old tractor powered sawmills

RusTtrader · Sep 1, 2017

Hello all, Im interested in buying an old sawmill, only want an older one with a belt pulley to connect to my tractor. Im guessing with about a 40 inch circular blade, no bandsaw. I live in Missouri if anyone knows someone with one for sale or advice on what to stay away from I appreciate it. Its strickly a hobby, nothing serious and I like rust...nothing pretty besides for my girlfriend. Let me know what you know folks. Thanks!

jCarroll · Sep 1, 2017

Do you have any sawmill experience?

An underpowered mill is not just slow sawing - its tough on many aspects.
For example, the blade runs best at the speed for which it was hammered. Slow it down
and it won't run true. Think tapered boards.

Don't use a blower to get rid of sawdust - use a drag chain or an auger.

RusTtrader · Sep 1, 2017

I do have some experience with a bandsaw mill and some from a commercial side thru work. So I get the chain conveyer instead of the blower and the speed control of the blade. It will be trial and error going into it, but I appreciate your pointers along with anyone elses. Hopefully someone on here has one for sale in Missouri or Illinois. Thanks again

jCarroll · Sep 2, 2017

My Dad bought our sawmill in 1948 from a guy who only had a thumb on his right hand - the result of reaching too far twice and losing his fingers.

So you know to skin off any bark that has gravel imbedded in it from snaking the log out of the woods.

Post back when you find a mill and get it set up.

Dachshund · Sep 2, 2017

Local Amish man nearly lost his right arm last week....Reached in when he shouldn't have, and the blade nearly severed his lower arm about halfway between wrist and elbow.....

rrc300 u · Sep 2, 2017

There is a man near me who has the exact setup you are looking for. His isn't tractor powered anymore he said it was too hard to control speed and went to some sort of stationary engine/generator combination I think it's a Case engine not sure about the generator he now has an electric motor running the blade via belts and sheaves. His boards are about perfect as far as thick and thin. The last piece off the mill is always 2" thick as he cannot cut the last one any thinner. He has cut many thousands of feet for me and I have no complaint with any of it.

Richard G. · Sep 2, 2017

I have a Turner circular mill bought in 1977. Ran it for many years. Has a 42 inch blade. Pulled it with tractors and then used a LAE Case power unit. Any old 40 hp tractor with a belt pulley will run one fine. Ran mine for years with a 1946 MH 101SR with a Continental F226 engine.
Many years ago, there was one up in the hills pulled with an old steel wheeled Fordson.
A Farmall M will run one great also.
Richard in NW SC

RusTtrader · Sep 2, 2017

Thanks rrc300u, is your friends for sale?

RusTtrader · Sep 2, 2017

Thanks Richard, that is encouraging information. I haven't seen many, came across one like you have a week ago but it sold. Im assuming you still use yours? Do you know of any that would be for sale? Thank you for what you shared.

RusTtrader · Sep 2, 2017

I appreciate the tip on the gravel in the bark, I like the story you remember of the man that sold your dad his mill, we just never know when or how accidents happen, often in a hurry or in the wrong frame of mind. Sad, but it happens often, an I will post a picture when I get a mill. Thank you

macec3(TX) · Sep 2, 2017

Check this site - www.sawmillexchange.com

Destroked 450 · Sep 2, 2017

Check around your area to see if these's anyone that knows how to hammer a circle saw blade.

I don't have any experience with 40-42" blades but can tell you that if a 56" blade isn't properly hammered it will not cut useable lumber and can be very dangerous.

I'm more accustomed to production style 56" circle mills with 36" top saws where constant blade speed is a necessity for good lumber, so I don't know if the smaller blades are more forgiving to speed changes or if one just has to slow down and crawl through the log.

1st sawmill I worked at had me turning logs on a Frick 01 hand set stick mill powered by a old J Cummins. Turning logs with a cant hook was hard work but it was better than off bearing slabs.

Not a lot of old hobby mills around here any more after scrape iron hit over $200 per ton a few years ago.

Richard G. · Sep 2, 2017

I am toying with the idea of selling mine. Got to check with my son first.
I am too old and arthritic to run mine any more. It sure saved us a ton of money on the farm over the years.
My email is open if you want to send me your email.
Richard

Richard G. · Sep 2, 2017

Mine is hammered to run at 450 rpm. I have a military manual that shows how to hammer them.
There are still places around to do the hammering.
Richard

Destroked 450 · Sep 2, 2017

450 rpm, Wow that's a fair bit slower than the 725 rpm my friends production mills run at.
I'd like to have a copy of the manual.

RusTtrader · Sep 2, 2017

Thanks for the knowledge about the blade
hammering, I never heard of that. So many
amazing machines, tractors and sawmills are
gone now do to scrap prices a short time
back. Beneficial to the one who is tired of
looking at it, sad to a guy like me who
would be happy to buy some things at that
price. Im not giving up my search, its out
there somewhere rusting or as I say
resting. Have a great day and thanks for
your knowledge.

old · Sep 2, 2017

I know a guy here at the Lake of the Ozarks that has a sawmill for sale but it is a PTO drive set up. At one time it was a belt drive so probably easy to change back to it. 573 is the area code 216-8485 is his number

Pete in MD · Sep 2, 2017

When you finally get your mill buy a good metal detector. The hand held type coin hunters use.
Check every log for hardware especially ones that come from a yard.
Hardware can destroy insert type teeth (bits) and shanks. In the worst case sockets can get torn out leading to the purchase of a new expensive saw blade.

RusTtrader · Sep 2, 2017

Awesome advise my friend, thank you.

rrc300 u · Sep 3, 2017

I don't think he would part with it till after his own funeral lol.

old tractor powered sawmills

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