Hello everyone, first time poster here with almost no sawmill experience. My father in law setup a 54" circular sawmill about 25 years ago, it has since sat dormant for the last 20 years or so. He has since passed and I am trying to figure out what we have.
The setup goes something like this, a 240KW cummins diesel is putting out three phase power to run an electric motor which turns the blade. The mill is setup on steel I beams. There is a sawdust removal system. A really big planer and another large piece of equipment with two small circular saw blades inside it. I am sure I am missing plenty with my description but I am pretty clueless.
I feel like this setup is way over my head and I could never get it running, but we have ~80 acres of woods on the property, mostly hardwoods in the upland areas and a lot of pine in the valley in PA so I can't say its not tempting to try.
Here are some pictures and I have a bunch more I can post if something isn't clear. Id appreciate any help letting me know what I have, if its worth anything, etc.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill8.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747295)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747279)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill2.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747283)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill4.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747287)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill5.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747287)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/frick.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747260)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill7.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747292)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/exhaust.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747260)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/generator.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747263)
Welcome aboard! You have come to the right place. That is an impressive setup, especially that big honkin' generator. ;D Can you fill in your profile and let us know where you are? The might be a member familiar with circle mills in your area that could help oout.
I'm not a circle mill guy, but others on here are. I can see that your FIL had it laid out well and took very good care of it. That's a way nicer setup than the typical backwoods circle mill.
That looks like a REAL nice setup . It's all in a large shed I believe ?
Never saw a pic of the planer ?
Or the edger ( thing with two blades )
A couple questions
Why did FIL have it setting idle for 20 years ?
Did he saw a bit at some time or other ?
From the pics I see this looks like a high class setup . Learning to run it would be a challenge if you have no background in it at all .
That being said all the info you need is out there .
Take your time do your research whichever way you go , saw or sell .
Most guys here will tell you to saw . We're a bit of a biased bunch though .
Good luck and keep us posted
Quebecnewf
If you can use it , it is worth more set up and ready to run that it will be in parts. To sell , suggest checking with The Sawmill Exchange a sponsor of this site. Good luck.
That is a nice setup. Only thing I see missing is the blade.
If the goal is selling this mill, you need to read the rules here. If this is a for sale ad in disguise you are breaking our rules
Consider selling it as real estate
From the photos, it seems your FIL took a lot pride in the mill. If you own it and not scared of hard physical work, then I would say learn to operate it and use it. There are plenty of who's and how's on the Forestry Forum to help with the learning. I hope to see photos and posts of your progress.
Quote from: sawguy21 on January 22, 2020, 11:38:19 PM
Welcome aboard! You have come to the right place. That is an impressive setup, especially that big honkin' generator. ;D Can you fill in your profile and let us know where you are? The might be a member familiar with circle mills in your area that could help oout.
Thanks, I updated my profile with location. The generator is pretty crazy right, I told the wife we could power the whole town! haha....
Quote from: Quebecnewf on January 23, 2020, 04:33:26 AM
That looks like a REAL nice setup . It's all in a large shed I believe ?
Never saw a pic of the planer ?
Or the edger ( thing with two blades )
A couple questions
Why did FIL have it setting idle for 20 years ?
Did he saw a bit at some time or other ?
From the pics I see this looks like a high class setup . Learning to run it would be a challenge if you have no background in it at all .
That being said all the info you need is out there .
Take your time do your research whichever way you go , saw or sell .
Most guys here will tell you to saw . We're a bit of a biased bunch though .
Good luck and keep us posted
Quebecnewf
There are two pole buildings, the one is for the sawmill which is about 32x70. The second is for the generator and is about 14x24. Sadly FIL was seriously injured cutting down a tree and put him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He used it for around two years before the injury.
Pictures of the edger/planer below. Thanks for the reply!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/random1.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747272)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/random3.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747276)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/random2.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747277)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/planer.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747271)
Quote from: TKehl on January 23, 2020, 07:24:53 AM
That is a nice setup. Only thing I see missing is the blade.
There is one blade, it measured 54" in diameter.
