New on the block

[D._Frederick]

Smwwoody,
The answer to your question about using what you have laying around to generate current is NO. A motor can generate power, but it is un-regulated and the voltage would be unstable. To do it right, you should have a power take off on the front of the engine belted to a generate. That way you could have electrical power without running your sawmill.

[smwwoody]

Thanks D

I found a 4400 watt homolite generator with a bad engine today for free.   I will tear it down in the morning to see what I will have to do to belt it to my diesel.  I have a second clutch on the mill so I can shut it down. the only thing I will have to run extra is the hydraulic pump.
 8) 8) 8)

[D._Frederick]

smwwoody,
If you have time, tell us about your sawmill: what make, size, make of power unit, and etc.

[smwwoody]

Ok I'll tell you about the band mill first.  I built the whole thing ecept the cook guides.  It runs a vertical band 1.5" wide and 14'10" long  the band is stationary and the log moves on a carrage just like a circle mill.  I have powered it with a few different motors but right now I am useing a 401 case 6 cylinder diesel It runs this mill the edger and the hydraulic pump for this mill.. soon the generator too 8).

Last year I sawed 450mbf with it and wore a few things out and broke a lot.  so I am rebuilding most of it now.  I threw out the old friction drive I built for the carrage and went to a hydraulic motor much neater and a lot less parts to wear out.