My neighbor and I just finished up building our bandsaw mill and I have some questions for you guys, since we have no experience with mills. What kind of bandsaw blades should we use? We will be cutting mainly mixed hardwoods. Where is a good supplier of blades at a reasonably price? I'm in southwest Michigan but I assume I will have to order them online. We were given a couple of blades by a guy who had a couple laying around so we built the mill to fit those blades. But would like to know what thickness, size and design we should buy.
I have a short video milling first log but have no idea how to post it on here, thanks.
Yankee
Welcome to the Forestry Forum.
Your video on YouTube can be linked to your posts.
You can post some pics as well (see Home page for posting help in the help section near the bottom).
You are brave, building a mill based around a couple old blades. But commend you for your bravery. ;D
There are a number of blade vendors mentioned throughout the posts on the forum. Several sponsors are listed in the column on the left and all are good to work with.
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Yankee Springs. What are your thoughts/plans for resharpening? Some blade suppliers/manufacturers only resharpen their own blades.
Welcome the FF Yankee Springs.
As mentioned previously, take a look on the left of the forum board, a bunch of fine supporting vendors
to investigate and ask questions of.
Best
DGDrls
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Yankee Springs!
Glad you came by. Let's see the mill.
Richard
Yep ,figure out the picture thing and show us your creation.
Waiting to see the vid. ;)
Its a good feeling when you build something and finally see it work.
When I first built my mill I could not wait for engine mounts etc. when had the wheels ready put a blade on it, no guides, C-clamped a 1HP motor to it and sawed a 3 by 3 out of a poplar stick. Took a while but 8)
In my limited experience the single most important feature of a blade is that it be sharp. If the blade is not sharp when you hit a branch collar it is going to wave at you regardless of how much tension is on it.