Resaws are an essential machine center for lumber manufacturers and companies that manufacture pallet stock.
Sawmills use them to remove grade material from the squared-up log, and pallet manufacturers and mills that make cut stock use them to resaw cants into deck boards and stringers after they have been cut up to the appropriate lengths.
Applications will vary depending on the mill, its raw material, and what it produces. A machine center for a high-speed, high-volume softwood mill obviously will be quite different from a relatively small pallet company focused on resawing hardwood cants. We are also aware that some businesses have both lumber manufacturing operations and other operations to process low-grade material into pallet stock — and may even have their own pallet manufacturing operations.
Mills that resaw cants into pallet components typically rely on a horizontal bandsaw — or more than one in a series — or gangsaws that run circular blades. There are pros and cons to both bandsaw and circular gangsaws, and some equipment manufacturers offer both. A benefit of bandsaws is that they use a thinner kerf bandsaw blade, which generally results in higher yield. A benefit of gangsaws is faster production – multiple blades cut several boards, and the cant is resawn in one pass through the machine.
We have solicited advertisers for information on resaws they manufacture. Their information is provided below in alphabetical order.
Baker Products
(800) 548-6914
Baker Products’ multi-head band resaws can increase production and profits while reducing operating costs.
The C and CX model resaws incorporate Baker’s one-of-a-kind feedworks design that supports the wood in the direction of the cut for better stability and higher accuracy. Thin-kerf technology and the Baker low profile flat guide system generates up to 60-70% less sawdust and up to 25% more boards, easily out-producing a gang rip.
Baker multi-head band resaws are made of heavy-duty construction and are simple to maintain and operate. They can be built with as many heads as your production requires. Three-sided feedworks and capacities of either 6×12 or 12×12 (depending on the model chosen) make these machines a smooth yet simple addition to your production line.
Brewco Inc.
(270) 754-5847
Brewco offers two sharp-chain scragg mills—the Big Jake 4000 and the Big Jake 3000. The Big Jake 4000 is a two-stage circle scragg that generates four-sided cants. The first stage can cut single thickness cants or double thickness cants. The two-sided cant moves toward the second stage, is clamped, centered, and scanned for width. From there, the second stage of saws moves in or out to user-programmed target board thicknesses.
The Big Jake 4000 is available in two configurations—the 4000SL for short logs (up to 72"), the 4000LL for long logs (up to 14’-6" Both the Big Jake 4000SL and the Big Jake 4000LL can pass the first-stage slabs to a Brewco Big Jake Auto-Edger. For the Big Jake 4000SL, the Auto-Edger can create three-sided cants to either 3.5" or 5.5" widths. For the Big Jake 4000LL, the Auto-Edger has up to 16 user-programmable setpoints to create three-sided cants anywhere from 3.5" to 16".
Brewco also manufactures material handling equipment and resaws to accompany the scraggs to create a complete log processing mill.
Cooks Saw Mfg.
(800) 473-4804
Cooks Saw manufactures several types of resaws for most any application.
The company offers a grade lumber resaw powered by a 40 hp electric motor and with 16×16 cant capacity. The grade lumber resaw runs 1a-½ or 2-inch blades. Features include dual power feed rollers, hydraulic belt feed, air activated hold-downs, and gearbox head raising with 2 speeds up and down. It can cut 10,000-plus board feet per day.
Cooks Saw manufactures 6 and 8 inch pallet resaws. They are equipped with 15-20 hp electric motors and can achieve feed speeds up to 100 feet per minute. These resaws run 1 or 1-¼ inch band blades. Features include variable frequency drive, bed tilt adjustment for bevel siding, blade lubrication system, spring blade tensioning, and 26 inch all metal balanced true band wheels. Return belt is optional as well as two heads.
Cooks Saw also offers services to manufacture custom resaws to meet your specific requirements. Custom saws may feature multiple heads, special hold-downs or other features, and can be configured for a gas power plant.
Cooper Machine
(478) 252-5885
Cooper Machine offers several types of resaws manufactured by MIT S.A., a family business located in Santiago, Chile, that makes well-built, heavy-duty resaws that Cooper has been importing and selling since 1996.
The popular MIT twin band resaw with 8, 10 or 12 inch bands can be used in conjunction with a Cooper overhead or sharp chain to get the most yield out of hardwoods or softwoods. Cooper also offers a center or offset split resaw with either 6 or 8 inch bands for logs or cants.
Cooper also offers smaller horizontal and vertical band resaws as well as several slab recovery options, including smaller resaws such as a 2 or 4 inch with one head up to six heads.
Cooper Machine also offers a vertical saw arbor to process slabs. The newest version of the vertical saw arbor can be optimized to get the most out of every slab. It can replace several resaws to reduce costs and labor and is a great option for producing pallet boards. This machine will cut up to 30-40 boards a minute from slabs with optional hogging or chipping heads to remove the top strip.
To learn more, the company at the phone number above, email info@coopermachine.com or view the website, which has photos and videos.
