Gang rip saws, build or buy?

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Did you look up Bobby Richardson, yet Those blades work great down here. Kinda like "Reverse Engineering" matching shaft to the blades  

[Dave Shepard]

Stopped in at the machine shop today. 40" piece of 3.5" 1018 for $30. Moving ahead on the arbor.

[GF]

Hope to see some pictures on the progress.   

Gary

[Dave Shepard]

I'm moving along slowly. I can take a pic of the piece of shafting, but that isn't terribly exciting. Still working out the arbor and blades. FDH, I did not talk to your contact, as I was already talking to a different company. Sorry. The company I mentioned earlier has been very helpful. The 70mm blade they offer is used on an arbor that slides onto the shaft, a quick change sort of deal. I'm looking into that, but I don't expect to have to change the setup very often. They were advising a higher HP, like 50 or more, as that is what most of the gang rips for sale have, although from what I gather, they will also take something like and 8x8 and spit out 2x8s at a pretty rapid pace. I don't see myself needing to saw anything over 1.25",and if I did have a need to saw say a 2x12 into 3-2x4's, well, that's only two blades.

[red oaks lumber]

dave,
 just wondering how the rip saw project is coming?is there pictures yet

[Dave Shepard]

My machinest is still building his new shop and has his big lathe is apart right now. I'm so involved in timber work, I don't know what my needs are for sawmill equipment. Many of my projects are more about having an idea than a need. We may still tackle this project at some point, as he is retiring in May, and likes a challenge. When I was originally thinking about this project, I was thinking I would have a large demand for stickers and stake blanks. Now, I just need to get my timbers and other specialty products made so I can keep working on my barns and other projects. I think next winter I will have some time to start building the arbor and framework. Over the last couple of months, I've just been trying to get my long term woodworking projects finished, before I start anything else.

[pyrocasto]

This machine build is in my future so I look forward to watching this project. May start mine this year maybe next depending on life.