New to this forum posting thing so bear with me here.
Hello, Ive been reading awhile so I will post my latest adventure, New to the sawmilling stuff but not new to mechanical things, Ive been working with my father in the shop since I was 6 (now 18).We run a fleet of 73 trucks hauling sand, stone, concrete pipe and concrete structure.
Well anyway I have been looking for a Frick sawmill to set up for my grandfather to run like he had back in the Fiftes, As kind of a hobby (he's 81 now).I had been looking around localy with no avail I found one in Stevens Vally, TN, About 600 miles away from my place, So I called the guy up and he said it was still available, Came with a 350 Buick unit, extra saw blade and had space to load (or so he said) so I loaded up my f350,Bobcat and 38'gooseneck and headed out that weekend(I might add I am going without a crew just myself) After driving around awhile I find his driveway up this steep Hill,I had to unload my Bobcat at the bottom because my truck would not even pull up his driveway but once I got to the top it flattened out enough for park to hold and I could chock the wheels. When we walked over to where the mill was I was suprized at how he got it up here (Boy I had a job ahead of me) The mill's wood had been replaced with 10'' I beam all exept the husk but the husk sat on 10'' I beam. The unit was a 350 Buick skylark car cut off behind the seats with a flat belt pully on the transmission and a cable ran over to the sawyer for the throttle/governer (Very interesting setup) so I made the deal of $2000 for the mill and I got to work. I started with cutting the rusty carrage cable loose rolling it back and taking it off then cutting the I beam into 3 pieces so my Bobcat would handle it then attempting to get the blade off then moving the husk and ajoining I beam but my bobcat wouldent pick it up so I had to take the husk off the I beam then carefully without bending the blade load it on the trailer on top the carrage track.With the carrage on the top deck and the track, Husk ,Bobcat and half of a Buick skylark on the bottom deck I set out back to Va. I weighed my load at 34,120lbs gross 4,240lbs on the steer,10,380lbs on the drive and 19,500lbs on the trailer.All on a 96 f350 7.3 Powerstroke auto. Every hill felt like a Mountan and some of the acual mountans knocked me back from 70-25mph.
Once I figure out how to post pictures I will,I took quite a few
Welcome to the forum 03westernstar. Looking forward to the pics and progress on your new to you mill.
Brent
Welcome to the forum 03westernstar.
I have a Frick also that I just got setup.
I noticed your in Ruther Glen area.
Not from from me at all.
03westernstar,welcome to the forum. That project will make you Grandfather proud. Is he in good health? Able to point you in the right directions setting the saw up??
Congrats on the mill and welcome to the FF! I have a Frick 00 that I am just finishing up so I, like others here, know the fun that awaits you! Now that my mill is almost done I started thinking...what am I going to do now?...then it hit me....SAW!
Dave C
Quote from: thecfarm on November 11, 2013, 08:53:34 AM
03westernstar,welcome to the forum. That project will make you Grandfather proud. Is he in good health? Able to point you in the right directions setting the saw up??
Yes he is in good health, He's acualy restoring a 1952 gmc 2 1/2ton cabover truck at the moment.
He dident set his mill up way back when The guy he bought it from set it up, Im just going on how I took it apart and how (I Think) it works
I thank everyone for all the welcome replys
This has the start of a really cool story , would like to think I'd have a grandson someday that I mean enough to for something like that , I to started in the circle mill world today , been running a band but did the deal today , will start tearing down tomorrow for move .
03, way to go man, it should be fun and rewarding for all, look forward to some photos, david
03westernstar - Does your company haul precast for Americast (or CP&P I think they are called now after the merger) ? I used to buy sanitary and storm structures and RCP from them and I seem to recall some of the contract trucks had Ruther Glen on the door decals. Most of my stuff came from Ashland up to jobs in Albemarle County, or out of Harrisonburg.
Pictures. I tried to get the steep hill into the picures but it dident really work
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Nice job on the pictures. I like the "white space" between the pictures. But I really like the half car power plant the most. It works. ;D
Quote from: landscraper on November 11, 2013, 09:45:09 PM
03westernstar - Does your company haul precast for Americast (or CP&P I think they are called now after the merger) ? I used to buy sanitary and storm structures and RCP from them and I seem to recall some of the contract trucks had Ruther Glen on the door decals. Most of my stuff came from Ashland up to jobs in Albemarle County, or out of Harrisonburg.
Yes L.L Carter and Son Inc, Ruther Glen,VA yea the company we haul for its called CP&P now we haul out of Ashland,VA Chesapeak,VA and Harrisonburg
03westernstar
Look forward to your re-conditioning of the Frick00.