Go Fast Manufacturing
(800) 854-7439
Go Fast Manufacturing has been building low profile, thin kerf band resaws for over 30 years. Go Fast resaws are simple, reliable, and will run faster. The company offers various models to choose from utilizing 1-1.25 inch and 1.5-2 inch band blades.
Saws that run the smaller blades are available in single or multiple head systems for cutting boards or cants. Additional heads can be added in the future. Three models are available. The 6×6 Master Resaw with return has 6 inch wide capacity, and the 6×8 Master Resaw and 6×12 Master Resaw have 8 inch and 12 inch capacity, respectively. The most popular power option is a 15 hp electric motor, but they are available in larger horsepower and also for single-phase electric, gas, hydraulic, or line shaft. The resaws feature standard on-off controls mounted on an operator station, adjustable belt speed, air tensioning for blades, and self-contained hydraulic system. They are available with a number of optional fixtures and conveyors.
The larger resaws, which can be used for resawing grade material, can cut cants up to 16×16 and 16 feet long. They have a similar footprint as the Master Resaw series, but they are built much stronger and weigh over 2 tons per saw head. These can be configured as a single head, multi-head, or a grade run-around system. They are high production saws that generally use 30 hp electric motors or larger. These saws have many of the same standard features as the Master Resaw series, but they are upgraded to include 30 inch steel band wheels, hydraulic pressured and powered hold-down wheel, roller guide system, optional blade setworks, heavier framing, and more options.
HMC Corp.
(603) 746-4691
HMC Corp. manufactures dependable sawmill equipment featuring quality engineering and rugged construction.
The HMC model 4800 horizontal bandmill has a cutting capacity of 20×20. It is powered by a 100 hp TEFC motor with starter and v-belt drive. The support frame is welded tubular steel construction with cast iron wheels and support and bearing housings. The 49 inch diameter wheels, which run a 6-inch wide saw blade, have hydraulic wheel lift and feature wheel tilt for blade tracking.
The HMC 4800 horizontal bandmill features air strain blade tensioning and cartridge style pressure guides with guide dressing machine. An automatic centralized lubrication system keeps the wheels and blade surfaces lubricated. The mill also features a pneumatically operated blade braking system.
The roll bed drive is powered by a
5 hp electric variable speed drive with synchronized front and rear hold-downs. Computer-controlled, proportional hydraulic setworks (with hydraulic power unit) have infinite sets.
Keystone Machinery
(717) 859-4977
The KMC double-head bandsaw features an 8" wide x 8" high cut capacity and is capable of handling 12" high material. It is built on a heavy duty tubular frame and has an optional steel web or belt feed. The floating air guide eliminates the need for a deduster. The band wheels are 36" for extended blade life and the shackleing hold down gives a positive hold down for material down to 18" long.
Keystone is a family-owned business serving the forest products sector since 1987. It focuses on offering top-notch service to keep your operations running.
Pallet Machinery Group
(540) 644-9220
Pallet Machinery Group offers the AIT HY400 center-split resaw, a heavy-duty machine designed for a variety of high-speed cutting applications. It easily converts to handle multiple board sizes and lumber types for center cut or line bar cutting.
This machine can cut boards from 27 inches to 16 feet, from 2-½ to 8 inches wide, and from 1-4 inches thick.
The AIT HY400 is powered by dual 50 hp electric motors and is equipped with robust 2-½ inch diameter spindles that are capable of accommodating up to three blades. Durable oversize bearings provide long life, even in severe applications.
The AIT HY400 features a driven infeed system and a driven exit system to pull boards through the blades at up to 400 board feet per minute, and it can be programmed to output at the speed that matches your line throughput. It also includes a dust collection outlet to remove excess sawdust through a dust collector system you specify and provide.
Other features include quick change blades, replaceable threaded insert for blade lock bolt, four knurled driven infeed rollers with adjustable force, and six driven pull rollers with adjustable force.
The clear board path minimizes jams. Easy access guards allow quick blade change, and an oversize Lexan front guard provides strength as well as visibility. Infeed and takeaway conveyors are optional.
The AIT HY400 is fabricated with extra heavy-duty construction. The machine footprint is 62×47 and is 76 inches high; the electrical cabinet is 19×36 and 72 inches high. Electric and pneumatic requirements for the saw and cabinet are 480 VAC, 200 AMP, and 60 Hz frequency.
Universal Machinery Sales
www.universalmachinerysales.net
(812) 298-8090
Universal Machinery Sales offers a range of band resaws, from single-head saws to multi-head configurations up to five heads. These machines are simple in design, easy to operate and maintain, and will save labor.
Sawmill Supplies and Equipment manufactures the resaws and will provide standard or custom machines tailored to your operations. They build everything in the Morgan Saw line-up that has been offered for over 30 years, including the original low-profile band resaw.
The resaws come standard with 20 hp, 3-phase motors with starter, ready to be installed upon arrival. Options offered include 3-phase or single phase, line shaft setup, and gas motors.
The low profile, tabletop design is available with or without return. The resaws have adjustable speed.
