Bandsaw Mill Blade Guards

[HOGFARMER]

I am getting ready to start fabricating the blade guards for a Bill Rakes style bandmill I am building.  Would 14 gauge metal be the right choice?  Any tips in desigining them would be much appreciated.  I have a metal brake and bead roller as well as a air planishing hammer and other equipment to use.  Safety is the primary concern and I would also like them to appear well thought out.  Thanks!

[Fla._Deadheader]

  We used 14 Ga. We just made the covers rounded, so they cleared the tires by 1" all around. Made the front doors the same way. Have 2 insert pins into the rounded covers and 1 nut welded inside the rounded part. We just snap the covers into the slots and put a bolt with a "T" welded on, through the covers and into the nuts. Quick and simple.

[HOGFARMER]

Thanks for confirming that 14 ga. would be good to use for the guards.  Do you use much reinforcement inside the guards?  Checked out your outstanding web site hoping to see some pictures of your mill.  Again thank you for the information.

[Minnesota_boy]

The purpose of that guard is to contain the blade when it breaks or comes off the wheels.  On my bandsaw the band is quite small and has only a small amount of weight to be stopped by the guard.  Size the thickness of your guard according to the size of the band that you have.  For most portable bandsaws, 14 ga should work fine.  You only need enough reinforcement to keep the guard from contacting the blade in normal (or abnormal) operation.  A little stiffer won't hurt nearly as much as not enough.

[Fla._Deadheader]

  The 14 Ga. is just over 1/16" thick. That is plenty if you use steel. Aluminum, I would go with 12 Ga. We have no reinforcement anywhere inside the covers. We did add a shelf that helps keep the sawdust from spilling down onto the log. That really doesn't hurt anything, but, with a slight breeze in yer face, that dust will fill yer eyes in a second.

  I have pics of "Homey" all over the forum. Go to the gallery and look for pics that start with FDH or fdh. That is my "Key" to where I can locate pics.

[T_in_SC]

Hogfarmer,  I just finished making blade and drive belt guards for my William Rake mill.  I used 14 guage steel.  Here is a link to some pics.

http://tony632.fotopic.net

[T_in_SC]

Forgot to mention that you might get some ideas from the Turner Bandmill website.

[HOGFARMER]

Thanks, I really appreciate the pics of the guards.  Did you do any internal bracing of them?  I have to put the blade guards and blade guides on  then I will be done.  Have you cut any lumber yet?  Do  you have any other photos of your mill?  I am adding 3x3x1/4 box tube under the angle iron frame to mount an axle and later a log loader.  Again thank you!!!!

[jpad_mi]

Hogfarmer, post some pics please.

Tony, great job on the mill.

[HOGFARMER]

I will shortly I want to finish up the blade guides and get the drive belt on then I will attempt to post photos.  I sure appreciate the information that members of this site have given me.

[T_in_SC]

Hogfarmer,  I didn't use any internal bracing.  I originally made a guard of 14 guage bent into a "U" shape supported by one inch box tube and one inch angle according to Mr. Rake's plans.  Recently I spot welded the flat peices on the back and spot welded the front peice using heavy guage steel continuous hinge.
   I've cut about 1500 bft mostly pecan, with some oak and cherry.  Over the summer I have gathered about 1500 bft of pecan, birch, and pine which I plan to start sawing in a week or so.
   I'll try to get more pictures on that same site by the weekend.  If you can't reach them from that same link, email me.