Build Your Own Bandsaw Using Salvaged Parts

2016 - Volume #BFS, Issue #16, Page #84

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For many years, Bill Reeks of Cromwell, Ky., has been “teaching” FARM SHOW readers how to make bandsaw mills out of salvaged parts. He’s “notorious” for his ultra-personal customer service, sending out “packets” of information with hundreds of photos for do-it-yourselfers. Bill is always available to help anyone who “gets stuck” along the way.
  Now that Bill has reached the age of 87, and has a few health problems, he’s decided to close out his inventory of do-it-yourself sawmill plans and books. “It’s been a fun hobby and part time business but time changes everything,” he told FARM SHOW.
  He built his first bandsaw mill out of necessity in 1994 to harvest storm-damaged trees on his 46-acre tree farm. It worked so well, he figured other people could use the idea. Since then, thousands of FARM SHOW readers have built their own sawmills and many have used them to set up businesses sawing lumber commercially.
  He offers separate packets of information on each of his sawmills.
  1. Yellow-Jak-It - In 1998 Reeks wanted a lighter mill with more mobility and he wanted to be able to saw logs up to 36 in. dia. So he used 13-in. “donut” spare tires and wheels. A packet of information with 79 clear photos, a 52-page instruction booklet, and a fold-out blueprint is available for $54 each (in Canada, send $64, U.S. cash only).
  2. Thriftwood - Reeks designed this mill in 2010 to run on single-phase 220-volt power. It saws logs up to 28 to 30 in. dia. and comes with 171 pages of detailed instructions and parts information in a packet that is available for $54 each (in Canada, send $64, U.S. cash only).
  Reeks notes that most guys end up customizing the plans to fit whatever materials they have on hand. For example, one sawmill builder recently modified the Yellow-Jak-It plans to cut logs up to 55 in. dia.
  For a 20-plus page introductory packet that explains the basics of Reeks’ bandsaw mills, send $3.50 (In Canada, send $5.00 U.S. cash). “I’m not in this for the money,” says Reeks who just turned 87 years old. “Anyone is welcome to stop by my place and take pictures and measurements of my mills and I’ll gladly help them get started.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bill Reeks Sawmills, 7146 Beaver Dam Rd., Cromwell, Ky. 42333 (ph 270 274-3361 after 6:00 p.m.).

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Build Your Own Bandsaw Using Salvaged Parts WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Saws For many years Bill Reeks of Cromwell Ky has been “teaching” FARM SHOW readers how to make bandsaw mills out of salvaged parts He’s “notorious” for his ultra-personal customer service sending out “packets” of information with hundreds of photos for do-it-yourselfers Bill is always available to help anyone who “gets stuck” along the way Now that Bill has reached the age of 87 and has a few health problems he’s decided to close out his inventory of do-it-yourself sawmill plans and books “It’s been a fun hobby and part time business but time changes everything ” he told FARM SHOW He built his first bandsaw mill out of necessity in 1994 to harvest storm-damaged trees on his 46-acre tree farm It worked so well he figured other people could use the idea Since then thousands of FARM SHOW readers have built their own sawmills and many have used them to set up businesses sawing lumber commercially He offers separate packets of information on each of his sawmills 1 Yellow-Jak-It - In 1998 Reeks wanted a lighter mill with more mobility and he wanted to be able to saw logs up to 36 in dia So he used 13-in “donut” spare tires and wheels A packet of information with 79 clear photos a 52-page instruction booklet and a fold-out blueprint is available for $54 each in Canada send $64 U S cash only 2 Thriftwood - Reeks designed this mill in 2010 to run on single-phase 220-volt power It saws logs up to 28 to 30 in dia and comes with 171 pages of detailed instructions and parts information in a packet that is available for $54 each in Canada send $64 U S cash only Reeks notes that most guys end up customizing the plans to fit whatever materials they have on hand For example one sawmill builder recently modified the Yellow-Jak-It plans to cut logs up to 55 in dia For a 20-plus page introductory packet that explains the basics of Reeks’ bandsaw mills send $3 50 In Canada send $5 00 U S cash “I’m not in this for the money ” says Reeks who just turned 87 years old “Anyone is welcome to stop by my place and take pictures and measurements of my mills and I’ll gladly help them get started ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bill Reeks Sawmills 7146 Beaver Dam Rd Cromwell Ky 42333 ph 270 274-3361 after 6:00 p m

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