New Member Intro

FloridaMike · January 14, 2017, 06:37:32 PM

Hello from West Central Florida,

I started my saw-milling experience in 1980 right out of High School. I went to work at a lumber yard, that soon decided to get into the sawmill business. Which led to the purchase of a very tired Frick 00 52" circle mill. I ended up rebuilding the track frame and head saw frame (Pine 4" x 10"s & 4" x 12"s), forming and pouring the concrete bases and setting the whole thing up, with a 100 hp JD diesel (4" flat belt drive).

After doing some OJT at some local mills, I was sawyering at the ripe old age of 20. Sawed a few 100K BF of mostly cypress and SYP, with a little red ceder, oak and hickory mixed in. Ran the mill until they sold out a 3 years later. The land had become worth a lot more than the sawmill. Left with all 10 fingers!

Fast forward 33 years later, I recently retired from the Fire Department after 32 years (paid) plus 4 as a volunteer while I was sawing. I feel the call of sawdust, so I'm building a bandsaw mill.

I will do a build thread (with pics), but the stats are going to be: 21 hp Honda powered, all steel, 1.5" blade, 24" tire mill with a 42" throat span, 16 hp hydraulic feed, chain turner and dogs with 12v head height adjustment and 28' of track. I just finished the cutting head sliding frame, getting ready to start the track frame and rolling head frame.

Mike Nickerson
Floral City Florida

paul case · January 14, 2017, 06:46:28 PM

Welcome to the forum, Mike

I hope to see pictures of your progress.

PC

Peter Drouin · January 14, 2017, 07:31:29 PM

Hi,

Chuck White · January 15, 2017, 07:33:07 AM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Mike!

breederman · January 15, 2017, 08:28:36 AM

Welcome mike . My father and brother live in Floral City !

Sixacresand · January 15, 2017, 08:39:43 AM

Welcome to the Forum. I look forward to the photos of the mill build.

thecfarm · January 15, 2017, 08:53:26 AM

I have a 20hp honda on my mill. 28 feet of track? Are you moving the head or the log?
Welcome to the forum.

Bruno of NH · January 15, 2017, 08:56:08 AM

Welcome will be nice to follow the build

york · January 15, 2017, 09:00:26 AM

Welcome-sounds like you have plans for a good mill,but why use tires??

slider · January 15, 2017, 09:23:27 AM

Welcome Mike looking forward to your build.al

FloridaMike · January 15, 2017, 11:49:25 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome! Re: Questions - saw head will be moving and tires was just a personal choice.

Mike

Ox · January 15, 2017, 12:09:21 PM

Welcome to the FF and I look forward to your future posts as do many others!

Ljohnsaw · January 15, 2017, 12:14:04 PM

Welcome!

Will this be your sawmill build thread or will you start another one? Inquiring minds want to know (old saying?)

TKehl · January 15, 2017, 04:27:03 PM

Welcome.

Where are the pictures?

bucknwfl · January 15, 2017, 04:35:37 PM

Welcome

dgdrls · January 15, 2017, 04:57:36 PM

Welcome FlaMike.

great folks and lots of help to be had,

D

FloridaMike · January 15, 2017, 06:57:02 PM

Quote from: ljohnsaw on January 15, 2017, 12:14:04 PM
Will this be your sawmill build thread or will you start another one? Inquiring minds want to know (old saying?)

No Sir, I will start a new thread.

redprospector · January 15, 2017, 08:04:56 PM

Welcome!

Raider Bill · January 16, 2017, 09:02:25 AM

Welcome to the FF. I ride up your way every so often. Used to stop in Sleepy Hollow for the $6.95 steak dinner on the weekends.

FloridaMike · January 16, 2017, 09:54:17 AM

Quote from: Raider Bill on January 16, 2017, 09:02:25 AM
Welcome to the FF. I ride up your way every so often. Used to stop in Sleepy Hollow for the $6.95 steak dinner on the weekends.

They reopened, with new owners and higher prices.

Raider Bill · January 16, 2017, 12:18:30 PM

Quote from: FloridaMike on January 16, 2017, 09:54:17 AM
Quote from: Raider Bill on January 16, 2017, 09:02:25 AM
Welcome to the FF. I ride up your way every so often. Used to stop in Sleepy Hollow for the $6.95 steak dinner on the weekends.

They reopened, with new owners and higher prices.

And a loose gravel parking lot too I heard.

bkaimwood · January 16, 2017, 06:21:50 PM

Welcome, Mike! 42" throat? Do you mean 42" between the guides, capable of cutting 42" wide boards?

FloridaMike · January 16, 2017, 08:05:27 PM

Quote from: bkaimwood on January 16, 2017, 06:21:50 PM
Welcome, Mike! 42" throat? Do you mean 42" between the guides, capable of cutting 42" wide boards?

No, I thought about that after posting. It's 42" between the uprights, which will make it approximately 36" between the guides.

bkaimwood · January 16, 2017, 09:00:00 PM

Thanks for clarifying...still going to be a feat though, on rubber tires. Widest I ever made on rubber tires was 32-33"...

FloridaMike · January 16, 2017, 09:31:50 PM

Quote from: bkaimwood on January 16, 2017, 09:00:00 PM
Thanks for clarifying...still going to be a feat though, on rubber tires. Widest I ever made on rubber tires was 32-33"...

Agreed... I designed with the mind of upgrading wheels and engine hp later, without having to do major frame modifications. I will be happy with a practical maximum 32" cut width (with tires and 20.8 hp).

More to follow with the build thread & pics. I will work on that tomorrow.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and info!