The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 01:30:33 AM

Title: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 01:30:33 AM
I recently inherited an older Corley 2 bladed wood frame mill. Serial number is 50-C-0XX if means anything or there is look up to that code. Its complete, frame and shafts, arbors, both blades, track and carriage, pop up log turner, etc.  I have some potato quality pictures of it in the barn but I may have some pic of back when it was set up an running too. I'll post either if there is interest.

I remember running the mill as a kid (that would have been late 60's early 70's) and it worked just fine and all.  Before, back in the 50;s, he made a lot of pallets and the like.

Is there any interest in such things? Or is it just junk?
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: deadfall on July 20, 2015, 01:51:31 AM
I have a hard time resisting junk.  Even worse when it's not junk.  That post is going to go through here like a crank bait.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: mad murdock on July 20, 2015, 01:55:07 AM
I would sure like to find some "junk" like that!!
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: beenthere on July 20, 2015, 02:01:36 AM
Welcome to the Forestry Forum.
And yes, we are interested in seeing pics of the Corley.

Click on your user name, and you will find the profile button. Click that and update with a location. Helps to have an idea where in the world you are at. ;)
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 02:41:14 AM
Quote from: deadfall on July 20, 2015, 01:51:31 AM
That post is going to go through here like a crank bait.

I don't mean to troll if that's what you mean. I have some pictures of it in the barn. I didn't get to fully document it, I was in a hurry at the time and its a tad far from where I am now. The mill is in southeast Iowa, Mahaska county in particular and my dad had designs on setting it up again in southern Illinois.

Anyway, some sawmill pron. And sorry about the potato quality. I am going to find some pics of it assembled and in operation.

This is the lower end of the frame and serial number plate.

[img width=650 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--/BsBYo8K.png[/img]

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/Corley_1.jpg)

The frame with upper shaft. The controls are on the opposite side of the frame as shown in this pic.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/Corley_2.jpg)

The log turner. It has a separate serial number on it. Just to the right is the lower shaft and arbor for the blade. The blades are in circular shipping crates so they are in good shape too. The botton is close to 5 foot dia and upper is 4 to 4 and a half in dia.
.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/Corley3.jpg)

Some of the track and carriage.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/Corley4.jpg)

I think I have some old pics of it in operation, it might even be me pulling the levers.



Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: thecfarm on July 20, 2015, 06:00:37 AM
spraguep,welcome to the forum. We all will enjoy your pictures and memories.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: Ocklawahaboy on July 20, 2015, 06:52:43 AM
If you are hoping to sell it, you will find a buyer.  There is a board on here for that.  You will just pay a % to the forum.  If you are hoping to rehab it and move it home with you, you will get lots of help with that too. 

Either way, welcome to the forum.  I dreamt of having a mill fall in my lap but I bought one instead.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: Chuck White on July 20, 2015, 07:00:46 AM
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, spraguep.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: Sixacresand on July 20, 2015, 07:33:01 AM
Welcome to the Forum,  Spraguep.  Looks like you're in for a good time with that old mill.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: Magicman on July 20, 2015, 07:45:45 AM
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, spraguep.

You will find plenty of interest in that sawmill here.   :)
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: justallan1 on July 20, 2015, 09:23:24 AM
Spraguep, welcome to the Forestry Forum.
There's plenty of folks on here plenty interested in whatever you are trying to do with your mill. Myself, I enjoy the heck out of reading up on them and seeing the pictures.
I have visited Port Angeles years ago and loved it. It's definitely some beautiful country. I was really impressed with shrimping off the docks while I was there.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: deadfall on July 20, 2015, 09:57:23 AM
Quote from: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 02:41:14 AM
Quote from: deadfall on July 20, 2015, 01:51:31 AM
That post is going to go through here like a crank bait.

I don't mean to troll if that's what you mean.

Not at all.  That was just a short cast.  I knew that would be all it would take to get pretty much the whole school to rise. 

Many fish bites if you gots good bait.

I would love to see where this goes.

