A simple sawmill

[Mik]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.