You may already have this, but a good circular publication in .pdf can be found here.
It is highly regarded as very good information.
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/misc/circsaw.pdf
Pics. I stayed with my mother overnight at her campsite in Tn she moved down there and is building a house with her husband at the moment(that's a long story short, lol)
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This past weekend I Have been making some progress And once again Nobody wants to help me with my projects so me and my dog started out after 12 on Saturday when I got away from the shop
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Can always count on the Log Dog. That looked like quite the load.I would be looking at that if I saw it going down the road.
Quote from: thecfarm on November 12, 2013, 09:27:48 AM
Can always count on the Log Dog. That looked like quite the load.I would be looking at that if I saw it going down the road.
[/quote. Quite alot of people were looking,lol
Quote from: 03westernstar on November 11, 2013, 09:00:06 PM
Quote from: thecfarm on November 11, 2013, 08:53:34 AM
03westernstar,welcome to the forum. That project will make you Grandfather proud. Is he in good health? Able to point you in the right directions setting the saw up??
Yes he is in good health, He's acualy restoring a 1952 gmc 2 1/2ton cabover truck at the moment.
He dident set his mill up way back when The guy he bought it from set it up, Im just going on how I took it apart and how (I Think) it works
Greetings Westernstar, I am thinking of buying a Frick Mill also a 00, from a friend here in Virginia.
You seem like a really awesome young man. There's not many 18 year old guys out there that could do what you're doing, or be interested in it to start with.
How far are you from Norfolk?
I live in Chesapeake just 15 minutes from down town Norfolk.
I would really like to follow your progress setting up that Frick.
My name's Pete and I'm looking forward to speaking with you.
My Telephone # is 757.438.6298
Everyone on this site is always welcome to call and jabber jaw about anything.
You will find that this is a truly fantastic web site. 99.9999999999999999999 % of the folks on here are genuine and willing to help each other.
So welcome aboard , I think you will be a great asset to the forum.
With Kind Regards, Pete Conlogue.
Quote from: Solomon on November 12, 2013, 02:27:01 PM
Quote from: 03westernstar on November 11, 2013, 09:00:06 PM
Quote from: thecfarm on November 11, 2013, 08:53:34 AM
03westernstar,welcome to the forum. That project will make you Grandfather proud. Is he in good health? Able to point you in the right directions setting the saw up??
Yes he is in good health, He's acualy restoring a 1952 gmc 2 1/2ton cabover truck at the moment.
He dident set his mill up way back when The guy he bought it from set it up, Im just going on how I took it apart and how (I Think) it works
Greetings Westernstar, I am thinking of buying a Frick Mill also a 00, from a friend here in Virginia.
You seem like a really awesome young man. There's not many 18 year old guys out there that could do what you're doing, or be interested in it to start with.
How far are you from Norfolk?
I live in Chesapeake just 15 minutes from down town Norfolk.
I would really like to follow your progress setting up that Frick.
My name's Pete and I'm looking forward to speaking with you.
My Telephone # is 757.438.6298
Everyone on this site is always welcome to call and jabber jaw about anything.
You will find that this is a truly fantastic web site. 99.9999999999999999999 % of the folks on here are genuine and willing to help each other.
So welcome aboard , I think you will be a great asset to the forum.
With Kind Regards, Pete Conlogue.
I will give you a call Im about 130miles from Chesapeake I regularly drive to Chesapeake to work on trailers and trucks as we work out of the CP&P plant
Got off work a little early today and made a little millgress before it got dark.
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You are keeping the front of the car intact?? I really like that part of the mill. :)
Does the car radio work? The A/C in the car would be a big help for the off-bearer. It is truly a pleasure to see the young sawyers' great store of energy and ambition. Take a picture of your Grandfather's face when he saws that first log! Regards, Clark
Quote from: thecfarm on November 13, 2013, 09:23:56 AM
You are keeping the front of the car intact?? I really like that part of the mill. :)
Yes I am keeping the car intact I have a Waukesha unit to run the mill I was going to use the car for my Edgar or the plainer
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Ive been working slowly its been raining every weekend so far its been very muddy
Are you planning to put a roof over top the mill? Have you figured out how you're going to handle sawdust? How are you anchoring your husk and your motor?
if your looking around on how to anchor it try mobile home anchors . screw them in the ground 4 ft or 5 ft and it's a great anchor . you can buy them at tractor supply or any place similar .
Great to watch this process progress. :D
Welcome to the Forestry Forum. :)
Its good to have a place like the FF to save the build resurrection of history.
These are some great pics and the story to go with it. smiley_thumbsup
Yes,the weather has been bad here too. Ice and snow for us. Good luck with all you are doing.
