Homemade bandmill question

[kjonfc]

I, like so many before me (thank you for posting, instructing, and inspiring), am building a bandsaw mill. I've seen hundreds of pics and videos online and read hundreds of articles, forum posts, etc.. I've designed, redesigned, built, re-re-designed on the fly and am to a point where I need to get some blades. I know many on here run their own mills and I'm wondering where most of you get your blades. I know Cook Saw and a few others, but I'm wondering if there are other places with faster turn around/better customer service, that kind of thing. I havn't dealt with Cook's so I'm not saying that they don't excel in these areas, just wondering what options are out there. I've seen some of the other mill manufacturers that sell blades for thier mills but not other sizes. Also, I'm in mid Missouri and if someone knows someplace I can get them locally(ish) that would be great too. Grizzly is pretty expensive compared to online sources.

I'm looking for 14' blades.

OH!!! if anyone knows of local sharpening/setting service I'd certainly appreciate that info too.

Thanks
- Kyle

 

[BHD]

I got mine form wood mizer, and have been happy,

Buy Wood-Mizer Sawmill Blades

 

[Barry 1]

Cook's Super Sharp blades are the best I've used,and the only ones I will buy again.Very good service and price.

 

[caver]

Baker Sawmill is down a ways south of you in Ellington MO. That link should take you to their blade selection.

 

[kjonfc]

Baker Sawmill is down a ways south of you in Ellington MO. That link should take you to their blade selection.

Thanks for the heads up on Baker. I called them and they were very helpful and I got some blades ordered. They can custom make blades but I ordered some they had which were 2" longer than I was originally looking for, but I have built in about 6" of adjustment so I can go shorter than the 14' or longer as blades are available.

I'm hoping to have the mill done this week and start making dust this weekend (you know, since its supposed to be heat index in the 100's).

 

[rswyan]

Pics ...

 

[dfkrug]

Thanks for the heads up on Baker. I called them and they were very helpful and I got some
blades ordered. They can custom make blades but I ordered some they had which were 2" longer than I was originally
looking for, but I have built in about 6" of adjustment so I can go shorter than the 14' or longer as blades are
available.

Interesting. I see you can get 5 bades for $100 or so, as long as you get their sizes. What was the surcharge for
a custom blade?

My saw is not as far along as yours, but I am about to set the drive wheel axle spacing.

 

[kjonfc]

Interesting. I see you can get 5 bades for $100 or so, as long as you get their sizes. What was the surcharge for
a custom blade?

I don't know if they charge any extra for a custom length blade as they will often have to make up the blades they have listed on their site. They may also have other lengths in their system, just not listed on their page because it's not what fits threir mills. The guy I talked to was real easy going (don't remember his name), but seemed like custom length was no big deal at all.

I won't get my mill done before the weekend as I've had some setbacks. School started this week for my kids, I have to do my welding in the driveway outside of my garage and the rain has hindered that, I got my pillow blocks from AgriSupply and 3 of the 4 bearings were pressed in crooked and I don't have a press so I have to take them somewhere. In the intervening time, I've decided that my 9hp subaru was too small so I'm going with the HF 13hp which I'll pick up tonight after work. Not counting finding someone to press the bearings in straight, I figure I have 8hrs worth of work left on it. So maybe friday afternoon I can fire it up and see what I need to fix (if the blades arrive in time).

I'll post some pics this evening or tomorrow.

 

[dfkrug]

I got my pillow blocks from AgriSupply and 3 of the 4 bearings were pressed in crooked and I don't have a press
so I have to take them somewhere. In the intervening time, I've decided that my 9hp subaru was too small so
I'm going with the HF 13hp which I'll pick up tonight after work. Not counting finding someone to press the
bearings in straight, I figure I have 8hrs worth of work left on it. .

Looking fwd to the pix. Sorry to hear of the crappy QA on the the bearings from AgriSupply. I like them as
a vendor. If you have a photo of the bad bearings, that would be interesting, too. A.S. has a very good
return policy, BTW.

I decided not to use pillow block bearings at all. I am using automotive tapered wheel bearings inside
a 6-in piece of Sched 40 2.5" pipe. That way, I can adjust for play in the bearings.

Still designing on the fly here.....

 

[Barry 1]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeqjtNJdbxY
All the pillow block bearings I've used were like this.They pivot in the housing.