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howdy, and i'd like to build my own bandsaw mill

Started by mikeb1079, December 19, 2010, 09:04:02 PM

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mikeb1079

hey folks, i've been snooping around this forum for awhile now but this is my first post.  name's mike and i got into this stuff when i built a little alaskan style chainsaw mill for kicks.  well, turns out i really enjoy milling lumber for some reason.   :)   now i've prob got around a thousand board ft of cherry, walnut, ash, and oak out back.  anyways, i'm ready to make the next step from csm to bandsaw mill.  i've been thinking about it for awhile but the other day a fella posted some pics of a simple sturdy looking bsm he'd made on another forum i nerd around on.  that was the kick in the pants i needed to decide i'm gonna do it.  i'll build my own.  reasons are simple:  i've got the engine, steel, and access to a shop where i can put it together.  i'm a greenhorn at fabricating but that's one of the reasons i'd like to build it myself:  it'll teach me a bunch.    8)

i very much respect all the real world knowledge on this forum so i'd like to ask you guys some questions:

1.  the fella said he used 8" wheels.  this seems small.  i'd like to go 12"  thoughts?

2.  would i be wise to build the mill to take a set length band?  or can woodmizer/cooks etc, cut to any length i would need?

3.  i have no plans.  so i either need to make my own or find some.  the only ones i've come across so far are at sawmillplans.com and i'm reluctant to buy these without talking to someone who has used them to build from.  do you guys know of any plans out there?

4.  any other tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.

i'm having extreme difficulty posting pics.  tips?


cheers
mb
that's why you must play di drum...to blow the big guys mind!
homebuilt 16hp mill
99 wm superhydraulic w/42hp kubota

terrifictimbersllc

You'll want to use stock bands if getting from WM.  Others will tell you a lot about building your mill.

On posting photos, first you upload,  then you post.  To Upload, Click on Java uploader (resizes for you).  Select your album or create one and name it if you don't have one, then select it.  Then browse for your photo on your computer.  The key is to double click on folders, not single click.  If you single click it will start trying to load everything in a folder.  If you double click it will just open it (this is what you want).  proceed to browse till you find your photo (any size) but it needs to be jpeg or a few other types.  then just click on your photo file name.  it will then appear in the window.  Then click the upload now button.   

Once your photo appears, click on it to select it.  then look in a text box below for <img src=......type of language and select all of that (this is the command  to put your photo into your post).   Copy this text, then go back to your post, and paste it into your post.    Then post your post and you're done. 

Note:   when you have a post open, and then select the java uploader and go into that, now you have two forestry forum windows open in your browser .   To go between them (go from the uploader back to your post), you have to move between these two windows however your browser app lets you do this.
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

paul case

i would use 19'' bandwheels. those are standard equip on many mills.or you could use car tires and wheels. fishfarmer made his own . i am sure he has some pointers for you.
my advice.....look at as many mills as you can and take some notes before you start to build.  pc
life is too short to be too serious. (some idiot)
2013 LT40SHE25 and Riehl edger,  WM 94 LT40 hd E15. Cut my sawing ''teeth'' on an EZ Boardwalk
sawing oak.hickory,ERC,walnut and almost anything else that shows up.
Don't get phylosophical with me. you will loose me for sure.
pc

sgschwend

Even though you believe you have all the parts.  Find a design you would like to have and them compare your parts to it.  You will likely find you need a bunch of drive parts and those can add up $$.

Many band mills use 19" wheels, you can even purchase the wheels, bearing and guides from an existing sawmill company.

Be prepared to invest a full year to build one too.  It take a lot of hours, because there is a lot to a mill, it is more than a sawhead rolling down a track.

