Norwood ML26 build

eastberkshirecustoms · December 31, 2011, 03:05:13 PM

Looking good! Nice to see 4 generations helping with the build.

Chuck White · December 31, 2011, 05:02:58 PM

Nice job Riggs, lookin' good!

Welcome to the Forestry Forum "Old Man Riggs".

Riggs · December 31, 2011, 05:06:12 PM

cutterboy, thats a good looking setup you've got, what are the legs on the rail setting on? Blocks? timbers? this is one of the things I am rolling around in my head trying to come up with the best solution. I want it to be pretty much permanent, I have considered everything from a concrete pad, to blocks. Somebody give me some input, and even better pictures.

catskillpond · December 31, 2011, 05:15:49 PM

Macgyver has a point we installed a piece of conveyor belt and it has worked great make sure you use antisieze on all connections especially carriage rollers and pivot points at the fulcrum point for band wheels good luck with it the guys at Norwood have given us great service

cutterboy · December 31, 2011, 08:59:28 PM

Riggs, the legs are setting on 2 inch thick planks about 8 inches wide that are placed crosswise under the mill. My mill is not set permanently in place. I have the trailer package and once in a while I move it to a different location to do a job for someone or to a different location on my farm. One summer I moved it out into the woods so I could saw in the shade. Every year at the end of November I put it one of my barns for the winter.

The 2x8 planks work fine for me but if I was to keep my mill in a permanent location, I think a cement slab would be best.

This is the only picture I could find that shows the legs on the planks.

ooops, here's another one

JP135 · December 31, 2011, 09:18:16 PM

Riggs, nice mill you've got there. Thanks for documenting the build where we can all see. I always say I'm gonna do something like that and post photos of the process, but I never do. I can't stop working when I've got a good head of steam built up and I miss the chance to take pics.

So cool that your Dad and Grandfather are involved. I really hate that my Dad never got to see my mill because I know he would've loved it. Cherish the times and take lots of photos of them.

Riggs · January 02, 2012, 06:52:48 AM

Macgyver and catskillpond, thanks for the idea, We will definitely have to look into it.
Thanks for the pics cutterboy, I'm still rolling ideas around, but I think I've about made my mind up. Planning to work on it again today.

Riggs · January 02, 2012, 08:21:43 AM

Today is set to be the last day of the build, pretty much all that is left is to put the blade on, add gas and oil, and tighten every thing up.
Hopefully by the end of the day my Norwood will be set up in its place, ready to level up and saw a little.
Here are some pictures of what we did yesterday, a great way to bring in the new year.

Both bandwheels mounted before the drive belt was installed.

The clutch cable threaded through the guards ready to hook up

The drive belt, you can also see the clutch cable has now been hooked up.

My next post will be when we move it into place and unload it. Thanks for looking.

Magicman · January 02, 2012, 08:43:13 AM

Congrats on your detailed assembly process and I know that you are now anxious to see sawdust. I have thought of my Granddad many times and know that he would have been trying to sleep with my sawmill. :D :D

shelbycharger400 · January 02, 2012, 12:22:47 PM

on that mill, dose the belt that drives the one wheel also act as the surface where the band rides as well?

Riggs · January 02, 2012, 01:30:04 PM

Quote from: shelbycharger400 on January 02, 2012, 12:22:47 PM
on that mill, dose the belt that drives the one wheel also act as the surface where the band rides as well?

Yes on the right hand side (looking at the last picture) the left side has a belt around the wheel on that side.

Riggs · January 03, 2012, 06:49:53 AM

Yesterday we finished the build, and did the set-up where the mill will be. A thick layer of crusher run gravel, topped with 18" paving stones should make a really solid platform for many years. Everything is level and ready to go. Hopefully the move will be Saturday.

Here are a few pictures of yesterdays work.

Magicman · January 03, 2012, 08:41:41 AM

You are going to be fine. I see that you will be out where passerby's can see you.

WDH · January 03, 2012, 08:10:31 PM

That should generate some interest for you.

Tree Feller · January 04, 2012, 09:09:03 AM

Riggs,

I was away at work all through the holidays and only had brief intervals to enjoy this thread. I got home yesterday and re-read the entire thing. Wonderful!

Congratulations on completing the build. I know you're anxious to start sawing, too.

Thanks a million for the thread. Please comment on how the saw performs once you get a chance.

Riggs · January 04, 2012, 09:20:38 AM

Tree Feller,
I am planning on posting when we get it set up and level, and will let you know for sure how it does. Hoping to finish up on Saturday. Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it will help some folks out in the future.

cutterboy · January 05, 2012, 08:00:35 PM

Riggs, I can't wait to see the mill set up and sawing. Thanks for sharing everything with us.

BTW, nice country where you live.

Riggs · January 07, 2012, 03:18:23 PM

OK, its all set, if you remember, I started this build on a trailer in my Dads shop to stay out of the rain. We finished the assembly and then had to figure out how to get it off the trailer.

We took the last two sections (8 feet) off to make it a little less awkward, ran a strap around the bucket of the tractor, and picked it up enough to drive out from under it. Then set it in place with the tractor.

And yes, I left my Dad (old man Riggs on the FF) holding one end long enough to get a picture.

Once it was set, the only real challenge was to get it level and stabilized. The leveling proved to be the biggest challenge to the whole build.
Again i would like to give Norwood a tremendous amount of credit for having it laid out simple enough that I could do it.

Chuck White · January 07, 2012, 03:34:11 PM

Lookin' good Riggs!

How long before you build a house for it! 8)

Riggs · January 07, 2012, 03:42:00 PM

Quote from: Chuck White on January 07, 2012, 03:34:11 PM
Lookin' good Riggs!

How long before you build a house for it! 8)

That would be project #1 on my things to do list

Tree Feller · January 07, 2012, 05:00:44 PM

Excellent! Having that 4WD tractor and FEL available is a luxury that will pay off many,many times, I'm sure.

Is that grandpa running the tractor? What a great project for you all to do together.

Thanks again for documenting the build and placement. I'm grateful.

Riggs · January 07, 2012, 07:01:40 PM

Quote from: Tree Feller on January 07, 2012, 05:00:44 PM
Excellent! Having that 4WD tractor and FEL available is a luxury that will pay off many,many times, I'm sure.

Is that grandpa running the tractor? What a great project for you all to do together.

Thanks again for documenting the build and placement. I'm grateful.

Couldn't do without the tractor, and yes that's my Grandpa on it.

TimGA · January 07, 2012, 07:17:10 PM

Riggs, I looked at buying a Norwood before buying my mill. It was in my top 3, I love the simplicity of it. I wanted hyd though. Great job, to good health and sawdust everywhere. Tim

cutterboy · January 07, 2012, 08:07:36 PM

I was wondering how you would get your mill off the trailer. Very clever. The ML26 looks nice sitting there.

TIME TO MAKE SOME SAWDUST! 8)

leroy in kansas · January 07, 2012, 08:38:15 PM

Riggs, thanks for the documentation. Each time someone post something as this I learn and the fever becomes worse. Got to get enough time to get my mill out of the shed and get with it.