Sawed my first log last night.

Wudman · June 25, 2003, 08:31:34 AM

My homemade sawmill went into production last night. I built it on a modified "Bill Rake" design. I used 5" angle and 2x4 box tubing for the bed. The head is a 4 post design and is raised and lowered with 1" x 5 thread per inch Acme rod. The two rods are connected by sprocket and chain to keep everything in sync. I mounted a steering wheel off a junked lawnmower to the Acme rod for minor head movement or can set my pneumatic ratchet on the other side for raising or lowering greater distances. Axles were acquired from a 9" ford rearend (required some machining to fit my pillow blocks, so don't go this way). Compact spares from a Lincoln Town Car serve as bandwheels.

I had a 5 HP electric motor on hand that I am currently using for power. I am sure it is a bit undersized. Anyway, last night I tested on a 14" sweetgum log. I was very pleased with the way the mill cut. Variation in my boards was around 1/16th of an inch. I can live with that. I need to do a little sandblasting, shoot a little paint, and add a few more guards to improve the safety factor and I'll be in business. I'll try to get a few pictures in the near future. Thanks for the help from all of you folks. 8)

Wudman

OneWithWood · June 25, 2003, 10:00:04 AM

Congratulations 8) 8)

Bibbyman · June 25, 2003, 10:10:25 AM

You've got sawdust reflex disease now. 8)

But consider getting those shields on there. First blade that breaks or comes off the wheel because you snagged something on the return, it'll be plenty traumatic. A couple of pounds of steel with 200 angry teeth zinging through the air is something I don't want to witness. It's bad enough when they break inside a shielded sawhead.

kip · June 25, 2003, 11:43:39 AM

Wudman,
I used the 1" acme threaded rods too but mine were 10tpi. I used a 90v dc motor and a speed controller to power the threaded rods. Well it worked wonderful at first but the weight of the 30hp wisconsin was just to much... It wore the rods out. I am puting a winch and cable system on it now and tested it last night. It seems like it will work just as good if not better. Here is a pic if you would like to see my old set up - http://www.davieseng.com/sawmill/012_60_percent.jpg

Good luck and let us know when you hear that ZING ZING ZING!!! lol

D._Frederick · June 25, 2003, 04:36:00 PM

KIP,
I am surpriced that the acme threaded wore out fast, did you lube the threads? I have threaded rods on my mill and they show no wear. I lube them every time I use the mill with chainsaw bar oil and I have had know problem. Did you use brass nuts? They don't cut or gaul as fast as a steel on steel. I like the threaded rod for there locking feature, were ever they set is were they stay.

shopteacher · June 25, 2003, 04:50:36 PM

And another sawyer is born. Congratulations and good sawing.

woodhaven · June 25, 2003, 07:02:56 PM

I learned the hard way that all threaded rod is not created equal.
Most manufacturers make several grades just like bolts. You can get the cheap sh__ or the good stuff. The cheap sh__ will strip on you at the worst possible time. I bought and paid for the good stuff one time only to find out that the dealer was selling the cheap sh__ at the good material price.

Wudman · June 26, 2003, 06:52:19 AM

Bibbyman,

I installed guards on the blade before I ever plugged the motor up. I was unsure how well the blade would track on those spare tires under power and I didn't want a 15 foot run away saw dancing in my shop. I installed a loop of hardwood around the top of the blade to catch it when it does decide to walk off the front. Hopefully that will protect both the blade and I.

I need to get guards over the axles and around the drive pulley. I need to get back to work now, so I can play a little this afternoon.

Wudman

Bibbyman · June 26, 2003, 07:14:49 AM

I'll sleep better now.

A broken or jumped belt is not as lethal. But a shield could save a finger.

kip · June 26, 2003, 08:37:06 AM

D._Frederick,
I guess thats were I went wrong, I used steel nuts (lol). You just don't use that phrase everyday... Anyway, I removed that system and put the winch and axle system on and got it working again. I did notice that my last test cut was wavey, :-/ but I hope that was from a dull blade. The only thing I don't like about the new setup is if a cable breaks during cuting,

I don't think I want to be anywhere near if that happens. I will have more time to fine tune it this weekend.
Kip