03 Westy,not to be picky but your going to need a better foundation mate.Circular mills need to be lashed down to a substantial foundation,I'am worried you will be wollowing around in the muck.Try her out but I know you can come up with some concrete.I admire your ambition,keep us posted. Frank C.
Thank yall for all the comments,I have been figuring on ancoring the mill down I just hadent figured out how yet,I had planned on telephone poles put in the ground about 8ft then attach them to the mill but mobile home anchors are a very good idea I hadent thought of that I just happen to have a few and I think a friend of mine has the drill to put them in the ground.
Quote from: Ron Wenrich on December 23, 2013, 05:55:41 AM
Are you planning to put a roof over top the mill? Have you figured out how you're going to handle sawdust? How are you anchoring your husk and your motor?
Yes I do plan on building a sawmill building, But funds are short as they are with everyone, hopefully once I get the mill running I can cut some lumber but I cannot cut roofing tin :D Ive been buying all the odd pieces and sheets of tin I can find around cheaply.
the last I bought was 15 a sheet for 2x12.5 at Lowes contractor sales for 36 sheets. the best I could do around the Richmond - Petersburg area. Last spring .
Quote from: 03westernstar on December 23, 2013, 11:49:48 PM
Quote from: Ron Wenrich on December 23, 2013, 05:55:41 AM
Are you planning to put a roof over top the mill? Have you figured out how you're going to handle sawdust? How are you anchoring your husk and your motor?
Yes I do plan on building a sawmill building, But funds are short as they are with everyone, hopefully once I get the mill running I can cut some lumber but I cannot cut roofing tin :D Ive been buying all the odd pieces and sheets of tin I can find around cheaply.
Keep an eye on your local CL. A couple years ago, I bought an old cow barn from a man in Windsor, mainly to get the 78 sheets of metal roofing. I got that, plus eight pickup loads of wood, 13 rolls of galvanized welded fencing, 250 T-posts, etc for $400. ;)
Great job !!! and thinking if you build the same style of roof/building it came out from under would not need much cash :)
I agree with Frank that a beefy foundation should be in your long term plans. I sawed on a Frick 00 with a bad foundation before I built my own mill and I sawed a lot of wedges with it. For my mill, I used power pole sunk 3ft in the ground as my base then bridged the two poles with wooden I beams I made. It seems to be very stable so far.
If you can get free power pole somewhere, they will be good long term supports for your mill and for a shed over that mill. A shed will keep that mill going for many years. When I found my mill, part of it had been in the weather and it was near rusted away. If the whole mill had been in that condition, I couldn't have restored it.
Great to see you working on getting it going again!
Dave C
The first mill I installed, I did the same thing, except used cinder blocks. You have to get below whatever your frost line is, so you don't get frost heave. I also slotted my wooden cross beam to put the track on. That way you can adjust the track if you have to. You use a wooden wedges to keep it in place. Its important to do that at the husk.
At the husk, we had a dust pit. I put in block walls, then attached wooden beams that ran from the back side of the husk, all the way to the far side of the track. We ran that setup for about 5 years, then went to an automatic mill. Our mills were all wood.
With the steel frame, you only need enough support so your track doesn't flex under any type of weight. The husk area is the most important. Next area of importance is the log end, since you'll be turning and loading logs there. There won't be a whole lot of work being done beyond the saw, unless you're doing long timbers.
03 Westy, flat belts work but if you run across some "V" belts and sheves it would be a large improvement between the engine and arbor.How many HP in the waulkishaw is it gas or diesel.?? V belts would allow you to back a truck or trailer close to the offbearer to haul product or slabs away.As Dave said utility poles make a good foundation they should be no more than 4' apart and buried deep on the sawyers side of the mill as turning the logs and cants tend to rack the mill. Frank C.
Looks like you got the mill fitted together good, but you might want a more open area that drains better . Of course you have to work with what you got. Good luck . PC
03 Westy,before I forget when you make up the permanent foundation build the mill up higher it will make it easier to get rid of sawdust and the crapo that always collects under a mill. Frank C.
Thank yall for all the reply's, I have some 8' telephone poles but I thought if I put them in the ground with cement they would eventually loosen up but I see everyone has been using them. What I was thinking now was to just put in mobile home anchors and draw it down on my railroad ties in a Criss-Cross pattern with Power Pole guide wire turnbuckles about 12'' long with chain or cable. (the ties are nailed together with the rods CSX used at railroad crossings)
I think if you don't get a good base under the mill, you're asking for problems down the line. Frost heave and sinking can be a significant problem, especially if you don't have good drainage. What will happen is your mill will get out of alignment. That will cause problems with the saw and your lumber will look bad.
