I have been lurking here for a while, and wanted to say hello. My name is Jim and I live in Washington State, I am maintaining a 200 acre timber farm in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, for a gentleman who is facing the end of his life. He told me of his years in the early to mid 50's working timber on Mt. Adams, setting chokers, highline work, life in logging camp, says he was a smart ass and is lucky to have survived it. one of his jobs was to run the drag saw to make firewood for the camp. After a stint in the Marine Corps, he worked as a longshoreman, and bought the acreage, complete with an American # 1 circle mill, with 52 inch blade, said it ran at about 450 RPM, The mill still stands, but is pretty deteriorated, Ill get some pictures over the next few days. Although we know 3 neighbors within 10 miles that have Woodmizers, I have plans to build a home made band mill, and am in the process of gathering materials, I have a 20 hp honda from an old rider , and many other usable parts from the mower. still looking at other peoples builds to see what features i like best, making some drawings, and will undoubtably have many questions......I have a lot of pretty big Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, a small sampling of Yew, plus currently milling western maple, with a chainsaw mill, for baby furniture, going to be a Grandpa for the first time in June......I spent 35 years as an aircraft mechanice, and have always been handy and innovative, looking forward to getting the build under way......
I'll be watchen your build....
Welcome aboard Jim. Looking forward of your build.
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Hard12find!
Welcome :)
Welcome from the swamp
Welcome Jim, sure you don't want to resurrect the old circle mill.?? Its there and I'am sure its old owner would like to see it run again. Frank C.
Welcome to the forum. There are others here that have built mills that can offer input and help. Best of luck to ya!
Welcome to the FF,
lots of great folks & build info here.
best
D
Thank you all for the warm welcome....Frank C, I will be posting photos of the old circle mill, don't think the old man can hang in there that long, unless I hit the lottery or get a lot of volunteer help...
I would like to see it run, I pulled up some videos on you tube and we watched them together the other day, always gets him thinking and talking and telling stories.....gonna miss that old fart when he goes...
52 inch circle blade,
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44714/52_inch_blade5B15D.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1483762860) mill carriage hidden in there
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44714/mill_carriage_25B15D.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1483762957)mill shed powerplant,
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44714/mill_1.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1483762767)
Diesel powerplant (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44714/mill_25B15D.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1483763119)
stack of cedar(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44714/cedar_stack_25B15D.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1483763224)
cautious and curious neighbor(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44714/IMG_07315B15D.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1483752878)
Welcome and glad to see another aircraft mechanic, I've been an ia for close to 15yrs myself.