Length and width of band saw bed

[Grappletractor]

I am getting much closer to ordering my steel for a homebrew mill and am looking for suggestions on length and width of mill bed . Any and all suggestions appreciated.

[Grappletractor]

My local steel supply yards only carry 3 x 6 x 1/4" up to 24' long but I measured a friends TimberHarvester to find it being 26' long . What do you think of a 24' version ?

[thecfarm]

Mine is 41 inches wide by 24½feet long.I bought it to cut a 20 foot log.I bought it from a machine shop and wanted the option to cut a 20 footer.Never have yet.Little did I know that it's a lot easier to cut a 16 footer on a 20 foot track.I have 2 feet on each end,no need to make sure it's in the middle of the mill.I have no hyd to help me.Have you got a motor yet?Get a big one if you can.It does help.

[Grappletractor]

Yes I have a Vanguard v twin 31 hp that I got off ebay.I need to put new rods ,rings and pto bearings in but the engine has less than 200 hours on it . The last owner forgot to tightin the oil filter . :'(

[thecfarm]

That wiil power the mill and than some.Good for you.Good luck.

[Fla._Deadheader]

The first time you have to offbear 20'-- 2" X 8"s, you will quickly forget about 24'ers.  : ;D :D

  You can always fabricate some extensions  ;)

[Minnesota_boy]

I don't recall ever having to offload a 20' 2x8, but I had to do a whack of 20' 2x12s.  I did have a helper for them.  Kid in his mid teens.  I think his butt was dragging before sundown.  8)

[Tom]

I'm reminded of a story from the dark ages of the forum.

Working with Tom

[Dan_Shade]

if I did that to my brother, he'd have first taken my peaches, then my spoon, then the truck and left me to myself the rest of the day!

[getoverit]

I had a guy last week ask me if I could cut 8x8x16 beams... when I told him I could, but I would need plenty of help getting it off of the mill, he changed his mind... I guess he didnt think of how much a beam that big would weigh :D

right now I'm cutting 1x6x16 pine, and that sure does get heavy when you are the only one cutting and tailing... I couldnt imagine tailing 2x6's or 2x8's by myself.

[Brad_S.]

I measured a friends TimberHarvester to find it being 26' long . What do you think of a 24' version ?

Although the TH bed is 26', it will only cut a 20'6" log, the rest of that length is taken up by the carriage head. If your carriage has a shorter foot print than the TH, 24' would be fine.

[highpockets]

Grappletractor,

1. Just be sure to stay with the 3 x 6 x 1/4 square tubing. You'll pat yourself on the back later.

2. Give a lot of thought to where you place the log turner and clamps. 

3. To me the feed design is the most important part in cutting good lumber. 

That is my two cents worth.   

[Grappletractor]

Saw my Timber Harvester owner friend today. Told him about my 24 foot  beam dilemma and he said that if I add an extension to the frame that I should do it on the control end of the mill seeing as the carriage doesn't cut anything at that end location . So I think I'll just order another 4 foot section then cut it in half and weld em to that end of the mill. I am also going to make the mill 6 inches wider than his , at his suggestion .

[Grappletractor]

Grappletractor,

1. Just be sure to stay with the 3 x 6 x 1/4 square tubing. You'll pat yourself on the back later.

2. Give a lot of thought to where you place the log turner and clamps. 

3. To me the feed design is the most important part in cutting good lumber. 

That is my two cents worth.   

I will be using the 3x6.

I will be using his TH as my pattern so I'll just put the turner and clamps where they have them .