Author Topic: My simple homemade bandsaw mill (Read 150373 times)

mrector · « **on:** July 06, 2013, 07:52:47 AM »

This is a few pictures of my bandmill I made for grand total of $960. Uses 7hp h.f. motor
For power. I have a 10hp briggs that will replace it over the winter. Uses 18.75" pulley sheaves for wheels and 5/8" v belts for tires. 1-1/4 " 304 stainless band wheel drive shafts.
It is totally portable with removable 2000lb axle, 4 bolts-10minutes. Centrifugal clutch for drive and a repurposed honda civic idler pulley for belt tension. Setworks(haha) is a machined inch increment aluminum bar I machined and a movable bracket with copper wire as a pointer. Head lifting is a series of 5 ball bearing pulleys I made with a 40-1 worm gear winch, lifting/lowering is done with my dewalt cordless impact. Frame/track is 4x4x3/8" angle iron. Pretty heavy duty.. I also angled my cut angle (like the boardwalks are)
. Gaurds are in process of being made by me. Blade tension is done by a simple threaded rod pushing against the movable side to "where it stops fluttering under load".
Enjoy, Mikey

mrector · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2013, 07:55:48 AM »

Here is a YouTube video. Also check out my other videos, some interesting/funny stuff especially the splitting the red oak...
Mikey

thecfarm · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2013, 08:02:28 AM »

By the looks of the fourth picture,it does a mighty fine job.

justallan1 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2013, 08:22:35 AM »

I'd say pretty much the same thing as my Hudson, but larger and a third of the price. Great job.

Allan

drobertson · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2013, 08:32:59 AM »

Looks good! nice finish on the boards, any guards in the future? david

barbender · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2013, 10:30:50 AM »

Looks great, get your guards finished

jueston · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2013, 11:01:08 AM »

its always interesting when you get used to seeing this big expensive machines to see a simple one, it reminds you how simple a bandmill really can be.

it looks like it gets the job done... great work

Hilltop366 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2013, 11:45:30 AM »

Well done!

Thanks for sharing.

fishpharmer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2013, 01:46:22 PM »

Mikey, good job on the mill and lumber. Keep on tinkering with the mill until you get it exactly how you want it.

mad murdock · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2013, 02:01:34 PM »

Great job on the mill. Let the chips fly

francismilker · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2013, 02:16:40 PM »

Good looking mill! Welcome to the FF. Try to get some safety guards on pretty quick if you can. A broken band can fling further than any rock you've ever seen when it comes flying off. Better to have it wrapped up in a guard than around your neck!

Happycamper · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2013, 06:43:13 PM »

Great job on the mill and lots of satisfaction doing it I'm sure.
Necessity being the mother of invention has saved you several thousands of dollars. Congratulations.
Jim

Hilltop366 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2013, 07:23:43 PM »

Seems like you have the power vs blade speed figured out well, some home built mills on youtube that have quite a bit more power than yours don't seem to cut any faster.

(I do know that there can be a lot of variables)

Chuck White · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2013, 07:54:20 PM »

You've got a very functional mill there Mikey!

Great job!

WmFritz · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2013, 11:45:49 PM »

Nice mill Mikey

Any plans on adding blade guides?

mrector · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2013, 11:02:05 AM »

Quote from: WmFritz on July 06, 2013, 11:45:49 PM

Nice mill Mikey Any plans on adding blade guides?

Thanks! There is already blade guides installed. I made them from 2 ball bearings each
one on top of blade and one behind. Cant beleieve i forgot to take a pic of those...haha.

lowpolyjoe · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2013, 11:21:52 AM »

Sweet!

The Herbman · « **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2013, 11:32:28 AM »

I am down at the bottom of the hill from you at Lowgap. Am in the process of building me a mill and maybe I should come look at your's.

mrector · « **Reply #18 on:** July 07, 2013, 12:32:11 PM »

Quote from: The Herbman on July 07, 2013, 11:32:28 AM

I am down at the bottom of the hill from you at Lowgap. Am in the process of building me a mill and maybe I should come look at your's.

Come on up anytime. I can at least show you what NOT to do. Haha

customsawyer · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2013, 02:37:08 PM »

Great looking mill. Do you have plans to add any kind of a blade lube system?

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Author Topic: My simple homemade bandsaw mill (Read 150373 times)

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