Bicycle bandsaw mill

[banderso]

Yep, sounds crazy. I was wondering if anybody has ever tried to run a bandsaw blade aroung a bicycle frame (using the bike tires instead of trailer tires)?????

Would it even have a chance of tracking on such a narrow tire?

 

[Bushler]

A friend made a shop band saw out of an old bike, and it worked fine for light duty, but I'm sure it would be too flimsy for milling lumber.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Did he pedal it for power? Sounds like a good way to stay in shape..... "I need more band speed Harry, shift to 8th gear!"

Ian

 

[belgian]

something like this ???

 

[banderso]

That is cool!!!!!!! I am going to build that and let my son cut wood (will save on gas).

 

[Bushler]

No. He used a 3/4 HP elect. motor. Removed the tires and ran the blade on a rubber strip over the spoke ends. I can't remember how he framed the wheels, if he used the bike frame or not. I can ask him next time I see him and get a pic if you're seriously interested.

The saw worked good and had good capapcity.

 

[banderso]

I would love to see a picture. To be honest, I think this has potential.

 

[BobL]

I would think that the tension that would be needed to hold the blade under would be too much for most bike wheels. Also I don't think bike wheels are designed to take too much side forces, bikes lean to turn rather than have sideways forces placed in them

 

[banderso]

I thought the forces that arise from cutting are supported by the blade guides. I am assuming the tires are not seeing much side loading at all.

 

[slabmaster]

Sounds like a good concept for an inexpensive hobby build.

 

[TreeBot]

There are some incredibly strong bike wheels out there. I would try either a mountain bike wheel or one from a beach cruiser style bicycle. Cool idea I would love to see pics.

 

[stilhusk]

A 2" band would run ok on mountain bike tyres but the bearings would not last under the blade tension required for milling (something like 25000 psi I think !!!!). Motorbike wheels have much stronger bearings, mounted in a strong frame they might just work.
Keep the ideas flowing people!

 

[banderso]

Ok, let's use an old motorcycle so we have motor and everyting. I was looking at some flat rubber cart tires on Mcmaster.com. They come in different load ratings. Might be able to use something like this also (their cheap).

 

[slabmaster]

Most band saw blade speeds to resaw boards 12" wide are over 7000 fpm.So it would have to be geared for that speed.That should be easy with a motorcycle set-up.

 

[Backwoods]

Slower down a bit too around 5,500 or lower.
You do not want to much crown on your wheels only about 8* so you may want to invest in some cheep bandmill wheels and mount them on the frame you build. Once you get the saw to staying on the wheel at the desired speed and tension, you will need some sort of guide system.

 

[ttoberer]

im new around here so im going back and reading older threads. have to comment on this one. spare tires from the junk yard, many successful mills have been built from these and they are cheap or free for those with access to junk. while you are at the junkyard pickup some axles. who knows what else useful you might find there. you can build a welder out of a big old alternator.

 

[Scooterbum]

Hmmmmm........

So that old 350 Honda out behind the barn might have some possibilities.........

 

[Bryan Smith]

Here's a patent for a Bicycle wheel Sawmill. Not sure if one was ever made. Novel idea for drive motors though.

 

[Lloyd H]

band wheels

How would 3 or 4 layers of 3/4 plywood glued up and mounted on auto or truck front spindles hold up as a bandwheel? Maybe add a rubber tread cut out of a worn slick tire. Cut the tire first then cut the plywood circles to fit snug into the rims cut from tire tread. A large pulley from maybe an old combine bolted to the side of the plywood for drive.

 

[Backwoods]

How would 3 or 4 layers of 3/4 plywood glued up and mounted on auto or truck front spindles hold up as a bandwheel? Maybe add a rubber tread cut out of a worn slick tire. Cut the tire first then cut the plywood circles to fit snug into the rims cut from tire tread. A large pulley from maybe an old combine bolted to the side of the plywood for drive.

I don’t know how many RPM’s you would want to turn a bicycle wheel or some plywood. It may be a bit slow going. If I were going to all the trouble of building a mill, I would not want to skimp on the saw head assembly, which includes the motor, wheels, guides, and the framework for the saw head.

The rail system would be the place to save money and energy. Once the head is built and operating lay, a couple logs out on a cement slab and roll the saw head on it to cut the logs into beams that could then be used for a framework for the saw head to run on.