Old Mclean Steam Saw Mill!

[parrisw]

Took a tour of this saw mill the other day, is in the Alberni Vally in British Columbia Canada. It is a old Steam Powered Saw mill, that was last used in 1969 I think. Now today it runs again, cutting timber for a heritage attraction, and they now actually sell lumber from it, I assume the proceeds go to pay to keep it running. Very interesting history here. You can go here to read about it, I think there is even a video of it. http://www.alberniheritage.com/mclean-mill/welcome-mclean-steam-sawmill

And the way we got up there was to take a ride on a old Steam train that was built in 1929, and restored and put into service in 2001. Here. http://www.alberniheritage.com/alberni-pacific-railway/welcome-alberni-pacific-steam-railway

Here are some pics.


Log coming out of the log pond, being winched up into the mill

Log bunk, and big blades, bottom blade is 50" and top is 54" I think.

Log being loaded onto the bunk.

View of Blades.

Going to first cut.

 

[parrisw]

Measuring device, not sure on how the scale works.

In the cut.

End of the cut.

Log rotated.

Adjusting the cut, the lever in his left had, he pumps it which turns some gears, and it acts like a ratchet, and the log gets jacked out.

 

[parrisw]

Other side slab being cut off.

Slabwood going out.

Lumber going out.

Nice big timber!

Lumber going out.

 

[parrisw]

View from back of mill.

Lumber Yard.

Old Log truck with load of Cedar.

 

[parrisw]

Here is a youtube vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXMDlxY1fQQ&feature=PlayList&p=F1B8967AE70C5839&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=11

 

[Freehand]

Nice thread ,Parrisw.

Rep sent.

 

[394xp4me]

Good stuff.



Rich

 

[gink595]

Great thread!! I seen a steam powered saw mill in action at a steam engine show this past weekend, the old stuff is neat to see

 

[parrisw]

Ya, its very cool. The sounds are awesome!!! And I really love the History part of it as well.

 

[Cantdog]

Steam Mill

Exxcellent!!! And left handed to boot!!!

Good thread!! Thanks

 

[wigglesworth]

Thanks for sharing that. I would love to see that in action. Good post.

 

[Brmorgan]

Excellent, thanks a bunch for the pics. My aunt & uncle literally just got back from a trip across Vancouver Island to Tofino a week ago, and my uncle insisted they stop to take the tour thru the mill. He didn't take any pics though! He told me all about it at any rate. I haven't been down that way for 14 years, I think, but I'm definitely stopping in there next time.

I like how it's so quiet compared to an electric mill - you wouldn't be able to hear yourself scream standing ten feet away from an electric headrig.

In many ways I think steam engines are a fair bit more complicated than internal combustion engines, especially when it came to powering mills and other industry. It would've taken some serious engineering to figure out that rat's-nest of belts and pulleys in the basement!

 

[forestryworks]

that's pretty damn cool.

thanks for sharing the pics.

looks like a good summer vacation for next summer.

 

[wavefreak]

Cool stuff. That's a scary thing, that big old blade spinning around.

 

[Brmorgan]

that's pretty damn cool.

thanks for sharing the pics.

looks like a good summer vacation for next summer.

From where you are, you could do a whole tour of steam mills on your way up to this one. There are a few on the West Coast that are operated as tourist attractions.

 

[Rookie1]

Very cool Parris Im jealous. Is it close to your house? Nice pics.

 

[larman]

Measuring device, not sure on how the scale works.
tells the sawer how much of the log is left to saw
i dont know if this make seance or not but cutting
cants 3.5 in the magice numbers are 3.5 ,7.25,11,
14.75,18.5,and so on and cutting lumber we alwas
left a 3.5 or 1.5 pending on what we was cutting
math skills was al was amust and plan a head to
end up with 1.5 or 3.5. the pic shows me that he
has about 20" left must of been a 24" or 26" log to
start with sorry just had to rabblegrew up around
an old mill and cut a lot of grade and farm lumber
oh btw cool pics

 

[deeker]

Great thread/pics.

Which begs for more.

Kevin

 

[outdoorlivin247]

Great thread!! I seen a steam powered saw mill in action at a steam engine show this past weekend, the old stuff is neat to see

Where were you at?...

 

[smithie55]

Great post,
I'm jealous of the guys in the pictures
Thanks