Author Topic: Should a fellow buy a circle mill (Read 1569 times)

highpockets · « **on:** February 14, 2006, 05:55:47 am »

I had a friend approach me the other day about the idea of building large pallets for rental. Down here in the oilfield many of the locations are covered with a 6" pallets 10' X 10' to support the drilling rigs while they are on location. A normal location will be around 39,000 sq. ft.

He is already in the logging business and was telling me he found an old circle mill near here. I was wondering about blade sizes and cost. Although I have not seen this mill, I expect the blade is in need of replacement or repair. No, I have only seen a circle mill run when I was a kid. We do have some tie mills near here I can visit. By the way, what is a husk?

isassi · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2006, 06:48:14 am »

Here is where the glossery would come in...

...Don't feel like the lone ranger, I grew up with a circle mill and didn't know what a "husk" was except with regards to corn and wheat..

The husk is the frame that supports the saw arbor and related drive components for the carraige and saw guides, ect. My meadows has a blower installed under the husk and an outfeed belt and hydraulic pump for the turner as well. There are lots of sites to look at for cost of big circle blades, but an avaerage to scare you off would be $2000 for a 54" blade, teeth extra..., and maybe some come with steel teeth for the original purchase. Unless the mill you are looking at has had the blade damaged, it may only need tuned up, hammered, new bits and shanks, ect. My mill hadn't sawed in years, and I installed new teeth and away I went. Drive up and run mine, see if you want one. I kinda wish I had bought a bandmill.....

D._Frederick · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2006, 10:57:09 am »

On most mills that I see pictures of the blade that are completely rusted. The owners are too lazy to smear a little grease on the blade if they leave them on the mill.

I wonder how well a rusted, pitted blade works, seems like it would cause heating problems?

beenthere · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2006, 11:43:18 am »

D_
Seems ther'd be no heating problems as long as the saw was running right. Even if a non-rusted blade is rubbing on wood from not being set up right, then it would heat as well, and heat can cause problems if other than a little at the rim.

I'd think some rust on old blades wouldn't be a good reason to toss them out. But our resident member from Menominee Saw would be the better source for info, along with our other circle mill operators.

Jeff · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2006, 12:06:28 pm »

The Husk is the main frame work that holds the arbor and its supporting bearings and drive sheaves, collars, guides and saw.

The Arbor is the rotating shaft that the saw attaches to.
The Collars are the means to attach the saw to the arbor.
The sheaves or " Grooved Pulleys" are the way that power and rotation is transmitted to the arbor collars and saw.
The saw guides are devices used to prevent the rim of the saw from moving in a "catastrophic" manner. Not really used to guide.

The husk may also include an off bearing belt assembly. The off bearing belt assembly is used to move the lumber away from the saw once it is released from the log.

Answer provided by a small part of the forestry forum virtual glossary.

sandman2234 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:21:49 pm »

Just wondering,
Can a new sawblade be cut out with a CNC Plasma cutter? Seems the only drawback would be the balance, and that would be fixable, if you spent some time on it. Just wondering, as I have no intention of standing near one going as fast as they do.
David from jax

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2006, 05:23:39 pm »

Rusty blades aren't too much of a problem. They get nice and shiney after a few days of sawing. New teeth are a must, and will cure most ills.

Circle mills can cut quite a bit of lumber in a day, depending on the set up. Handmills can cut around 5 Mbf, which is probably what you're looking at. But, I would look around for a small automatic.

The automatic will allow you to produce more lumber without the input of a whole lot more labor. The more you can produce, the lower your unit production costs. And, in pallets, you need that pretty low.

Jackson Lumber Harvester puts out an automatic portable mill. You can find some of these used, and at a pretty good price. You'll be up and running in a matter of hours. Your learning curve will take a good bit longer.

To have a successful operation you will need to have a market for the material and a source of logs. Your operating costs will be the differential between log costs and lumber value. Get out a sharp pencil and see how that works out.

highpockets · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2006, 06:01:17 am »

Thanks for the reply on the blade and the HUSK. The way I figure it this guy needs some 19,500 bd ft of lumber to do his first sets of pallets so a circle mill may be worth while. I think that is right. There is 39,000 sq/ft 6" thick.

