homemade bandsaw mill, help

[Ljohnsaw]

Why so much... They only list for $60.00 each ?

Well, I took the financial plunge and ordered my Cook's blade guide systems (2 of them)... $270 later... Once I get them, I'll weld them up and see how she cuts... Hopefully these baby's do the trick...

[mazdathumps]

Why so much... They only list for $60.00 each ?

These are the whole system... $130 each, plus S&H...

[gww]

Josh
I thought they were only about $104 but I guess I was wrong.  My opinion is that you did not make a mistake getting the adjustment rod with the bearing.  Leggman fabricated those adjustments for the set he made me.  He is the man.  I do use the adjustments to get the blade compleetly level and you will like it.  I was getting ready to pull the trigger on just the same thing.  Did you ever look at the pictures of goergia88's mill in the link I posted?  You do need to keep your eyes open for a bigger motor and if you still have issues after the guide (and possibly motor), Your possible flex from the small shaft will really be the very last thing that might hold you up.. I am betting it will cut with just the guides added but if it doesn't.......

Some mills come with a seven horse and you will probly be able to cut but bigger makes it funner.

Make your guide mounts really solid.
Good luck and please keep us posted.
gww

[mazdathumps]

Thanks GWW... I'm excited to get these things on and fine tuned... I have a buddy that says he has an engine I can have, we just can't seem to align our schedules for me to go see it and/or take it (if it's worth anything)...

I did see Georgia88's setup... I can probably create something similar If need be...

[gww]

Josh
Cool.  Please keep us posted.  I really feel part of your build and may be just as excited as you to see you get good boards.
gww

[Ox]

You did the right thing.  I realize that it hurt your wallet just now but in a week or two you'll be thanking God that you got them the way you did.  The adjustment that's built in is the cat's meow and will make your life very nice and easy to get perfect blade alignment.  Perfect blade alignment, proper blade tension, proper power and speed and proper sharpness/set in the blade will give you the best possible cuts with your mill.  These factors won't change with any bandmill.  Keep us posted and good luck getting those guides on.  You've got a good guy rooting for you in gww as he went through many problems as well and knows well enough about them that he can help you most ways I think.  He's very honest and down to earth and that's two things I like about him.  Also he's very willing to help if people need it.  You picked a good place to start with in his post.  Maybe when it's all done you can ask a moderator to move all of your build over to your own personal post for future reference.

[gww]

Ox
Half the stuff I fixed on mine was with your guidence and support.  I also got lots of good common sense on things like that there is a tool chest on this site, what cutting 2/4 4/4 and 8/4 means and also just commen sense of what to cut ahead and how to handle certian things. 
Couldn't have done it with out you.
Cheers
gww

[Ox]

That's what this forum is all about, right?  See?  Now you're helping others.  It just keeps getting passed along and it's a great thing. 

[mazdathumps]

Honestly, without this forum and this post, I'd still be trying to tune in a saw that can't be tuned in as is... I am very appreciative of everyone's knowledge and most of all, sharing that knowledge... I've realized that whether you have a homemade mill, a Norwood, a Woodmizer, or whatever - everyone pitches in the makes it enjoyable and work most efficiently... It's like a family of enthusiasts just trying to be successful as a whole... That is what keeps me going and willing to give it everything I have... Thanks guys...

I will update as I get these guides installed and running... Also, checking into a larger engine this week (may be a FREE one)...

[Ox]

That's what makes this forum so awesome - and I've said it before that it's the best place on the internet.  You'll see the more that you read.  Usually you can find an answer to your problems by using the search function.  Everything from politics to fancy woodworking to building houses to forestry equipment and everything in between is here somewhere.  I'd bet a dollar on it!  Heck, I think I read just about every post in the sawmill section for pushing a year before I ever posted.  Now I feel like a Chatty Cathy doll or something... :D
It's a good thing for this forum cause I don't talk so good in real life.  I'm always searching for the next word and stuff...

[gww]

Josh

I will update as I get these guides installed and running... Also, checking into a larger engine this week (may be a FREE one)...

Free is best.  When most build it is to try and come up with a way to get boards cheeper.  Sometimes you have more time then money and if you enjoy it at all, building gets you where you are going.  I admit that some do it cause they can do it better then anyone but most just want to make thier own boards.

Ox
I would say that I talk alot in person as well as on the net.  I expesially do well if I have had a couple of brewskies.  That does not garrentee that the content of my talk is worth listening too. ;D
Cheers
gww

[scrout]

The guides wheels at Linn Lumber are $85 each, that is for wheels only though.

[mazdathumps]

guide bearings alone at Cook's are like $60 I think for just the bearing... I bought the complete assembly(s)... I couldn't find any other brands or companies making them when I shopped around...

[mazdathumps]

Well, guys, I picked up a B&S Industrial 16hp engine for FREE... It's rusted and has been out in the weather for years, but it turns over freely and all vital pieces seem to be in good shape... From what I was told, it was only ran a couple weeks when it was new, then it sat for years... I should be able to start digging into it this week... I'll post some pictures as I clean it up and paint it...

