American Model 1

[Whistlepig]

Somewhat new here. I made an account a while back but never posted. Figured I would share some photos of my dads American 1. He got this about 25 years ago and he and my grandfather spent a year or so putting it back together. I don't think he paid much, in fact it may have been given to him free to be hauled away. It was pretty much a basket case. He rebuild the carriage out of timbers sawn on a neighbors Frick in our basement when I was a kid. They used an old house trailer frame cut down and rewelded for the carriage to run on. I believe they spent about $500 on a used diesel engine and the rest was sweat. Diesel power unit is a 4 cyl isuzu from a wood chipper. The sawdust chain is cobbled together from old Case cornpicker parts. Paint has faded some since it was fresh and I was 5 years old. Comments welcome.

We saw when we have logs. Usually ends up probably 20 times a year. The lumber turns into farm buildings and furniture for his woodworking hobby mostly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WV Sawmiller]

   I'm impressed. Thanks for posting. I'd love to see a video of it in operation if you get a chance to post one. 8)

[moodnacreek]

It would be interesting to know how many no. 1 Americans where built. The first mill I helped on was this model with the friction feed. It is a good thing yours is belt. Around here there where several of these Americans. We are less than 1 hour from N.J. so this was American territory. However American, like Frick covered a bigger territory than I once thought. It is rare to find somebody putting an old mill back to work today. It is for people who like to work and produce and these the ones I look up to. I am glad you kept your fathers sawmill. Thanks for posting.

[Whistlepig]

This one made its way down to southern Virginia somehow. Most other mills I know of around here are Frick Mills. There are some Amish communities around that I believe still saw with these, but we do much more than anybody else I know of with a mill like this. 

As for the video - I have some to post, but do I have to post it to youtube first and then share a link or can I post it directly on here?

[47sawdust]

Nice set-up.Videos are posted to youtube first,then cut and paste to the forum.