Welcome.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 11:07:40 AM
I have no idea what I am going to do. Logically it would be difficult for me to reassemble it (fun as all heck but just not practical). But, again, what the heck, I'm at the point of my life maybe I should throw practicality to the wind :) )  My dad quit farming about 4 years ago when he hit 80 but logging was his life long hobby. I got lots of 'stuff' too. A John Deere 440 skidder (his baby, totally rebuilt), a JD 450 crawler he just got, goose neck trailer to haul it all around, a self loader for a larger straight log truck, a number of electric motors (of questionable reliability) probably 50 to 100 horsepower range or so. I even have a 2 man chain saw.



Quote from: Ocklawahaboy on July 20, 2015, 06:52:43 AM
If you are hoping to sell it, you will find a buyer.  There is a board on here for that.  You will just pay a % to the forum.  If you are hoping to rehab it and move it home with you, you will get lots of help with that too. 

Either way, welcome to the forum.  I dreamt of having a mill fall in my lap but I bought one instead.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: redbeard on July 20, 2015, 11:17:22 AM
Welcome spaugeup, were niegbors Iam 40 miles east of you by boat.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 12:06:18 PM
I go that way to see the tulips in April. I am not much on casinos, but there is a Cabalas in the Arlington area. ;) I work out of the Seattle area so I go that way a lot.

Quote from: redbeard on July 20, 2015, 11:17:22 AM
Welcome spaugeup, were niegbors Iam 40 miles east of you by boat.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 12:39:39 PM
The person that got the handle on the end of the bar must have drawn the short stick. I think we started it when I was a kid and I think it probably still turns over but I like all my fingers and upper appendages so I'll not try.

So if anyone out there is looking for the latest in chainsaw tech, look no further, say no more and step right on up.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/twomanchainsaw.jpg)

I am still looking for interior sawmill pictures.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: SPD748 on July 20, 2015, 01:20:33 PM
Oh man... I'm such a sucker for junk. Bring on the pics!!!

-lee
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 01:35:24 PM
Piles of log deck chains. Note the log tongs in the far upper right of the picture.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/logdeck_chain.jpg)
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: Magicman on July 20, 2015, 02:00:38 PM
Left is right, right is wrong.  (old saying)
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: SPD748 on July 20, 2015, 02:19:56 PM
That's just my luck. I looked for log deck chains for months without success. Here we have a whole pile! Such is life... I'll keep looking  :(

-lee
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 02:20:36 PM
My primary flight instructor painted 'R' and 'L' on the backs of my hands. Smart fellow, he was.

"On the port side of the picture, please note the log tongs" :)
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 20, 2015, 02:30:40 PM
I had to secure a number of other items. My dad had a friend with lots of space and locked gates so I moved some items there.

I had my kids with me, and here is the youngest learning the ropes on a JD450 crawler.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/jd450_clari.jpg)

He also had a JD 440 skidder. Both my girls, 9 and 11, got to drive it around the log yard.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40331/jd440_skidder.jpg)


Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: ddcuning on July 20, 2015, 05:39:39 PM
Nice finds there. My uncle said he always liked sawing on a Corley. I always liked them because they were made in my hometown of Chattanooga. Even so, when I started looking for a mill, I wound up with a Frick due to the fact that it was only a few miles from my house and I didn't have to look much. ;D. Keep the pictures coming, looks very interesting!

Dave C
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: Corley5 on July 20, 2015, 08:03:18 PM
I've got a Corley log turner just like that and two Corley 5 mills.  One set up.  One not.  Look for them to show up in the For Sale Board soon ;) :).  I think the first two digits of Corley serial #s are the year.  Corley is still in business and can tell you.
Title: Re: Oh, the things one finds in barns.
Post by: spraguep on July 21, 2015, 01:59:49 AM
Called, the secretary sent me to a phone mailbox of someone that sounded important and never heard a thing back. Its hard to tell if they think you are a barking lunatic and want nothing to do with you or they just forgot to call you back. I might try email or go full frontal old fashioned and write a real letter.

Quote from: Corley5 on July 20, 2015, 08:03:18 PM
I've got a Corley log turner just like that and two Corley 5 mills.  One set up.  One not.  Look for them to show up in the For Sale Board soon ;) :).  I think the first two digits of Corley serial #s are the year.  Corley is still in business and can tell you.