Quote from: Jeff on January 23, 2020, 07:26:27 AM
If the goal is selling this mill, you need to read the rules here. If this is a for sale ad in disguise you are breaking our rules
When I stumbled on this forum looking for information I was impressed by how active and friendly everyone was. I thought that at a minimum people would be interested in seeing what we have, so I posted up some pictures and a little background.
I apologize if what I've done is wrong, and I don't know what my goal is with it other than getting feedback/information on it at this point.
Fair enough. You would not believe how many find us just to use us for personal gain and are gone. That's not our goal here.
I vote get it running and use it.
You have trees to mill and a sawmill! Too cool!!!
Take it one part at a time. Check over each part, perform the maintenance on it as you get to know it.
I would start with getting the Cummins running. Start with fresh oil, fuel and filters.
You are already in the right place. Read alot and ask questions as you go through each part of the rig.
Welcome to a very satisfying addiction.
Jon
And if you do decide to sell there is a for sale section, using it is pretty straight forward. The top post in that scetion will walk you through it.
enjoy
Jon
Quote from: Weekend_Sawyer on January 23, 2020, 10:03:10 AM
And if you do decide to sell there is a for sale section, using it is pretty straight forward. The top post in that scetion will walk you through it.
enjoy
Jon
You beat me to it! :D The only thing I can add is a link to the simple yet important posting rules: https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=4193.0 (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=4193.0)
Not sure why everyone has so much trouble with this, but it seems like there are one or two every week that have to be removed. I do understand honest errors but even those should be at a minimum.
Welcome to the Forum @jsahara24 (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=48810) , you fit in fine once you get the feel of it. We all want to see some progress on that setup you have, that can really kick out some product!
So you have a Frick hand set sawmill with a power recede and mud saw. A 2 saw board edger and an old planer. Powered by a ? kw diesel gen set. All stored in a dry building. That's nice.
Getting the mill running as most are likely to suggest sounds like a good/fun idea. But, you will need logs. You have 80 aces of trees. Make sure you are up for logging or find someone who can do it safely. Do not want to exactly follow the foot steps of your FIL.
Nice set up, do your research, Mill looks like it is ready to go with just a little preparation, circle mills are fun but you have to know what you are doing. You may want to visit one close by and watch one operate. It looks like it was a labor of love, he did a great job with setup and thinking through buildings layout etc. Should be a easy sell if you list it on the forum, Other ways also, auction, craigslist, facebook marketplace, machinery consignment etc. Lots on knowledge here just ask for help etc.
Wanted to thank everyone for their advice and guidance. Its nice to hear positive things about FILs setup, he was definitely skilled at many things.
My wife is certainly not excited about me "logging" considering the her fathers accident and how it changed their lives, although she did buy me a nice Stihl chainsaw for Christmas. I think her idea was cutting up down trees for firewood! haha.....I wonder if it would make financial sense to hire a logger to drop the trees and then take the process from there or if you need to really do it all? I would be cutting for wood to support my future projects, building a pole barn, mini cabin, mantle, etc.
I'm going to do some youtubing this weekend to see some of these mills in action, then head back to the pole barn and check things out in greater detail.
Thanks again!
Jason
More than anything else, you need to find someone who has run one of those mills. I don't know how to tell you to find him, but he's out there; a retired sawyer who would enjoy helping get you started. Ask around; surely a logger or chainsaw shop can get you in the right direction. Watching a well run circle mill is fascinating; a good sawyer can plan out his cuts to minimize the number of turns and maximize the yield, and a good sawyer and offbearer can make it look simple as they do the same things all day long. The problem is that unless you have a pretty good idea of what he is doing, it's sometimes hard to read the sawyer's mind. You can read all that you want, but nothing will prepare you for sawing like having someone with experience explain to you what he is doing step by step. Cutting for grade or sawing ties or sawing pallet lumber or making framing lumber; every one is a little different. You need to know what it is you want to get out of the logs, and have someone teach you how to do that. That's a very nice setup; it would be a shame to sell it off.
Here are some free PDF downloads that will help you with information on running the mill.
https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/CAT87208435/PDF (https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/CAT87208435/PDF)
https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/misc/circsaw.pdf (https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/misc/circsaw.pdf)
Wow! sweet setup! (Welcome to the forum)
You won't believe how much "Firewood" you will end up with milling lumber!
