Home building sawmill question.

[Shawn]

When installing a clutch, should it be v-belt or chain driven? One would think belt driven provides less noise and easy to purchase.
Anyone know of a good clutch manufactor?

[highpockets]

You'll probably find what you need at   

http://www.linnlumber.com/app/inventoryapp/sawmill_parts/inventory_view/68-0-74-1.html

This is a two belt clutch similiar to one that I have used on my 20 h.p. Honda powered mill.  Actually I bought clutch from Motion Industries and  paid about $322.00 for it.  I am almost sure LinnLumber is offering the same clutch for $260.00.   I think the actual manufacture is Noram.

[Trent]

I'm using an electo magnetic clutch. Just flip the switch on and off. The clutch has a brake built in too, coasts down quick when you turn it off. It came on my engine and was used to engage mower deck on riding mower.   

[D._Frederick]

I would go with the Vee belts, they will as absorb the shock of major load change caused by things jamming the saw. The belts will save the engine from having bearing problems or a damaged crank.

[Shawn]

Has anyone every purchased from this company?   www.smallenginewarehouse.com
Prices seem to be very reasonable.

[loudsam]

Hey Shawn!  Sounds like your deep into the research for your sawmill build!!! :P I wish that I would have built my own mill.  I would have been so much better off buying a good welder, steel cutting saw, an oxy/acetyline torch, drill press, etc.  Then I would have had time to think of all the other stuff I was going to need to support the mill once it was built! :D  Good luck buddy!  I think you'll do a great job! 8) 

[Shawn]

I actually, it's alot of work and research. I'm planning, and your sawing. My buddy has a welder, I purchased steel cutting blades for my mitre saw ( Why is everyone laughing?) and a easy CAD program. It's not the length of the journey, but arriving thats important. Thanks for your support Doug, and everyone elses help too. This is truely a Great Forum!
Shawn...

[wiam]

Shawn that is where I bought my "scratch and dent 18hp BS"  When I got it there was a scratch on the screen on the flywheel and it was a 20hp. 8)  Having said that I would buy from them again.  I would go more expensive and get a horozontal shaft so I did not have to run a twisted belt.

Will

[GF]

Shawn,
   I also puchased a 31 hp Vanguard Commercial engine from them to put on my saw, worked out great and would buy from them again.

[Shawn]

How critical is having a clutch? It would be much easier to install a standard pulley. Cheaper too.

[getoverit]

Does anybody have a good place to buy a 3 or 4 inch,  3 groove, 12 volt electric clutch with an 1 1/8" bore?

[wiam]

Shawn I started wth a clutch that was too small.  I now do not run one.  I think it would be easier on the starter if it was not turning everything.  Should also see better blade life.  I plan on putting one on but have not located one that I like the price, and I do not saw much.

Will

[Shawn]

Does anybody have a good place to buy a 3 or 4 inch,  3 groove, 12 volt electric clutch with an 1 1/8" bore?

Try these:
www.surpluscenter.com
www.mcmaster.com/
www.northerntool.com
www.grainger.com

[getoverit]

Thanks for the links. surpluscenter is the only one that had clutches, and none of them had pullys with 3 grooves. I'm still looking... Thanks !

[freddycougar]

 look these  http://www.noram-clutch.com/clutchescentrifugal.html
freddy.

[jrokusek]

Shawn - I purchased a 13 HP Honda clone (made in China) from http://www.zjig.com for about $280.  I don't have many hours on it but have been pleased so far.  I have a homebuilt mill that's almost done and for the occasional sawyer might suit you just fine.  If you are seriously working at this as a profession I'd step up to something better.

Jim

[wiam]

I think Peterson uses a 3 groove cetrifical(sp)  clutch.  You could ask Captain.

Will

[Papa Dave]

When I built my mill, I used the two groove B belt 1800 series clutch and bought it directly from Noram.

They can also change the springs in the clutch to make sure it engages at the right rpm of the engine. I use an 18 hp vangard engine and the setup works great. No slipping and all you have to control is the engine speed to engage or disengage the wheels and blade. I have cut 26 inch wide red oak without any issue.

What you do not want is to have the clutch trying to engage while the engine is at idle, and at the same time, you want it completly locked up at around 2700rpms, and sawing at 3500 or so rpms

Briggs and Stratton Factory Reps told me that running the engine at 3500 to 3600 rpms was better for the engine and it would also run cooler.

[DanG]

Hey Papa Dave!  Good to see ya on here again. 8) 8)  I hope you'll drop by more often.  We never did have that seafood lunch we talked about.  Let me know next time you're in the area.  I'm pretty sure my ol' truck will make it to Perry, if need be. ;D

Good info on the clutch.  I wonder if the older lt30 and lt40 mills could be retrofitted with something like that.  It sure would be easier on the shoulders of the guys that have those mills. ??? :P

[highpockets]

You know what aggivates me is that Noram would not sell me a clutch direct when I approached them. I guess they were not into Confederate Money.  I'd have sent them a couple of fat hogs too.  HOw much was the clutch direct?

