Intro

[Bobby R]

I've been lurking around for a while and figured it is time to say "Hello" and introduce myself.  I am not a sawmill owner, but come from the supplier side - I learned of this forum from several customers.

I've been in the industry for 12 years and with a manufacturer of circular blades. I am interested in bandmills primarily to see what it is that comes in and converts the people that I have worked with for years on the circular side. I am seeing more and more activity in the swing mill area, and I am trying to learn more of their capabilities.

If I may be of any help to anyone let me know. I was reluctant to post here, being a supplier, but I see a lot of questions I could help with (like where to find a certain piece of info, or hard to find parts, etc.). I wanted to introduce myself before I chime in. Let me know if I step out of bounds!

I work for B.H. Payne and Company. We are manufacturers of circular saw blades only. We also have mill supplies. We are a family business founded in 1890.

Bobby Richardson
www.paynesaws.com

[farmerdoug]

Welcome aboard, Bobby.
There is a fair number of circle mill owners here too.  Maybe you can convince your company to sponsor the Forum also.

Farmerdoug

[Bibbyman]

Welcome to the Forum! 

Even us band sawmill guys us circle blades.  I've got  two on my edger!

[Fla._Deadheader]

Just so's y'all know, I did business with Bobby a little while back. Had 2 new blades made for the Peterson and bought 100 new carbide tips. Good service, and I been after him to join up with us.

  Welcome Bobby. Harold in Florida, now Costa Rica.   8) 8) ;D ;D

[Brad_S.]

Welcome Bobby. 8)
To answer your inquiry, I can tell you I went with a band mill for a number of reasons.
First is the narrow kerf = more lumber.
Second is I can sharpen a band but I don't know how to hammer circle blades, so I can do my own blade maintenance.
Third, big spinning circle blades scare the bejeebers out of me! The circle sawyers I know often have knick names like 'Stumpy' and 'Lefty'. :D I have to really do something stupid to get hurt with the band mill.

[getoverit]

Welcome Bobby. 8)
The circle sawyers I know often have knick names like 'Stumpy' and 'Lefty'. :D

You actually have a point Brad ;D  Since most swing mills are spinning mostly at waist to knee level, I DID check to make sure none of the Peterson guys on the board were talking with real high voices. I think an investment in a good pair of chaps would solve most worries about swingmills slinging things out at ya.

Bobby, I bought a peterson because it can be moved, set up, and operated by one person (if needed), and because it doesnt really require a lot of support equipment to keep it sawing since it mills the log where it lays.

[Larry]

Welcome Bobby...glad to have you join in.

From a small time sawyer don't think Brad could have put it any better.

Third, big spinning circle blades scare the bejeebers out of me! The circle sawyers I know often have knick names like 'Stumpy' and 'Lefty'. :D I have to really do something stupid to get hurt with the band mill.

On the production side I watched a circle head rig feeding a Brewco grade resaw with run around while back.  Pretty impressive operation and they were flat kicking out some lumber.  The bandsaw blade had to be in the wood a good 95% of the time.   

[jon12345]

resaws help the headsaw keep movin, a saw can only move as fast as its slowest piece of equipment, which is almost always the headsaw.

It isn't really that hard to sharpen, swedge, and replace teeth in a circle saw blade, I've seen complete idiots do it with some proper instruction  :D

The best part, is when the pit gets clogged, and you're volunteered to go shovel it  >:(