There are a lot of leftovers.
I myself, couldn't help myself but try to get it started at a minimum. I know nothing about it but it looks neat! Good luck
Quote from: jsahara24 on January 23, 2020, 01:26:11 PM
Wanted to thank everyone for their advice and guidance. Its nice to hear positive things about FILs setup, he was definitely skilled at many things.
My wife is certainly not excited about me "logging" considering the her fathers accident and how it changed their lives, although she did buy me a nice Stihl chainsaw for Christmas. I think her idea was cutting up down trees for firewood! haha.....I wonder if it would make financial sense to hire a logger to drop the trees and then take the process from there or if you need to really do it all? I would be cutting for wood to support my future projects, building a pole barn, mini cabin, mantle, etc.
I'm going to do some youtubing this weekend to see some of these mills in action, then head back to the pole barn and check things out in greater detail.
Thanks again!
Jason
Hey jsahara24,
you have a reason to mill, get a qualified logger in to drop the trees you need and fire that Betty up!
D
The more pics we see the more impressed I am . That edger looks real impressive . The planer is a old single sided planer . There great machines and once tuned up can plane up lots of lumber in a day .
You updated your profile but I see for age you put N/A. I hate to say it but I think it is the complete opposite of N/A.
Tuning up the sawmill and getting everything running and spinning I would say the age of N/A is ok .
Out in the woods felling your first large hardwood tree an age of N/A is not going to cut it .
It's a fact that at 60 let's say your not a quick and nimble as you are at 30 .
I'm 60 now and have been logging part time all my life . I would not want to be just starting to learn it now . I log only softwood and even with my experience I would be real nervous going into cut large hardwood trees . If I had never cut any logs at all I don't think I would even chance it at my age .
Be safe and learn all you can
Quebecnewf
Quote from: Haleiwa on January 23, 2020, 01:50:39 PM
More than anything else, you need to find someone who has run one of those mills. I don't know how to tell you to find him, but he's out there; a retired sawyer who would enjoy helping get you started. Ask around; surely a logger or chainsaw shop can get you in the right direction. Watching a well run circle mill is fascinating; a good sawyer can plan out his cuts to minimize the number of turns and maximize the yield, and a good sawyer and offbearer can make it look simple as they do the same things all day long. The problem is that unless you have a pretty good idea of what he is doing, it's sometimes hard to read the sawyer's mind. You can read all that you want, but nothing will prepare you for sawing like having someone with experience explain to you what he is doing step by step. Cutting for grade or sawing ties or sawing pallet lumber or making framing lumber; every one is a little different. You need to know what it is you want to get out of the logs, and have someone teach you how to do that. That's a very nice setup; it would be a shame to sell it off.
Good advice and thanks....If I get it going again it wouldn't be on a commercial level, just for personal use.....so I would probably be doing it by myself most of the time, perhaps with some help from the wife or my brother occasionally....Everyone seems to say you need multiple people to run it......
A local logger select cut the property about 15 years ago before I was involved, perhaps meeting with him would help clarify the situation....
Quote from: Quebecnewf on January 24, 2020, 05:06:01 AM
The more pics we see the more impressed I am . That edger looks real impressive . The planer is a old single sided planer . There great machines and once tuned up can plane up lots of lumber in a day .
You updated your profile but I see for age you put N/A. I hate to say it but I think it is the complete opposite of N/A.
Tuning up the sawmill and getting everything running and spinning I would say the age of N/A is ok .
Out in the woods felling your first large hardwood tree an age of N/A is not going to cut it .
It's a fact that at 60 let's say your not a quick and nimble as you are at 30 .
I'm 60 now and have been logging part time all my life . I would not want to be just starting to learn it now . I log only softwood and even with my experience I would be real nervous going into cut large hardwood trees . If I had never cut any logs at all I don't think I would even chance it at my age .
Be safe and learn all you can
Quebecnewf
Thanks for the PDFs links and the other posts of encouragement!
I am 37 years old and plan to live on the farm for the rest of my life...but I do not have much interest in cutting down a bunch of trees myself, but I do have interest in being able to cut trees into lumber for future projects....I was thinking before I started this post that maybe I should pick up a more simple to operate bandsaw mill because this setup seemed above my pay grade, but now that i'm starting to understand what everything is and does i'm thinking maybe it is within my grasp.....
