The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: GAmillworker on February 06, 2011, 09:35:59 PM

Title: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: GAmillworker on February 06, 2011, 09:35:59 PM
Currently using a baker abx resaw 16x16 capacity so they say.  I have cut some 22"x20" poplar beams.  minor mods to do so.

Have really enjoyed reading posts for about two weeks.  Lots of usefull info on here.

I run a custom millwork shop in West Georgia.  Grew up learning to work hard.  My dad, grandfather & I were brick masons.  However I've allways loved wood work.

I do a lot of reclaimed wood flooring, so most of the time I am taking beams and just resawing 4/4 blanks.  The resaw works fine however the beams almost always have bows and twists.  I have some friends that have a baker mill that slides on rails and does a great job of cutting things straight.  Thats what i would like to build.

I am starting with a wadkin verticle resaw that was my first resaw.  It has 3" wide by 30" band wheels.  I have allready cut it apart.  I am thinking about using a chevy 26' box truck frame that I have to mount the mill on. 

Not sure weather to go with four post machine or cantilever like WM.

Also the reason for new mill.  I was given some 54" Oak logs that i want to cut slabs out of.  Allready have orders for a few tables.

Looking foward to getting to know you guys.  thanks for all your help.   :)
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: Magicman on February 06, 2011, 10:53:55 PM
Welcome, GAmillworker, to the Forestry Forum.  It will be interesting to hear more about your operation.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: GAmillworker on February 06, 2011, 11:54:01 PM
Thanks for the welcome Magicman
working on photo gallery
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: sgschwend on February 07, 2011, 12:59:11 AM
Welcome to the forum.  There are many of us here who build in some capacity or other. 

It will be interesting to see your project develops.  Certainly handling large logs can be a challenge in building a machine that can provide the cut options of slabs or square and plumb edges.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: customsawyer on February 07, 2011, 01:16:25 AM
Welcome to the forum and glad to have another from Ga. on here. If you would like to come and watch me mill up some of the big logs that I like to mill you are welcome to do so.
When you are building the mill to cut the bigger logs remember that handling the big ones is just as hard if not harder than the cutting of them. It really helps to have the right equipment for the task and I don't have half of the things that I would like to have.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: weisyboy on February 07, 2011, 03:59:02 AM
a 4 poster would be easyer to build, and keep alinghned.

a singel or 2 poster would be easyer to use.

from waht i can see anyhow.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: ATLGA on February 07, 2011, 05:01:28 AM
Welcome! Another GA member is always great!  8)
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: bandmiller2 on February 07, 2011, 07:10:34 AM
Welcome GA miller,You would be wise to forget the cantilever design it works well but is tricky to build right.Four post,use "V" castor wheels running on ^ angle iron.Your head will be heavy use hydraulics to raise and lower and feed.If you will be stationary and have three phase power, by all means use it.Alot of us here have built our own mills,just ask.Build heavy duty and build with precision have everything plumb and level makes it easier later.Thick wall steel tube is the best to work with,can be drilled and tapped,make everything adjustable.Frank C.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: fishpharmer on February 07, 2011, 07:32:24 AM
Welcome to FF, Ga mill works!!

Looking forward to your build.  I too would shy away from building a cantilever head unless you have some very precise metalworking machines and skills.  Although It can be done if you want. 

Not sure if anyone is nearby with a slabbing mill (Lucas or Peterson), you may consider building a machine like that if slabbing is your main objective.  The beauty of those machines, being they setup over the log.  Reduces log handling, increases mill handling.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: GAmillworker on February 07, 2011, 04:05:35 PM
Thanks for the greetings & replies.

I do have three phase power.  I plan on running a 50hp electric motor. 

Since I will have about a 60" opening will a 2" band be wide enough?

Also have a 5hp hydrolic pump with 25gal tank will that be enough to work hydrolics?
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: tyb525 on February 07, 2011, 07:12:25 PM
Wider bands are better for wider cuts, however anything much over 2" gets a lot more expensive to maintain.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: bandmiller2 on February 07, 2011, 09:05:18 PM
GA. Miller,50 hp is considerable over kill, half that would be plenty.Bandwidth should be what the two wheels are designed for most larger bandmills use 1 1/2",legnth is made up when you buy the band it comes on a roll they weld to your specs.Your 5hp hydraulic unit should be plenty and run all your hyd. needs.Frank C.
Title: Re: New to FF Planning on building my own mill
Post by: customsawyer on February 08, 2011, 03:04:56 AM
I have the same hyd. pump set up that Bibbyman has and it is running off of a 7 1/2 hp elec. motor and there is times I wish it had more power. I always keep in the back of my mind that if I had more power I could break more parts.