Saved a Mill

Junkman · March 24, 2017, 08:00:55 PM

My first post so maybe I should introduce myself. Live in west central Missouri on the same farm I was born on. Dad owned three different mills in the 70s and early 80s and remember every morning even before breakfast and the sleep was out of my eyes, walking up at the mill surveying the hustle and bustle of the mill and playing in the monster sawdust pile. Boy how fresh cut sawdust and the sound of a circular saw can bring back memories.
Put a big mill together from a rotted down mess when I was in my early 20s, but sold it after a few years. And then traded 12 rank of wood for a bell mill which I put on stieel and wheels.20 years ago. The mill was actually a Bell sold under the name Montgomery Wards, and if there is a way to date it by the serial number I am all ears. But I figure from the 30s or 40s. Old anyway but yet it worked, except for the small mandrel being sprung. Replaced it with a bigger one, but never got around to buying a blade. Well that is were this post comes in. My brother bought a hybridized mill a while back for $ 400 that had a good 50" incerted blade with it, and so we hauled it home today and saved it from an eventual junkyard. I say hybridized for it has a huge mandrel with it and had electric feed works on it. We will add one of its carriage sections to mine and add the blade and sawdust may once again fly. I work on a ranch that has over 800 acres of timder, and with so many dieing or in need of cutting, the log supply for hobby sawing is endless. Might post a pic when up and running, but here is a pic of our haul today.

bandmiller2 · March 24, 2017, 08:28:07 PM

Welcome Junkguy, most of the mills I've seen, mine included, are a mixture of parts from different mills. Its all in the setup and adjustment, keep us posted on your progress. Frank C.

sealark37 · March 24, 2017, 08:42:15 PM

Is that an International UD-9 diesel power unit on the trailer?

Dave Shepard · March 24, 2017, 09:10:58 PM

It might be International, but not a UD. I'd say it's a straight six gas, judging by the manifold.

Junkman · March 24, 2017, 09:36:31 PM

It is a 6 cylinder continental power unit that looks to be of military origin. I would hate to even consider feeding it for a day. We have a 100 hp John Deere we will use to power the mill with instead of this beast.