Sawmill Mods - Gearing & Test Sawmilling - My Homemade Swingblade

Modifying the gearing on my homemade swingblade sawmill according to the recommendation of the blade manufacturer - replacing a bigger V-belt pulley on the motor with a smaller OD one to reduce blade speed and get more cutting power as well. I have a half-a-dozen mods/improvements I want to still implement on this sawmill to make it fully suit my needs but I also have a silly little minibike to finish and other things to do as well. See you soon! :)
My swingblade sawmill build series with full length episodes:
• Swingblade Sawmill Build
My swingblade sawmill build start-to-finish build video:
• Sawmill Build Start to...
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[@Mikefestiva]

Thanks for an update on your swing blade sawmill Donn 👍 looks like it works really well. Definitely a different process then bandsaw milling. Take care 😊👍

[@KevCampbell]

Remote control winch for the win. That Forstman extending crane really is the business.

[@jamesadams893]

I really like this channel, one of the few creators of this type of content that doesn't talk us to death while he's doing the job

[@guygillmore2970]

Yes , see also New Yorkshire Workshop

[@mlsargent51]

I think it's pretty cool that not only are your projects well designed and built, you actually use them, and not just let them sit around after a video is done! Nice use of your time and energy!!

[@ButterflyMatt]

That’s a great observation and comment. He’s a rare “great builder AND operator” of his stuff.

[@key4us2c]

The conceptual ability as well as engineering and manufacturing is beyond amazing. Such a privilege to witness him create. Real talent when one makes it look easy. He's like a modern day Tesla.

[@davidbrewer7937]

You are like a chef who criticises the food he makes even though the diners are in exctacy as they eat it... I think you should be very proud of the machines you have designed & made. I see real talent in you & your projects. Like the chef, you see the weakness in the product, then make changes to improve it.

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi, gotta love those Taperlock Pulleys. Many thanks from UK.

[@ButterflyMatt]

I found them on the cutter shaft of a mower on my tractor in highway maintenance. (Government in U.S.) The mechanic had to show me how to remove and replace. This video is the first time I’ve seen one since. I appreciate your comment.

[@elijuseee]

Like someone said, nice to see that your projects are in use. 👍

[@neiljean-louis3372]

You are a genius

[@artemiasalina1860]

That's going to produce some beautiful quarter-sawn lumber.

[@antsvares3058]

Üli kõva saeraam. Olen küll ühe lindiga teinud aga see kettaga on etem. Kiiduväärt asjad ja kuldsed käed.👍👍

[@yodasbff3395]

Nice sawmill. Thanks for sharing your videos. 👍

[@PAINFOOL13]

Nice, Donn 👍🏻🙌

[@s.m.aggies7220]

I would review the power cable need to be moved above off the ground for safety. thank Donn :)

[@davidspilman531]

My suggestion Don y not build some Bucks adjustable and Spikes on the bottom that will stick in the ground for stability instead of bricks and something to stabilize the log your cutting like at a saw mill just so the log doesn’t move at all thanks for the great content always enjoy watching you and the way you explain things have a great day I’m Retired from John Deere 72 years old

[@danacampbell-vu2ut]

You gotta do what needs to be done!!!! 👍❤️📹🤔😃

[@dozer1642]

It’s awesome. Nice work 👍

[@Danieljc98]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing.

[@PorkBarrel.]

Excellent Donald!

[@Furiousman123]

Great what you made over the years. Just need to do something with the 3 phase cable now.

[@brunoorlandi1773]

Complimenti, le atrezzature che costruisci sono davvero fantastiche, anche il tuo veicolo offroad è molto interessante

[@nobuddy4611]

Nice work and product of time well spent in you apprenticeship. But oh my, please clean that chuck and ways on the South Bend.

[@kirkpowell6161]

Awesome video!

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏻👍🏻………………………………………That saw mill is awesome!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Looks like you did great on this one too. Didn't think I'd like it but you won me over on it's usefulness. Keep up the great fabrications you come up with Donn. Your work is very entertaining and always learning something new . Stay safe and you all keep up the fun around there. Fred.

