14" bandsaw mill wheels

[Andy B.]

I happen to have a pile of parts that could be most of a bandsaw mill.  In the pile are some 14" wheels off a standard woodworking bandsaw.  From doing some reading here, it sounds to me like the lifespan of a band blade would be fairly short with the 14" wheels.  I did come across some older saws that had 14" wheels, but I don't see any current manufacturers using wheels that small.

Have any of you used a bandsaw mill with 14" wheels, and how much did it shorten blade life, or how long did a blade last?

Andy B.

[Ga Mtn Man]

I wouldn't do it.  You can get 19" (18.75") wheels from surplus center for about $45 each.

[bandmiller2]

Andy you could try them,I used 19" on my mill and have never lost a band to fatigue they just get narrow and wonder after many sharpenings.Its my belief that its too much tension that shortens band life.Use thin 1 1/4" bands and declutch when turning logs or outher chores,the life flex life will likely surprise you.I would design your mill with space to replace with larger wheel at a later date if your not happy with the 14's. Frank C.

[Andy B.]

Thanks guys.
Honestly, it wouldn't be a problem building the mill so I could swap out the 14" wheels for 19" ones at a later date.  That might be the way I go.  This mill would be for my own personal use, not a business.  I have absolutely no idea how many hours per year I would put on it, that was why I'm trying to use mostly stuff I have laying around initially.

Andy B.

[ladylake]

 Swapping out later would be lots of work as you'd have to redo the guide rollers also.   Steve

[two-legged-sawmill]

Yes. The Ross band mill had 10" wheels and a 1" Blade, not a good set set up, but some are still being used. Today we would not even consider it  as a good Hobby Mill. How ever Mr Ross should be remembered as a pioneer to the small mill group. I have no idea how many he manufactured, how ever I sold 88 of them for him. The first 40 at $4495. the next 48 at $4995. I could never figure out why the big price increase as the last one's were stll idendical to the first ones built!  Dan