Blade Transportation?

woodhick · November 10, 2007, 11:22:16 PM

This has probably been covered here before but I missed it if it was. Seems like every time I take a box of blades on the raod with me to saw it rains and gets the box wet. Now for those of you who ship blades back to resharp you know the boxes are worth there weight in gold and are worth protecting. I have put them in garbage bags but thats a hassle. Solution: (I hope ;)). I went to wally world and purchased a rubbermaid 32 gallon roughneck trash can. I cut a piece of 1/4" plywood into a 18" circle that will fit into the bottom. Drilled a 1/4" hole in plywood and passed a 4' piece of 1/4" rope through and knotted it so it won't pull through. Placed plywood in bottom of can and next a piece of cardboard to cushion blades. Then stacked blades just like they were in a box. Two blades and a piece of cardboard with a hole in center. On the job when I dull a blade I can pull a sharp on off of the top and lift up the whole stack with the rope and place the dull band on the bottom. ;). I am just putting this together but I'm pretty sure it will work. Can should hold at least 15 bands. I will let you know how it works soon. I should add that this can works for woodmizer bands which are about 17" coiled. Others may need a bigger can. Also I am a weekend warrior, for full timers they may want to but the rubbermaid Brute series of cans as they are built a lot heavier. The one I got at wally world was $13. Lid snaps on to keep blades dry. I will add a bungee cord to keep lid on during road travel. Just thought I would pass this idea along and see if anybody else has other or better ideas. I will add DO NOT try to ship blades via ups in this arrangment. Been there done that and it is a $7.50 add on charge for a round container over a cardboard box. Sorry for the long post just thought it might help someone.

Dave Shepard · November 11, 2007, 12:21:19 AM

Sounds like a neat solution! I don't generally have to transport bands, as the mill is stationary, but they are a pesky item to handle that is for sure. I would suggest that you don't put a couple of coiled bands on the seat of your truck and go driving around with them. Very nasty to have them decide to uncoil on you when you aren't expecting it.

Dave

sgtmaconga · November 11, 2007, 12:45:43 AM

can we see pics? the idea sound great

LeeB · November 11, 2007, 12:52:37 AM

I wanna see pics of the wreck from the uncoiled bands. :D :D

amberwood · November 11, 2007, 06:45:05 AM

I store/transport mine flat not coiled. i made up this drawer system to fit in the back of the Discovery..can take three boxes but usually only carry 1 or 2. Each box can talk 15 blades max.

DTR

Bodger · November 11, 2007, 08:20:39 PM

I divided off the passenger side of the behind the cab tool box (two gull wing covers) with a piece of 3/8" plywood and can stack five blades coiled with card board between...Keeps them dry and handy. When I come in in the evenings I just transfer the dull blades to the 'dull' rack and grab what I need to fill the box for tomorrow.

woodsteach · November 13, 2007, 10:30:18 AM

Amberwood,

That is one neat setup.

woodsteach

LT40HDD51 · November 13, 2007, 10:54:17 AM

Thats cool, Amberwood. Ive seen the individual boxes before, but not the 'cabinet'. You probably could make the box just a wee bit bigger and fit in 20-25...

One thing I know is that 10 blades coiled up and stacked in a square box is about 40% more expensive to mail than 10 blades in a WM flat-pack box. Youre shipping weight and volume, you pay extra for that big hole in the middle... Thats why WM uses that type of packaging.

We dont have anything real great geared up for our own blades... mostly a combination of the flat-packs, a 2'x2'x2' aluminum box that a friend had made for Dad years ago, and the corner of the back of the pickup for the dull ones ;D.

OneWithWood · November 13, 2007, 12:53:52 PM

Great idea, Woodhick. I use the rectangular rubbermaid tubs. Don't remember the size. Blades are separated with the cardboard inserts out of the resharp box. Sharp blades on right. Dull blades on left.

Amberwood, that is a very nice looking and functional setup.

amberwood · November 13, 2007, 03:52:32 PM

thanks guys..15 blades is plenty or it just gets too heavy to throw around...If i need more blades then I take another case. In this situation i have 15*9deg and 15*4deg as i could be cutting pine or redgum on the same day (super hard Aus native, lots of dense swirling/interlocked grain) Not ideal for narrow bands but we are cutting up to 300mm cants out of very short/bent logs and that is beyond the capacity of the circle mills.

DTR