Homemade Bandsaw Sawmill, Kentucky style

Homemade sawmill. Under $500 invested (dumpster diving not included). Cuts up to 32 inch diameter, 16 foot long. Timberwolf blades. Friend and I were talking about the store bought hobby mills and he said he thought it could be built. He was right. Lots of fun and in one month cut over $3000 in hardwood. Plans to upgrade to larger motor but for now works fine. To date Poplar siding and beams from 30" diameter, Oak 5/4 and beams, walnut 5/4 and Cedar all cut flawlessly. Non drive wheel adjustable so that blade slightly walks against the blades. Biggest touble to date has been a sturdy and true fence and dog setup that quickly changed. This motor works fine but needs to be upgraded. Looses consideralbe power at the slightest dulling on the blade. Shooting for 18 HP.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• sawmill
• bandsaw
• homemade
• lumber
• woodworking
• farm

[jennymenuez]

very nicely done.

one question, why no blade lube?

doesn't the blade get hot?

I drip diesel fuel on mine, keeps it cool and clean.

[foalingcam]

It was set up for diesel and kero but blade manufacturer said you could use cooking spray (Pam). Tried it and it works great. I hit the blade with a quick spray at the guide with the blade is idling slow (I think you can see it in the video). Works well for small jobs which is mostly what mill is used for. Would go back to bug sprayer oilier if I cut a lot. This is just easier. I buy the cheap stuff for at the dollar store. Blade stays cool and wood smells like butter :-)

[FuckBuzh]

Beautiful. Can you tell me how the drive is set up? How do you retain the blades on the tires?

[foalingcam]

Non drive wheel is set on a plate that is hinged with an adjustment screw. You can adjust the amount of toe in (I guess that would describe it) which causes the blade to walk backward into the guide system. This same plate is moves across two pieces of stock to give you blade tension. If you see the T handle with a treadrod sticking out the left, that is the tension adjustment. The toe / plate adjustment is not quite as visible.

[bamgomans]

That mill works good.

are the blades hard to find, how do you sharpen them.

Like my saw mill some sort of propel system to pull the caridge would be nice.

[foalingcam]

Timberwolf blades about $25 each. Pushes pretty easy, probably need a larger motor to have a cable advance hard wood might bogg it down. Resharp on blades is about $8 each

[tjaquish]

that would look great with a couple of spinner wheel covers!!

[pumkinvine]

nice work, I love making something from nothing.

[kitsurubami]

that's awesome!  you building a house?

[130djcarter]

where do you get your bandsaw blades from?? do you order from the internet?? if so what site do you use and what thickness.

[joetoorivers1]

good work on the saw. If your woman don't find you handsome she should at least find you handy (Red Green)

[pseudaholic]

was that a foot brake at the end?

[DanOlooney]

how hard was it to keep the belt from falling off? are you still useing it? thank thats rad

[scarretreat]

runners and jeans?

[handmetheclip]

The only thing I can suggest is paint it a solid color. Orange would look great.

[handmetheclip]

Country boys can survive. White walls, too.

[billllyh]

@bradmacaboy If the blade breaks, it will just probably stop moving. Unless it somehow got wrapped around the drive wheel. Probably not a problem, and as for no guards on the wheels, .....you just have to stay alert...no problem, knowing that there are no guards will help keep you on your toes!!

[bkftcoast]

Pure GENIUS, I now bestow upon U, the builders of this just incredibly creative sawmill, a Doctorate in Inventive Genius, just incredible Gents, & you have covered every base it seems, God Bless You guys and thanks for the posting