[@DonnDIY]

This sawmill is a specialist tool. Not that I'm a swingblade specialist, but this sawmill has its dimensional lumber cutting niche to fill and it does it perfectly. Slabbing would require another cutting head. For dimensional lumber I personally wouldn't use anything else. This sawmill has really grown on me. But that's just my personal opinion.🤷‍♂️😀 Cheers, Fred🙏

[@president2]

Love it so much keep it up as always 💘

[@lightscrafts]

Nice! 👏

[@jlucasound]

We know what your next project is! A high pressure log sprayer/washer/debarker on a conveyor. 🤣😉🪵🚿🧼🪣

[@BranjuPuma-ch3rp]

Amazing👍😍

[@carmineriganti2333]

Great job 👍 Try running the blade vertical after you pull back to the beginning so its rotating same direction might help.

[@dstevenpaisley]

Sweet saw!Have quite a few buddies who have saw mills but they are all bandsaw mills .funny how you guys use electric motors .here wood be run by gas or diesel Your one talented man.Great videos thanks Steven

[@paulvanhouts3365]

Hi Donn, I love this machine. I do see a future problem with the power cable and am thinking about using the long structure as a rest for the cable, so you don’t trip or cut it. Just a thought. I am going to review other videos as I like your creative problem solving. Thanks for sharing.

[@DonnDIY]

Yup, the cable management is one in half a dozen improvements/mods this sawmill requires. But it'll come.👍

[@ih8s8n]

Man I bet it would be nice to have that electrical cord up above you on a retractable line or curtain rod so you didn’t have to constantly move it or trip on it. What a well planned and executed saw mill! I’m always amazed at how well you design your builds. When you added the crown to the beam was there a formula you used to try to get it straight after the sag that gravity causes? Or just a guess? I’m really curious about that. Thank-you for all the great content! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@maxpro9346]

An automatic winding system for the electrical cable following the saw should be a good improvement. It’s dangerous on the ground, for it and for you. With a spiral spring and a supporting cable in addition so that it can be supported lengthwise.

[@SManninen]

Just a suggestion: put the power cord on the other side of the machine and put a 1-1.5m lenght tube to the side of the sled (to the right from the operator point of view) and tie power cable to it. That way it can move freely on the ground with the sled and it is not in your feet all the time.

[@Anonymous-vr9hp]

Nice mill. My one thought would be to get the power cord on some rail or cable mount above so its not in the way and can't wind up cut.

[@Z-Bart]

Electric travel motor next?

[@martinp8889]

Very clever 😀. Have you thought of putting your power on a pole mounted on the carriage at say 60-70 degrees so it’s over the top of you and to the side to avoid fouling on saw or a trip hazard.

[@pelleryck]

Add one of those rotors that runs infront of the blade That cleans the wood

[@JahaJaho]

Wonderful build! Love your building skills. Next up a feed system to get it moving along the rail without pushing?

[@DonnDIY]

It is super easy to push actually. Much more easier than my bandsawmill was. I just have to build a proper vertical blade guard that actually directs the sawdust/wood chips. Right now it throws everything in my face and I have to go slower with the pushing.

[@JahaJaho]

@@DonnDIY True, pushing is not very hard. I have pushed some bandsaws. But if you can stand and operate the saw in one end you are also far away from dust and noise. There is also added safety. In the unlucky event that the saw hits a rock or something hard in the wood and shoot out some shrapnel it is nice to stand far away and possible behind a sheet of acrylic. I don't have welding skills or a welder, but if I had I would definitely buy some kind of crank or electric drive system for my saw. This of course does not make you work any less excellent. You have done an awesome job. It looks as good as many factory made products.

[@lsboyyt9483]

Mini bike project pls

[@runsolo7418]

Great video. You might want to look into building a nose cone to help the logs move up hill and not dig into the mud.

