Fractional HP pulleys

[stuckmotor]

I'm looking for some large pulleys to build a bandsaw mill. *Many bandsaw mills run their blades around two large pulleys with a V belt filling in the groove.* There are some pulleys at Surplus Center for a very attractive price but the descriptions of the ones I've found say, "fractional HP". Doesn't that mean they are only rated to handle less than one horse power? I really don't understand why a big cast iron pulley would only carry such a light load. There are some kits available at reasonable prices BUT they don't give a HP rating on the band carrying pulleys. There's even a bandsaw mill build on youtube that gives a part number to Surplus Center pulleys. That number leads to one of the fractional HP pulleys.
Will someone please tell me if I'm wrong on the meaning of "fractional HP". If anyone knows where I can find pulleys around 19" with a horsepower rating of 13 horse power or more, I'd like to know that too.

 

[4570Man]

It’s not hard to come up with stuff like that in scrap yards around here.

 

[Fallon]

I'm looking for some large pulleys to build a bandsaw mill. *Many bandsaw mills run their blades around two large pulleys with a V belt filling in the groove.* There are some pulleys at Surplus Center for a very attractive price but the descriptions of the ones I've found say, "fractional HP". Doesn't that mean they are only rated to handle less than one horse power? I really don't understand why a big cast iron pulley would only carry such a light load. There are some kits available at reasonable prices BUT they don't give a HP rating on the band carrying pulleys. There's even a bandsaw mill build on youtube that gives a part number to Surplus Center pulleys. That number leads to one of the fractional HP pulleys.
Will someone please tell me if I'm wrong on the meaning of "fractional HP". If anyone knows where I can find pulleys around 19" with a horsepower rating of 13 horse power or more, I'd like to know that too.

Fractional HP means a fraction of 1 HP, 1/2hp, 3/4hp, etc.

If the shaft size was appropriate (probably 1" or so) I probably wouldn't worry & give them a shot regardless of markings or lack thereof.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

The pulley you need may depend on the saw width. Here is a handy chart. View attachment Form_9806E.pdf

Ron

 

[stuckmotor]

Thanks to everyone. I've finally found a site with both heavy and light duty pulleys. It shouldn't take me more than a month to learn the terminology, compare the measurements, and figure out which pulleys I need for my build.

 

[davedj1]

Just use a couple of trailer hub bearings (or Jeep or the like) and a couple of tires. Cheap and readily available.
Homemade bandsaw sawmill - YouTube

 

[Stimw]

If you haven't found it yet- forestryforum.com
Is a wealth of info with a lot of people building their own mills.
I bought a HF Mill and am very happy with it.

 

[Rustyiron]

http://store.cookssaw.com/parts/ and Portable Sawmill Parts,
Some b/s mill wheels & parts.

 

[stuckmotor]

Thanks Rusty Iron.

 

[stuckmotor]

Davedj1,
That was plan A. Now I'm considering the cast iron wheels. I may go back to plan A.

 

[Rustyiron]

Hey Stuck, hope you'll be doing a thread on this mill build :thumbsup:
A mill's been on my round toit list for too long.

 

[stuckmotor]

Stimw,
I have pretty much the same question in at Forestry Forum. A couple of members have used Surplus Center pulleys BUT, they don't seem to remember whether the description said "fractional HP". Sometimes I have to pick the brains of many people to get the information I need. Thanks for responding.

 

[stuckmotor]

Rusty,
Me doing a thread is very doubtful. I don't own a camcorder and can barely work the camera on my tablet.

 

[texasranger556]

If you install Tapatalk on your tablet you can post pictures directly to a thread without a computer. Pretty easy!

 

[4570Man]

If you install Tapatalk on your tablet you can post pictures directly to a thread without a computer. Pretty easy!

I don’t think you need Tapatalk unless that changed recently. As in the end of August because I got a new phone then. I much prefer the app. Especially for uploading pictures.

 

[stuckmotor]

I'll see what I can do about posting pics if I ever get started on the mill. At this point, I'm still planning.
By the way, I think I managed to post some pictures on this site a couple of years back. Remembering how I did it will be the challenge.

 

[farm boy00]

Download the tbn app if possible on the tablet and after about 20 minutes of playing with, you can use it decent. Easy to post pictures off of my android phone off of the tbn app.

 

[WranglerX]

IF you use the "Manage Attachments" feature in ADVANCED editor all you have to do is press a few buttons BUT you have to know where picture is stored on device (PC, tablet, phone)...



Dale

 

[Rustyiron]

Rusty,
Me doing a thread is very doubtful. I don't own a camcorder and can barely work the camera on my tablet.

My phone, (no tablet)


I got a $100 digital Nikon that no bigger than a pack of cigs.
No big deal, just some pics now & then with a little explanation.

 

[BHD]

when I built mine I used 18" browning cast iron B belt, (I did buy them from surplus center),
but if I was rebuilding or building another, it I think I would consider using two donut spare tires, (by adjusting the air pressure one could control the tension,

I did use a trailer hubs for bearings, I on mine used 5 hole but would use 4 hole if doing again, I bolted the hub to the frame and shimmed to get ti true, attaching the spindle to the pulley,

and just hung the B belt on the pulley, it runs loose, on the pulley, for the tire, for the band, I found a belt that was just able to slip on the pulley with out fighting it,

I have an electric start engine on it, and if doing it again, I would use an electric clutch off or like a lawn tractor uses, instead of a manual clutch, (one could have a number of safety switches on the saw, and much less engineering to make the clutch work and keep belts on,

My Two cents,