Does anyone mill their own lumber?

[JAinVA 4,619]

 

11 hours ago, formariz said:

@JAinVA That mill is awesome and looks easy to use. How wide is the blade? Are those regular tires? How do you adjust the tracking on blade? Wheel

The mill uses a 1" band at 1.3 teeth per inch.Those are standard 15" trailer tires and rims.I have added some pictures of the mill during it's recent refresh.The tension and tracking are done at the idler.The engine is on a sliding plate that is moved by the right hand to increase belt tension.With all new materials this mill cost around $500 to build less engine.The engine is an 8 horse Honda.I get bands made to order by Country Saw and Knife and resharpen them with a Dremel tool.I can usually get 5 regrinds per band.The cost is about $11.00 per blade new.

Edited March 24, 2019 by JAinVA

[formariz 11,987]

How long is the track and how wide the cut?

[JAinVA 4,619]

The track is a little over 15' feet long.That length was dictated by what I could manhandle alone during fabrication.Additional track sections can easily be added.At present length 12'6" logs are the limit.

The mill can handle a log over 28" in diameter.The actual sawing is fairly easy but turning the logs once on the track is hard work.

Edited March 24, 2019 by JAinVA

[formariz 11,987]

9 minutes ago, JAinVA said:

The actual sawing is fairly easy but turning the logs once on the track is hard work.

That is always the case. That was the good thing with the chainsaw mill. Just milled it right in place.

I really like the simplicity and ease of operation of your mill. If you also just do slab cuts basically you just move log one time onto track. When you store it can it be moved easily by two men?

[JAinVA 4,619]

The track and mill are in the same place as they have been for 7 years.It has only been moved 3 times in 20 yearsThe track can be moved by 2 people but if I move the head I use a 3pt boom or loader forks.Logs come to the mill not the other way around.

[ebinmaine 67,274]

Awesome stuff JA...