[@DonnDIY]

Yup, that's a thing I really need for those fallen trees near the creek. I would definitely use it in the forest as well.👍

[@ivanrashin2430]

Вот это прорыв! Какой сильный талант!!! Привет от коммуниста. Очень рад за тебя!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Ejrupolsen]

Great video DONN. ❤️ But needs cable managment. 👍👍👍

[@DonnDIY]

It does. Badly. Gets me angry every time babysitting that cable around.😀

[@aserta]

You know, i think this project deserves a parking shed. One of those cheapie ones you can buy prebuilt (or maybe someone's shed that they want demolished in your area), where you can park the cutting head when you're not using the machine. Perhaps modified such that when it's in use, the sides come apart and either swing out of the way or come out entirely.

[@silentepsilon888]

I think you could save yourself some time and many steps walking back and forth by making several vertical cuts first and then run one horizontal cut to cut off 3 or 4 studs at the same time.

[@Eisen_Jaeger]

Would adding a laser line help with lining up your trimming cuts?

[@jamesmikesell5458]

I'm not sure what kind of tree that is but it sure makes beautiful lumber

[@serzhdyubro8083]

Seems, you need to make some kind of the frame to put logs on and fasten for better cutting

[@barthanes1]

What kind of wood is that? It looks like ash or elm. I had almost forgotten about the mini bike. I can't wait to see it run around the field.

[@Adub86]

Yo Donn! Nice saw. What do you do as a profession? I’ve always been curious. That saw is so damn cool.

[@job38four10]

Nice mill, even has electric start..... How come you didn't use your pressure washer to clean logs........

[@user-yd5sf3ux2g]

Видео на 19:20-19:50 видно что рама по которое двигается пила провисает под её весом, тем самым спил доски будет не ровный. Нужно усилить середину фермы по которой ездит пила. А так класс👍👍👍

[@mr.t5061]

Tere. Ei paha menee. 👏

[@shakuhachi_cover_007]

Bravo!! 👏 🧙‍♂🧚🧚‍♂🧚‍♀🎶

[@rudyrivera7426]

👌👍

[@temyraverdana6421]

Version 2 is coming! 😉

[@valdevieira8258]

👏👏👏👍

[@harkbelial]

Can you flip the direction of the blade to eject sawdust the other way?

[@Crewsy]

That’s one negative about dragging a log. A guy that milled some cherry for me had the small kerf blade attachment on his bandsaw mill to create a clean kerf to save the expensive bandsaw blades from dirt or rocks.

[@martinb5398]

Needs a laser level on the blade plane so you don't have to eyeball it ;)

[@DonnDIY]

I already ordered a cross laser that I'm going to install on the mill.👍

[@fabioroquecantor]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Noorikon]

👍

[@sebby_cnc]

seems to work fine ,but that cable is annoying i would put a cable guide on it like they use on cnc machine ,the same as on your plasma table ,greetings from the netherlands

[@baziliojr8696]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Ron-rs2zl]

Why the low number of teeth on the blade? Wouldn't you want a table to clamp logs in place? Doesnt the log move around a bit as the cutting progressess?

[@rjung_ch]

👍💪✌

[@Gin-toki]

In regards to the bladeguard, would it be an idea to have it mounted on the blade swing so it always moves with the blade instead of having two fixed halv guards that need to be rather open to acommodate the swing of the blade? EDIT: Ah, no, it wont work because the blade needs to be able to cut on both sides xD

[@4littlechicken]

Mineral Oil on the blade. Be surprised how good it works :)

[@hidhshsj123]

Is that a Stihl MS 261?

[@robertmailhos8159]

Good idea to wash the logs before you start cutting them up on your home made Saw mill otherwise you will have a dull blade which you don't need because you will have have to sharpen it 😮😮😮

[@corollarijder]

World first: washing logs before cutting them😂

[@mattihyvonen2568]

Isäukko tykkäsi aina tehä kaikki hommat kaivurilla. Karsia puut ja katkoa (käytössä pelkkä kauha), mutta naapurin kenttäsaha tykkäsi huonoa, kun kipinät lentelivät lautoja sahatessa. Pesu on hyvä ennen sahausta, mutta paras olisi kun ei laahaisi niitä vaijerilla, pysysivät puhtaana. Ja sahalaitoksen terä terävänä!!

