Homemade Sawmill Build (Part 3) Power Feed, Blade Tensioner & Pulleys

We are making progress on the sawmill! The power feed is complete, the pulleys are on and the blade tensioner is in place and providing pressure on the band.
Parts list used in this portion of the build:
TKXEC Adjustable Digital display... www.amazon.com/dp/B0991XYV4F?...
PGN #40 Roller Chain - 10 Feet +... www.amazon.com/dp/B07NPSZCK6?...
uxcell 23 Tooth Roller Sprocket B... www.amazon.com/dp/B09RB1LLL8?...
Alltrade Heavy Duty 2-Ton Bottle... www.amazon.com/dp/B000H4G256?...
UHMW (Ultra High Molecular... www.amazon.com/dp/B000ILG0KA?...
www.ebay.com/itm/223503181516...

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Hey Brandon , you sure have put a lot of thought into your mill . Can’t wait to see you sawing lumber !!! 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@McKameyFarms]

Thanks Del. I’ve built it in my head a lot over the last few years and chicken scratched around sketches and measurements 😂 I’ve also took little bits of different mills I’ve seen on TH-cam and incorporated what I like into mine. Exciting to see it come together
Take Care! 🪵🪚🇺🇸

[@BobbySixguns]

Some serious progress on the mill. I really like the power feed system. Thanks for taking us along.

[@McKameyFarms]

It’s coming along pretty well 👌🏻 I’m pleased with the power feed. Its turned out pretty slick. The guides and blade alignment will be a pretty tedious part I believe, so it will slow down for me now. But it’s getting closer everyday! Appreciate you Bobby.

[@toddsoutsideagain]

Outstanding job on this project! Can’t wait to see it in action Brandon👍🏻👍🏻

[@McKameyFarms]

Thanks Todd! It’s been a fun project and something I’m really enjoying building. It’s also a good way to spend evenings in a warm shop since the days are short 👌🏻

[@karenallen8581]

Boy, that is quite the project Brandon! Very interested to see it in action. You’ve got talent!!

[@McKameyFarms]

Thank you so much! It’s been something I’ve been wanting to build for 5-6 years now and it’s finally happening. Looking forward to milling some lumber with it in the very near future! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@765Guys]

This is a really cool project, can’t wait to see the finished product.

[@McKameyFarms]

I appreciate it. It’s been a fun project and something I’ve wanted to do for several years now. Looking forward to cutting some wood 👍🏻

[@JohnFrytag]

Lookin good! Plenty to do!!

[@McKameyFarms]

Thanks John. It’s coming along, and you’re right, there’s still a lot left to do before making sawdust. I appreciate you watching 👍🏻

[@TCsOutdoors1]

Nice job, this is an awesome project!

[@McKameyFarms]

Thanks Tony, I’m really enjoying the build. It’s been a learn as you go kind of project, but it’s coming together 👌🏻

[@fatefarmspa]

Thats pretty slick! Not enough time in the day I’d love to get into something like this maybe someday 👍

[@McKameyFarms]

I appreciate it! It’s been a goal of mine the last 5-6 years to build one. Finally dove in and done it. I work on it when I can after dark in the shop with the wood stove rolling! I appreciate you watching 👌🏻

[@tonyt8807]

I used a 3/4'' bolt to tension the blade. Bowed and snapped the 1 1/4'' dia. drive shaft.

[@McKameyFarms]

I’ve ended up switching to a 1” threaded rod to apply tension to the band. I think it’s going to work good 👍🏻

[@jimbauer6822]

Where did you get the clutch and what is the motor for feeding

[@McKameyFarms]

I bought the clutch off of Woodland Mills website. It’s the biggest one they have. It says 14HP but I’m going to give it a try. The feed motor is an electric wheelchair drive motor that I bought off of eBay.