Sandman, these blades have an insert in them. I don't think plasma is my way to go. Ansel can buy himself a blade if needed. I have about solved the bandmill engine problems. I still have the edger and shaprener to do. I ain't jumping in the circle mill. That is his problem.

TexasTimbers · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2006, 06:18:44 am »

highpockets,

You definately need a circle mill. By coincidence, I happen to have one for sale.

Since you live the next state over, I might even be able to .....

...arrange for a special delivery.
It needs the wood frame of the husk replaced and it's manual, but adding a live deck shouldn't be nothing for highstepper!

sandman2234 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2006, 09:46:48 am »

Kevjay,
That sounds right up Highpockets' alley. He needs something else to work on for Ansel, since he has just about gotten the bandmill running perfectly. I figure the circle mill ought to be running just about the time Ansel has completely destroyed the bandmill, and it needs rebuilding again.
Let me know if you need any help finding his house, to make the delivery. Also, stay for dinner, cause they put on a great feedbag.
You might need to talk to Bertha, to make sure she is into helping unload.
David from jax

UNCLEBUCK · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:22:46 pm »

I had 2 rusty blades and the sawshop wire brushed them , blades had pitting and still rusty but it didnt affect my sawing at all , the teeth were wider than the blade still . I would just hop on that old rusty blade mill and saw !

TexasTimbers · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:35:24 pm »

Okay David I'll let you know. He's just waiting on me to send some pictures. Maybe I'll get lucky and y'all 'ul be doin up some serious mudbug if this deal ever gets off the ground .......

Frickman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2006, 04:41:33 pm »

Should a fellow buy a circle mill? YES!

With the continuing rise in popularity of portable band mills there are alot of circle mills going for cheap prices. If you want to break down low-grade logs into pallet lumber you can't go wrong with a good circle mill.

highpockets · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2006, 05:48:36 am »

Jeff

That is a good photo of the Husk. I was wondering if you have one for the carriage? I have talked to Kevin and we are still discussing his extra mill. The circle mill is a learning thing for me.

TexasTimbers · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:13:05 pm »

I took some pictures in the drizzle and I'm sending them right now (I hope). I sent one to me first and haven't gotten it yet so I don't know how successful I've been

Let me know.

TexasTimbers · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:21:02 pm »

I clicked the "Send a copy of the message to me" and I still haven't received any of them yet. I don't think any of them went through.
I hate being so computer illiterate

The good news is at least I have them as far as loaded into the Kodak Shareware. If you are familiar with this software maybe I could call you later and you could walk me through it.

Jeff · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2006, 06:44:53 pm »

Quote from: highpockets on February 22, 2006, 05:48:36 am

I was wondering if you have one for the carriage?

Yep, I'll see what I can do in a bit but this sawmill is an automatic mill. I think there is a scanned diagram of the guide pins here as well I'll see if I can locate that first as our printer scanner is busy right now.

Jeff · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2006, 06:49:43 pm »

Guide Pin Thread

highpockets · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2006, 06:05:44 am »

Kevjay I got the photos ok thanks. I sent you a message via email also. I am kind of interested in seeing the carriage. That would make me having seen two. How many of you guys are circle sawmill setter uppers? We have grits in Louisiana. Come on down.

isassi · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2006, 08:04:07 am »

Well, well, well......another circle mill....yeppers, I'll come. As Kev knows, my wife loves Canton, Tx., and if you plan the sawmill assembly around First Monday Trade Days, I'll be there

and hopefully get up to Arky's place to see if I wanna trade to bandmilling. Maybe we should have a Southern Sawyers get together.....

highpockets · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2006, 06:04:25 am »

Joasis, now that ain't a bad idea. I sometimes feel I should move north so I would be nearer more saywers. Then again I can't deal with the cold. I would like to go help Ernie cook syrup.

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Author Topic: Should a fellow buy a circle mill (Read 1569 times)