2" x 6" 3/16" thick okay for mill?

esarratt · February 20, 2024, 08:15:17 PM

I want to build a trailer for my 29' Norwood Lumbermate.

I found some 24' long 2" x 6" 3/16" thick steel for sale. Would this be a good size?

Ljohnsaw · February 20, 2024, 09:15:51 PM

Yes

esarratt · February 21, 2024, 01:43:16 AM

The steel is "used". Is there any way to check it for straightness? I have a rotating laser level. I can also run a sting line. Other suggestions?

Here is what they said: "Steel salvaged from a car commercial shoot. Stored inside now, mild surface rust on all pieces, some weld scars on the 2x6 rec tube."

Ianab · February 21, 2024, 04:09:34 AM

Quote from: esarratt on February 21, 2024, 01:43:16 AMIs there any way to check it for straightness?

Mk 1 eyeball?

Get down and look along the beam. You can pick up any serious bend, and if you can't see the bend, it probably doesn't matter.

Don P · February 21, 2024, 06:13:30 AM

Rotate a couple of sticks beside each other and line them up side by each. One way my bowed boards nestle together, the opposite way they show double the bow.

esarratt · February 21, 2024, 08:23:41 PM

What is a good trailer length for the mill (Norwood LM29)? The beams I am looking at are 24'.

The guy has additional 2" x 6" 3/16" for sale that I can buy for cross bracing if I use the whole 24'.

Ljohnsaw · February 21, 2024, 08:56:07 PM

Never seen a mill bed that was too long!

Using the full 24' will allow you to cut somewhere in the 20-21' log length (need a place to park the head). Being 24' plus the tongue will make getting into tight places a challenge but not insurmountable.

Just make sure you have a lot of jacks to support it when cutting. Probably 4 or 5 per side.

esarratt · February 22, 2024, 02:29:02 AM

Quote from: Ljohnsaw on February 21, 2024, 08:56:07 PMNever seen a mill bed that was too long!

Now that's what I was thinking!

Quote from: Ljohnsaw on February 21, 2024, 08:56:07 PMJust make sure you have a lot of jacks to support it when cutting. Probably 4 or 5 per side.

Thanks! I'll probably go 5.

esarratt · February 22, 2024, 02:32:09 AM

Quote from: Ljohnsaw on February 21, 2024, 08:56:07 PMUsing the full 24' will allow you to cut somewhere in the 20-21' log length (need a place to park the head). Being 24' plus the tongue will make getting into tight places a challenge but not insurmountable.

Now that I look at the numbers, 20'-21' does seem a little small. Just curious, does anyone ever put removable extensions on trailerable mills? Or is getting the bed alignment right an issue?

esarratt · February 22, 2024, 02:42:28 AM

Another question: I notice cooks uses 3" x 6" beams instead of the 2" x 6" beams I am looking at.

Should I just do more cross bracing? I do realize that I will also have the cross bracing of the Norwood on top of the beams.

Ljohnsaw · February 22, 2024, 12:04:23 PM

Re: Removable Extensions
When I was milling a 49' beam, I added a 5 foot lightweight angle iron extension on each end of my mill. Supported and leveled by a pair of car scissor jacks each end. That gave a parking place for the head and allowed for full use of the bed. No log bunks out there, not needed.

Re: Cross Bracing
How far apart are you planning on the braces? If you put them every 6 feet, that would require 5 of them and would line up with you jack spacing as well. How wide are you making the track? If you divide that into a 24 foot stick, maybe get one more cross brace? That is, six braces at 4 foot. My mill track is 42" and I wish I went wider.

Re: Track Attachment
You didn't ask but I give input anyway.

I welded mine and got a smile in my rail. Ends are 1/8" to 1/4" higher than the middle. You could weld the ends if you wish but I'd build in adjustability down the line. Could be as simple as a long bolt passing through your rail (angle iron on edge, no need to weld) and down through you 2x6 with nuts top and bottom. Then you can push or pull the rail up and down.

