Rigid VS flexable band mill, pros & cons, what you have, what you like and why

[Tom]

Outside in the sunlight

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=5490.msg75031#msg75031



https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=4862.msg65818#msg65818

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=4020.0

[woodbowl]

EZ,
   I just got finished clicking on all your past post links that Tom posted. WOW !  I'm ready to here some updated info on how your BakerMizer is performing. This is almost what I had in mind to build myself except I was thinking about using two 4 X 8 beams for the track rails. I looked at some 5 X 10 beams the other day. Am I over building? ............ Not only do I desire the rigid support while sawing, but  this is comming from another angle as well concerning carrying a loader piggyback to the job site.  https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=14024.0 

[EZ]

Tom, thanks for bringing up the pictures.
Woodbowl, I have'nt ran the mill in a couple of months, cause of my wifes illness. But the last time and all the other times I have'nt had any problems with it.
I dont think theirs such a thing as over built.
I've had my mill sink in 8 inches of mud and the frame still held the cants straight.
EZ

[doublecut]

Now we're getting somewhere.

I would like to see the person who turns that log. mmmmmmmmmmm ! Need a built in edger ?
doublecut

[EZ]

LogRite canthooks are a wonderful tool.
EZ

[woodbowl]

My thinking is changing concerning the size of the bed space needed for portable bandsaw mills. Traditionally speaking, the older circle mills had a bed that was as long as the log and longer for the blade as well, so do the newest bandmills that are comming out now, with the exception of the older model WoodMizers. The actual main bed of my 1988 WM is only 8 feet long! The swing rails bring the length to 13 feet. I don't include the swing rails as a main support because they are only supported on one end and will bend out of adjustment from knots, crowns ect. The only time they are swung out are when the cant is flat on the bottem. (newer models are supported by the diagonal brace) I have not had any problems with the set up. Sometimes it would be nice to have some extra support for 20' logs. The point I'm making is that on an average, no more that 8' of main support is really needed untill side 3 is to be cut. The bunks on swingers are often less while the log is not turned at all. There is always the exception to the rule and long skinny logs can be a problem The mill head needs to ride on rail(s) of course and the simple design is to incorporate them as the main bed and track. The only down pressure on the outboard supports is the weight of the log unless the cant is crowning up while being sawed and dogged down. What it boils down to is, I'm looking for corners to cut. A real beefy 8' bed to support the log weight, with lighter duty rail extentions capable of supporting the head rig and flat bottem cants. Then there is the (tie it all together) factor. That brings me right back to building the whole thing heavy, strong and rigid. WoodMizers configuration is hard to beat. They knew where the big initial pressures would be and what was needed to support a flat bottem cant and the weight of the head rig.