Thread: Bandsaw Vs Circular Swingsaw. Pros and Cons

Over the last two weeks I had to cut some very small logs and some pieces that were really only billets.

Just some pictures to show what was quite easy with the bandsaw.

misc T 002.jpgtulip 001.jpgtulip 008.jpg

There are more picture of the two small logs on the Tulip Wood thread.

Then I had some billets of Bull Oak that were 600mm long and I just wanted to square up so I had something handy to work with on the Jointer and Triton saw.

Bull oak 003.jpgBull oak 001.jpgBull oak 002.jpg

I had anticipated trouble as Bull Oak is notoriously hard and we had previously measured the moisture content at less than 10%, but the saw didn't seem to mind. I had to make an additional bearer for the mill from timber as the bearer spacing as around 1200mm

It was not the same story with Berlin's small spotted gum logs. These were also very dry, although I have not measured the moisture content. As soon as the blade touched the log it grabbed hold of the timber and tried to shake it to death. Stupidly, instead of backing off, I persevered and within 150mm I half destroyed the blade. Initially I thought I must have hit a foreign body and I may have done but I did not find anything.

I looked at the blade and it had lost about ten teeth and bent another half dozen at right angles to the blade.

My take is that the aggressive hook angle I use was quite unsuited to the dry dense timber although as I mentioned previously, the Bull Oak, which is equally dense, went OK.

As an exercise I cut a veneer 3mm thick off a green spotty log:

spotty 3 001.jpgspotty 3 002.jpgspotty 3 003.jpg

In the last pic the veneer is standing vertically between the "B" and "U" of "Bushmill." .

Regards
Paul

Thanks to Bushmiller and all the others that commented here on the differences in operation and end use between the bandsaw and circular saw mills. After reading this info I decided to change tack and look for either a Lucas or Peterson mill and after missing a couple on our TradeMe auction site in NZ I finally have got my hands on a well cared for low hours 400 odd Lucas 618 mill.

Bought it home yesterday after a two day 1100km round trip to collect (thats a long way in our wee country) have set her up and in the process of doing a full service on her.

I'll be going right through this sub forum reading all the relevant posts regards the Lucas hopefully it will minimise the questions a little.

Anyway thanks again everyone for the information you all provided, if anyone has some interesting reading or sites you feel I should have a look at would appreciate the links.

regards
phill - northland NZ

Well done Phil.

What we may not have mentioned is that this advice didn't come for free, but we are prepared to accept lots of milling pix in lieu of payment .

Regards
Paul

Terrific news Phil!!!

I loved my 6-18 was a grand machine, cut most of my family home with it - unfortunately I didn't manage to keep hold of him, selling him off 12 months before getting a divorce......if only I knew....anyway mate, you will love it they are a great model the 6-18 - have a bit of a soft spot for them

I've put a thread up on another forum about a bunch of my personal 'fixes' to all things Lucas, don't think its cool to link it in another forum, but most the info is on here too, just have a search using "lucas" you will get a heap of good stuff.

And again mate - congrats

Thanks for the comments guys. This morning I did a service on the engine & gearbox, replacing the fluids as well as oil and air filters, then put a small windblown branch of poplar under her, to have a bit of a play, about 400mm diameter all good.

first photo is collecting the mill fitted really well in trailer, but I feel a ute of some sort coming on, will make a few mods such as fitting the small wheels opposite the main dolly wheels, can see that would really help with loading. Other photos are at the end of the first milling.

This log was but a branch off one of three recent windblown poplar trees the main trunks would be all of 1mtr diameter and easily 10 or so meters long, paddock is still a little wet to work in so will be a job nearer xmas, also have an acacia trunk which fell over 18 months ago this would be 1200mm diameter and 10 or so meters long so a bit of work lined up. Now just need to find a log and have a go with the slabber as well.

Well milled Phil. Please consider that the first installment paid .

The Poplar and Acacia logs are a really good size. Half your luck .

Regards
Paul

I like that you have a truck load off logs with it!

You'll have a lot of fun.