Portable Sawmill

[gmason]

Ok, sorry for the long absence from this subject. But here we go...
Picture 1. Here's the saw just after making the first few cuts. Rolled the log 180 and trimmed off the top plank. The home made tracks are in the foreground.

 

[gmason]

Here's one looking right down the cut line. you can see the 1 1/2" angle steel bolted to the top of the pipe. I've got 30' of angle and only 18' of the pipe, so I had to add support on the extensions.

 

[gmason]

here's the business end of the saw with the saw blade around the tires. The V belt to the motor slip clutch. Also the lower blade guides.

 

[gmason]

here's a shot from the front

 

[gmason]

last one for tonight... looking from behind down the tracks, Kohler engine... Cranks very easily

 

[Egon]

Congradulations.

A job well done.

Egon

 

[scottbrrtt72]

That looks great!!! I just purchased a new Honda 18 horsepower motor (expensive!). I am building a Band-saw head. My chainsaw mill just doesn't cut the way I would like it too, especially cutting big trees. I would like to hear from you regarding the pros and cons, and any additional info you would/wouldn’t change.

 

[ljh2]

Nice looking mill. Looks like you should be able to saw a lot of nice lumber with it.

One question though. Are you planning a shroud over the top portion of the blade and wheels? I'd hate to be standing in the wrong place if a blade snaps. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Enjoy your handywork. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[gmason]

ljh, yes-sir, as a matter of fact I just finished welding a pair of metal fenders over the wheels and haven't had a chance to take it out for a spin yet.

They also should keep the sawdust from flying everywhere.

Just put the first coat of paint on them last week.
Pics coming...

gary

 

[gmason]

Scott, how's your project going?
Use plenty of channel steel, the more ridged the better.

18hp should be more than enough, my 12hp with a sharp saw blade cuts like butter and the engine doesn't even notice anything through pine.

Hope you got an electric start. I've bruised a few knuckles so far pulling the cord between the cross braces.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

gary

 

[have_blue]

Gary,

How is the log fed through the saw? It's not obvious to me from the pictures.

Thanks,

 

[mountain_man]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the saw moves thru the log (instead of the log moving). However I'm curious what keeps the saw blade on the tires. Is there a groove or guide? Also, how do you adjust the height on each pass? Seems like a chain/spocket or rack/pinion arrangement might work?

 

[slowrev]

Yep, you are right, the saw travels down the rails. There must be threaded rods or something to adjust the height of the saw. Not sure how the blade stays on, but then I am not sure why the blade stays put on my bandsaw wheels either. Or my belt on my belt sander, but they do stay put.

 

[Egon]

Just finished making a portable chainsaw mill for myself. No original idea or high tech. Must have cost about ten dollars.

It's a 2x4 fastened verticaly to a 2x6. Then there is a glued up wooden block grooved to fit over the 2x4. A piece of 5/8 ready rod through the block and bolted to the chain bar. Fasten the 2x6 to the log, put saw and block on 2x4 and a straight cut can be made. Turn log and lay 2x6 on cut portion and another staight cut with two sides at a 90 degree angle.

There's some here with real logging experience and gear that should get a good chuckle out of this aberation. It does work, is very cheap and is very portable.

Egon

 

[gmason]

Blue, the log is "fixed" the saw rolls down the rails.

 

[gmason]

MM, the tires are squared-up so the blade runs pretty true. There is a little bit of tension in the blade so that the tires do have a little bit of a slot for them to sit in.

Plus there are a pair of blade guides on the inside of the tires that keep the blade tracking true and from wondering too much once they get a little dull.
See the blade under the bearing guides here?

They can both be adjusted so that they set as close to the log as possible.

And here is how the whole table of the saw moves up and down.
sprocket

This little motor turns the larger sprocket which turns a Acme threaded rod on both sides of the frame inside the 2" square channel legs.
gary

 

[mountain_man]

Very well thought out. Many clever ideas. Thanks. When are you going into mass production? Assume you'll need to add a few guards to obtain OSHA approval /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[scottbrrtt72]

Hey Gary,

The mill is coming along. I have it about 50% completed. There is a lot to know (for me it is learning) about these mills. I will try to get some photo's posted ASAP. I have a lot going on at this time. Finding time to do anything is tough for me right now.

 

[fivestring]

Pictures, Egon, pictures!

 

[Egon]

Fivestring:

Pictures will come in time. Get ready to laugh. there is nothin original about it.

Egon