[@user-en5lu5if1n]

Молодець.

[@samesson78]

Is there an auto brake on the carriage? Would hate to see it moving toward you while you're removing the cut piece.

[@DonnDIY]

Nope, no auto-anything. Just a good old-fashioned manual everything.😀

[@user-ym2wq3gp9e]

Вподобайка.

[@robertshemory3541]

😎✌️❤️👍

[@wisconsinbush2940]

If you would of used a VFD you could control your rpm’s and have the motor ramp up.

[@DonnDIY]

When I read "Variable Frequency Drive" I think "lots of $$$ required". But this idea has crossed my mind and I would probably consider it in the future.👍

[@jimmyhughes5392]

what came first, the pulley or the puller?

[@Crewsy]

Pulley obviously. Don’t need to pull it before you made it. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🤣😂🤣😂

[@jimmyhughes5392]

@@Crewsy but the puller can pull more than just pulleys

[@lucasconstantino3884]

Hello donn DIY, which country are you from? I follow you here from Brazil.

[@DonnDIY]

Hello from Estonia.👍

[@mehismadissoo4835]

Kaabel üles jooksma, jalust ära.

[@miklemikle-pp6fg]

Фиксацию бревна придумай. 👍👍👍

[@user-zm4yg9xv8q]

I think you should make a portable lightweight electric bandsaw mill. Something with bldc motors, a simple lightweight frame and platton. powered by 48vdc or mains voltage. Pixel & timber shows a design. I think it is simple, easy to make, and effective, AS you do not need to move logs, they are cut on site with a small generator or battery bank. A lightweight ladder or straight board is all thats needed for the first cut. Then, just rip the sawn logs with a circular saw and straight edge. I think thats as lightweight, quick and efficient as one could be..

[@xargi1]

Для уменьшения сопротивления при перетаскивании бревна лебедкой, продень трос через конус.

[@faristafogang7964]

Hello How much this machine ? Im from Africa

[@paavokaleva]

Saarepuust pink, see on vast igavene.

[@DonnDIY]

Oma paarkümmend aastat ikka kestab vast. Nagu vanaisa tehtud pingidki. Aluspakud tuleb ainult varsti ära vahetada.

[@jefftrag1956]

Can somebody explain why this is better than a woodmizer type sawmill? I do not see the point. Just being honest not critical.

[@DonnDIY]

With a bandsaw you cut a set of live edge boards that need to be handled and taken off the mill for resaw. Once you get to a cant you're constricted to the cant size you just cut. A swingblade gives you flexibility in material dimensions and you get dimensional lumber in one pass with zero log handling during the cuts.

[@kiwiingenuity1677]

Quicker simple adaptable efficient 🤷

[@roman1324]

Система когтей нужна теперь, чтобы бревно держать за низ крепко.

[@mr.ilshat670]

Сделай лучше ленточную пилу.

[@user-zk3lh9om9h]

Он уже сделал одну. Продал.

[@IsmailNuzaifKokky]

.

[@opuak]

kas see tera ongi muidu mõeldud mõlemas suunas lõikamiseks?

[@DonnDIY]

Tera lõikab ikka ainult ühtepidi - horisontaalis lõikab ketta "parem serv", vertikaalis ketta "vasak serv".

[@sdspivey]

You are measuring the pulleys wrong, it is the inside diameter that matters. You are getting wrong ratios.

[@crazymtbrider]

Don't know why you never just made a pulley that would get you to the speed needed your clearly not lacking the skill to do so lad

[@DonnDIY]

Trial and error. To save time during the sawmill build I just thought that I'll use what I have and try to work with that. 🤷‍♂️

[@user-bf6tn2zn6w]

Sõber - sa oled geenius! Teie looming on geniaalne! Aga sa kasutad metsa kingitusi ja puud kasvavad aeglaselt. Siit saate teada, kuidas metsa taastada. Istutage uued puude seemikud. Друг - ты гений! Ваши творения гениальны! Но вы пользуетесь дарами леса, а деревья растут медленно. Узнайте, как восстановить лес. Посадите новые саженцы деревьев.