Replies

1. 
   philip | Jun 08, 2005 11:28am | #1

   Old China,
   I think you are referring to the Walking -Beam Saw-an article by Mark White that was in Fine Woodworking mag. September 1980.
   A wicked machine indeed-capable of gobbling up huge forests-just remember the machine is only as good as the blade-so if you equip it with a 2" wide band saw blade you will have to eat lots of corn flakes for breakfast and the box.....
   From the picture in the mag I can see that comrade Mark has Huge Feet and a determined expression on his face.
   Keep us posted!

1. 
   MarkWilkins | Jun 09, 2005 10:56am | #2

   Thanks for the info. It sounds like the design I'm trying to track down. I'll try and find the issue you mention.
   Cheers Mark

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 09, 2005 08:41pm | #3

   Reminds me of that peddle lathe that that I saw somebody make on PBS TV!

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 09, 2005 08:51pm | #4

   That would be Sir Roy of Underhill, The Woodwright's Shop.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   mike4244 | Jun 10, 2005 09:32pm | #5

   You are referring to a walking beam saw. I built one about 15 years ago, when I bought a bandsaw I took it apart for parts.The saw worked , but not anywhere as well as a bandsaw. Even with a bandsaw blade the lumber wants to pull up. The heavier the stock the easier it is to cut. You will have a difficult time cutting anything lighter than 40 lbs. The blade will pull the stock up on the upstroke. You can reduce the pull up by making the saw blade orbit instead of straight up and down. This only will work in the crosscutting variation of the saw. You cannot make the saw orbit in the rip mode. I built my saw for about $10.00. I had everything but a few misc. bolts.

   Do not let the reciprocating saw go faster than 150 rpm's. You need a large flywheel even with a 1725 rpm motor. If I recall I made mine 20" in diameter.The flywheel was made from three pieces of 1/2"cdx plywood.

   Buy  or borrow the book Making and Modifying Machines, a taunton publication I think.A smaller version of the saw I built is well described in this book.The author uses a pruning saw blade, I would not myself. Tough enough with bandsaw blades.

   mike

   
   

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   Edited 6/10/2005 2:36 pm ET by MIKEK4244

1. 
   MarkWilkins | Jun 11, 2005 04:29am | #6

   Thanks Mike.
   My plan is to use the saw to convert some Red Gum Railway Sleepers into usable sizes as they are too big for my circular saw. I am at the design stage at the moment so will take your recommendations into account when I understand how the machine operates.
   Cheers Mark

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 11, 2005 07:34pm | #7

   walking beam saw.. I saw a really old pic.. USA.. Old jacks cuttin through a really big redwood (what a shame).. One on top and one on the bottom... I think the guy on the bottom was a apprentice cus' gets all the sawdust!

1. 
   mike4244 | Jun 12, 2005 04:15pm | #8

   Will, are you referring to pit sawing? My great grandfather was a pit sawyer, bottom man. The story I was told was, you put the biggest and dumbest man in the pit.I'm told I'm a deadringer for him.

   mike

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 13, 2005 09:01pm | #12

   But I think the 'CREW' had to pay for his drinks at night so he would go back to the job the next day without a fight!  LOL...

2. 
   Woodsy | Jun 12, 2005 07:06pm | #9

   Hi Will, Interesting about the pit saw, sorry to butt in.

   I understand that the expression "Underdog" relates to the poor fellow down among the sawdust.

   Cheerio

   Woodsy

1. 
   philip | Jun 13, 2005 11:18am | #10

   Woodsy,
   I believe you are trying to rectify a thread which has gone bottom up.

1. 
   Woodsy | Jun 13, 2005 01:07pm | #11

   I just don't know when to keep quiet. lol

    

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 13, 2005 09:04pm | #13

   Woodsy  Butt in? I think it was your post?