A follow up to my thread about band saw mill pad.

Gitche Gumee Kid · Jan 17, 2018

The membership has me convinced to set my mill on concrete piers .Will do. My question is what is the best height for the mill head /rail assembly above grade? Will anxsiously await the debate. Thank you for this great source of knowledge found in the membership.

The original thread----> http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/389594-long-narrow-concrete-pad-proposed.html

TnAndy · Jan 17, 2018

The top of the bed of my Woodmizer is right at 26" off the slab I have it on. That seems to be a good working height for me.

I also have the mill tilted about 10 degrees back into my working side....that helps hold a log up against the dogs without having to bother clamping it if I roll it around to the 'sweet spot'. Many logs are not perfectly round, and by turning them, you find the spot where it sits up against the dogs without moving...aka the 'sweet spot'. This works well on a Woodmizer because of the cantilever design of the head.....might NOT work on a mill that uses an inside and outside rail to ride on....dunno...

I also hold that first slab cut off the log on the deck, roll the log 90 degrees flat to the dogs, then shove the slab under the outer edge of the log and that will often hold the log tight against the dog, again saving me having to fool with the clamp.

Sawyer Rob · Jan 17, 2018

It totally depends on exactly what BSM you have, for "mine", 10 - 12" to the top of the track is just about right.

SR

Stimw · Jan 17, 2018

Here are pics of my old property and my current property.
I have been using my HF mill on the ground with no problems.
I got some logs a couple weeks ago (on the trailer) I had to load them with the engine hoist and com-along!

Gitche Gumee Kid · Jan 17, 2018

Sawyer Rob said:
It totally depends on exactly what BSM you have, for "mine", 10 - 12" to the top of the track is just about right.

SR

SR. Thank you for responding. I strongly considering the Woodland Mills model HM 130.
I believe it comes with leveling "legs" under the rails.

GGK

forgeblast · Jan 18, 2018

I have seen where some people will put the track on a bit of a downward slant so they are pushing down hill. I am pretty level where I am at, I will re level once spring comes around. Forestry forum has a lot of info too.

Gitche Gumee Kid · Feb 25, 2018

My plan,come Spring, is to pour eight piers in two rows . They will be positioned 26" apart and 7' between each pier.

I have fabricated eight rebar cages that will fit inside of my homemade reusable concrete form. A 3/4" threaded rod is incorporated into each rebar cage to secure a 6"x 6" beam. The form measures 14" x12" x62".

I have a couple of photos but since Photobucket has their policy change I still haven't found a similar program.

GGK

Flickr

Redlands Okie · Feb 25, 2018

Sounds like you got a plan. Ya that photo bucket deal is a mess

EddieWalker · Feb 26, 2018

Sounds like you have a solid plan. With all that rebar, nothing is going to go anywhere!!!!

Oldpath05 · Feb 26, 2018

I like the idea of having a 4' wide, 4' deep, 8' beyond building length long dug out pit under the sawmill floor, for some sort of sawdust removal, like maybe conveyor belt, or maybe a long sawdust box that can be dragged out when full. At my mill if I had removable steel grating in the floor for sawdust to fall threw, it would save me a tremendous amount of time pushing sawdust out the side hatch into a sawdust box.