Band sawmill using trailer (caravan?) parts

[vtcnc]

Here are some photos of a sawmill I built several years ago. Log capacity is 28" dia. and bed length is 20 feet. I can extend that with more sections, but generally use an Alaskan mill for long timbers. I built my house with lumber cut from salvaged downed trees on my property left by a really incompetent logging company, the prior owner. The mill took 2 weeks to build and cost about $800. It will cut a 18" x 16' long pine board in about 50 seconds. Hardwood somewhat slower. I run the governed motor at 2700 RPM, though it is rated at 3600.

The fixed spindle is a trailer spindle. The drive is a go-kart axle and hub assembly. Driven wheels are trailer wheels and tires. The engine is a snow blower horizontal shaft Subaru-Robin 10 Hp type. Large reduction pulley is 2 sheave 15", and was a surplus item found for $15. The guides are made of 3 ball bearings. Two smaller sets that the flat of the blade rides against, and a larger bearing that the back of the blade contacts. The blade guard is a trailer fender. The vertical adjustment is made by a used boat trailer winch.

I also built a log arch out of a mobile home axle and a bent heavy steel tube that I found at a scrapyard -- I think it was once part of the derrick for a tow truck. I couldn't straighten it, even with heat so I faced it up. I guess it is a log arch in two senses of the phrase!