Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Portable Sawmill Blade Flexibility Versus Rigidity


As a sawyer, you probably already know that the right blades are essential, if you want your portable sawmill to run efficiently.  There are a lot of factors that go into picking the perfect portable sawmill blades.  So, it's not a decision that should be made quickly.

Flexibility:

Flexibility is one of the biggest factors to consider when you are picking a bandsaw blade.  You might not think of a large, heavy, metal blade as being flexible, but many bandsaw blades are flexible at a molecular level.  Their molecules can contract and expand thousands of times in order to create those perfect cuts.

The ratio of each type of metal in a bandsaw blade determines how flexible it will be.  The more flexible a blade is, the more likely it is to last for a while.  Of course, that also depends on how sharp you keep it and what type of lumber you are cutting.

Rigidity:

For heavy-duty jobs, you may require a bandsaw blade that is more rigid.  Rigid blades are sometimes stronger.  However, their lack of flexibility means that they will probably break and need replacing more often than their more flexible counterparts.  So, you might have to pay more in the long run.

There's something to be said for both rigid and flexible portable sawmill blades.  That's why the folks at Cook's Saw have created several different types of blades, including the Cook’s DuraTooth™ and SilvaChrome™ blades.  So, would you like to learn some other factors that can help you pick the perfect blade?  If so, visit www.cookssaw.com today.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Understanding Portable Sawmill Blade Teeth Terminology


If you happen to be new in the lumber industry, don't worry.  A good portable sawmill and the right blades to go along with it can take you a long way.  However, it's very important that you understand how to care for your blades.

For example, do you know what the gullet of a blade is?  Simply put, it's the empty space between each of the blade's teeth.  Those little valleys are what helps the sawdust to move out of the cut so that the blade can just keep on going, like a hot knife through butter.

It's also important to understand the hook angle and the tooth pitch of each blade.  The hook angle is the angle at which the blade cuts into the lumber.  An acceptable range is 8 to 10 degrees.  Too far beyond either end of that and you'll bend and break your blades.

The number of teeth on every blade, known as tooth pitch or tooth spacing, and the tooth face are also important.  More or less teeth can influence your cut and so can a tooth face (leading tooth edge) that isn't sharp.

All of those things can create problems in their own ways.  That's why it's important to sharpen your portable sawmill blades regularly and buy the right blades for the job at hand.  Would you like to learn more about how to make the perfect blade choices for your portable sawmill business?  If so, just visit www.cookssaw.com for some more great tips.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Choosing Portable Sawmill Blade Bodies


If you own a portable sawmill and you are having trouble with your blades, it may be time to get new ones.  There are a lot of different bandsaw blades to choose from and they each have different features.  So, the best way to start is to determine what sort of cutting you'll be doing and get a blade that has an appropriate body.

The molecules in a portable sawmill blade are made up of different metals, including chromium, silicon and magnesium.  The ratio of those metals determines how rigid or flexible the bandsaw blade itself is.  As the saw needs to flex, the molecules can contract and expand accordingly, at least in a flexible blade.  In fact, that blade can endure that process thousands of times.  Although, it will still wear out eventually.

In general, it's best to have a blade that is at least somewhat flexible.  That way it can easily “bounce back” and will be less likely to snap or break.  However, there are some situations where you might want a more rigid blade.  It depends on your personal preference and the types of lumber that you will be sawing.

The important thing to remember about a rigid blade is that it will break more quickly than a more flexible one.  So, you need to factor that into your budget and your decision making process.

Would you like to know more about how to maximize your portable sawmill blade productivity?  If so, visit www.cookssaw.com to learn about Cook’s blades, such as the Cook's DuraTooth™ and SilvaChrome™ blades.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Upgrading Your Portable Sawmill


If you own a small portable sawmill, you know that it can be good for a lot of things.  It can help you to get rid of small logs on your property and even turn small or medium sized logs on your neighbors' properties into useable boards.  In fact, it is ideal for creating inexpensive lumber to use in a lot of small weekend projects.

As you may have noticed, though, a small portable sawmill can't do everything.  That's why you may be thinking of upgrading to a larger model.  In fact, that's exactly how a lot of lumber businesses start.  First it is a hobby, then a part-time business and before you know it you are quitting your day job to be a full-time sawyer.

When the time comes to make that transition, you will have a lot of possible upgrade options.  The best option is to look into a fully hydraulic portable sawmill, if you have the budget for it.  Once you have a large hydraulic bandsaw mill, you won't need to upgrade again for quite a long time.

You see, hydraulic portable sawmills are built to be tough and sturdy.  They are meant to last for a long time and to do anything that you could possibly want them to do.  They can hold huge logs and work at high speeds.  Many of them also have buttons and switches that make the entire process of lumber cutting much easier for you, the sawyer.

So, are you looking to upgrade to a new portable sawmill?  If you are, visit www.cookssaw.com to see some of the best hydraulic portable sawmills on today's market.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Embarking On A Career In Portable Sawmill Business

If you're going to embark on a career in the portable sawmill business, you should definitely invest in equipment from Cook's Saw.  At least, that's what sawyer Ray Lockhart of Virginia and many other sawyers say.  Ray started out using Cook's band saw blades in a different mill, but he quickly upgraded to a Cook's hydraulic AC-3651D mill and has never looked back.

Ray is quick to tell anyone who will listen that Cook's Saw has excellent customer support.  However, it's the equipment that really makes Cook's a winner.  They have been leaders in the sawmilling industry for years and it shows in their equipment.  Ray is particularly fond of the heavy duty log turner that came with his portable sawmill and the hydraulics that make cutting lumber a breeze.

When Ray bought his AC-3651D hydraulic portable sawmill he also invested in sharpening tools from Cook's.  Cook's blades are known for being the strongest and best in the business, but all blades need to be sharpened sometimes.  Not only are Cook's portable sawmills built to last, but their sharpeners, edgers and other pieces of equipment are the best.  They helped Ray to embark on a career in the portable sawmill business and they can help you, too.

So, do you want to embark on a career as a sawyer, just like Ray did?  If so, give yourself the best chance at success.  Invest in the best portable sawmill equipment and make sure that you have the best customer support possible.  You can find all of that at www.cookssaw.com.