Swingblade SAWMILL Build Ep.8 - Parallel Lift, Board Size Adjustment
I'm building a circular sawmill from scratch. The function of the mill is in its name "Swingblade" - the blade swings 90 degrees making it possible to cut both ways while moving the carriage up and down the log resulting in dimensional lumber in one pass. I built a chainsaw mill ten years ago and milled lumber that I used for my cabin / sauna house project. Then I built a bandsaw mill five years ago and used the cut lumber to build a partition in my barn I currently call my workshop. Both of them worked great, bandsaw mill was faster than chainsaw mill for sure. But I think I can make an even faster mill and swingblade sawmill in my opinion is just what I'm looking for. There are different types of swingblade sawmills, one type utilizes a railway system where the saw carriage rides on rails so both rails are in the way when loading the logs. I want to build a beam-type mill where the saw carriage is suspended on a beam over the log that sits on a couple of wedges so it doesn't roll off while cutting. There will be no need to clamp the log down. Cut depth and width adjustments are all going to be made on the sawmill beam end frames. And to top it off - it will basically be a portable sawmill due to its build properties but I think it's only going to sit in my yard regardless of the portability.
In this video I'm fabricating idler sprocket mounts for the beam parallel lift system. And there's first test of lifting the beam. I'm also fabricating the side-to-side size adjustment system that allows to set board thickness or width.
I'm gonna try and use basic tools like angle grinder as much as possible (except lathe) so I'm gonna enjoy this project even more. I hope you will too!
This sawmill build is based on www.turbosawmill.com "Manual Mill" design and it is patent pending.
Swingblade sawmill build series: • Swingblade Sawmill Build
My other videos: kzhead.infovideos
Support me on: / donndiy
Follow me on: / donndiy
Welding equipment borrowed from Spetselektroodi AS, Estonia:
Fronius TransSteel 2700 welder
Optrel Crystal 2.0 Welding Helmet
Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP plasma cutter
It finally makes sense. I thought it was only going to be big enough for the disposal of zombie bodies or rendering the carcasses of Donn's enemies. Its is at once terrifying and beautiful to behold.
For that duty, one needs lots of "Corpse"Power!! Happy Holloween! 😉😁
I was wondering if a goth clown on a trike was going to ride in, waffling on about playing a game...
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 so you wasn't only one🤔
🤣😂👍🏼
I like professional work.
One of the top 5 designer/builders on KZhead-great content Donn. As you're able, keep em' coming. God bless.
Thank you for watching!🙏
And who those four?
@@antoniobatanov4709 // [imo and not any specific order]: Phil Vandelay - Make It Extreme - Workshop From Scratch - Made in Poland. Ca lem is very good also. Why did you want to know?
Thanks for taking the time and explaining the layout, probably like many other people I thought the longer rails were the small version of the length, but now it all makes sense. brilliant work indeed
🙏
Incredibly built machine Donn, fantastically designed to operate well and then thoroughly tested to preform just like you want it to do safely. It's going to be a great machine when completed. Thanks for taking us along on this ride. Stay safe and keep up the fun videos to. Fred.
The high level of precision at which you work never ceases to amaze me. This is fantastic, thanks for sharing, Donn.
From every angle , in 3-D , undoubtedly, this is a unique, unprecedented, unparalleled, masterpiece. Thanks
Thank you🙏
Thank you for sharing, another great video, i learn a lot , always a pleasure watch your project, have a nice week end👍👍👍👍
I just checked on your older videos, I've been watching you for 7 years now. First video I watched was how to fix a throttle cable end . 👀 My fav was the sawmill build.
This is epic! Thanks for sticking around for so long! 🙏🙌
Great man great brain great tools
First comment, I love your creativity at work❤
Thank you.👍
Donn thank you for explaining. I was completely lost on the function of this until you explained the end result.
Sorry for not explaining it more in detail sooner. I was just really deep into my thoughts and this project and forgot to do that.😀
Very nice work, ingenious! My dad and I used that exact same roller chain cross feed on our Mobile Dimensional Saw Mill (VW) and eliminated the troublesome steel rope (cable) system.
Donn - I've following you for years. All of your machines are amazing; but, this one takes the cake. This is such a brilliant design; I can't wait to see it when you are done.
