Baker 3638G

[Greyhound]

Anyone with real-world experiences they are willing to share.  I only see a few reviews here or elsewhere on line.  What are the good/bad/ugly?  I've never seen one in person.  From what I can read, it looks like a very stout mill with a few features left out (computer setworks, gas v. diesel) to keep the price point.  Other reputable mills about the same price seem to include setworks.  Is this about right?  

[scsmith42]

I have the diesel version.  Baker makes a solid mill.  Mine has a setworks but we've never used it.

Baker's mills are heavy.  I like to describe them as a stationary band mill that you can take portable, as opposed to a Woodmizer which is a portable mill that you can set up stationary.

Mine is a little more maintenance intensive than I would like, but that may just be sawmills in general.  I can mill up to 24' long with it, and wish that it had a second clamp and log turner to assist with large and long logs.

Baker's mills typically ship with steel pin type guides.  I converted to roller guides and like them much better.

Diesel will provide you with more torque than a similar HP gasoline mill, so if you're interested in maximum production consider the diesel.

[tacks Y]

scsmith, Are you running a down pressure on the guide rolls? I have a 3665D and am running pins and have been happy. So what is better about the roller type? Thanks

[scsmith42]

scsmith, Are you running a down pressure on the guide rolls? I have a 3665D and am running pins and have been happy. So what is better about the roller type? Thanks

Yes, I'm running around 1/4" deflection.
Pins can change the blade dynamics under hard milling. 
Band coil stock is manufactured so that the cutting edge of the band is shorter than the back edge. If you uncoil a band and place it on a flat surface, if you put a machinist square next to the band you will note that the band is not standing at a perfect 90 degrees to the surface. Instead it leans slightly towards the inside of the coil. If you unroll 20' or so of new band coil stock, you will note that it does not lay straight. Instead it curves slightly towards the tooth side indicating that the tooth side of the band is slightly shorter than the back.
It is produced this way to allow for a slight expansion when in use due to friction causing the cutting edge portion of the band to lengthen slightly doe to heat. When tensioned, if you could measure the tension at both the cutting edge as well as the back edge, you would note a higher tension at the cutting edge.
If it weren't for this feature the bands would start making wavy cuts as soon as the teeth started heating up because the cutting edge of the band would be longer than the back.
The problem with bullet guides is that they create friction heat towards the back of the band, and it changes the band dynamics.
BTW, credit for this information goes to Richard (Cutting-edge) here on the FF ( along with another member whose name escapes me at the minute). He has worked closely with Kasco on band design and he kindly shared this info at one of CustomSawer Jake's Sawmiller's get together.

[tacks Y]

Thanks scsmith, for taking the time to explain this.  Tom