Re: Bunk Spacing
Again, didn't ask but...
Removable/adjustable spacing. Do that and you will always be able to support whatever.

chet · February 22, 2024, 12:20:56 PM

I do exactly da same with extensions.

Mine are totally bolt on, and only take a few minutes to install and level.

esarratt · February 23, 2024, 07:30:33 AM

Quote from: Ljohnsaw on February 22, 2024, 12:04:23 PMRe: Removable Extensions
When I was milling a 49' beam, I added a 5 foot lightweight angle iron extension on each end of my mill. Supported and leveled by a pair of car scissor jacks each end. That gave a parking place for the head and allowed for full use of the bed. No log bunks out there, not needed.

Thanks! That is easy.

esarratt · February 23, 2024, 07:32:37 AM

Quote from: Ljohnsaw on February 22, 2024, 12:04:23 PMRe: Cross Bracing
How far apart are you planning on the braces? If you put them every 6 feet, that would require 5 of them and would line up with you jack spacing as well.

I hadn't thought about it honestly. Thanks!

esarratt · February 23, 2024, 07:38:46 AM

Quote from: Ljohnsaw on February 22, 2024, 12:04:23 PMHow wide are you making the track? If you divide that into a 24 foot stick, maybe get one more cross brace? That is, six braces at 4 foot. My mill track is 42" and I wish I went wider.

I am just putting my Norwood LM29 on a trailer to make is movable and to solve some alignment issues I have been having.

The LM29's specs are:

Maximum Log Diameter: 29 inches
Maximum Cant Width: 24 inches

Unless you guys know some trick that I don't to make it work wider.... I figured I needed to stick with the width of the bandsaw.

And, realistically, there isn't much wood I own that is bigger than 29"

esarratt · February 23, 2024, 07:39:16 AM

Quote from: chet on February 22, 2024, 12:20:56 PMI do exactly da same with extensions. Mine are totally bolt on, and only take a few minutes to install and level.

Thanks! Bolt on it is.

esarratt · February 23, 2024, 07:46:01 AM

Quote from: Ljohnsaw on February 22, 2024, 12:04:23 PMRe: Bunk Spacing
Again, didn't ask but...
Removable/adjustable spacing. Do that and you will always be able to support whatever.

The spacing is set by Norwood, but I can fabricate something. What do you recommend?

Ljohnsaw · February 23, 2024, 10:53:08 AM

My slight dyslexia and mild OCD took over. I got excited and I got into "Building a mill from scratch" mode.

Disregard my comments on attaching the track. Though it could be adapted to attaching you Norwood to the trailer so you don't pull it's bed down to any imperfections of the trailer frame.

For user convenience, making the cross braces line up with the Norwood bunks makes the most sense.

Making the width the same as the Norwood also make the most sense.

Jack S · February 23, 2024, 11:45:58 AM

at this time i don't want to take any chances on messing up with trying to post pictures but if you go to my photo gallery you will find that I did just what you want to do. my Norwood is also a model 29. used the same used tubing and modified boat trailer axels. made it tandem not for weight but for a smoother ride no bounce like a single axel trailer. A lot of good solid advise from others but thought my pictures might help. adding the trailer was the best thing to add to a really nice mill.

good luck with the build and I am willing to answer further questions you might have.

esarratt · February 23, 2024, 07:29:09 PM

Quote from: Jack S on February 23, 2024, 11:45:58 AMat this time i don't want to take any chances on messing up with trying to post pictures but if you go to my photo gallery you will find that I did just what you want to do. my Norwood is also a model 29. used the same used tubing and modified boat trailer axels. made it tandem not for weight but for a smoother ride no bounce like a single axel trailer. A lot of good solid advise from others but thought my pictures might help. adding the trailer was the best thing to add to a really nice mill.

good luck with the build and I am willing to answer further questions you might have.

Mmmmmm. Modified boat trailer axles. Thanks!

Yeah, I had already thought tandem. Just seemed like the right thing to do.