Building a mill

[logtime]

Hello this my first post and already I am asking for help. I am building a bandsaw mill I have the design from a friends mill I am using for my carriage the question I have is how much motor do I need. M friends mill has a 16 hp vanguard and saws o.k but I don't think the blade turns fast enough IMO. The drive pulley on mine is 12" and the band wheels are 19" what size motor and pulley do I need to reach the magic RPM blade speed of about 4500 rpm?

 

[gene1605]

band speed

Hello this my first post and already I am asking for help. I am building a bandsaw mill I have the design from a friends mill I am using for my carriage the question I have is how much motor do I need. M friends mill has a 16 hp vanguard and saws o.k but I don't think the blade turns fast enough IMO. The drive pulley on mine is 12" and the band wheels are 19" what size motor and pulley do I need to reach the magic RPM blade speed of about 4500 rpm?

The ideal band mill should have about 25 plus. hp. and 5 or 6000 ft. per min. band speed. But for about $1000 you can build a 6.5 hp. pecker pole mill with about 3500 ft per min. band speed.
With ideal logs real handy, and working hard you can cut 800 bf. in a long day.
with 10 hp. 4000 ft. per min. 13 to 15 hp. add 500 ft.
The seceret for lo hp. is very sharp blades.
Grampa