Wood carriages

[ibbob]

If I was to cut the flat belt would give me a little more room. Then the shaft from the power unit would be spinning at the back of your knees in a spot the offbearer would be working most.   The back of the mill is down hill and not ideal to put the power unit. If it was flater I'd like the idea of it being behind the mill and out the way.   V-belt conversion up close as I can is the way I'm heading I think.  Thanks for the ideas though.

If ya got the pulleys for the  V belts that's the way to go.  If not you should be able to run the flat belt anywhere the V belts would.






That's about as close as we could get things.  One step back and the offbearer can clear the motor.

[bandmiller2]

Woodpecker,I'am sure you know big V sheves and belts are very expensive.Your looking at 5 or 6 belts preferably a matched set.I lucked out a friend cleaned out a mill supply house and gave me six "C" section belts new.I'd haunt junk yards or farm equip backlots.Frank C.

[jimparamedic]

Is this the mill you were talking about
https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19300/2645/sawmill_008%7E0.jpg [/IMG]

[captain_crunch]

Yep that be the one kinda a neet set up and a slick way to change rotation

[bandmiller2]

Thats where the rubber meets the load.That is a slick cheap way to change rotation,but that setup uses a tractor PTO 540 rpm if hooked to a diesel power unit that saw would really sing.I wonder how it would work with a truck tire on the arbor and a smaller pulley or tire on the engine shaft.?? Frank C.

[york]

Frank,there could be a problem with vibration..

[bandmiller2]

Your right Bert,a fella would probibly need a handfull of wheel weights and a hammer.Whats the friction between rubber and rubber??I know tires make good pulleys for flat belts,I've worked around mills that have done that.Frank C.

[Chico]

Last wooden carriage I saw was over past Fishpharmer in Amite La I went to look at a job at a mill over there She was still cutting a fine line  an old Filer and Stowell rig

[bandmiller2]

Alot of the heavily used old wood carriages the saw side timber gets worn away from the sawdust blasting it.Pieces of light angle iron over it will reduce the wear,if your not using it constantly its no worry.Frank C.

[sawguyver]

The carriage on my mill is pretty light. If I'm not careful rolling a big cant on the second turn  I can bounce it right off the track . It is heavy enough to be a pain to put back on though : When jacking it back on it racks and twist a whole lot,but once its back on all is good. Just as long as the rails are well supported and straight my lumber comes out just fine. No matter what material a mill is made of it can still move and has to be watched. With wood I'm sure you make more adjustments more often. And that's what wood is all about. 

[whiskers]

 



This carriage was rebuilt in '01 w/ pressure treated pine. It's served well under light use having been kept under an open shed. Next time around I'll use tube steel to take it into the next century.   

[whiskers]

 



This wooden carriage at Maine Maritime Museum really caught my eye. I don't recall ever seeing a track arraingement like this. In fact the entire operation (originally Percy & Small shipyard, Bath Maine) was impressive . Hope to spend an entire day there next time.

[bandmiller2]

Whiskers,you have a setup much like mine,I have a shed roof that covers the husk and carriage with boath ends under the sky shed.Did you see what was under the carriage on that maine mill seems a$$ backwards I'd hate to have to line up and adjust all those castors.As I've said before everything has been tried years ago on the old mills,mayby it was to get around patents when their were so many mill builders. Frank C.

[Ron Wenrich]

I run a couple of Jackson Lumber Harvester mills that were portable.  They weren't a wooden carriage, but instead of a track, they run on bearings.  It worked really well. 

On the Maine mill, I wonder how they keep everything in line.  Those casters would be a problem in the turning area, as they would be prone to breaking.  The bearings on the Jackson would break, especially during cold weather turning.

[whiskers]

 



Frank C. I did get a pic of the husk and a little of the carriage works. I'll try to put it up next . With your mill so exposed to the northern elements  I imagine that makes for some cooool sawing this time of year.

[whiskers]

 



Frank C  The barricades are set in such a way that it's difficult to get decent pics. It's a 42" blade and 43' of track, if it's called track. This mill is on the second story and the power was from below. Possibly steam driven though I don't recall seeing a boiler or an engine. The overall operation must have been impressive

[bandmiller2]

Whiskers, your right about the cool this time of the year theirs a decided draft through the mill building.But I'am retired and don't do business with this mill, just me and friends milling, so I just waite till its comfy. Thats a rack and pinion drive carriage,from what I can see,My friction feed is the same as your photo.Many of our old New England mills went through several power transformations,many started as water power ,later steam [until the boiler got wheezy] then engine or electric. Frank C.

[whiskers]

Frank C, My shed is evolving, just moved and first concern is about rain and sun. Retired too and for the most part sawing salvage logs for pleasure. Pine beetle infestations thrive here so folks in town often clear their lot after one tree problem. They call I haul, sometimes they bring um. Tramp metal and free logs you know the routine so I'm in no hurry sawing.