A resaw might be an option too, if your stock is in cant form.
Steve Gschwend

sjgschwend@gmail.com

Carpenter

     Welcome to the forum.  A lot of guys here have built bandmills.  Looks like fun.

mikeb1079

thanks for the replies fellas.  since i'm a dum dum i forgot to mention that i've already decided on using trailer tires and rims for the mill.  that's what the 8" figure was referring to in my post above.  i'd like to use 12" trailer rims.  with the tires i think that'd put me around 18" total diameter for the wheels.  does this sound reasonable or should i go bigger?  i'd like to be able to cut around 24".  another question i have is do you think it's worth it just to buy guides (like from linn)?  i've read on previous posts here that some folks recommend just buying the guides as they are the very important.
thanks again!   8)
that's why you must play di drum...to blow the big guys mind!
homebuilt 16hp mill
99 wm superhydraulic w/42hp kubota

mikeb1079

 



here's the mill i'm talking about.  danG that pic is small.  sorry bout that.
that's why you must play di drum...to blow the big guys mind!
homebuilt 16hp mill
99 wm superhydraulic w/42hp kubota

Bill Gaiche

mikeb1079, welcome aboard.  started in Jan. and finished my basic mill in April of this year. Added some legth later and put a frame and whels under it for transporting. I visited a mill dealer and took photos and notes. Get all you can. I used the same wheels for the LT15, shafts and guide roller. The rest I made. Its not that hard but time consuming. Take the time and make yourself some plans to go by. Imop I would use good wheels for the long run. Look at the photos in the gallery for some good starting points and ideas.
Where are you located and what are your future plans? Good luck, bg

mikeb1079

hey bill.  i'm up here in madison wi.  i should mention too that i have no interest in using this mill to cut for profit.  it's just for my personal use, so it don't have to be too fancy!  i'm a beginning woodworker and just like to saw wood.   :)
that's why you must play di drum...to blow the big guys mind!
homebuilt 16hp mill
99 wm superhydraulic w/42hp kubota

thecfarm

mikeb1079,sounds like a project.I did not have the smarts to build one,so I bought one.You have not talked about hyds yet to load the logs with.If you do go with a manual mill make it so it will cut a 20 foot log.Gives you plenty of room to play with.My track is probably 25 feet long. Gives you about 4 feet to play with when you put a 16 footer on instead of inches.Have fun.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

Wrangler55

I didn't look to see where you are located, but here's a used mill that I'd buy if I had the money.

http://richmond.craigslist.org/bfs/2077539581.html

It's a fully automated Cook's sawmill.  The listing says it needs engine work, at $7000 for the mill, I'd buy it if it was missing the engine! Used 25 hp yard tractors are less than $500 all day long.

However if building a sawmill is your goal, go for it! Nothing gives you more satisfaction than a job well done and you'll know your mill inside and out. Plus when you think of a modification that would make your mill better, it's easier to get out the cutting and welding tools when you've made the machine yourself.  Somehow drilling a hole in a machine you've paid good money for is a lot harder to do.

Hal
I'm so covered with sawdust, my nickname should be dusty...

Bill Gaiche

mikeb1079 , I understand. Thats all I do do is cut for fun. Havent made a dime as for cutting for someone else and dont plan on it. Just do my own projects and personal projects for friend and relatives. I do charge for materials to some so that it doesnt come out of my pocket. The wheels you mentioned will work because to many other people do the same thing. Its very important that when you fabricate your wheels and guide rollers that you do the best you can to make it strong and keep everything as square and straight as possible. Doing this makes the mill run truer without having trouble in the beginning and later also.Try and use the 158" band blades. Concider cutting a log 30" at least because the time will come that you will wish it was bigger than for 24". Good luck, bg

vtdiy

Hi, I built mine about 6 years ago -- from SimpleSaw "plans." There's still a lot of figuring you have to do with these -- more like an instruction booklet. But it was a great experience corresponding with the guy who sold them to me.

