Thread: BobL throws the Chain Saw Mill in for a bandsaw mill!

I would love to have one of those in my back yard.

How long does the blade last between sharpenings and how does it go through hard wood?

Originally Posted by silentC

I would love to have one of those in my back yard.

How long does the blade last between sharpenings and how does it go through hard wood?

I guess it depends what you mean by hardwood

Derek claims he can slab 3 medium size spotted gum logs (24") into 62 mm thick slabs with one blade before it needs sharpening.
How fast? I'm guessing but it it looks to be 3-4 times fast than a chainsaw mill so combine that with not having to sharpen anywhere as often so overall it will be significantly faster.
It does not appear to be as fool proof as chainsaw milling and have a heap to learn but I see it as just a whole new and interesting experience.

Yeah I was thinking - incorrectly as it seems - that a bandsaw mill would be more suited to softwoods. I know they are popular in the US.

I slabbed some wet bloodwood a couple of years ago and I had to sharpen the chain at least once per tree.When I did the same with some stringy bark that had been laying around for about a year, I had to sharpen after every second pass. I probably flog it a bit longer than I should too.

Originally Posted by silentC

Yeah I was thinking - incorrectly as it seems - that a bandsaw mill would be more suited to softwoods. I know they are popular in the US.

I slabbed some wet bloodwood a couple of years ago and I had to sharpen the chain at least once per tree.When I did the same with some stringy bark that had been laying around for about a year, I had to sharpen after every second pass. I probably flog it a bit longer than I should too.

On a CS mill I usually touch up after every tank of fuel so that works out to about 32 sqft in hardwood and up to double that in softwood.
32 sqft is about 10 x 3 ft so its not much.

Yeah I also though a BS would be suited to softwoods but apparently using the right blades the hardwood is not a problem, but just like a CS sharpening has to happen more often.

Wow Bob!!

Good luck mate

Whole new learning curve for ya - have fun

Looking good Bob

Can't wait to see what shiny little improvements you make and add to it

Wow Small world
I did speak with Derek some time ago as I too was considering purchasing the mill. I have seen what Derek can do with it and the quality of the slabs that come off it is superb. Yep, it is not the shiny beast that it once was, but a bit of TLC and Bob's touch, should make for another interesting thread.
Good Luck with the mill, looking forward to some more threads here.

Are you going this Sunday for his open day?
Willy

Bob, I know the new BS equates to "work" but I will be looking with great interest with the process of getting it going and how it performs. One thing immediately comes to mind......your back will be happier while slabbing. I know you use gravity a lot but with the BS you can stand up nearly straight to perform the cuts. In the yard with the forklift to load and unload, well you "have it made" (I am green with envy)
Keep us posted with you progress.

Thanks Guys.

I was meant to go down to the yard today to work on the BS but I've had to help my young bloke pick up a drill press plus other home duties so it looks like it will be monday at this stage.

Willi, I might see you at Derek's Open day tomorrow.

Hey Bob, what are you planning for dust control and capture? He he he

Don't ignore the fine 1 micron dust dangers

Originally Posted by Dengue

Hey Bob, what are you planning for dust control and capture? He he he

Don't ignore the fine 1 micron dust dangers

Green wood is much less of a problem.
The yard is about 1 mile from the ocean so when the fremantle doctor comes in its far less of a problem.

For dry logs and stuff like silky oak I have a Triton full face mask although I find it a right pain in the bum.

I find it a right pain in the bum

You're wearing it wrong

nice one.

I like the little shelter setup above. Think I might do something similar.

Have you ever tried making a table up to resaw dry timber ?

Found this incredibly handy, because its not often one can resaw boards this wide on a vertical bandsaw. An idea I came up with, that you may like or improve upon.

. Its just a hardwood frame locked into the tracks. Then screw on a laminate mdf of sorts (kitchen material for instance) that has a fairly frictionless surface. Insure the top is parallel to the blade with wedges. Screw on a little fence on the laminate top. Then lock the whole motor to the rails (I ended up doing that with a bolt that runs through one of the upright poles straight into my hardwood frame…..

to use, really need to joint a face flat first. After jointing just push through …. we're pushing silky through here. 450 wide. We were able to easy rip up quite consistently down to say 3-5mm ( a lot of dust though).

Originally Posted by apricotripper

nice one.
I like the little shelter setup above. Think I might do something similar.

The new setup will be under trees so we will try and run without cover at least for the summer. We might put it back in winter.

Have you ever tried making a table up to resaw dry timber ? . . . . . .

I haven't tried it but I'm looking forward to using it for resawing.