As much as I'd like to take credit for this design it is based on turbosawmill.com electric manual mill. Those NZ guys are geniuses. The first time I saw this mill I was like "I have got to get me one of these!" 😀
Brilliant update and explanation, Donn. I think this video will answer a lot of previous questions others have
This thing is even cooler than I thought and I thought it was gonna be pretty cool. 👍
😀
needed 8 episodes, but now I finaly understand :) Didnt quite get the mock up beam, but now it makes sense. Amazing work!
I needes 8 episodes (8 weeks, 8x4 build days) to get this far which is not that far. 😬😀
I was puzzled why you were joining the two round shafts using a bit of angle & vice grips until you did the explanations at the end... now it makes sense.
So far you have not let us down with your contraptions. SHEESH Madness I tell you 🤣😵💫Awesome 👍👍👍Thank you for sharing. Take care of yourself 🇨🇦
I'm glad you enjoy! 😀
You are brilliant.
Cheers man!
Скоро маэстро будет с мышцами на руках как у Арни 💪💪👍 Жду первый пуск! 👍
Cool sawmill. Can't wait to see it in operation.
Appreciate the explanation Donny 👍🏻
Looking good I can’t wait to see the rest of the videos continue and thanks for ideas for projects know😊
Very nice workmanship. 👍
Magnífico trabajo!, muchas gracias por compartirlo.
great job so far
Yeah, if I had a need for a sawmill, a swing blade design would be the way to go. Can't wait for you to finish and demonstrate.
I've built and used both chainsaw mill and bandsaw mill and I really think (if this actually works😀) I'm gonna settle on the swingblade sawmill.
Great work as always brother, I learn a lot of techniques watching your videos.
Cheers man! I appreciate it.
Coming along real nice. Dang near ready for Orange paint. 😉
I keep thinking you should use more bearings to make it smoother and get rid of metal on metal wear. But then I remember that this is going to spend it's life outside in the rain, snow, and whatever else nature is going to through at it and bearings are expensive and water always gets in no matter how good a seal is on it. This is a great project but makes me a bit nervous to use it compared to a bandsaw style mill. Great job as usual.
The amount of wear something like this will see is minimal. It would take 20 years to wear through that metal. It's not an industrial saw that sees 50 logs a week. My grandpa's brother had a mill that would occasionally (as an overflow from the bigger mill) cut something like 10~20 long per week. It didn't have any bearings, metal on metal and it's still a solid construction to this day. I still go to my brother's farm and cut wood on it from time to time. Unless my brother fixed anything (and i don't think he did) that mill's now... 64 years old or there about. It lives in a shed, sure, but it's still out in the open. Sometimes, simple, but functional is the best way to go.
@aserta ummm,my non industrial saw sees more than 200 logs per week on a slow to average week,and the saw blades ate the most costly part other than the timber itself,and since I sharpen the blades myself it often comes down to the costs of the timber except whe I get hired to clear some acreage at which time I'm getting paid to clear and also haul off the timber that becomes the mills next logs,for free,or paid to..win win then!! 😆
I thought it was pretty obvious... I can't wait to see you mill up some timber with it 👍👍👍
Groovin' with Mr. Bloe -U-
Thanks for the explanation on how it's going to work, yeah been confused for past couple videos but always enjoy your fabrication methods and watching how it turns out!!!
Cheers man. I appreciate you taking the time to watch my videos. 🙏🙏🙏
@@DonnDIY been watching for years, great enjoyment and learn alot from your videos, keep up the great job 👏
I am pretty sure you clearly explained that when you first made your meter-long section. I was on board for that. what I could not forsee was how you were going to get the parallel lift to work. Even after you showed it working I had to rewatch like 4 times before it made sense! brilliant stuff!
😀
can't wait to see it in action, love it my friend
Thank you!
Good job, Donn. I remember, from the first videos, that the beam was a mock-up. I don't think everyone else does, though.
Apart from the blade, motor, and a couple bearings which are easily replaced this should last practically forever with some lube and a coat of paint now and then. A very practical and well thought out machine.
I hope so too.👍
Did you know Donn has a CNC Plasma cutter table? Shh! Don't tell anyone. I asked if I could use it and that is what he told me. It's a secret. Nationality secure thing. Hush, Hush. 😉
MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼………………………………………………………….You’re getting closer to cutting and the mill is looking good!
Cheers man! Getting there.👍
INTERESANTE LA MAKINA PARA EL CORTE DE LEÑOS
Love it keep it up as always 💘
Thanks!
Genial su trabajo y esfuerzo . 💪💪👍👍👍
🙏🙌
Nice build! Looking forward to seeing you make some sawdust
Cheers!
