Thread: bandsaw mill plans free to a good home

Whitworth I built a bandmill using a 13Hp Chonda (Chinese Honda) and Plans purchased off the Net. I used the Plans as a Guide and adapted them to the Bits I had Already Scrounged. If you are interested in Building a Mill I am Happy to supply any Info\Experience I gained from Building Mine.

Bluegum_1.JPGOverall 3.JPGBlade Tensioner.JPGDrive Wheel.JPGWheel Tracking Adjustment.JPG

DIY Bandmill Outback QLD Australia - YouTube


Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by whitworthsocket

I am very intersted to hear that you have had a good experience with a Chinese motor. Does your Chinese motor have a brand name?
Regards Whitworth.

Whitworth

The motor is Jiangdong, model No.JF390. It is 13HP. I did forget to mention that after about 15 minutes of run time it broke a stud holding one of the rocker arms. The supplier sent a replacement stud, which was the wrong size thread, but finally I received the correct stud. I replaced the stud and the machine has not missed a beat since.

If you can afford it, I would recommend the V-Twin motors as their power delivery seems so smooth. I have a 14HP B & S V-Twin on my mill. A quick look on ebay did not bring up any 14s, but an 18HP was $1600, but beware because that did not include the muffler!

A Chinese 20HP V-Twin was available for $950. It was electric start and they are good enough to include a muffler .

Petrol Engine Motor 20 HP V Twin 620cc 4 Stroke | eBay

They also have:

15HP $549
13HP $389
12HP Diesel $989

I have no knowledge of the brand, no connection to the seller and only include it to illustrate the major cost in a home built bandsaw.

Also make sure you get a horizontal shaft motor as the vertical shafts really only suit lawn mowers. If you decide to build your own mill, be sure to put some posts up on this section of the forum as it is a project many have an interest in.

Regards
Paul

Hello Newjon I saw the video and it really cuts well. I am impressed!
Where do yo get your band blades from, and do you do your own sharpening?
I read that bandmill blades can wander quite a bit when they start to get blunt. Is this your experience?
Regards Whitworth

Originally Posted by newjon

Whitworth I built a bandmill using a 13Hp Chonda (Chinese Honda) and Plans purchased off the Net. I used the Plans as a Guide and adapted them to the Bits I had Already Scrounged. If you are interested in Building a Mill I am Happy to supply any Info\Experience I gained from Building Mine.

Bluegum_1.JPGOverall 3.JPGBlade Tensioner.JPGDrive Wheel.JPGWheel Tracking Adjustment.JPG



DIY Bandmill Outback QLD Australia - YouTube


Cheers,
Jon

Whitworth,
I have a very early version of the Dinasaw Profiler to sharpen my Blades. I was lucky enough to score this for nothing from a friend of friend. I will Take some photo's on the weekend when I get a chance and Post them.I am using 1 1/4" Lennox Bi-Metal Blades from Henry Brothers NSW. Bandmilling is a Black Art that I have not mastered yet. Not only does the blade wander when blunt, it also wanderers when transitioning from Sapwood to Heartwood, There are also Timbers which the bandmill struggles with, so far I have had Bad experiences with Red Bauhinia.
In saying this I am extremely pleased with the Timber I have cut on the Bandmill with an outlay of approx $2000.00 to build it. Before I built the Mill, I had a Home made Chainsaw Rail Mill, The bandmill is much quicker and easier to use than this Rail Mill. As stated in lots of threads on this forum there are several different types of Mills out there that have there Pro's and Con's. It is up to each Individual to choose the type of Mill that suits your Budget and expectations.

Cheers
Jon

John, could you please email the attachments, as my tab can't open or even download them.
Ta much,
Karl