I built mine in 2 weeks out of necessity, dawn 'til dark, because I wanted to use it while building my house. I've cut many thousands of board feet with it over the years, non-commercially. It was a great experience building it, and if you enjoy that kind of thing as well as woodworking, definitely go that route. I built my own guides. The plans are a little sketchy there for the wiper pads -- but I figured out my own version. The moving parts of the guides are shown on the plans are just stacked unshielded ball bearings on a bolt, very simple, very inexpensive, easy to service.

I'm thinking about building a swing blade saw now.

Good luck!





Wrangler55

Quote from: vtdiy on December 20, 2010, 01:45:11 PM
Hi, I built mine about 6 years ago -- from SimpleSaw "plans." There's still a lot of figuring you have to do with these -- more like an instruction booklet. But it was a great experience corresponding with the guy who sold them to me.




How about some detailed photos of your mill. I'm sure a lot of people reading this forum would be interested.  Thanks in advance.

Hal
I'm so covered with sawdust, my nickname should be dusty...

vtdiy

Quote from: Wrangler55 on December 20, 2010, 07:25:12 PM
How about some detailed photos of your mill. I'm sure a lot of people reading this forum would be interested.  Thanks in advance.

Hal

Hi Hal, I'm afraid I don't have many detail pix of it, I built it in a hurry, and took no construction shots. There are a few other photos in my gallery. However another builder of the Simple Saw has a lot of detail shots here:

http://kruppt.tripod.com/mill_1/index.html

The Simple Saw was designed by Bill Rake, who I hope is still with us, I notice his website is down. He had bypass surgery when I ordered plans from him years ago, darn guy actually mailed them out from the hospital. He was extremely helpful once he got back on his feet, answering emails and making suggestions not only about the band mill, but my house building as well. He also designed a very cool crawler, which I got plans for but haven't built yet.

Anyway, he was (and I hope still is) an original. Indebted to him.


Just Me

 Building a mill is something I have been contemplating as well. I have lots of fabrication time from my brother and I racing in the Soda/CORR/WSORR series of off road races. We put together two championship trucks in our shop.

We have Mig and Tig, plasma cutter, metal saws and brake, tubing bender, small mill, but what I don't have is time.......

Hard to buy time.

Larry

mikeb1079

well i done did er.  finally got my home built sawmill together.  8)  very challenging/frustrating/rewarding project.  it'll handle 24" by 12 1/2' logs.  i mounted the whole works on a tandem axle trailer i picked up off craigslist.  the idea being that i'd be portable and still have a way to pick up logs if i needed to.  i built it using 25 1/2" bandsaw wheels that i also found on craigs which i were told were woodmizer wheels.  you guys would probably know that better than i.  they work well but if i had to go it all again i'd buy new 19" wheels from linn lumber.  the extra size of the 25 1/2" wheels makes the mill very wide.  there's a few tweaks i still need to make but i'm workin on it!   :)



that's why you must play di drum...to blow the big guys mind!
homebuilt 16hp mill
99 wm superhydraulic w/42hp kubota

mikeb1079

here's some more pics:

some black walnut i cut on the new mill:



here's the movable bearing guide:



another mill pic:



here's some white oak i milled tonight:



i have to say it's a pretty steep learning curve but thanks to you guys i definitely have a head start!

that's why you must play di drum...to blow the big guys mind!
homebuilt 16hp mill
99 wm superhydraulic w/42hp kubota

fishpharmer

Outstanding job you have done Mike!! 8)
Nice lumber too.
Built my own band mill with the help of Forestry Forum. 
Lucas 618 with 50" slabber
WoodmizerLT-40 Super Hydraulic
Deere 5065E mfwd w/553 loader

The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work. --Tom A. Edison

duke

look up linn bandsaw mills on the web. They sell kits and plans from just parts on up. Worth a look. It is very interesting. I am in the same kinda boat love building things that I have never done before just to learn how to do it. They have an interesting concept and it works with most peoples budgets and skill level from the look of things.
Half the fun is learning something new.
  Marcel

duke


thecfarm

Must be your logs across the street in reply #17? Looks great. Good job.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

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