At times, I erroneously question something Donn is doing and I am always wrong. Even if something is a "little off", Donn catches it and fixes it. His personal software (brain) is constantly updating without those annoying pop-up windows and update notifi.....oh, right. Donn's brain. I have no way of knowing how he can do what he does. He can just do it. Thanks Donn. You are among the best in the world, at what you do. I built robots. I know talent.
Wow, the mechanics of this seem so complex. I can't wait to see it operating.
It's actually super simple sawmill compared to the chainsaw mill and bandsaw mill I built before.
hey again! :D I am so fkin excited to see it cuting boards
Cheers!
Cool video. Their is another KZheadr that has a sawmill similar to what you are building. Marty T.
@DonnDIY, this is coming along well, it will be massive once you're complete. Thanks man! 👍💪✌
Cheers!🙏
Everyone please write the 'IOC' suggesting an angle grinding competition. Donn certainly deserves a gold medal.
🤣
Wonderful build, if that thing is going to be as big as you said, you may need an open ended building with a couple of gantry cranes to house it and really let that beast start making money for you and the family. I enjoy your videos thanks for sharing with all of us.
Yup, a sawmill shed is in the to-do list indeed.👍Thanks for watching!
I'd add a plate with 2 holes in it over the lower traverse chain pulleys simply to keep the bolts from bending over a long period of time, 1/4"×2" ,2 holes,2 washers and 2 nuts would effectively hold the outer ends from movement fore and aft as the tension on the sprockets being would tend to be during moving of the carriage..
Well thought out!
Hello Donn good job
Thank you!
EPIC
Awesome work Donn. Love the extra bit of talking :)
Thanks for watching.🙏
I'm back,finally,almost 11 months locked out of this account..Great to see me boy in action 3x 😉
Donn, You do great work. It’s well designed and constructed. The videos are a treat to watch! I keep thinking you would benefit with portable a bandsaw. Using one would speed your work along and save spraying sparks around when grinding multiple size pieces. Cheers
Thanks! Portable bandsaw would be great indeed.👍
Nice work , you going to need to build a bigger workshop soon mate , your projects are growing. Love watching all your builds ( I’m from Australia)
Yes, I do need a bigger workshop!😀🙏
Hi Donn!! 🙂😊
Looking real good sir but this looks more like a medieval torture device!
I'm sure medieval people could've used it as one... 😀
I've seen the Lucas sawmills on another channel. Great set up and those blades are very durable. And you can resharpen them yourself. But they have their drawbacks like anything.
The main drawback (for me) with this mill is the cutting width but as long as I've used any kind of sawmill here at the homestead I've been needing and cutting dimensional lumber rather than slabs. And slabbing with this mill can be done with a separate slabber attachment.👍 Blade sharpening is true - it's much easier to sharpen carbide teeth (6) on this circular blade than a chain on a chainsaw mill or band on bandsaw mill.
The rest of this swingblade sawmill build series: kzhead.info/channel/PLkmF7FAZBzkWuunWOOh0zSzB1LllQdUKr.html My other videos: www.youtube.com/@DonnDIY/videos
Good, you thought about it! I only mentioned it as just had to replace the way wipes on my lathe. They were shim steel and do a great job of keeping Denis out.
Awesome
Thank you!
Goddamn I like that motor
22:16 Do it in sections and use cable to tension the sections/beam together. Like a modern suspension bridge. Instead of putting the bolts inside the pipe (at the four corners) put the cable inside there, and move the bolts inside (of those four coordinates). You can easily span 10 meters with something like this once you've put the proper tension on it.
Yeah, I was wondering about that too... Gets a longer truss beam.
Always good to see the progress Donn = ) I know you are much further ahead than the video releases but I wonder if you are going to have to pre-stress the beam like they do with low boy trailers to counteract the weight of the cutting head as it travels across the centre of the beam. I know the latticework of the beam is going to be really strong and rigid but even so, its a pretty big span with no centre supports.... Thanks as always and hope the family and you are all safe and well.
I'm not actually further ahead than you see in the video. Every episode is of the actual work I've done during the week when it's released. I am planning on pre-stressing the beam but I'm not certain it's the same way those said trailers are. I've also been thinking about adding a steel cable in the beam that I can tighten to give the center of the beam a little more support. But we'll see how it works out.👍
Great progress. I'm wondering if the point load the wire exerts on the chain @ 7:55 is going to cause a reliability issue later. Maybe if you drilled a hole in some plate that copies the dimensions of a link - and then attached the cable to the plate in some way - the load would then be spread across the entire pin in the last link of the chain. Just an idea. Thanks for the videos. Stay safe out there.