These resaws can cut cants of unlimited lengths. Standard cutting capacity is 8×8; models are available to cut extra wide — 12, 16 or 18 inches.
Universal Machinery Sales has a direct line with Sawmill Supplies and Equipment for parts and service.
USNR
(360) 225.8267
USNR resaws maximize production with superior cant control. The company offers a variety of resaws for low-volume applications in horizontal and vertical linebar configurations. Bandmill designs include Letson & Burpee, Söderhamn Eriksson, SMD and Forano. Combining advanced manufacturing techniques with bulletproof components and mill-tested designs, USNR resaws will provide decades of trouble-free service.
USNR's horizontal high-strain resaw is a high-speed system that delivers high-strain accuracy for maximum production with minimum maintenance. It meets any application for horizontal resaws and can be custom designed for your specific application. The system is ideal for cutting slabs, multiples, center cants from large log diameters and also 'live sawing.'
The feed system uses pneumatic-actuated press rolls to achieve complete cant control, ensuring cutting accuracy. Accurate processing translates to improved recovery.
Cast or fabricated wheels in 54, 63, and 72 inch sizes are offered in fixed and setting units that can be overhung or a double column design. The simple high-strain system is fast and accurate and comes with a strain gauge. The resaw hydraulic power unit has a reservoir, and the climate-controlled operator cab features an adjustable chair.
Infeed and outfeed tables feature steel frame rollcases with heavy duty rolls, shafts, and bearings for long life. Roller chain with QD-style bushings is used on the sprockets to reduce wear. The machine includes drives for the infeed and return transfer table rolls, and cant turners with drives installed in the rollcase. Pop-up stoppers align lumber for feeding.
The outfeed table features a cant and board trip separator and jump chains to send boards to the edger. The return transfer table makes a smooth transition into the return roll case with 81X chains, air-operated queuing hooks, and UHMW chain races.
An optional grading station with cant turners is also available.
West Plains Resaw
(417) 256-4885
West Plains Resaw Systems is committed to building heavy-duty, low-labor equipment for everything from cut stock to grade lumber.
The standard duty line of pallet resaws includes the 125 and 200 Series resaws. The 125 Series comes with 1-¼ inch blades, 36 inch diameter flywheels, 20 hp motors, and 2-7/16 inch mandrels and bearings. The 200 Series line comes with 2 inch blades, 42 inch diameter flywheels, 30 hp motors, and 2-15/16 inch mandrels and bearings. Both come standard with ¼ inch tubular steel frames.
The heavy-duty line of pallet resaws includes the 400, 500 and 600 Series resaws. They feature 4, 5, and 6 inch wide resharpenable blades, and 50, 60, and 75 hp motors, respectively; they also feature 42 inch diameter flywheels and 3-7/16 inch mandrels and bearings for a higher feed rate.
Both lines are available in single or multi-head configurations along with return systems.
Grade resaws can cut up to a 18×18 square from 8-16 feet long. They are available in the 400, 500, and 600 Series with blade widths of 4, 5, and 6 inches and 50, 60, and 75 hp motors, respectively. These resaws feature 42 inch diameter flywheels and 3-7/16 inch mandrels and bearings. In addition to the ¼ inch tubular steel frames, they feature ¼ inch head frames. They are equipped with computer-controlled hydraulic setworks and full returns.
The Super 600 Series runs a 6 inch wide blade and can cut 20×20 squares. It is powered by a 100 hp motor and features 42 inch diameter flywheels and 3-7/16 inch mandrels and bearings. The Super 600 Series also has computer-controlled hydraulic setworks and a sawyer cab. Custom layouts and lengths are available to fit almost any application.
West Plains also offers a complete line of conveying equipment, including belts, rollcases, chain decks, unscramblers, and sorting systems.
Wood-Mizer
woodmizer.com
(800) 553-0182
Wood-Mizer horizontal band resaws efficiently resaw cants and boards, recover valuable lumber from slabs, and more. Thin-kerf bandsaw blade accuracy, increased yield, ease-of-operation, reliability, and versatility make Wood-Mizer’s broad range of single and multi-cut band resaws a profitable investment for high production pallet and lumber operations.
The Wood-Mizer HR1000 is a high-end, modular multi-head horizontal band resaw with steel belt conveyor and spiked feed rollers. It can cut cants up to 12×12 at speeds up to 100 feet per minute.
The HR1000, operating in pallet companies around the world, is available from one to six heads, resawing up to seven boards in one pass.
Each resaw head is equipped with a powerful 25 hp electric motor for increased production, and the improved power transfer system gives more power to the blade than ever before. The saws run 205 inch blades from 1 to 1-½ inches wide to recover more material, produce less waste, and use less energy.
The hydraulic-driven steel belt conveyor is durable, provides longer life, and has less downtime than rubber belts. The spiked feed rollers provide consistent feeding of various wood species for a wide variety of applications. An optional merry-go-round system automates the process of breaking down larger cants.
For more information about the HR1000 and other Wood-Mizer resaws, visit the website or call the number — both listed above.
