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A simple sawmill

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Mik
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Slippery Rock, PA
  • 111 posts
A simple sawmill
Posted by Mik on Friday, April 8, 2011 11:03 PM

Something like 2 years ago I built a gorgeous nearly perfect model Frick sawmill.... http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/sawmill2.html

The only trouble was, it wasn't particularly suitable for outdoor use. Since it was raining today, I decided to see if I could build one that was. I had 3 freight car floors and a pair of covered bridge ends in my junk box. So.......


The husk is just a block of wood and some leftover plastic bits. The carriage is another piece of wood with acrylic headblocks. Much plainer than last time, and not much to break.


With a first coat of color, it's actually starting to look almost acceptable.



I have a 2-3/4" Lego sawblade coming, and I need to scrounge the main drive pulley. I haven't decided what I'm powering it with yet. The two front runners are a Frick traction engine or a Russell portable - since I have both here. -- I'm currently leaning towards the Russell even though it needs more work. I also need to get some more acrylic sheeting for the roof. I thought I had enough, but I can't find it.

Mik, CMO, gandy dancer, and all around flunky of the Allegheny Valley Garden Railroad - the outdoor, indoor, indoor, outdoor line http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/layout.html
Mik
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Slippery Rock, PA
  • 111 posts
Posted by Mik on Saturday, April 9, 2011 9:36 PM

Today I worked on the Russell a little bit, and mounted the main drive pulley on the mill. Now I'm at a stopping point waiting for some parts....


Since it wasn't raining, I couldn't resist seeing how it would fit in the garden. It either goes here, or a bit further back


Should I use horses or a crawler?

Mik, CMO, gandy dancer, and all around flunky of the Allegheny Valley Garden Railroad - the outdoor, indoor, indoor, outdoor line http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/layout.html
Mik
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Slippery Rock, PA
  • 111 posts
Posted by Mik on Sunday, April 10, 2011 9:34 PM

We had to go into town this morning, so I got a whopping $2.76 worth of patio blocks.


Then I just had to drag it all back outside for a test fit....


Since I'm waiting on some bits for the mill, I decided to build a drying shed with the last small bits of acrylic I had onhand.


Except for a 2nd coat of paint, it's pretty much done


Tonight I contacted a guy selling acrylic on fleabay about the roof panels for the mill, I'm waiting to hear back.

Mik, CMO, gandy dancer, and all around flunky of the Allegheny Valley Garden Railroad - the outdoor, indoor, indoor, outdoor line http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/layout.html
Mik
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Slippery Rock, PA
  • 111 posts
Posted by Mik on Thursday, April 14, 2011 10:42 PM

The saw blade finally came today. The teeth are huge, but it looks OK for what I wanted to do.


And then I drafted a crew....


Once the roof was on, out it went.


The Russell got dirty.


And old style wheel chocks and an overworked fireman

Mik, CMO, gandy dancer, and all around flunky of the Allegheny Valley Garden Railroad - the outdoor, indoor, indoor, outdoor line http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/layout.html
Mik
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Slippery Rock, PA
  • 111 posts
Posted by Mik on Friday, April 15, 2011 10:00 PM

I'm not sure if it's done, but it's as done as it's gonna get.....


The endless belt is just 1/2" wide friction tape. But I'm pretty pleased with how it looks

Mik, CMO, gandy dancer, and all around flunky of the Allegheny Valley Garden Railroad - the outdoor, indoor, indoor, outdoor line http://www.the-ashpit.com/mik/layout.html

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