Quote from: bandmiller2 on December 26, 2013, 07:14:23 AM
03 Westy, flat belts work but if you run across some "V" belts and sheves it would be a large improvement between the engine and arbor.How many HP in the waulkishaw is it gas or diesel.?? V belts would allow you to back a truck or trailer close to the offbearer to haul product or slabs away.As Dave said utility poles make a good foundation they should be no more than 4' apart and buried deep on the sawyers side of the mill as turning the logs and cants tend to rack the mill. Frank C.
The Waukesha is I think 85hp its a gas 6cyl flathead with 3½''bore 4¼''stroke.
Well today I went to tractor supply to buy horse feed and I came home with 6 48 in Earth Anchor with 6 in Dia Augers, Cable clamps, ¼'' cable(for another project), 5/8'' turnbuckles, 3/8'' cable Thimbles and a small spring, O and some horse feed. My plan is to build a adapter to put the augers on the tractor post hole digger and screw them in the ground then Draw my mill down in a Criss-Cross pattern with 3/8'' cable and the turnbuckles.
Does anyone see anything wrong with doing so? Anything to add? I don't know how hard a mill is to keep still
and I thought I would post a pic of one of my trucks
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Those anchors should do the trick good luck to ya 8) :new_year:
My knowledge of hold downs is pretty limited. I don't think they provide a foundation, but are used to keep the trailer from blowing over in windy conditions. I could be wrong.
The foundation is the important part. If you're not down below frost line, or you don't have good drainage, you'll get movement. If it sinks, you'll have problems. You're also going to have to hold down the motor, or it will walk away on you. I don't see where the hold downs will prevent any sinking. Sinking will affect the alignment.
Welcome to the FF, best place on the web.
I agree with Ron W. your going to need a solid foundation to
place the mill on. I don't think the anchors will help as you want them too.
Perhaps use the tractor with the posthole digger to punch some
foundation holes and start building from there,
IMHO you will be chasing level issues all the time until you
set a solid foundation to place the mill on
DGDrls
well the frost line in Va. is about 18 inches , if you get below that then the anchors will keep the mill from shifting side ways and that's all you need . I have two on the drive , one that pulls tension onto the drive belt and one that keeps the engine square . dig some postholes 24 inches deep and fill them will concrete then build with brick or block to set it on. the anchors will keep it from shifting for sure .
My HARD AS ROCK Red clay should be fine with good drainage and some anchors and a few telephone poles in the ground below the frost line, I just have to get all that done
I can never find time to work on my mill (or any project for that matter) in the winter months because of there not being enough daylight.
I also may have a lead on another Frick 0 Mill
Has anyone had any luck making a Frick mill easily portable, because if I can somehow horse trade and get this one I wouldn't mind having a restored mill to take to Steam Shows and whatnot
I'm sure that can be done using a tractor pto for the drive . I would love to see a setup like that at a show . most shows I go to have their own but county fairs don't .
You mean something like this?
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When I built my first circular mill I made it portable, as it was set up in a summer kiddy camp in the winter. Used four 20' steel trusses two for the main section the other two cut in half to fold up on each end. I carefully took the crown out of the trusses and mounted on two axles. Had about a dozen leveling jacks. The 40' building was only a roof and drive through design. For foundation I used phone poles set in cement cut flush with the ground so I could drive over them. I say portable but semi portable is closer to the truth once its setup and level you don't want to move it. Remember circular mill success is about 80% foundation. Come summer I would hook up the tractor fold up the ends and tow it home for the summer as we only cut in the cooler weather. It can be done but its much easier to set up a circular mill permanent. Frank C.
My Frick 01 mill is a mobile mill. I still have one tire on the mill .I just did not see a need to remove it , its not touching the ground since I picked the mill up and sit it on its foundation.
I built my building over the mill (still in progress) but, I allowed enough room to put on the other tire and pull the mill out if I decide to give up sawing or do something different. LOL !!
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Quote from: Ron Wenrich on December 31, 2013, 06:29:52 AM
You mean something like this?
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Yes like that only a little closer to the ground for people to see
Quote from: Buddyw on December 31, 2013, 10:06:30 AM
My Frick 01 mill is a mobile mill. I still have one tire on the mill .I just did not see a need to remove it , its not touching the ground since I picked the mill up and sit it on its foundation.
I built my building over the mill (still in progress) but, I allowed enough room to put on the other tire and pull the mill out if I decide to give up sawing or do something different. LOL !!
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I've been following your progress and you are doing one fine dang job I really like the use of all the old cranes and draglines, I enjoy watching them work. The closest thing I have to an old crane is a 1972 P&H Hydraulic Excavator :D