Regardless of what I decide getting an education in the matter is something I know I will always appreciate....
Quote from: jsahara24 on January 24, 2020, 08:54:59 AM
Quote from: Quebecnewf on January 24, 2020, 05:06:01 AM
The more pics we see the more impressed I am . That edger looks real impressive . The planer is a old single sided planer . There great machines and once tuned up can plane up lots of lumber in a day .
You updated your profile but I see for age you put N/A. I hate to say it but I think it is the complete opposite of N/A.
Tuning up the sawmill and getting everything running and spinning I would say the age of N/A is ok .
Out in the woods felling your first large hardwood tree an age of N/A is not going to cut it .
It's a fact that at 60 let's say your not a quick and nimble as you are at 30 .
I'm 60 now and have been logging part time all my life . I would not want to be just starting to learn it now . I log only softwood and even with my experience I would be real nervous going into cut large hardwood trees . If I had never cut any logs at all I don't think I would even chance it at my age .
Be safe and learn all you can
Quebecnewf
Thanks for the PDFs links and the other posts of encouragement!
I am 37 years old and plan to live on the farm for the rest of my life...but I do not have much interest in cutting down a bunch of trees myself, but I do have interest in being able to cut trees into lumber for future projects....I was thinking before I started this post that maybe I should pick up a more simple to operate bandsaw mill because this setup seemed above my pay grade, but now that i'm starting to understand what everything is and does i'm thinking maybe it is within my grasp.....
Regardless of what I decide getting an education in the matter is something I know I will always appreciate....
That rig can be a money maker for the farm.
I sent you a private message ,
D
Quote from: jsahara24 on January 24, 2020, 08:54:59 AMI was thinking before I started this post that maybe I should pick up a more simple to operate bandsaw mill because this setup seemed above my pay grade, but now that i'm starting to understand what everything is and does i'm thinking maybe it is within my grasp
Well, I learned how as a kid of 18. Thrown into the fire when they fired the guy teaching me how to saw 6 weeks in because my production was so far ahead of his. Oh boy, those were some times. And here we are now. All part of why this website exists. You can do it.
@Jeff... That's the funniest story ever... :D
I would think that if you are only going to saw for personal use, that is way too much mill. You might be better off to sell it and invest some of the $ in a much more user friendly portable bandmill that you can easily operate by yourself.
Quote from: WDH on January 24, 2020, 05:12:50 PM
I would think that if you are only going to saw for personal use, that is way too much mill. You might be better off to sell it and invest some of the $ in a much more user friendly portable bandmill that you can easily operate by yourself.
WDH makes a good point . For sure a bandmill is more of a one person friendly setup.
your young and interested so take your time and soak up all the info you can before you make your move .
one problem I see is while the mill is a sweet setup it's a big job to break it down and move it . This of course drives the selling price down . That being said I'm quite sure you can get a fair price for it if you decide to sell .
i see lots of reading and pondering your move in your near future .
keep us in the loop and ask away with the questions . We're here to help and inform
Quebecnewf
You have a dream setup sitting in your lap. The only thing is you need to love making sawdust. Somehow you have to ask yourself and answer honestly if you love handling logs and making lumber. It is hard work and I've never met anyone who made a fortune sawing lumber.
If you love making sawdust, then getting that setup running and learning to saw on it is what I would do.
If you decide sawing isn't for you, that sawmill will be worth more running than sitting
Too much mill? Never enough mill. And I should know. That set up represents a lot of hard work. With the right conveyers you can saw and edge by yourself like I do. You won't set any records for sure. You stop and stack when all the decks are full, the longer the decks the more you can saw. Let me tell you it's all about the iron, the more the better. There is one problem and that is the generator. Compared to a belted diesel they burn a lot of fuel and if your not producing something that will pay it hurts. The problem is that to do the one man thing I have done requires electricity.
