Started building a bandsaw mill

[Modat22]

I've been collecting metal, parts, tools etc. over the past 6 months or so and finally started building the beast.

I just finished building two parts for the track.

1 2 The sections measure 56 inches wide and 8'6 long made with 4" x 6" x

1/4" thick steel angle. The stringers in most instances are the same material.

That's as far as I've gone so far, I still have to level these up, butt them together and fasten them together with weld and bolts. I'm cutting mobile home axles down currently for the project.

The engine I plan to use is an old 1952 4 cyl Wisconsin hay bailer engine that I bought for 50 bucks.

The only material I need now are a couple 4.5 inch square column material and some stainless steel cable for a band head leveling mechanism.

I know I don't have much to show you guys currently, but at least I finally started building.

Sam Irvington KY

[tim124c41]

That's going to be some big whompin' hobby bandmill you'll have there. Are you aiming for 48" cutting capacity?

I've been collecting the parts for something a little more modest -- maybe 24 or 32" capacity. Maybe I'll even get to it this winter.

Keep us posted on how it turns out.

Good luck!

Tim

[Modat22]

I'll end up with near to a 38 inch throat capacity. I'm trying to keep the band wheel axles close to the band saw support columns which will ride on the angles of the finished tracks.

I made the track this large and mobile to transport some of the cut lumber home without worrying about it bending, flexing etc. and also because the steel was free.

My band saw head will be sized around my engine that I bought last week, Its quite large and heavy so I might end up with a 40" or larger throat to accommodate the motor.

[Modat22]

I managed to level and square my tracks this weekend and finally welded both track halves together, this monster is heavy! Approx. 680 pounds so far.

My tracks aren't as true as I hoped, the used metal deviates by 1/8 in a wave pattern along its entire length. I thinking about buying two 20 foot sections of 3" x 3" x 1/4" angle iron and laying them on top of my existing tracks, shimming them true and tack welding those down to straighten my track out. I also shortened a mobile home axle to fit my monster, I'll try to have it hung next weekend.

My motor gets delivered this Friday and I'll start looking around for some 4" square tubing for my band saw head columns.

I'll post a few pictures latter of my progress and motor, once again its going to be a slow project as money will limit my progress. I plan on building the band saw head over the winter in my shop (if I can get the motor in there).

Happy Trails!

Sam G Irvington, KY