Thread: Norwood Bandsaw Mills

This one Portable Sawmills | Norwood Sawmills

Originally Posted by nifty

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they also have a portable chainsaw mill that looks interesting, perhaps BobL can give us the rundown of what he thinks on it.

I'm probably not a fair judge of any commercial CSMs because CSMs are in my head a tool you make for yourself.
Quite a few folks on the Arboristsite have, what I call these, "single ender type" CS mills - the other popular one is the Logosol.
The main thing I don't like about single enders is they generally limit milling of logs to a max diam of ~24" and in the case of the Norwood its only 20".
I do use a single ender to break up slabs into lumber but "slab breakers" are also the simplest form of CSM to make.

I can report that those that have the Norwoods seem to like them and judging by the photos they seem to be well made.
The manufacturers say it is more comfortable to use than a conventional alaskan but they miss the point that when using an alaskan the log can be sloped so there is minimal pushing whereas both the norwood and logol still need to be pushed.

Bandsaw mills are a bit harder to "roll your own" so it makes more sense to buy these if that's what you are into.

Nifty

I saw the Norwood just recently when we were discussing the merits of bandsaws and swingsaws. I suspect that in the US there are quite a number of options in the bandsaw arena, but the Norwood does look interesting. There is a mill that is offered through Ebay:

Sawmill

I think that is definitely "entry" level, but for somebody milling just for fun it may be an option.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Nifty

I saw the Norwood just recently when we were discussing the merits of bandsaws and swingsaws. I suspect that in the US there are quite a number of options in the bandsaw arena, but the Norwood does look interesting. There is a mill that is offered through Ebay:

Sawmill

I think that is definitely "entry" level, but for somebody milling just for fun it may be an option.

Regards
Paul

Yep came across a couple of fellas down my way with one of those with big dreams of starting their own gold mine with it as I put it!! Made in china with a 12hp robin Subaru motor from memory. About a 1m cut capacity and for the 5k they paid for it it looked reasonable. They both worked for the local council and got their logs from roadside storm damage so their investment was paid for pretty quick. Gave them a hand with understanding blades and off they went.
I love how the add states it's capable of cutting Australian hardwoods. FFS all bandsaws can cut our hardwoods, just set your blades up to suit.

The MX34 with all the fruit looks to be a real weapon. ( Now a HD36 )
Hydraulic- feed, log loader, log roller, log clamping ( up, down and sideways ),toe board and weather board attachment.
I gave them a good look over about six months ago. Very nice.
At the time the yanks had a special going, ALL the fruit for 21K
NO fruit at all out of Melbourne was 16K plus the G.
Even if you only put 1 in a container it would still be cheaper that getting it here. But we won't go into that saga again.
Full fruit model here for 21K, I'd buy one tomorrow.

Cheers

Something on the Norwood site I thought might be very interesting for many of you was their log harvesting equipment. Frequently we have the issue of moving logs around to our place of milling.

Log Skidding & Tree Harvesting Equipment by Norwood Portable Sawmills - YouTube

I really like their wheeled version. I know they were only softwoods at probably less than half the weight of our Aussie hardwoods, but by the same token they were only using cars and 4wheel motorcycles to tow them.

I might have a think about a version using old car wheels.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

I might have a think about a version using old car wheels.

Here's one that a mate and I have been working on, just a prototype at this stage, a few more design tweaks to go yet till we get it right. Main beam is yet to be stiffened and reinforced.

The chain that is holding the log at the front will actually be replaced with winch.

image.jpg

Nice one DJ. I assume you will reinforce the main beam from above it?

Originally Posted by nifty

Nice one DJ. I assume you will reinforce the main beam from above it?

Yep, the towbar and beam will end up as one solid piece, found that there is no need to extend.

Nice and handy piece of equipment there DJ.
One comment though... I noticed from the adds and various youtube segments that they usually pick the log up close to the middle with just a little bias toward the rear to allow the front to be hog tied to the beam.
Provided that the log arch is strong enough to hold most of the weight, the beam should be strong enough as is.
Just my 2c worth from an engineering point of view.
I'd be interested to see how it goes, I've been thinking of knocking one up.

Cheers

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

Here's one that a mate and I have been working on, just a prototype at this stage, a few more design tweaks to go yet till we get it right. Main beam is yet to be stiffened and reinforced.

The chain that is holding the log at the front will actually be replaced with winch.

image.jpg

Good design DJ. I'm a big fan of trussed components for their strength and weight. As Nifty alluded to, I would extend the truss along the top of the beam.

Regards
Paul

Cheers guys, current pic only shows a short 2.5/3m log in the arch. Plan is to truss the main beam and incorporate it into the towbar as one piece and allow it to pick up 5 or 6m logs up to about 600/700mm which would be right on the limit of the arch but that is still to be tested.
It has carried a 5m x 450mm redgum log no worries but the smaller insert tube that slides inside the main beam failed right on the edge where the end of the truss is welded due to design, being undersized and hitting a small log on the ground.

image.jpg

All comes down to trial and error, but we'll get there one day

DJ

Will the wheels/tyres be up to the weight of a decent diameter 6m log? They look like an ATV type tyre. I appreciate there will be no element of speed involved which is the factor that creates heat and tyre failure.

Regards
Paul

Paul

Wheels and tyres were bought before I came into the project but I believe they'll handle the load as they're actually all terrain trailer tires, the hubs are standard ford trailer stud pattern, so if current wheels aren't up to the job, standard rims and tyres can be used.

The beauty of these tires is they roll over rough terrain better than flat tires.