I was looking at a WM LT40 the other day.  I noticed that it had one sheeve for the alternator and another two groove sheeve to feed the saw.  When I put the Normam clutch on my 20  Honda, it took all of the shaft.   I kind of have ideas of adding an alternator to this engine.  It looks to me that a fellow might BUILD a sheeve to fit on the outboard side of the clutch.  Of course the bolt would take a lot of the load. 

They show the clutch as having a 1" bore.  I am assuming that this is up to 20 h.p. rating.  There is another, I think a 3700 series clutch that appears to have three sheeves.  They list this one as fitting a 1" bore and up.  I guess they supply bushings or custom build that model.

[Shawn]

I emailed them a week ago for quotes on a 1600 series. Still waiting. I guess their not in the business of making money. They probably have an overpaid CEO working there.

[getoverit]

I could use one of the 3700 series clutches, but what I really need is an electric clutch for the swingblade for safety reasons.

It looke like since noram doesnt put prices on the web that it may depend on who you are, and how many you want in order to get a price quote from them directly.

I stopped by a rather large outdoor power equipment dealer the other day and asked about buying an engine and a clutch and got an unwanted 15 minute lecture about how engineers design each engine and clutch to fit the specific needs of individual machines. When I asked if he had any in stock, he asked me for what model?  I gave up.. I'll have to find one at a "Mr Hooties" type of place or on ebay...

[highpockets]

Getoverit,

I have thought about the electric clutches. I have a Toro zero turn mower with a 20. hp Kohler and it has an electric clutch on the blade.  The one thing I don't like is I pretty much have to have the engine wound up to engage the clutch. If not it will kill the engine.  The shock load is probably absorbed by the belt.  I am wondering how they'd work on a mill. I know folks have them but haven't heard how they work.

As for this going in and buying and engine-clutch combination, I think you can forget it.  I fought a 20 hp. Honda engine problem several weeks back.  As I'd call around to the dealers, I quickly learned that they wouldn't answer my questions mainly because they did not know. 

Back in the 60's there was always a guy in the shop that could tell you what was wrong with a machine fairly quickly.  Now days these newer folks sit at a counter and if it ain't in the computer they are lost.   

[buck5611]

I run my homemade mill using a 13 HP honda motor and a single belt Noram clutch without any slippage or problem.It is worth around 70. can. and it can be ordered with another set of springs that will only engage at over 2000. very satisfied for the money.

[Shawn]

Buck5611,
How does one purchase a clutch from them?

[KGNC]

I've not built a mill (yet) but I have used warner electric clutches and clutch/brakes on some machines with good success.
there is one on ebay that may be about the size you need (not mine). Warner clutch

most of these are meant to be used with electric motors but I've seen them on IC engines. You can also do a soft start on some of them if you ramp up the voltage.

[getoverit]

That one is a 90 volt DC clutch. It would be hard to get it to engage with 12 volts from a battery.

I have kept an eye on the electric clutches on ebay, and found one with a tripple pulley on it, but at the time I didnt know what size shaft to get. Now that I have a bigger engine and know the shaft size, I'll look harder at these.

It just makes you wonder why you cant get them direct from the manufacturer or from a distributor without all of the questions and hassles...

[buck5611]

mine was purchased in Quebec city by someone else so I dont know where exactly but I contact Noram on their website and it seems very easy  to by from them .They gave me good advice and they were ready to sell directly to me, but finally I changed my mind and stay with my old clutch wich is still doing good. mine is the model no: 160016 I think it is not rated for 13 hp but I'm sure it never slip just by the motor sound.Hope this help.


here is the link;    http://www.noram-clutch.com/clutch1800series.html

[jpgreen]

Back in the 60's there was always a guy in the shop that could tell you what was wrong with a machine fairly quickly.  Now days these newer folks sit at a counter and if it ain't in the computer they are lost.   

THat's no problem Dick, cause all you need to know in America is how to use the computer.  They can "out source" all the real need for knowledge..  :

[jrokusek]

Maybe this will help someone.  This is an e-mail I had from late December 2004.  I really appreciate companies that actually respond to e-mails in a timely fashion!  I had sent an e-mail inquiring about a clutch that is stout enough to work in a homemade, redneck sawmill.

"We have clutch just for that application.  They are very heavy duty and are
nothing like my fun kart clutches.  These are cast iron with a brake lining
material bonded to the shoe.  They will outlast the engine.  They come with
a dual or triple pulley.  All these clutches have a dual roller bearing.  I
would recommend working with a "B" belt (5L). 

I need to know the crankshaft diameter which most likely will be one inch
(1"). And the keyway will be 1/4".  Also I need to know the diameter of the
pulley size you want to work with because this will determine the speed of
the band saw or blade.  I need to know front and back pulleys. 

The cost on a clutch like this is $198 to $241 depending on just what you
need.

James F. Donovan
Max-Torque, LTD.
2180 Corporate Lane
Naperville, IL   60563
Phone:   (630) 369-9600
Fax:       (630) 369-9686
Website: www.maxtorque.com
Email:     info@maxtorque.com"

[highpockets]

Maxtorgue is good to know, thanks.