Quote from: moodnacreek on January 24, 2020, 07:33:36 PM
Too much mill? Never enough mill. And I should know. That set up represents a lot of hard work. With the right conveyers you can saw and edge by yourself like I do. You won't set any records for sure. You stop and stack when all the decks are full, the longer the decks the more you can saw. Let me tell you it's all about the iron, the more the better. There is one problem and that is the generator. Compared to a belted diesel they burn a lot of fuel and if your not producing something that will pay it hurts. The problem is that to do the one man thing I have done requires electricity.
Yup, on the list of things I've never said is we need less sawmill.
For myself I love electric.... that constant torque is sooo sweet after a just barely big enough diesel. And it's expandable in terms off plug in the next good toy. 220 kVa is big though for whats there, but not stupidly so.
Here's the thing.... what you have here is a handset mill that's in fair order (might need debugging but its pretty much good to go by the look). It's in a shed. You've got the power source, you've got the blower to remove sawdust, you've got a decent edger, and a planer that is servicable. It's a workable sawline, and a sawline is far more than just a sawmill.
You've also got a small source of logs, albeit a logger went through 15 years back so the cream is gone but they do keep growing. You also have (extrapolating) a logger. Logger's are a good thing when you run a circle saw because 80 acres of woodlot wont keep it fed for long.
What you lack is
(1) machinery to handle logs and lumber, unless you've got them but I'm going on what I can see. So you'd be up for a loader and a forklift, or a tele, or at least a bobcat or tractor with FEL.
(2) experience with running a saw, or in the wood business in general.
In what I'm about to suggest there are a lot of what if's... I don't have the faintest as to what market conditions are like there, or the depth of your log supply, or any of the 30 other things that would need to be considered. But...
Find an honest, experienced guy that knows what he's doing. Then either lease it to him, or put him on shares or something. Get it running, get a few dollars in the door, start upgrading (hydraulic carriage is a no brainer). You've got the guts of a viable stand alone business sitting there... that's not a setup that was built to cut a few boards for the farm, and 20 years ago it would have been competitive. He didn't put in a 220kVa genset to run that, he had an expansion plan for sure. I'd start with your logger - he'll know a guy who knows a guy who fits the bill.
Quote from: jsahara24 on January 24, 2020, 08:48:23 AM
If I get it going again it wouldn't be on a commercial level, just for personal use.....
:)
:P
Lots of great ideas and I like to always consider all my options....Thanks!
We do have some equipment, a bobcat 845 skid steer with forks and a John Deere 850 with a front end loader. As for trees id say the property is ready to be seletively logged again, there are a good number of mature trees but I agree they would run out pretty quickly doing it commercially. I would also need to hire someone as I am not leady to leave my job.
As for selling it, it would be a pretty major project just to get it dissassembled and out of there i'd think. I don't think our equipment would be enough to get it loaded.
I am going to continue learning and wait to make any decisions for a while...
Thanks
Is this a hydraulic carriage?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill6.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747292)
37 years old and that equipment all sitting there, can only say wow! What must be spinning in your head! I would be out visiting some old timers to find some answers as to how this could play out. Even if it were a bandsaw you would still have most of the same questions I'm sure. Just take your time it'll come together. Good luck!
The problem with handset mills is that they aren't worth a whole lot. They're usually bought by people who like the old mills or someone one who uses it for a hobby mill. They cost less than a bandmill, will put out production a whole lot quicker, and aren't all that difficult to run. The hardest part of the mill is already done. It is already put in place and is ready to run. So, if you're looking for a hobby mill, you're all set. If you're looking to sell it, you could make it a stipulation that the buyer removes it.
I'm not sure what part of Schuylkill county you're from, but I know how some loggers in the area that "selective" log. All depends who was in there last as to the quality that was left. You might be able to find someone to come in and cut some trees down for some weekend cash. You can then drag them in to your mill for your own use. Getting a logger in to cut your timber for your use is probably a different story. For them to move in equipment, they'll want to do a sizable cut. They're also more expensive then a weekend cutter. They would only fit you in when they don't have anything better to do. If you go the weekend cutter route, I'd talk to a few local mills to see if they knew of someone who would do that work.
I'd also stress you should have a forester at least look at the timber knowing that there wouldn't be a timber sale involved. It takes out the sales motive. If you want to have it managed, have them mark the timber for future growth. That might end up being taking out the junk that has been left behind. It could mean a lot of firewood.
