I just love these old steam sawmills and the people who run them.

[Pudsey Bear]

 

[davef]

I have a much simpler saw bench with a single similar 5ft dia Yankee insert tooth circular blade. The log is fed through the blade by a hand operated rack bench giving a max 22in cut. I always fancied using a steam engine to power it, but instead its powered by a 1960's ex truck engine, a Perkins 6354 6cylinder diesel engine. Have to engage first gear first before going through second to third gear to get the right blade speed. Can be spectacular on start up as it blows out clouds of steam and smoke from a 3in pipe! I believe the wooden rack bench to be about 150 years old. At 75, I'm semi-retired but still occasionally use it, it fires up easily even if not been used for a few months, it is a bit rough and ready making it difficult to get a particularly accurate cut, but still very useful. It's best not to stand in line of the blade as it has been known for an insert tooth to fly off - hence the wooden guard to stop a tooth going through the roof!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Next time you use it make a video of it, I'm always happy to watch the old stuff working.

 

[trevskoda]

I used to be in a job where we sold parts for the 6354 & the 4108 perkies, fit a auto box and the gear changing wont be required.