Still waiting on the Cook's blade guides to arrive... I'm less patient than cheap I think (and I'm pretty cheap)... haha

[gww]

I hope the motor is good.  I know 16 horse will be good.  I do understand about waiting.  I was in the middle of building my shed and was a couple of 6x6 short of getting the poles up and my guide bearing went out.  I could find none local and had to order off of amozon or ebay, can't remember which.  It took about five days to get it where I was compleetly stopped.  They did not cost much but I was dead in the water for a week.  I understand impatiance.  I keep extras around now.

Hope it all goes well for you.
gww

[Kbeitz]

Did you get the single or twin cylinder ?

[mazdathumps]

Bad news on the engine... It seems to be more work than what it's worth... All the throttle stuff is rusted together (would have to buy all new)... The bolts are rusted holding the cowl on and just ring around, rusted to the nuts behind the cowl... I head bolt is twisted off and even after heating it with a torch, still won't budge... The exhaust is all but welded to the cast head and the whole magneto system, etc is rusted up... It would take $200 just to get it functional, still not knowing if it would run or not... I'm gonna scrap it or give it away...

The good news is, I just ordered a brand new china made 18hp Duromax single cyl. small engine online for $320... Electric start and all, can't beat it... Even used engines run in that range, so I will give it a shot...

Now, I sit and wait on the engine and guides...  :

[gww]

Josh
That is the engine I have.  My electric start didn't work and so I pull start.  They would have sent me an electric start but I didn't feel like messing with it cause it has the easy start pull start and it pulls easy.  Over all so far so good with it.  It is better then the nine horse I started with though the nine wasn't that bad.
Good luck
gww

[Kbeitz]

If it's the single cylinder it's worth keeping. Twins are a dime a dozen.
Single cylinder are hard to find and aren't made anymore.

[mazdathumps]

Kbeitz, it's the single cylinder one... Cast iron bore - it's a big heavy thing... Right now, nothing more than a paper weight...

GWW, good to hear about the engine - I usually wounder about the knock-off brands, but I'm sure I'll be happy too...

[Kbeitz]

At one time I was heavy into collection of older gas engines.
I had over 3000 engines in my collection. (not a typo)
Out of all my engines I think the 16hp and 14hp Hoz
engines was some of the best engines ever made.
This is a new old stock 16hp. Sure wish you was not
so far away. I would buy your old engine.



 

[mazdathumps]

wow. that's cool man... I did do a little research after you mentioned how good of an engine it was and I see that I could probably piece it out and almost pay for the new engine... I have lots of working parts, its just the rusted up ones would all have to be replaced... Any external springs have rusted together and/or fallen apart... The choke adjustment and throttle cable connection are both rusted solid... I have no idea if the carb works... Air filter is trash... It's a shame because it looks well built...

The biggest problem I ran into is the screws and clips holding the front cowl on are rusted together and the clips broke, so it's just the bolt and nut spinning together and no way to get in there to stop the nut, therefore i can't remove the cowl to get to all the wiring and magneto... It also looks like maybe a rat built a nest inside the cowl... It's more work and money than I want to mess with right now...

Just for a ballpark figure, if I were to get it running, how much would one of these be worth??

[mazdathumps]

This is the picture of mine, I have the air filter assembly, it's just not on for the picture... I pulled the head and the valves and cylinder walls look fine and seem to be working when I spin it over...


Here is my cant hook I made while waiting on my engine and guides... all of it was free from scraps I had around the shed...

[Kbeitz]

You can cut off the bolts with a cut off wheel. You can get good
parts off E-bay. If you sell it i would part it out on E-bay.
I really think that you would very very happy with it if you
fixed it up. My engine can sit for months and starts with the
rope first pull. i'm very surprised how easy it starts with a rope.
It has a starter on it that was never used or hooked up.
If you wasn't so far away I would be bugging you for that engine.

[mazdathumps]

Kbeitz, all the wiring would have to be replaced along with anything that could rust (lol pretty much everything external that moves)... I will probably end up selling it to someone who has an interest in restoring it or part it out on ebay... Still debating...

Good news:

Blade guide assemblies made it in excellent shape and ready to be welded on..... after I build the brackets for them - one solid and the other adjustable...

Also got the engine in today while at work...

I've taken this time waiting on the guides and engine to rebuild a bit of the mill... I've pulled all the parts off.  Cut, grinded, welded, replaced, moved, replaced bearings, and painted again... Still got some work to do because a couple parts needed improvement from the beginning and I have to tackle this while I'm at it... It will be a few days or week before I get everything back in working order and new parts on... I figure, I've got the basics down NOW, so now I can fix all the "iffy" things I had to guess about from the beginning... I'm actually excited in making it ALL right and functional...

I know your all worried about knocking off alignments and all that stuff, but don't sweat, I made all that stuff adjustable on the spot at any point, now or later or 10 years from now... The only future improvement would be upsizing my axle, bearings, hubs, and wheels (but I think they are manageable currently)...

Whew, lots going on over here... Any suggestions while i'm cut, chop, rebuilding??