If you need someone to give you pointers on your mill, I have a bit of experience on both handset and automatic mills. I don't think my back will take running a handset mill any more, but I still remember how it's done. 40 yrs industry experience. I'm down in Lebanon county.
I'd love to come over and teach and play if I weren't so far away. If you can get Ron to come, you wouldn't be able to do better than that.
Quote from: jsahara24 on January 25, 2020, 12:15:06 PM
Is this a hydraulic carriage?
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/58810/sawmill6.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579747292)
No that's your carriage drive... the winch that pulls the carriage back and forth past the saw.
Handset or automatic refers to the carriage itself... the way the knees/headblocks (the upright bits the log lays against on the carriage) is operated to move the log sideways to determine the depth of cut. Yours is handset.... someone with a strong back gets up there and
works those big ratchets to shift the log sideways for each cut.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/32746/sawmill4.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1579994751)
Automatics use either hydraulic or pneumatic rams to do the same task from the sawyers position. It's a whole lot faster and easier and means you need one less guy to do twice the amount of work
That set up there with 2 or 3 people would spit out more wood in a day than you could use in a couple months of building projects. It is set up for some good production. Would want a fork lift or tractor with forks for the material flow that mill would generate. Very nice setup!!
Headblocks move log face out into saw blade path relatively easy, springs move the blocks back easily also, Setting the dogs was not that hard, Hardest part was manual turning of the logs when blocks moved back a well greased block and good cant hook a necessity , Turning log would give you a good workout but work is good for the body and you quickly get use to it. I would suggest you go to Utube and watch clips of people using a manual circle mill. Some excellent ones. It does take 3 to 4 people to run on any production basis and for safety reasons are needed. I had a Corley mill similar to this frick mill and it still operates down the road, but for a hobby basis I am glad I got a bandmill which I can operate by myself and at my own pace. I would not even attempt to run this circle mill without other people. Sawyer, One or two to turn logs, and one to off load lumber etc. The sawyer is the one that has to understand what is going on all the time. Some of the things I remember, How much log to expose first, when To turn log and always when to call it quits on the cut, I usually ran into trouble at the end with some last cuts slipping off the dogs etc. Getting the carriage speed, blade speed right, not overheating the blade, blade wobble, clatter, sighting down the blade, carriage cable slip or jerk, Once had carriage jump off rails but lucky blocks did not hit the blade. When things go bad they can go bad in an instant. Now I only have to worry about a band breaking and it is always enclosed by safety shield.
I sawed many a day with just one other person on the mill. It isn't ideal, but you can get a fairly good production. To saw decent production, I used 2 other people. With 2 people, I was sawing all the time, and the extra was bringing in logs, moving and stacking lumber. When you get to automation, you need more people because of the jump in production.
Quote from: jsahara24 on January 25, 2020, 12:15:06 PM
Is this a hydraulic carriage?
<br
That is a hydraulic motor connected to the cable drum. In your picture of the husk there is a yellow box with drive belts and a lever. That is a oil tank hydraulic pump combination. The lever will direct the flow to the motor and cause it to rotate, thus moving the carriage. Direction will depend on which way the lever moves and speed will depend on how far the lever moves.
That is an amazing setup! I am definitely jealous! There is a lot to learn about these mills, it can be overwhelming. I have found once I covered the safety of circle milling and got down to the doing it was a bit more basic than I thought. That is as long as the mill is working correctly. I think its pretty therapeutic.
That mill looks like your FIL put in some thought to the assembly, good looking set up. "Keep It" Got any more pictures \, close ups of operator station and the controls, the drive system and the mandrel and bearings. I have an all steel circle in need of assembly so always looking for ideas and your mill looks well done.
Quote from: Ron Wenrich on January 25, 2020, 01:08:44 PM
The problem with handset mills is that they aren't worth a whole lot. They're usually bought by people who like the old mills or someone one who uses it for a hobby mill. They cost less than a bandmill, will put out production a whole lot quicker, and aren't all that difficult to run. The hardest part of the mill is already done. It is already put in place and is ready to run. So, if you're looking for a hobby mill, you're all set. If you're looking to sell it, you could make it a stipulation that the buyer removes it.
