Large Scale Central

A simple sawmill

Something like 2 years ago I built a gorgeous nearly perfect model 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 car floors and a pair of covered bridge ends in my junk box. So…

The husk is 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 acceptable.

I have a 2-3/4" Lego sawblade coming, and I need to scrounge the main drive pulley yet. 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.

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…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4090009.jpg)

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

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4090011.jpg)

Should I use horses or a TD-24?

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/000620.jpg)

You don’t have to “clean up” after a TD-24. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Looks good Mik

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

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4100001.jpg)

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

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4100005.jpg)

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.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4100006.jpg)

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

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4100008.jpg)

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

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

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4140002.jpg)

And then I drafted a crew…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4140007.jpg)

Once the roof was on, out it went.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4140001.jpg)

The Russell got dirty.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4140002_01.jpg)

And old style wheel chocks and an overworked fireman

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4140004.jpg)

That looks great, always wanted to build one of these and motorize the belt to bring it to life. I’ll have to tuck these pics away for a rainy day.

Looks great mik. I still have to build a traction engine for mine. Really need to sit down and start on it.

Shawn, If you want a Frick, I could really use an extra $40 this month, lol (They’re currently $65) For $50 I’ll include the flatcar

(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/PC030001.jpg)

I’m not sure if it’s done, but it’s as done as it’s gonna get…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4150001.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4150003.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/newsawmill/P4150002.jpg)

Looks like you installed solar cell light.

mike miller said:
Looks like you installed solar cell light.
yep, but I should have installed two. half the building is dark as the inside of an old boot... the off bearers are gonna break their necks!

Nice build Mik. I like to watch your builds they give me alot of good ideas of things I can use. And I hope you get all your rock’s hauled over.

Thanks Eddie, Shawn, Peter…

Sometimes I’m almost afraid that the response is going to be - “Oh God, not another one! Why doesn’t that guy ever shut up?”

If you ever find ideas or methods that you can use, go right ahead.

Just a note. If you use furnace tape, then paint it - like I did on the roof. - you need to scuff it up a bit before painting THEN let the paint cure a while before putting it outdoors. The heavy rains on Saturday stripped several largish spots off the mill roof.

That came out great Mik. I stole your idea for a drying shed. I had a shed I was not sure what wanted to do with. Now it gave me an idea.