3 point buzz saw

[soreback]

I recently bought a 3 point buzz saw and used it for the first time today. I read up on this product before buying and any comments went something like "too dangerous......rather use a chainsaw.....are you crazy?"

It's the only way to cut slab wood and smaller diameter wood! It's fast, can cut to more uniform lengths and LESS dangerous. All the work positions are feet away from the blade when turning.

So, if you cut a lot of this type of wood, get yourself one and you won't regret it.

 

[CHDinCT]

Got any pic's? Never seen a 3PH version. Sounds interesting.

 

[Ductape]

I sold mine last year, but I'd love another if I had the situation where I could get enough use out of it again.

 

[soreback]

That's it, a Woodsman! Ductape, how long did you have it and did you think it was more dangerous than a chainsaw? I bought mine used and have 60 bundles of slab wood to saw up.

 

[Ductape]

I only had mine about a year. My situation changed, and now I have to cut all my wood where i scrounge it. I just don't have my tractor / cordwood saw where I cut firewood anymore so I sold it. I do use one alot, as I have worked at my neighbor's farm on and off for years. I have never felt it is any more dangerous than a chainsaw. I feel its alot faster and easier to use on small wood and slabs. It pays for itself in the time it saves when cutting limbs and slabs to stove length.

 

[beenthere]

If one works carelessly around a buzz saw, yes it can be dangerous.

So many things we do with our tractors and attachments are also "dangerous" (whatever that means other than they can hurt you ) if one is careless.

The buzz saw certainly has its place. If one has a lot of tops of trees to buck up and gathered in easy-to-get-to locations, as well having someone or something to take away the cut-offs........ then they are great.

Working alone, I find the chainsaw is less work and prolly just as fast. Been many years since working a buzz saw. I like the sound (ziiinngg) of a well-sharpened saw blade cutting through wood. Hate the screaching sound of a dull blade trying to make its way through wood.

 

[crazyal]

My neighbor has one but instead of PTO driven it's an older leather belt style. He has an old cedar shake machine and uses the buzz saw to cut the logs to the correct length. It cuts a nice square edge, much better than a chain saw could do.

Now if you want to talk potential for danger you've never seen a shake machine. This thing has an unguarded 4' saw blade, an automated incrementing part that feeds the logs out at an angle before the blade cuts them, and on the side of the blade is a planer with two stations. There's a flat edge perpendicular to the saw blade you rest the thick end of the shake on and hand feed the sides into the planner to square them up. Back in the day three guys would man it and one on the buzz saw cutting then feeding logs into incrementer. I've watched him use it, dangerous but very cool.

 

[soreback]

From the ages of 10-17, I rode one end or the other of a belted buzz saw powered by a Farmall H. No table return springs or blade guard and no hearing protection...what? It looked and sounded very dangerous but worked with caution, I don't remember even one "close call". I can't say that for my chainsaw memories.

Crazyal,

Can you get a pic of the shake set-up? Mine came with an extra 30" blade and a smaller blade marked "shingle blade". Didn't know if this blade could be used with this saw. Bought from a dealer that took it in trade so, all he knew was that it came with the saw. thanks

 

[PHILIP8N]

This is a 50's Dearborn model on my 1950 Ford 8N. Did not know they made a modern day PTO version. Philip.

 

[beenthere]

Here is a video of the shingle mill. There are others to be seen at the trailing edge of this one.

YouTube - Lane Shingle Mill

 

[ronjhall]

I had one for years. I do not burn wood anymore. A great tool for cutting fire wood.
It's called a BUZZ SAW for a reason. I hope you are using hearing protection.

 

[chopped]

I like the video on shingles I had never given a thought as to how they were made.
The Buzz saw I have is similar to the pictures posted. Bought in mid 1980s cost me 450 dollars. Ive used it one year alot and then it may sit for a year or maybe two without use. But either way I don't think I would part with it.I mostly bought it to cut the smaller limbs and I have to cut some wood to under 12 inches in length so its worked well for that.
One word from me is footing..I find I pay it a little more respect than i do other devices. Not that I'm reckless with the others but I am more aware with the potential of the saw.
But I try to have level ground and keep it as clear as possible of small pieces and things that could make me make a mistake.
I have sharpened it a few times with a right angle grinder also..
I also find that I am more likely to cut up limbs that would normally be tossed to the rot pile Some so small they would catch on the chain saw ..

 

[Army grunt]

Looks plenty safe to me,The guards look like they will do the trick. I have seen many over the years that were scary.**** a chain saw has no guards.The tool whatever it is , if used wrong will cause really alot of damage. Skin cuts easy.
I would look into one, but I would not be able to pick up the wood an put it on the table.(bad, very bad back)but i can use a 16" chain saw ok for a short time.
Army Grunt

 

[soreback]

Thanks for the shake shingle video.........really cool! Can you imagine slicing cedar with an axe then draw shaving each shingle so they would lay flat. Then this contraption comes out! I will post a pic of the blade that came with mine in hopes someone here can tell me its use.

Back in the 70's, there was never a thought on using ear protection. But my dad sure was concerned when it came to the music I listened to!

chopped,

You hit the nail on the head, footing. That was/is my main concern.

 

[Jon Chanoski]

Here is a video of the shingle mill. There are others to be seen at the trailing edge of this one.

YouTube - Lane Shingle Mill

Very nice set up there!! Only other thing I can say is that I would take the time to walk around the tractor and not step over that spinning pto shaft it has the power to rap you around it causing you to loose a leg or your life and it can happen all to fast!!!

 

[picker77]

Me, my dad, and my Grandad... about 1953 or so. Powered by a Farmall A with a belt. Guards? What guards? Nobody lost any limbs, but as I remember dad was pretty cautious around that beast.

 

[beenthere]

Very nice set up there!! Only other thing I can say is that I would take the time to walk around the tractor and not step over that spinning pto shaft it has the power to rap you around it causing you to loose a leg or your life and it can happen all to fast!!!

Looks like it is covered with the safety shield. Not the best, but also looked pretty inefficient to have the blocks located so far away from the loading end of the shingle mill.

 

[scesnick]

Man, I would be a nervous wreck using one of those things. I cut my thumb off with a circular saw a few years back ( it was re-attahced by the way) and that thing right there gives me nightmares !!!

 

[crazyal]

From the ages of 10-17, I rode one end or the other of a belted buzz saw powered by a Farmall H. No table return springs or blade guard and no hearing protection...what? It looked and sounded very dangerous but worked with caution, I don't remember even one "close call". I can't say that for my chainsaw memories.

Crazyal,

Can you get a pic of the shake set-up? Mine came with an extra 30" blade and a smaller blade marked "shingle blade". Didn't know if this blade could be used with this saw. Bought from a dealer that took it in trade so, all he knew was that it came with the saw. thanks

Not until spring. It's covered and has over a foot of snow on it.

 

[crazyal]

Here is a video of the shingle mill. There are others to be seen at the trailing edge of this one.

YouTube - Lane Shingle Mill

That's very close to the one my neighbor has. I think that one has more guards on it. It very neat to watch run. His has different blocks that adjust how much it increments the logs. I couldn't believe just how fast that blade will cut a shake.

He got it free along with the buzz saw. The guy who owned it said it came with the farmhouse. He thought my neighbor was going to sell it for scrap. I watch Kevin turn a pile of cedar logs he got for next to nothing into enough shingles to side a house, and not the thin low quality ones you can get at the lumber yard.

P.S. Those shavings are very flammable.