  The idea today is to hitch it to your pick up and go saw logs all in the same day. To take and fill orders for rough low grade and some times dirty and frozen logs with a small portable band rig would be difficult. Many have tried and quit. On the other hand carefully cut and handled high grade logs will yield more board foot if sawn with a thin blade.

[Haleiwa]

By the time you tear it down, move it, set it up on a new base, and build a shed for it, the 5000 will be the least of your concerns.  Those were great mills in their day, but unless you want to make a full time job of running one and have two good helpers it's hard to make one efficient.  The ones I knew of in Pennsylvania were mostly sawing lower grade logs for the crosstie market. Virtually every one of them had been set up on a concrete foundation.  It's a constant fight to keep one straight on wooden posts.
To make on work efficiently, you need a live deck and an edger, one laborer as an offbearer, and a loader/forklift operator.  You also need plenty of slab and sawdust space.  
A mill like that really doesn't lend itself to one man operation.  That said, with a good sawyer, it can saw a lot in a day.

[Bjt]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I had no idea that a mandrel and bearings would be that costly. That's a game changer for sure. Thx again 

[sealark37]

A more realistic price for this mill would be $1000-$2000.  If you do wish to tackle a project like this, make an offer to the owner.  He will never get his price for the mill.     Regards, Clark

[bandmiller2]

Clark is correct $5000.00 was kinda the standard price years ago before band mills. I wouldn't go much over $2500.00 unless it had a real nice diesel. Band mills are usually a hobby, circular mills are a way of life. Frank C.