The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: warren46 on December 11, 2013, 10:07:37 PM

Title: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: warren46 on December 11, 2013, 10:07:37 PM
I had two firsts at the mill today - one good and one not so much.

I got my first paying job today.  The owner of a lot just down the road from us is planning a house.  He has located a batch of hand hewn beams from a historic barn.  He wants to have it sawn into lumber to use in the house.  He asked me to pick up the beams and saw them, sticker them at my mill till spring.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33392/IMG_3799.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33392/IMG_3795.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33392/IMG_3796.JPG)

I think that will be a good thing if I can find the nails before the band does.

I also had my first band come off the wheels today.  I tried to back the band out of a cut about a foot into the log.  Remind me not to try that again.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33392/IMG_3793.JPG)

Scratch one blade.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: mmartone on December 11, 2013, 10:37:54 PM
I have done that a few times with limited success, many times it goes just like that,, bang.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: shortlogger on December 11, 2013, 10:49:02 PM
If I have to back my blade out of a cut I disengage it and wedge the the gap open with a chunk of wood then back it out .
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: warren46 on December 12, 2013, 06:46:22 AM
Quote from: shortlogger on December 11, 2013, 10:49:02 PM
If I have to back my blade out of a cut I disengage it and wedge the the gap open with a chunk of wood then back it out .

That is what I will do next time for sure.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Chuck White on December 12, 2013, 08:00:50 AM
Agree, disengage the blade before backing out of a cant or log!
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: bandmiller2 on December 12, 2013, 08:03:28 AM
I repeat myself but if you have plywood covers over your bandwheels most of the time you can save bands that are pulled off the wheels.If you have steel covers and space glue thin ply under the cover. Frank C.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Deese on December 12, 2013, 09:16:41 AM
Whew! I bet those timbers have quite a bit of metal in them  :o
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Ocklawahaboy on December 12, 2013, 09:25:29 AM
What a great tip.  I'll file that under the "why didn't I think of that" file and implement it shortly.

Quote from: bandmiller2 on December 12, 2013, 08:03:28 AM
I repeat myself but if you have plywood covers over your bandwheels most of the time you can save bands that are pulled off the wheels.If you have steel covers and space glue thin ply under the cover. Frank C.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: warren46 on December 12, 2013, 06:16:42 PM
Quote from: bandmiller2 on December 12, 2013, 08:03:28 AM
I repeat myself but if you have plywood covers over your bandwheels most of the time you can save bands that are pulled off the wheels.If you have steel covers and space glue thin ply under the cover. Frank C.
I do have plywood covers on my mill but unfortunately the band got a sharp kink.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: dboyt on December 13, 2013, 12:36:24 PM
The plywood trick works well, except I used pan head bolts so that I could remove it, if I need to.  Got a pair of plastic tree felling wedges and a hatchet.  They stay with the mill just for the purpose of opening up a cut so I can back out the blade.  Even if the blade is near the end of the cut, you can still back it out.  Sometimes you need the second wedge so you can get the first one out!

Looks like your blade is disguising itself as a pretzel.  I did that a couple of times before I figured out the wedge trick (always with the blade stopped).  Live & Learn!
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Magicman on December 13, 2013, 01:51:15 PM
I noticed some ole man try to back out of a cut in Texas this week.  Didn't work for him either.   :-\
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Bill Gaiche on December 13, 2013, 03:22:51 PM
I thought what happened in Texas stayed in Texas. bg
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Magicman on December 13, 2013, 03:27:35 PM
Quote from: Bill Gaiche on December 13, 2013, 03:22:51 PMI thought what happened in Texas stayed in Texas. bg 
OK, I will not tell on you.   :D
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on December 13, 2013, 03:56:40 PM
Quote from: Magicman on December 13, 2013, 01:51:15 PM
I noticed some ole man try to back out of a cut in Texas this week.  Didn't work for him either.   :-\

....and he will one day try it again, if he's alone.  ;D
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Magicman on December 13, 2013, 07:04:40 PM
He was not alone.   :-\
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: wwsjr on December 14, 2013, 07:54:31 AM
The plastic wedges did work. Did not take the kinks out of the blade.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: EZland on December 14, 2013, 09:01:32 AM
Thanks for the Plywood in the guard trick.  I am only just out my rookie year with my mill and this has happened to me several times.  Either nails or totally my fault.  So I keep wedges handy and it works about half the time. 

Instead of plywood  on the covers what about that plastic shower wall stuff.  I bet it would stay clean and not have any saw dust stick to it.  I will try it and let you know. 

BUT you gotta love that BANG as the band come off the wheels. 
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Stephen1 on December 14, 2013, 05:57:26 PM
Quote from: Magicman on December 13, 2013, 01:51:15 PM
I noticed some ole man try to back out of a cut in Texas this week.  Didn't work for him either.   :-\
Brain Fart?
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Magicman on December 14, 2013, 08:31:01 PM
You got it.  It does not take but one "closed up" kerf to ruin your day as well as a blade.  Of course, that was a fresh blade.   :-\
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: warren46 on December 15, 2013, 06:52:40 AM
I am glad that I am not the only one who occasionally does something he knows could result in unintended consequences.

Warren
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: PineNut on December 16, 2013, 07:57:11 PM
Had a similar problem last week. I was sawing up some old logs for firewood. Was careless and fed it a little too fast and the blade jammed in the log. It was only about 3 inches from the opening end. Nothing was going to get it too move.  Finally decided to remove the band from the mill while the band was still in the log. Moved the head out of the way and a chain saw make quick work of removing the band from the log.
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Magicman on December 16, 2013, 08:01:58 PM
Seems like sometimes we need to be saved from ourselves.   :D
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on December 16, 2013, 08:09:56 PM
Quote from: Magicman on December 16, 2013, 08:01:58 PM
Seems like sometimes we need to be saved from ourselves.   :D

Old saying.  :)
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Magicman on December 16, 2013, 08:25:53 PM
Are you calling me old again  ???
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on December 16, 2013, 08:28:59 PM
Quote from: Magicman on December 16, 2013, 08:25:53 PM
Are you calling me old again  ???

Oh no.....I have respect for my ELDERS.  :)
Title: Re: Two Firsts for my sawmill
Post by: Dave Shepard on December 16, 2013, 08:33:17 PM
Quote from: Magicman on December 16, 2013, 08:01:58 PM
Seems like sometimes we need to be saved from ourselves.   :D

Only sometimes? What about the rest of the time, just wing it? :D