Opinions on the RipSaw

[wineandwood]

Thanks for all the help so far. I was wondering what opinions are out there on the Ripsaw bandsaw that runs off a chainsaw power head? Are they more accurate or less wasteful than a regular chainsaw mill? Are they quicker? Could it be used with a regular CSM? Thanks for all the help

 

[rarefish383]

Someone here used to have one and I think it was said to be a nice machine. I also think it really comes into its own on a cant that has already been cut square with no bark. That way it can move through the wood fast without the dulling effect of grit in the bark. Hang tight and you'll probably get more info, Joe.

 

[gemniii]

There were several old threads, maybe now lost. A search might find them.
I was looking into getting a used one. At the time apparently they were going in and out of production. It was almost a 1 man shop that made them.

 

[Bambi]

Do a Search for posts by Woodshop, he had one and used it a lot. Loved it. If I remember it did go faster, you didn't need as big a saw as for chainsaw milling and did a really nice job. He also used another setup with a chainsaw mill, he shared a wealth of info. Well worth the read for anyone.

 

[teamgreen]

I had a ripsaw before I bought my woodmizer, it takes a little longer to square your first 3 cuts but they do cut real nice if you take your time, mine ran off a stihl 036 and would cut a 14" board.

 

[wineandwood]

Thanks for the comments. Been reading alot of woodshops post from the past. Seems like a good system. I am looking for a setup to mill some pine out here and then take back to MO to do some wood from our family farm. I am primarily a wood worker but am kind of a cheap one so trying to save some cost on wood. Also looking at learning some timber framing and figured a mill would help. Have big plans for a small shed this summer but we will see. Thanks for all the help so far. This is a great site
Garrett

 

[gemniii]

If you are looking at getting a new ripsaw for about $1600 without power head your approaching the cost of a regular BSM if you have to get a power head for it. With a limitation on size of about 14" it can't do big cants. Hud-Son makes some nice small sawmills.

 

[Al Weber]

I have one that I bought several years ago and used for several years to cut several thousand bf of cherry and rock maple. It works well once you learn how to use it but it is a lot of hard work if you are working alone. You need to take a look at cost compared to a used or inexpensive bsm. I liked it because I could easily haul it to a milling site, mill the logs and haul everything home leaving the mess away from my house and barn. You make a lot of firewood and sawdust with it and it you need to think of that. The other issue is how to handle the logs to prepare for milling. Milling on the ground is a pain in the back. I used the short saw horses described by Woodshop and a tractor to lift the logs onto them. You can do it with a jack or a portable winch of course; just more work. Good luck.