Homemade sawmill and circular saw from an electric saw

Having your own sawmill can be a lucrative investment as wood is one of the most in-demand construction materials. There are two options for acquiring a sawmill: building it yourself or purchasing one from a store. While the latter option may be easier, the former has several advantages. Firstly, a homemade sawmill using an electric chainsaw is a more affordable option. Additionally, such a device can be customized to fully meet the owner’s requirements. Here, we will present two variations of DIY sawmills: a chainsaw mill made from an electric chainsaw and a circular saw mill made from a manual circular saw. To build the first option, some purchases will be necessary, as well as possessing welding equipment. On the other hand, the second option can be made from materials commonly found in a garage or on a property.

Types of sawmills

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The household often uses circular saws as they are widely available. However, one disadvantage is that high-quality saw blades can be expensive and there is usually a significant amount of waste produced. On the other hand, band saws are a more economical option that can handle rough weather conditions and generate minimal waste. The downside is that they have a complex design, making it challenging to create them at home. Alternatively, a cost-effective option is a tire saw, which can be constructed using an electric saw. These saws have a simple design and can efficiently process large quantities of wood with different thicknesses.

To create your own sawmill, you will need to have drawings and perform certain calculations. The manufacturing process is not overly complex, but it requires having all the necessary resources. Naturally, a homemade sawmill may not perform as well as factory-made products, but it will work perfectly fine for producing beams and boards.

To make a bandsaw mill, you will need the following materials:

– Metal rails

– Metal tubes with various diameters

– An electric motor

– A chainsaw tire

– A drive sprocket (a chainsaw sprocket will also work)

For the electric motor, you can use any type, such as one from a semi-professional electric saw or an old grinder, or you can purchase one specifically for this purpose.

If you decide to go for the option of buying it, then a 5.5 kW three-phase electric motor would be perfect for all your household requirements.

Assembly of the cutting part

The cutting component consists of a tire and an electric motor that are interconnected. The entire configuration is housed within a metal frame, which is secured to a sturdy vertical axle. Put simply, the frame in which the saw is encased has the ability to vertically maneuver within another frame. This vertical motion is made possible by the guiding axle.

The initial step involves creating a rectangular frame to house the tire. This frame is designed to have one side attached to a vertical axis, enabling rotation.

To facilitate the movement of the tire, a sprocket is used, which features a central hole. An axle made from a strong, high-strength alloy, such as mild steel, is inserted into this hole. The axle counters the horizontal movement of the tire, meaning that the tire itself is oriented horizontally in space, while the axle remains vertical. Bearings are placed on both sides of the axle, in close proximity to the tire, to prevent any vertical displacement of the cutting section. In addition, bushings are installed on top of the bearings to secure them in place.

The metal profile is connected to the upper section of the axle. The frame, where the electric motor is mounted, is welded to the opposite section of the profile. As a result, a rectangle is created in the following way: the tire forms the lower part, with the axle and electric motor on either side, and the bar forms the upper part.

This configuration prevents any movement or play in the tire during operation.

Transferring the housing with the saw to the base

To proceed, we need to transfer the complete structure onto the primary framework, shaped like a parallelepiped. This framework is equipped with rollers that will glide along rails and saw through the log. The sides consist of a welded frame constructed with robust metal materials. At the upper part, they are securely attached to each other. In simpler terms, when viewed from the front, it will resemble a U-shaped structure mounted on rails.

The distance between the side posts measures from 1 to 1.5 meters and it is determined by the length of the bar, which should be slightly larger. The side posts themselves have a width that allows for the installation of a structure with a cutting base inside. If this structure has a width of 60 cm, the side edges must match this width. The purpose of this is to accommodate a saw inside one of the posts. The axis that the saw moves on is secured at the top and bottom within the side frame.

Consequently, the vertical movement is facilitated by the axle, while the horizontal movement is achieved through rollers that glide along rails.

Making a circular saw from a handheld circular disk saw

For a homeowner who enjoys DIY projects, having a circular saw is absolutely essential. Luckily, it’s totally possible to build one yourself. The easiest method is using a manual disk saw. You don’t have to modify the design of the existing saw, just create a table for it. Essentially, you’ll secure the saw underneath the tabletop, with the disk sticking out through a special hole.

To construct the table, you’ll need 40*40 wooden bars and plywood. Start by making a square base that measures 80 cm on each side and stands 40 cm tall.

An ideal option for a table top is a square plywood sheet, preferably lacquered or laminated, as it offers a smooth surface and allows for easy sliding. To accommodate the disk, a saw cut is made in the central part of the plywood. Additionally, pre-drilled holes are made at the corners to secure the table top to the table.

For attaching the circular hand saw to the bottom of the tabletop, bolts are the most convenient option. It is important to ensure that the bolt caps are properly sunk into the surface for a seamless finish.

In order to activate the saw, you must secure the power button onto it and insert the power plug into the socket that will be linked to the start button.

To facilitate usage, you have the option to affix a metal right angle on one end, which will function as a longitudinal stop. To adjust its position, you can create perpendicular incisions on the disk and manipulate it by loosening and tightening the bolts that fasten this stop.

A circular blade is an affordable and straightforward choice for homeowners who want to use an electric saw. While the thickness of the table may slightly reduce the size of the disk during installation, this option is sufficient for most household needs.