I thought about it too while installing the master link - my solution would be a chain link cutoff which is already cut in half and fits nicely into the steel cable eye and in the master link and would spread the load close to the ends of the chain pins.👍
Would a worm gear hand wench work . Love your projects, you master many skills I enjoy watching .
It definitely would.👍
🤘🤠
This is the “ah ha” video many have been waiting for. I understood most of how this saw would work because I had seen the one Cody (Wankerstar) had on his channel when I still watched it but seeing yours operating cleared up the pesky little details. For some it may still take you actually cutting timber before they understand it. I hope you’re able to make the 18m main beam. 🤞🤞
8 metre beam though. 18m would be too long!😀
@@DonnDIY 🤦♂️🤦♂️ Metric/Imperial conversion got me. You mentioned 6m and 18’ Even with your SXS Utility it would be tough to get 18m logs.
Thanks for the explanation. I wasn't sure how it would work but knew it would be much longer in real life use. Now it is much clearer and will be waiting for its maiden run. I'm still amazed at your skill with the cut off wheels. If I'm not being too nosey what happened to the plasma cutting table?
I still have the plasma table and it works great, I just prefer angle grinder when prototyping parts.👍
You are going to have to give us a complete video of how this thing works, because nobody knows.
I know!
I'm explaining it in the end of the video.👍
You could google swingblade sawmill and find a working one to see how they work.
Check MartyT he has one running
@@bradley3549молодец. Расскажи.
Привет!скажи а почему ты непоказывал самоходный прицеп виработе,неподключал привод.столько труда в редуктора вложил
Will there be a base of some sort to hold the logs to keep them from shifting during cutting? Maybe a lean-to for overhead protection from weather / board storage?
The base for the log will consist of a couple of 180x200x600mm wood blocks with a slot cut in them. The round log will sit in that slot so it can't roll away. And that's it.👍
I think you should put a worm drive on the side to side crank handle to stop forces on the blade moving it out of alignment. Essentially locking it into position.
That's a good idea.👍
Donn, please share with us how it operates in a video or 2. I could watch you fabricate for as long as you have. How is your house coming along? Thanks for the opportunity to experience your talent and work ethic.
Hey, I'm explaining how it works in the end of this video. I can actually show how it operates once it's finished.👍
The sawmill build is moving right along. How much vertical taper adjustment will you have over the full length of the beam? Also is there any taper adjustment for cutting parallel to the grain (or bark depending on how you look at it)?
The longer the beam the less taper adjustment it'll have. I have to draw it out in CAD to see how much it actually is depending on the length of the beam. To get the mill parallel to the wood grain in horizontal direction you just have to slide one end of the whole sawmill on the ground.😀
Nagu kinnas!
Like a glove!
Awesome build, as always. I love to watch your workmanship. The only thing I dont get, sorry if its obvious... the machines main rails direction, how the tower will slide... and the orientation of the blade guards.... or the vertical rail is just this short until you build it? Are you going to replace that beam rail to a long one after the other mechanical parts are done? Maybe you told this already in one of the parts... , and I just missed t...
Just watch the end of this video...
@@DonnDIY oh I did not reached to that point. I went back to EP 1 and found when you build, you wrote to the screen that this is a test carriage. Make sense. Thanks for your answer. :) Cant wait to see the next episode.
I was a little confused too. ( which doesn’t take much sometimes) lol. Now I get it with the mock-up beam. I had went and looked at how these beam saws worked. Brilliant idea with the mock-up beam so you could fit it in the shop. Can’t wait to see it work. How big of motor is that?
Cheers! The motor is 5,5 kW.
Прокладку на направляющих или на ползунках, типа тефлона? Хотя трение минимальное между между Fe и Fe при наличии смазочного материала. И почему такая конструкция без гидравлики?
Maybe I’m wrong but I thought you already have a sawmill ?
had. as far as I remember it was sold.
What Kalle said. I sold it to finance and try other things.
Every man needs several sawmills😌😂😂
Would it be worth adding some “way wipers” to clear the sawdust so the slide isn’t picking up sawdust in its rollers?
The circular blade should create more wood chips than dust which shouldn't stick to the rails that much. Also the rail surfaces are at 45 degrees and should be self-cleaning to an extent. The contact points are also quite small which should apply enough force to the slider surface that it scrapes the surface clean by itself.
Do u think about replace this hand crank mechanism with some servo or stepper motor for more precisely adjust?
No, I'm gonna keep it manual and super simple and cheap to maintain.👍
I have to confess tht i didnt understand it at first, now i get it, you have to look it like from the side to undersand 😅
No worries!😀
👍👍👍!!!
Nice when you talk a little ! Maybe you must build a bigger shop soon ?
Yup, building a bigger workshop/garage is always in the back of my head.😀
9:44 How do you made adjustment? Simply move the blade in or out as it it mounted on the shaft?
Yes, the whole shaft should be moved out a bit so the cut lines almost entirely intersect.
Sul on väga palju püsivust ja see on väga suur väärtus. Isegi kui Sul poleks nii hea tehniline taip, isegi kui Sul poleks nii head töökoda koos tööriistadega, siis selle püsivusega jõuaksid ikkagi väga kaugele. Pisikeste sammudega edeneda suures ja pikas projektis on midagi sellist, mida ei suuda paljud inimesed. Püsivus on ikkagi midagi sellist, mida tuleb eraldi endas arendada ja selles oled Sa kahtlemata paljudele eeskujuks.
Suured-suured tänud! Kui leiad aega, et vaadata minu esimesi videoid, siis need on tehtud samas külmas laudas veel väiksemas kilega eraldatud pimedas nurgas, põhitööristadeks rellakas ja keevitus. Need paremad tööriistad tulid aastate jooksul (Froniuse keevitused TIG+MIG pole siiani minu omad) ja töönurga ehitasin ise omade kuludega soojemaks/valgemaks. Püsivuse on andnud kasvatus ja geenid, ja kindlasti ka rulasõit - rulatrikke õppides ei seisa keegi juures ja ei käse ega õpeta, kuidas trikke teha. Keegi ei maksa palka selgeks õpitud triki eest. Ja triki õppimise jooksul saavad sääred rulalaua servaga nii kaua peksa kuni need enam valu ei tunne, hüppeliigesed ja randmed väänatakse kukkumisel pahupidi, põlved ja puusad põrutatakse ära. Ainsaks tasuks iseenda heameeleks selgeks õpitud rulatrikk. Ja selle püsivuse saab kaasa võtta muudesse eluvaldkondadesse.👍
You really NEED a CNC plasma cutter!
I do have a CNC plasma table, we built it with a friend, the video series is here: CNC Plasma Build: kzhead.info/channel/PLkmF7FAZBzkV6_Mv8DH6JB4BS3VyVE33K.html
Have you considered building multiple sections of beam, maybe 4m length each, and bolting them together? If the mounting hardware is inside, it could still have a smooth outside surface at the joint for the carriage to roll across. That way you are not limited by the size of your shop.
Yup, this has been suggested by others as well and I do agree with it.👍 I have to think about it and seriously consider building the beam in sections.
I see you cutting lots of parts with the skinny wheel- did you get rid of the plasma table?
No, plasma table still works fine. I just mostly prefer angle grinder while prototyping parts. When it gets repetitive then it is CNC plasma all the way.👍
7:19 Do you weld in this tack tack tack manner to minimize penetration into the tube, so it is still able to accept the piece slid inside?
or is it just appears that way in video?
I just weld it in this manner so the weld doesn't drip down while welding uphill. If I were to weld downhill people would get mad. 😀
@@DonnDIY thanks for the reply. - I like to ask questions to learn.
MAN YOU NEED TO ADD A PLATFORM SO YOU CAN STAND ON IT WHILE YOU TURN THE CRANK, AND YOU CAN MOVE ALONG WITH THE SAW!!!
u can build beam from multiple pieces and joint them together something like constuction crane beam. easy for manipulation and transport. posibility to extend the lenght if u needet.
That's a great idea! I think I'm able to do this but the fabrication work has to be super precise on the beam joints which I'm afraid of a little bit.
👏👏👏👍
Yep.. that will handle a pretty good sized log. I figure this footage is a week or two old due to editing. So, it won’t be long before it’s making wood chips and lumber. 👍
you should have a ARCDROID.just think of all cool stuff you can do mutch easyer with a cnc plasmacutter.
I like Mike Festiva's videos about Arcdroid. Seems to be a great machine. 👍