Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Sep 12, 2003 11:51pm | #1

   Are you determined that your homebrew mill must be a bandsaw mill?   They're pretty big and complex, and you might well do better just to buy one.  On the homebrew end of things, an Alaskan mill might be better for you.   In its simplest form, it consists of a flat plank, a chainsaw, and some fittings that guide the saw from the plank.  There are companies that'll sell you the fittings, or the fittings plus the saw.   For small trees, you can get by with a saw from your local HD or whatever, but for larger trees you'll want a longer blade and probably more power.  A good thing about these is that you mill the tree where it lies; a nice big trunk may weigh many tons.

   
   

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   Edited 9/12/2003 4:55:22 PM ET by JAMIE_BUXTON

1. 
   gecko | Sep 13, 2003 01:03am | #2

   I have looked into the chainsaw mills and I think I’ve decided they are so slow and waste too much wood. I have a tractor that can move the logs around with ease, so lifting them won’t be a problem. I’m looking for a saw mill that will leave little to desire, and I would prefer to build one rather than buy one.

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Sep 13, 2003 04:53am | #6

   Check out http://www.linnlumber.com/

2. 
   Bengst | Sep 13, 2003 01:58am | #3

   Have you considered hiring someone that owns a mill to mill your logs? People who provide this service will come to you and around here, Orgeon, charge about $40 an hour or by the board foot. Look in the phonebook under sawmills or somewhere on the internet.

   Jeffrey

    

1. 
   gecko | Sep 13, 2003 02:27am | #4

   Thanks Jeffrey

    I think thats what i'll wind up doing for this year. i would however like to build one for myself for next season.

3. 
   fredsmart48 | Sep 13, 2003 03:44am | #5

   well I don't know but this site is about milling lumber.  They may know of some plans some where.

   http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/sawdry.pl

4. 
   SCFrankland | Sep 13, 2003 05:38am | #7

   My dad just bought a chain saw mill and from waht I have seen it cuts better than a bandsaw mill will belive it or not. A lot of the local boat builders around here use it to cut timbers down to the exact size with little or no fuss. The say it gives you a much better cut and more control. The saw is cutting with a rip chain so it is fast and the kerf is no wider than the bar on the saw. The best thing about it is that you can take the saw off the mill and use it and if you don't want the saw than you can buy the mill with out it. There is also a bandsaw head but I am not sure on the price as.

   I posted some pictures of dads mill and a link to the website, the cost is around $3000 CDN with a 95CC saw.

   http://www.en.ca.jonsered.com/node52.asp?product_id=sm2095%5F2003

   Scott C. Frankland

   "This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

   
5. 
   10fingers | Sep 13, 2003 06:09am | #8

   Hello,

   Check ebay under the bandsaw listing.  There is usually two or three people that have plans for about $25 to $50.   There have been some 20 to 30" bandsaws for good prices.  It might be easier to add a carrige assembly to one than to build a mill from scratch.   Have fun.   I wish I had your skills.

   Chuck

1. 
   gecko | Sep 13, 2003 11:17pm | #9

   I think I’m going to hire out most of the work this year. Next year I hope to build one for myself but I don’t think there is time this summer. I'm also leasing toward doing the chainsaw mill instead. I know there is more waste but it seems easier, and cheaper. Thanks a tonne for all the input!

1. 
   Curtis | Sep 14, 2003 03:55pm | #10

   Hello to everyone

   I just saw a veido of the Lucas saw mill.  WOW!!!

    check out the web site http://www.baileys-online.com/Mill-2.htm

   The veido is far better than the site,but you can order the veido thuough the web.

   any how this saw mill uses a circler saw blade,thin and smoth cuts. it has a sharpener on the machine.

   but what maakes this unit so KOOL is the platform is set up around the log,the saw move and the log dosent. this saw blade cut horrisoinal and turns to cut on the back stroke viritical, by adjusting the cut deapth you can quarter saw a log without turning it.

   in the veido that saw a 41"oak VERRY inpressive.

   check it out!  

   C.A.G.

1. 
   Kevin | Sep 14, 2003 08:48pm | #11

   That's an impressive looking mill. The one drawback that I can see up front is that it can't cut wide slabs due to the fact that it relies on a circular blade for the cutting. Whatever it's other limitations... a bandsaw mill, or even the Alaska Mills that use a chainsaw, can cut much wider slabs. Even so... this one is a very attractive mill that clearly has some advantages over the other types of mills out there.

   Regards,

   Kevin

1. 
   Curtis | Sep 15, 2003 11:52am | #12

   Hello Keven

   True, but they also make a slab cutter to cut wide boards too,Its extra.

   they also make a sideing cutter to make shingles and sideing for houses.

   It really is a NEAT machine!   C.A.G.