I need to decide sheaves or tires . Companies don't use tires . Is the only reason for tires ,to save money ? Because I find sheaves are not that much different , when they are the 18.75 inch sheaves.on line for 45 bucks apiece. I have found a outlet for everything else. about $1075.00. Has anyone had experience with both. I don't see why people use tires.
I am using tires, no experience with sheaves. The tires on my mill are 24" OD which in theory should give me better blade life. I have cut perhaps 10K bd ft and only broke one blade after being sharpened several times. I may have been lucky getting tires with the right amount of crown when fully inflated but am happy with the tracking and quality of cut (after a learning curve). I am sure you can build a mill using sheaves for wheels and agree that the cost difference is not significant.
This is speculation and not in any way based on experience.
I'm betting tire mills are a bit easier to build as a first mill as the blade tension could mostly be adjusted by tire pressure (assuming it was close to start with) allowing for a fully welded head. Using sheaves would require fabricating a tensioning mechanism as the diameters are fixed.
Quote from: TKehl on June 17, 2017, 11:18:30 PM
This is speculation and not in any way based on experience.
I'm betting tire mills are a bit easier to build as a first mill as the blade tension could mostly be adjusted by tire pressure (assuming it was close to start with) allowing for a fully welded head. Using sheaves would require fabricating a tensioning mechanism as the diameters are fixed.
I don't think this would be a good way to build a mill. Getting the tire pressure right and getting the tension right are both important, the chances of getting both right without a tension adjustment is slim.
I built mine with tires because I had them already. If I was buying everything new I would have gone with the 18 inch pulleys you are thinking of. With tires I am limited to how much tension I can put on the blade before the rubber of the tires starts to deform around the blade.
Yotebait, tires will work but you end up with a "bubba mill" thats is hard to put a guard on and fine adjust. Band wheels are the most critical part of a mill and money spent on them is money well spent. I don't mean to insult my brothers that mill with tire but you know what I mean. It can be done with tires but it can be done better and easier with at least belted "Vee" sheaves. Frank C.
Thanks for the replies.
Look at this,this way....If tires was such a great idea,your major mill builders,would use tires-They do not use tires.......