Which side would you prefer to cut on?

[pyrocasto]

I'm currently building my mill and just realized something I largely overlooked. I always planned on having the logs stops on the far side so I could reach the clamps easier until I get powered clamps. Also for turning the logs/cants. What I didnt happen to think about was reaching for the sawn lumber when sawing alone. My mill bed is 56" and that's a long reach on those smaller logs/cants. How do most of you band sawyers prefer yours?

Seems most hobby manual mills have it on opposite side, and hydraulic mills seem the stops on the walk/ride side.

Also, which direction do you like your dust to go? In front of you or off the other side of the mill?

Just asking because I have to keep in mind the next logs for cutting, sawdust piles, reaching boards, reaching clamps(for now). Overlooked a few things.  :-[

[bandmiller2]

Pyro, as far as dust goes it pretty much has to go one way, the lower side where the band travels too. If your log is held on the back side thats were the dust will go,if the log is held on your side you'll be walking on dust. Thats a wide bed your building remember you'll have to support the band with guides one fixed one adjustable.Too wide a span of unsupported band just invites climbing and diving.You could always use something like a pulp hook to pull the end of a slab/board to where you could grab it easily.Frank C.

[Jeff]

Some mills cut towards the backstops, some cut towards the clamp. If you cut towards the backstops, once you have a face down, you don't necessarily have to clamp,  If you were cutting in the direction of the clamp, then you would need to clamp every cut so the wood does not push over. If I was to build my own mill, I think I would build the mill with your stops on the opposite side of where you were walking, with the saw cutting towards the stops so the sawdust was exiting on opposite side as well.  On a wide bed like you are talking, that might as mentioned, be quite a reach if you have a manual operating mill

[paul case]

on the ez boardwalk mill it cuts toward the clamps and has flip up cant dogs to saw against once the sawed side is down.  pc

[Tom]

I have sawed both ways and I think that the priority should be the security of the log and cant over the ease of board removal. 

Loading logs, it is more secure to have them roll onto the bed and against the "stops/dogs/fence" whatever you are calling them.

Sawing against the dogs provides better support than sawing against the clamp.  Unless you go into a great bit of engineering to provide multiple clamps, you will find that the ends of your cant are pulled away from the dogs and into an unsupported area of the bed if you saw against the clamp.

Walking in the sawdust isn't a big chore, shoveling it out of the way is sometimes a welcome break.

The stream of sawdust isn't as much of a problem as the flying sawdust that escapes the stream.  On a band mill,  both sides of the mill have loose sawdust blowing around.

There are a couple of benefits to sawing against the clamp.  The first is that your permanently-affixed guide is on the input side of the log and the log is clamp to that side of the mill, so, theoretically, the band is more accurately held and positioned.   The second thing is that it is easier to saw into clean wood after the first cut of opening the log.  This is always a debatable item since the thickness of the cuts come into play.  But, it is worth considering.

Perhaps a lot of the decision on how to design the mill will be based on how much automation you attempt.

The two manufacturers that are the most familiar examples of each design are sponsors on the forum. They are Baker and Woodmizer.  It would behoove you to study their videos, or better yet, go study them in real life.  Both attend Agriculture shows and you may find one in your area.  A phone call to either will probably help you to find one of their mills close by you.

I just thought of another consideration.  I would want to walk on the opposite side of the log ramp.  There is no way that I would want to spend a lot of time on the same side of the mill as a stack of logs.  You could get killed if one slipped while your back was turned.

I also wouldn't want to be spewing sawdust out over the ramp.  What a mess that would be to clean up.

[pyrocasto]

I'm thinking to go opposite of what I originally thought, and cut toward me with clamps on opposite side. What can I say, I'm a production oriented guy so that's how I build my equipment.  :D Even if I saw very little at the start.

So I guess I need to automate my clamps before I get in to any real cutting. Too bad I ordered $50 too much for 2 extra feet of shaft material 4 days ago.  Oh well cant predict everything while brainstorming. Especially since I've never even seen a mill run in real life!  ???

[bandmiller2]

Pyro, no harm in having the log stops on your side thats the way timber harvestor did it.Hydraulic clamps will make it much easier you won't have to reach over to clamp.If you run your band teeth pointing away from you sawdust will go to the back of the mill.Are you setting up your mill stationary or mobile,much easier if it stays in one place. Frank C.

[pyrocasto]

It's going to be portable. Only problem I have sawing against the clamps is constantly throwing dust on the bed, clamps, and under it. Turning will be harder it seems or need to be automatic as well.

[paul case]

after you do it enough it gets to be automatic whether its hydraulic or not!  pc

[customsawyer]

If you have never seen a mill run in real life I would advise you to like Tom did, call any of the sponsors on the left and find a mill or two close to you to look at. I would bet my hat it will save you time and money in the long run.