Chase shingle mill

[Ikemonroe]

this is my first time on this forum, I was hoping you guys could help me. I have a chase shingle mill I recently acquired and am in the process of restoring. what I need to know is does the saw need to be dished to cut properly?. due to the fact I have not been able to find the specific saw for this mill I was wondering how a flat saw would work.

[scotthelms]

I have a Chase mill with a carbide saw. I had to have my timing gears (rachets) remade. Is you mill a vertical or merry go round style?   

[thecfarm]

Two new members,Ikemonroe and scotthelms welcome to the forum.

someone just told me this was a Chase Mill


 

It's at Fryeburg Fair each year.
Ikemonroe,what part of Maine are you from?

[bandmiller2]

Ike, not dished per say but a real taper from the cast iron collar to the teeth. Most I have seen were a spring set but some were swaged. How good condition is your saw in and whats the diameter.? The saw I had on my Chase  was 40" hammered for 1000 rpm. How much do you have to rebuild on the mill. The carriage slides on babbit. Frank C.

[Ikemonroe]

Its a vertical mill

[Ikemonroe]

Im from the rockport area. I have seen this mill at this fair. its is indeed a chase.

[Ikemonroe]

The saw thats on it now is 32" id like to find a 40" saw.  when i got the mill the drop tray bracket section of the casting was missing,  im in the process of fabricating a new one. other then that its not in bad condition.all  the babit bearings have been replaced with roller bearings so i dont need to mess with pouring new babbit. ill get some pics on here of my progress soon.

[bandmiller2]

Ike, I just sold my Chase shingle mill to a forum member, had it for many years. It came from Maine used to cut pine for fish boxes. When I spoke of babbit I mean its under the carriage that holds the chunk and travels in and out of the saw. Your right 32" is getting a little small. When I bought my mill the old fella that owned it sent an old sawmill saw down south to be converted, they Blanchard ground a taper from the collar to the teeth and repunched them. I drilled, countersunk and mounted the saw to the collar. My collar was a little out of wind (wobbled) so I took it to be trued on a brake disc lathe. Frank C.

[Chuck White]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Ike and Scott!

[scotthelms]

Ike, I have a vertical and merry go round mill. The carbide blade for my vertical mill I had made works great. I would be glad to let you have my patten for the rachets I had made. My saw is a straight saw with no taper. My merry go round mill only saws a straight board. I would like to see a taper set up for this mill. If anyone knows where one is please let me know.       

[bandmiller2]

Cutting shingles requires HP because its happening fast and the saw is turning fast usally around 1000 rpm. I have done it with a Farmall "C"but not quite enough, JD "B" had the moxie.  farmall H" would be fine or any tractor in that class with a flat pulley. Have cut shingles with steam but its hard with a recip. engine to get the RPM's Tried a gear reduction steam turbine that worked well but tough on steam. Those lusting after a shingle mill be aware it gets boring fast and is dangerous. A lot of old shingle makers have trouble ordering more than two beers. White cedar is premium product red cedar will turn black like white pine if not coated. Frank C.

[loggah]

I used a case model SC on my shingle mill and it had just about enough power,no extra to spare. I would think 40 H.P. would be about right, but more would be better. ;D

[Don_Papenburg]

Over at the Thresherman's Park in Pontiac  they have a shingle mill with a horizontal saw blade . The log sits ina carriage that drops the log onto the blade . then he turns the log end for end  with each cut .  The taper is set as the log is dropped into the carriage before entering the cut .  A lever that clamps the log is also used to move the carriage into the cut .  It looks safe enough that the shingle sawyer can order  a bunch of beers.  He runs it with a John Deere H  (about 12hp). But then he is cutting slow so he can show the  workings all day for the length of the 4day show.