I'm not sure what part of Schuylkill county you're from, but I know how some loggers in the area that "selective" log. All depends who was in there last as to the quality that was left. You might be able to find someone to come in and cut some trees down for some weekend cash. You can then drag them in to your mill for your own use. Getting a logger in to cut your timber for your use is probably a different story. For them to move in equipment, they'll want to do a sizable cut. They're also more expensive then a weekend cutter. They would only fit you in when they don't have anything better to do. If you go the weekend cutter route, I'd talk to a few local mills to see if they knew of someone who would do that work.
I'd also stress you should have a forester at least look at the timber knowing that there wouldn't be a timber sale involved. It takes out the sales motive. If you want to have it managed, have them mark the timber for future growth. That might end up being taking out the junk that has been left behind. It could mean a lot of firewood.
If you need someone to give you pointers on your mill, I have a bit of experience on both handset and automatic mills. I don't think my back will take running a handset mill any more, but I still remember how it's done. 40 yrs industry experience. I'm down in Lebanon county.
Appreciate all the comments. I am probably less than a half hour from you, I am currently working on getting the place cleaned up now. Trees and overgrowth had been growing around the edge of the sawmill for years, I cut them out this past summer and I removed the stumps this weekend....getting everything in order so I can keep the area mowed in the summer and make access easier as the barn is up in the woods.....
I was watching videos on circle mills last night, actually doesn't seem as complicated as I originally thought. I was wondering what RPM do these mills typically operate at?
I was talking my mother in law this weekend as well, she said her husband actually ran this mill by himself....
could mean a lot to the family if you learn to operate it. If you eventually sell it, will get more if it is running. look it over, and the way he appears to care for his stuff, a little lube and flip a switch, and you are set. did he have any buddies that occasionally worked with him?
He really had a sweet setup. Electric motor means speed should be ok for mill running. Hydraulic lever on yellow tank is your carriage speed back and forth and thus feed speed of log through sawblade. I would recommend moving the on/off switch to motor closer to the sawyer position just in case for safety reasons. Main thing do not be fearful or intimidated to start getting it running again there is no machine that can not be understood and used just scratch your head, think, research, and go for it. I tend to think of sawmills as survival, and freedom equipment, worse comes to worse I can always provide shelter for my family. Another thing going is the generator power producing potential.
Quote from: doc henderson on January 27, 2020, 09:42:05 AM
could mean a lot to the family if you learn to operate it. If you eventually sell it, will get more if it is running. look it over, and the way he appears to care for his stuff, a little lube and flip a switch, and you are set. did he have any buddies that occasionally worked with him?
I thought the same thing about getting it running. I am however getting the opposite reaction, I believe its just due to his accident and how it was related and the fear something similar could happen to me.
His accident was ~20 years ago, so mostly everyone has disappeared and I only know of the logger who came in after.
Quote from: Iwawoodwork on January 26, 2020, 10:04:39 PM
That mill looks like your FIL put in some thought to the assembly, good looking set up. "Keep It" Got any more pictures \, close ups of operator station and the controls, the drive system and the mandrel and bearings. I have an all steel circle in need of assembly so always looking for ideas and your mill looks well done.
I'll take some more pictures next time i'm in there for you.
Whether you sell it or not, you better get it up and and make sawdust first.
I would feel much more comfortable with a more modern bandmill if this is just a hobby.The learning curve is smaller and the mfg.'s support is right there for easy access ,fewer headaches and less aggravation.
You have to separate out what is sentimental attachment and what is practical and you will come to that in time.
Best of luck and welcome to the forum.If you can adopt Ron Wenrich and have him move in then keep the mill.
Throw some logs on there and make some sawdust! I'd kill for that setup!
Levi
Sometimes you just need a like minded gear head friend who is interested also. The reason I got my mill again is my neighbor who we cut logs together and split wood or profits. Someone will come along to help you this machine is just to interesting and fun.
If you put a good saw on and everything is already lined up and you saw some logs, you would never be happy with a small band saw mill.
My mill has a good foundation and protected from the weather and once sat idle for eleven years due to my poor health. Fired up and sawed perfectly with no adjustments necessary. So yours may need very little if it was working good in the past.
Would love to hear an update on this subject.