Well now I did it. The sawmill build has begun.

[Crusarius]

That is definitely a good point I did not think of. I just had a random thought about making some slip in width extenders for when I need to pickup 4x8 material.

I was also just watching the linn lumber video again and realized that the log clamps are quite a ways from the edge of the bed. That makes a pretty large section that is not used at all. Guess it would be a nice safe place to lay tools when not using them. as long as they are really thin Scratch that idea.

[Kbeitz]

Go with the 48"...

[Crusarius]

I do like the idea of a little extra space to roll logs and little less chance of rolling them off. But I do not like the extra stretch idea.

Crap, why do I always have to overthink everything?

[grouch]

Big logs are a lot of work. My track is 30-5/8 inches outside to outside. I've wished several times that it was about 6 inches wider simply to have that much more room between the posts. That would be more than the biggest log I'm ever likely to deal with -- anything over 24 inches is a pain to manipulate with my equipment.

Consider the consequences of each inch added to track width before you decide. That's not overthinking; that's prudence.

[Crusarius]

Maybe I need to mockup a bed and try loading and unloading and rolling some logs?

Think it may take to much time and effort to do that though.

[btulloh]

I think it will be worth the effort to get the bed width right.  Maybe mocking up is too much effort and still not indicative of true battlefield conditions.  Dogging for the second and third sides can be tricky depending on your log turning mechanism.  If you're turning with a cant hook and working by yourself you have to grow and extra arm sometimes and it's critical to get the first cut square to the backstop.  Extra eyeballs come in handy too.  Maybe you can go check out some other mills close to you.   Do you have the dimensions on some of the commercial band mills as a reference?  They've worked it out.  It also makes a difference if you're using hydraulics.

[btulloh]

There was some discussion a ways back about what shape groove for the pulleys your mill is riding on, with respect to sawdust accumulation.  I don't think the solution in the picture below is unique, but it sure works well and couldn't be any simpler.  These are square grooves and the top of the rail is milled flat and there's no issue with debris build up.  I have trouble sometimes when I leave a jack handle laying across the track, but I suppose that's to be expected.



 

It's 3/16 or 1/4 wire rope and it keeps the grooves clean.  You can't see the ends in the picture, but they are where you would guess.

[JRWoodchuck]

Mine homebuilt mill is 48" outside to outside and I haven't wished it was smaller yet longer yes narrower no. Most of the stuff I cut is 14-24".

[thecfarm]

I had a good size log on mine manual mill. Made the first cut,then turned it with the peavey but could not dog it in. I needed both hands,arms,to hold the log in place. I had to get the wife to dog it in. Once I had it so a flat side was on the mill,I was all set.
As btulloh said,another arm would of came in handy.

[Ox]

It's simple:  build the thing 48" because it's what you want for a useful trailer as well as a sawmill track.  Any problems you might have with difficulty sawing with the wider bed will be overcome and dealt with with satisfaction knowing that you're doing it this way for a reason and now have a trailer to use as well.

Are you going to modify the saw head to be able to mill 7" wider or keep it the same and simply make the carriage wider?

[Crusarius]

Leaving the saw head alone. Just making the bed wider. Here is what I came up with last night for the carriage.

[Crusarius]

If I choose to make it wider in the future that should be pretty easy. Just need to make the slide portion and maybe the frame longer.

[JRWoodchuck]

I built mine to fit 158" bands which seems to be pretty standard. So getting them is easy from any blade manufacturer.

[Crusarius]

Well, I managed to get the sawframe full welded this weekend. Also managed to get the wheels trued up and the blade to run true.

Apparently on a 3 day weekend my brain seems to think at least one of those days needs to be wasted. I had a very hard time getting going and made no progress on sunday.

On monday I had an epiphany. with the pile of steel I purchased on friday there is no way I will be able to flip and move stuff around without a lot of strong help. So Monday I spent the day building a set of bucket forks.

[Ox]

Don't be too hard on yourself about wasting a day.  Everybody's brain and body needs a resting day to recharge - that's why God included Sundays!

Bucket forks is a good idea - you'll need them anyway for log handling.  Clamp style or chain style?  I had a pair rated for 4000 lbs and bent them with the old backhoe.  Had to upgrade to 10,000 lb forks.  Now the biggest problem is keeping them straight without a spacer bar between them.

[Crusarius]

I would say forklift style. but they will have a chain tensioner clamp inside the bucket. I will post pics sometime today.

[Crusarius]

What do you guys think about using these with a large for my carriage rollers?
Use bearing with a large washer to make the groove?

[Kbeitz]

What do you guys think about using these with a large for my carriage rollers?
Use bearing with a large washer to make the groove?

Gotta watch... Most flange bearing are light duty...

[Crusarius]

maybe I just need to get a normal bearing and use 2 plates?

[Crusarius]

shoot. I need the plates to rotate with the bearing. that not going to work.

[Crusarius]

here is a link to my bucket forks.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,97665.msg1507985.html#msg1507985

[Crusarius]

Where should I get a trailer axle? I have a pile of jeepaxles laying around but really don't think I want something that heavy and with a differential. UNless I can power it.

Hmmmmm that could be fun self propelled sawmill?

[JRWoodchuck]

You can typically find boat trailers cheap. Some have pretty heavy axles. Kbeitz has a boat trailer under his mill. I pick up a tandem axle 7500lbs boat trailer for hauling logs with (free!). Needed some modifications but the price was right.

[Crusarius]

guess I will have to start browsing craigslist. Thanx.

[JRWoodchuck]

Scrap yards will have them sometimes. As well as axles.