UK newbie question

[UK_Newbie]

Hello one and all......

I'm a newbie from the UK and have a questions about Homemade Mills..... I've been looking at various mills for the past 6 months and the Price in the UK is twice that of the US and elsewhere, So Although i would like a new shiney one, I've plumbed to build my own, However I'm stuck at the moment on trying to Source certain parts from the UK, I'm after ceramic Band Blade guides, and an Air belt tensioner as A few sites say this is the best type of blade tensioner, I'll be placing an order with the surplus center for my band wheels etc and will be heading over to http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/urethane-band-wheels.html for the Wheels from the surplus center, Other things i would like to do is add a 12volt electic motor to 1" acme threaded rods for easy raise and lower and also add a feed motor to go back and forward.

So to recap questions as follows

1. Where can I source ceramic Saw Blade Guides from?
2. where can I source An Air Belt tensioner or has anyone detailed plans to make one?
3. What would be a good motor for raise and lower(RPM, torque Etc)
4. What would be a good mottor for Feed(RPM, torque, Chain Etc)
5. Has anyone Plans for an Hydraulic log lifter?
6. Has anyone Plans for an Hydraulic log Turner?

Thanks Again

Gary

 

[Dave Boyt]

Gary, welcome to the forum! My Norwood mill uses ceramic guides, and I love them. You might try a woodworking supplier. You will need top, bottom and back guides, as well as a holder for them. I use an electric winch, powered by a 12 Volt deep cycle battery to load logs and to turn the ones that are too big to handle with a cant hook. Yes, it is a little slower, but saved thousands of dollars, and works very well. A good cant hook (or two, if you have a helper) is one of the best investments you can make. You'll want a variable speed control on your feed motor, and probably on the raise & lower, as well. Torque will depend on the weight of the carriage and how it is geared. Good luck with your build!

 

[kimosawboy]

For your guides just do a google search and something will show up.
Here is a link to a video that gives a breakdown on a Air Belt tensioner. Even though it is smaller than a log bandmill it gives you an idea of the parts involved.

With an idea of the parts involved you could go to a place like McMaster (http://www.mcmaster.com/#) and use them as a starting point to scale up your tensioner. ( I used McMaster because they pretty well have everything under the sun, in most any size).
I'm sure you could find most of your answers on the internet somewhere with a little effort.

 

[UK_Newbie]

Thanks Dave and kimosawboy, at last people who know what I'm on about, I'll be working with a friend tomorrow to work out torque calculations as he's keen to understand the calculation. As for McMaster yes your right they have blooming everything in the universe!!!


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