I got my homemade mill running but need help, please?

James P. · November 27, 2009, 10:25:45 AM

hey Fishpharmer looks great, get that other guide on and you'll be ready to go. You did a heck of a job on your mill. Saw yourself out a building. I can see it now, I hope you can too. Getter Done ! ;D

tomsteve · November 27, 2009, 02:40:17 PM

this is an awesome thread. i am glad ya didnty give up!!! this shows me that when i get goin on the build, i have an excellent knowledge base here!!

fishpharmer · February 19, 2010, 11:26:03 PM

Results finally. Some of you may know that I have been plugging along with the details on my mill little by little. Have installed double belt pulleys. Also, the Cooks roller guides are finally installed on both the idle side and the adjustable side of the throat. Forum members and Tom helped me work through alot of this stuff, especially my rudimentary water lube system. I do intend to make the improvements he suggested to that system. So all neccessary systems are in place. This afternoon it was around sixty degrees and sunny. I put a new band on the mill and adjusted everything. Then I had a big old SYP log that I have been saving just for the purpose of slabbing with the mill. This was a test to see if it could cut a really large diameter log. I did not put a tape to it, but think the log is about 36 inches diameter. Remember the log deck is 48 inches wide. I'll spare the jibberesh and get to some pictures.

The beam on the right is app. 3 x 6 inches. I did not dog the log down, since so heavy, just shimmed it on each side to prevent rocking.

First cut.

Three inch thick slab. 18 hp engine pulled fine.

My offbearer was having a tough time picking up the slabs. (me).

Most of the wood had decayed to some degree, yet the center was very hard. I am sure that made this log easier to cut than an equally large "fresh" log.

It was getting late, but I was glad to have some nice slabs stacked on my 3 pt. hay forks. I will get some measurements tomorrow.
Finally I feel some success with my mill build after how many years? I began in 2005.
Don't give up all you mill builders, If I can do it you can too.
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Thanks Forestry Forum!!!!!

donny hochstetler · February 19, 2010, 11:46:29 PM

good job its nice when things come together now you can finally take a day off and go fishing 8)

Jeff · February 19, 2010, 11:46:58 PM

Yea! 8) 8) 8)

VictorH · February 20, 2010, 12:14:09 AM

Congrats. 60 degrees - it snowed here again today >:( Enjoy your mill and sawing.

graydawn · February 20, 2010, 06:11:58 AM

good job on mill looks real good nice looking boards keep up the good work 8)

bandmiller2 · February 20, 2010, 07:07:15 AM

Pharmer,you just had the ultimate bandmill high,savor it.And you had the grit to give it a proof load with that first log,your my hero.Frank C.

WDH · February 20, 2010, 07:44:39 AM

That big cypress log is waiting for you

.

pineywoods · February 20, 2010, 11:47:20 AM

OK !!!!! Now you can start on some hydraulics. Mill that size needs a log turner especially.

old joe · February 20, 2010, 04:59:24 PM

James
Good on you!! Sure is great when a really difficult, looooong project finally reaches a successful conclusion. Congrats

Joe

Banjo picker · February 20, 2010, 07:38:33 PM

James I knew you would get it to do what you wanted...Enjoy....Tim

Magicman · February 20, 2010, 08:50:43 PM

Well, I left for one day and look

what your did.....

Congratulations with the progress that you have made. First lumber !!! 8) 8) 8)

fishpharmer · February 20, 2010, 11:49:16 PM

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I have come to the conclusion that homemade mill building is a never ending process for me (especially at my pace :-[). There will always be improvements to be made. A log turner would be nice, and I know where to find a good plan to build one, thanks to pineywoods. This is not the first lumber I have milled with this machine. It is the widest log I have tackled to date. Most everything cut on the mill so far has been in R & D mode. Consistency has been elusive until the recent installation of the new roller guides. Hardwoods have yet to be tackled. The big cypress log has been waiting until the bugs are worked out of the mill. I would hate to ruin in a matter of seconds what took hundreds of years to create.

Okay, the SYP slabs are about 32 inches accross, I measured this morning and have added a few more pics.

The tape doesn't lie.

Trusty log dog and family pet.

Yes, an 18 horsepower engine is enough, I really wasn't sure before now.

4 inch thick slab I milled today.

Thanks again everyone. I welcome comments, questions and criticisms.
I would not have reached this point of completion without Forestry Forum members. :P :P
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Radar67 · February 21, 2010, 12:49:28 AM

Fish, get that cypress ready and I'll make a trip over.

Norm · February 21, 2010, 08:56:03 AM

Way to go!

I only have one note of safety for you though. The dog you are using to hold the log down should be on the side of the log not on top.... ;D

Slingshot · February 21, 2010, 09:36:08 AM

Quote from: Norm on February 21, 2010, 08:56:03 AM
Way to go!

I only have one note of safety for you though. The dog you are using to hold the log down should be on the side of the log not on top.... ;D

smiley_hillbilly_tub_base smile_banjoman smiley_fiddler

GF · February 21, 2010, 10:06:24 AM

That looks great, its s a great feeling to see something you built work. Keep up the great work, and keep us posted on any new modifications.

Gary

fishpharmer · February 21, 2010, 10:54:36 AM

Radar, I'll let you know, thanks.

Quote from: Norm on February 21, 2010, 08:56:03 AM
Way to go!

I only have one note of safety for you though. The dog you are using to hold the log down should be on the side of the log not on top.... ;D

Well thanks Norm, When I made her sit on the side of the log she didn't like that band coming at her any better than when she was sitting on top. ;)

I will keep everyone posted.
I really appreciate the kind words.