Thinking about building a Bandsaw Mill.

[blame]

Blame,for an engine you may want to check out companys that sell and service tractor trailer refrigeration units.Those engines must be dependable and are changed out often.Frank C.

hey bandmiller2  thats a good idea  we have STl right close to here think i'll run over there tomorrow and have a talk with them  see if they have anything "laying around"


here is my goal  cut 40"  cut length 21 ft  still not done working out all the parts but soon
 

[fishpharmer]

hey fishpharmer thanks for the advice   how wide is the throat on your mill? and what size shafts did you use for the band wheels ? i'm into recycling but i think for  this i'd rather use new stock  or at least 2nds  depends on how much i have to spend trucking in the parts. i've pretty much decided to go with the 1/4" walled stuff even thou it will be heavy on my truck i dont think the mill bed would survive long at 3/16". 

thanks
blame

Mine can potentially cut 48 inches.  Haven't done so yet. Those tires are about 30 inches in diameter.  About 30 inch log is biggest so far  I used a 2 inch shaft on my drive side welded to a trailer hub.  The idler side is just a trailer hub shaft.  I think 1.75 inch.   On the logbed/bunks I used 3/8 inch.  Most all the steel and tires were bought new.

[blame]

Mine can potentially cut 48 inches.  Haven't done so yet. Those tires are about 30 inches in diameter.  About 30 inch log is biggest so far  I used a 2 inch shaft on my drive side welded to a trailer hub.  The idler side is just a trailer hub shaft.  I think 1.75 inch.   On the logbed/bunks I used 3/8 inch.  Most all the steel and tires were bought new.

hmm maybe i should look into using bigger  shafts for the wheels

how are the tires lasting any noticeable problems?

my plans where to use pulleys and belts from Burdens as my band wheels  but i'm starting to like the idea of using tires, hubs and spindles vs pillow blocks and pulleys   

[Modat22]

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,25933.0.html

this is a link to the mill I built awhile back. I built mine to cut up to a 50ish dia tree but I'd never be able to load one on there. Also my engine starts having trouble at 30"

I haven't updated my thread for awhile, I made some blade guards from barrels and old washing machine cases, I have all the stuff to put an electronic cut height control on it, and I need to put an auto feed for the saw head on there. It takes alot of muscle to push my saw head thru a cut. After awhile I'm too tired to cut anymore just from pushing.

[rbarshaw]

hey dan thanks for link thats actually the post i first found leading me to join the forum here lots of good reading  i'm thinking of trying to bore out  the  pulleys on a lathe to 1 1/2"  was just wondering what others are using i'd hate to go thru all the expense and work just to have it break out the gate.

far as the throat goes i'd like to have 40"  mainly to slab out crotches and we have some nice size pin oaks to cut up total of 30 trees ranging from 38" to  70" DBH  the neighbor has a clark loader and would like to trade services.  boards for moving the larger logs. i've spent a little time with the timberking 1220 mill quartering hedge posts  but thats the extent to my sawmilling experience spent a lot of time changing blade!

Thanks
blame

Now I'm humbled that someone might join the Forestry Forum because of something I did. ;D

[DanG]

Don't sell yerself short, Bob.  You had a lot of innovative stuff on your mills and you made them work.  That's quite an accomplishment.

Any chance you'll be making it down to Moultrie again?  Sure would like to spend some more time with ya.

[rbarshaw]

When is it happening? Would love to come down. The job I have to work to feed my passion seems to keep me from my passion. Got to make some sawdust soon or I'll start withdrawl simptoms. :D

[DanG]

It will be in mid-October.  It is always on Tues-Wed-Thu, which makes it difficult for you working stiffs.

[bandmiller2]

We all dream of a mill with enough throat that can slither through the largest log like a hog through a mud waller but unsupported band is not a good thing.If the wood and the band are just right ,fine but thats like a free lunch ,not very often.Honestly figure your average large log,what you can handle and build to that spec.Frank C.

[Banjo picker]

I have had several calls in the last few days of people wanting big logs sawed.  I think one day I will make me a jig to mount my 084 on to split them .  I tried it free hand , and I found out that i waste a lot of wood .   :D :D  Tim

[Dan_Shade]

I've come to realize that there is a reason that most mills don't want to work with big logs.

I believe that customsawyer (a member here) specialized his business around large logs, though.

[Bruce_A]

I have seen several small mills that used trailer axles and hubs or car axles and hubs with car tires and wheels for the band wheels.  They all worked as well as any other band saw.  After using a Mobile Dimension sawmill, with no limit on the size of the log and trying to off  bear a 20 foot  8 x 12, from a 6 foot log, from the top third of the log, I would say someone is nuts even to think about it.  That timber is coming back at you and you have to do something.  Those little band mills can be rigged up with a boat winch to pull the mill thru the cut and it is easier than pushing after awhile.  Also works well with an alaskan mill.  Also current lumber prices make any mill that creates lots of sawdust for wood  pellets more  attractive to me.