Been working on a mill.

[valley]

Wanting to use the mill this spring. Have a look. I think I've got the picture up.

18 hp Kohler engine, manual drive at this time.

Richard

 

[valley]

It seems to track and cut well, haven't tried it on a log yet, they're under the snow still. Need to install a belt tensioner, haven't got that together yet.

 

[Stimw]

Don't know if you have found - www.forestryforum.com
But there is every kind of saw mill on there with hundreds of years of experience at your finger tips!
Just looking at the pic it looks like you have the blade speed too fast.
I bought a HF Mill 2 years ago and it runs the belt from the clutch to the drive pulley and the blade rides on the belt on the pulley.
Also not having guards on the blade is asking for serious trouble!
Even with guards a broken blade goes NUTS!!
Pic is my HF Mill with fabricated extra bed length so I can cut 16' boards.

 

[Rustyiron]

Very nice, I'd like to build a bandmill also. It's a pretty big commitment (to build) with a decent legnth track and depending on the degree of log handling ability. I've got the want, but I know myself and question the depth of my commitment just now:laughing:

 

[muddstopper]

Very nice, I'd like to build a bandmill also. It's a pretty big commitment (to build) with a decent legnth track and depending on the degree of log handling ability. I've got the want, but I know myself and question the depth of my commitment just now:laughing:

Been there done that, been planning a mill build for a few years now. One day, maybe

 

[Rustyiron]

Normally I'd have a pile of expensive parts & steel sitting outside under a cover that should have been replaced a few years ago:laughing: I am definetly getting older, and apparently at least a little wiser

 

[valley]

building the guards now, but couldn't wait. I figured the speed out before ordering the pulleys. Not finished with the track.

Where do you get logs in Florida, don't remember seeing many trees there, maybe I just forgot.


Rustyiron, Nice machine!

 

[snowbelt geauga]

Stimw how do you like your HF mill ?

 

[dieselcrawler]

X2 on the forestry forum... good place, alot like here, only forestry based. I'm a member there also, but rarely visit.

 

[valley]

Stimw,What is the distance between the center of the carriage wheels where they ride on the track. Or the distance between the two upright angle iron uprights of the track?

Thanks

Richard

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Also not having guards on the blade is asking for serious trouble!
Even with guards a broken blade goes NUTS!!

Have you had band breakage problems??

I've been milling since 1996 and I've yet, to break my FIRST band...

Buy "quality" bands, and do good band and mill maintenance, and you won't have band breakage problems...

SR

 

[Stimw]

Stimw how do you like your HF mill ?

I love it! I own a fabrication shop and could not build one for the money I paid including labor.
When I bought mine they were on sale and they still took the 25% off coupon (they don't take coupon for it now). It was about $1700. including delivery!
It does a great job and the few problems that I have had seem to be standard Band Mill problems, like dull blade cutting crooked.

 

[Stimw]

building the guards now, but couldn't wait. I figured the speed out before ordering the pulleys. Not finished with the track.

Where do you get logs in Florida, don't remember seeing many trees there, maybe I just forgot.


Rustyiron, Nice machine!

We have plenty of trees!!
The pine logs in the pic on the trailer were given to me by a friend who was clearing a lot in my neighborhood.

 

[Stimw]

Have you had band breakage problems??

I've been milling since 1996 and I've yet, to break my FIRST band...

Buy "quality" bands, and do good band and mill maintenance, and you won't have band breakage problems...

SR

No breakage problems but I did have the blade come off when I tried to back up the blade in a cut.
On Forestry Form some have commented on how violent a blade braking was.
The Mill even has bars on the dust discharge chute to keep the blade from coming out if it breaks.

 

[valley]

Rob, What kind of mill do you have?

Richard

 

[Ivan49]

I had a woodmizer and I have had a few bands break. The dust shute has 1/4 rods in it and these bent out straight. The first one I hit a bolt from a screw in tree step. One other was someone at some time drove 3/8 inch steel rods in the tree when it was smaller. The worst thing was the porcellan insulators. The best blades I found were made by timberwolf. When the band breaks it does 2 things or maybe 3 depends if you need to change your shorts. The band goes everywhere and the noise cleans you arties out good

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Rob, What kind of mill do you have?
Richard

Norwood Lumbermate...

Company's HAVE to put a bar or screen on those openings or they can't sell the mill in Europe...

The screen in mine was held in with pop rivets and I took them out before I started my mill the first time...

You learn FAST, NEVER back up in the cut with the wheels turning...

SR

 

[valley]

Rob, Is that a manual mill? Just looked one on line. I need to put handles on mine for a place to push from.

I'm putting together the blade guards now, in between storms. So you haven't broken a blade yet, that's encouraging, I'm hoping not to, because they're costly and it could be dangerous.

Richard

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Yes it's a manual mill... And no, I have not broken my first band.........yet! lol IF or when I do, it's no big deal, throw another band on and keep going!

I believe, buying a "well designed" mill in the first place, keeping it in really good tune, buying quality bands and being picky about band maintenance is the key...

SR

 

[Rustyiron]

I hope you didn't just "jinx" yourself Rob:laughing:
As soon as I say "I have NEVER………." I have!:thumbsup: