WHY POST AND BEAM?

• Easier to design, permit and build.
• Wood can be obtained from many building sites in the Northwest or locally as logs, then sawed using a bandsaw lumber mill.
• Allows for quick erection of the structure, then the roof, then the curtain walls. In the wet times of the year it is critcal to keep the straw dry, so having a good roof to protect the straw during wall construction is critical.,
• Good earthquake protection.
• Some or all of the posts and beams can be fully or partially exposed inside to give a pleasant "woodsy" look.
• The weight of the roof is borne by the posts and beams. If the straw bales bear the weight, they compress, making early application of stucco unlikley, thus increasing the exposure of the raw straw bales to moisture. Delays the application of stucco on the outside and plaster on the inside.

SAWS AND SAWING TIMBER

There are plenty of different types of saws on the market for the small wood lot sawing operation. Here are some examples with Jim's notes.

The chain saw lumber mill:

Advantages:

• Least expensive
• Very portable
• Quick to set-up and take down
• Very wide choice of chain saws.
• Plenty of dealers for parts and repairs.
• Good choice of used chain saws.
• One person operation
• No other equipment needed beyond the clamp-on guides.
• Length of log no problem.

Disadvantages:

• Noisy
• Smelly
• Hard to hand shove through the wood.
• Cuts a wide kerf and thereby wastes wood.
• Low production rate
• Uses gas/oil mix which, because of small fuel tank constantly needs refilling
• Most lack any automatic chain oiler; operator must keep close eye on need for chain oil.
• Any significant use will require frequent replacement of the bar.
• High maintenance and repair costs.
• Some likelyhood of theft.
• Dangerous relative to band saw lumber mills,.
• Low yield per manhour.
• Planks require substantial resurfacing.
• Wobble resulting in uneven surface.
• Some limit on the width of plank cut.
• Cannot cut really thin fletches of wood for veneer.
• First cut very difficult to keep in one plane if log is not perfectly straight.

Use Googlle to research; key words: "chainsaw lumber mill".

PORTABLE LUMBER MILLS

COOK'S SAW MILL MFG., INC.

The AC-3651D was designed for high production and is our best selling production mill. Powered by a 51hp Perkins with a whooping 105 feet lbs. of torque, pushing the 16'10"x1-1/2" blade to it's full ability.

Perfect for the 1-3 man operation who need full production every day. Weighing in at 7,000 lbs. this sawmill can handle logs up to 10,000 lbs. yet it's nimble enough to haul down the road with the help of dual axles and electric brakes on both axles.

AccuTrac 3651D Fully Hydraulic
Portable Sawmill$34,995 http://www.cookssaw.com/sawmill/portable-sawmill-ac3651d.php ===============================================]
NORWOOD INDUSTRIES, INC.
252 Sonwil Drive
Buffalo, NY 14225
800-567-0404
Ph. 705-689-2800
Fax: 705-689-1982



Capable of tackling larger-scale milling projects, the Norwood® Lumber Mate™ 2000 full-sized portable band sawmill is perfect for the custom commercial sawyer, large land owner or serious hobbyist. With the Norwood® Lumber Mate™, you can mill hardwood or softwood logs up to 31" (77.5cm) in diameter. Lumber Mate 2000, Part no. 41112, 23 hp Briggs & Stratton, v-twin with electric start, battery and remote fuel tank. $5,890 plus shipping $395.00

• Stock unit handles logs up to 31” (maximum) in diameter and 13 feet long (variable).
• Cut boards 24” wide (maximum)
• 23 hp Briggs and Stratton, V-twin, mfg 2 year warranty, electric start, battery, 15 amp battery charger, remote fuel tank, manual pull-cord backup.
• Cuts 1,500 board feet per day
• Cuts boards to 1/32”accurately
• Cuts veneer as thin as 1/16”
• Steel frame
• Saw head moves with fingernail pressure. DVD confirms the low pressure.
• Safety: automatic clutch
• Hand adjusted for cutting.
• Leveling feet
• Roller bearings on saw carriage
• Shipped broken down; some assembly required with shop tools
• Comes with 1.25” blade and blade guides
• Free:
  
  • Ball cap
  • 1.25” blade
  • 250 page owner/operator manual
  • 204 page sawmill management book
  • Plans and materials list for easy-Build Solar Kiln
  • 28 page booklet for estimating board feet of trees
  • Lifetime telephone support
• Belt drive
• Adjustable throat.
• Band wheels 19” diameter
• Drive: centrifugal clutch

Accessories:

• 1.5” blade system $159 + $9.00. [Buy this one which gives us a choice of 1.25 carbon steel blades or 1.5” carbide tipped blades.]
• 4 ft. bed extensions (need 2 @ $395 + 65 each: $920 [Consider making our own for long cuts – say 40' for roof rafters and cords.]
• Trailer package $1,065 + 138. [Consider making our own kneeling trailer]
• Trailer adjustable leg supports for trailer leveling: (set of 6): $375 + $56.
• Log loader/log positioner (cable boat hand crank wench): $695 + 89. [We can make our own.]
• Log tools: Cant hooks, lift hooks, pickaroon, log carrier [Buy used locally]

Terms:

• Shipping rates subject to confirmation at time of order
• Shipping out of the US may involve tariffs and other fees
• Payment in full cashier's check or bank transfer before releasing of shipping order.
• On delivery, need fork lift to lower from bed of carrier's truck to ground.
• Shipped on a 4' x 4' palette.
• Units are kept in stock
• www.norwoodindustries.com
• 30 day money back guarantee
• two year warranty
• Delivery 14 days from time of order and payment.

Other saws are available; consult website. Free DVD and sales literature available by smail.
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Hud-Son H2HG Sawmill http://www.southern-tool.com/store/hudson_timbermaster-36h_sawmill.html Hydraulic Band Sawmills by Hud-Son - Many sawmill models available with options to fit your milling needs ... HUDSON has portable sawmills and accessories - HUDSON distributes portable and hydraulic band sawmills ... HUDSON makes the best portable sawmills that money can buy and provides the best service to go along with the sale. Sawmills, Portable Sawmills, hydraulic sawmills, bandmills, sawmilling equipment - Hud-Son Hud-Son produces quality, affordable portable sawmills and wood processing equipment with plenty of informative facts on products, customer service and wood products to fill all of your forestry needs. H2HG Optional Log Size 36" diameter 21' length Engine 23 hp Briggs Bandwheel 19" 25" Blade Size 167"x.042x7/8x1 1/4 189"x.042x7/8x1 1/4 Trailer 24' High speed axle w/lights Electric Brakes Standard Power Feed L12 volt adjustable speed forward/reverse Log Loader Included Log Dogs 1 hydraulic, 2 metal Backstops 3 hydraulic heavy duty Log Turner 1 hydraulic chain-type 2-way The new model H2HG has arrived with all new features and design. This affordable hydraulic mill offers log handling features like a powerful Log Loader, Hydraulic Log Dog, and Squaring Pins. Rotate the log or cant with ease using the hydraulic chain-type 2-way turner. The 12 volt Power Head Lift allows the operator to easily adjust board thickness. Then use the adjustable speeds, forward and reverse, 12 volt Power Feed to make your cuts. Be sure to save gas by using the electrically controlled throttle to idle down your motor during head return then throttle back up for the next cut. All these operations are performed from the operator's station rather then the mill head. Band blade engagement is controlled by the centrifugal clutch gently engaging again controlled safely from the operator's station using throttle control. Take advantage of the new affordable and efficient H2HG as it is cutting new market standards. Due to high demand shipping may take 4-6 weeks depending on availability Click Here To See The Hud-Son Bandsaw Blade Sharpener HUDH2HG $25,250.00 " Want a Better Price Call on a H2HG Hud-Son Hyd. Sawmill Complete 23 HP, 36"" 12 volt power lift head, 12 volt adjustaBLE POWER FEED, LOG LOADER, LOG TURNER, 1 HYD. LOG DOG, 2 MANUAL LOG DOGS, ELECTRIC STARTER, ELECTRIC BRAKE AXLE, 3 HYD, BACK STOPS. ::::: Call <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE /> 1-800-458-3687 For The Best Price & Freight

=============================================]

LENOX TRI-MASTER Versatile Carbide Tipped Blade http://www.bandsawbladesdirect.com/shop.cfm?i=3

ft	Length: in	Length: frac. in	Width: in (thick)	Tooth Set
16			(1-1/2 (.050)	S3
Quantity Price Break 1-4 $348.61 per blade 5-9 $305.03 per blade 10-14 $283.24 per blade Over 15 $261.46 per blade
		Price:	Tooth Set Guide H = Hook R = Raker Set S = Skip V = Variable Tooth W = Wavy T = Tuff Tooth LS = LENNOX Set A = Alternate G = Gulleted C = Continuous
		Qty:
		Total:
Please contact us for additional sizes not listed. Toll Free 1.888.527.5548

JEM NOTE: I've welded band saw blades wth a bandsaw blade welder. Not hard to do. We would probably be better off buying the blade material in large rolls and making own own.