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Shipping Large Circular Saw Blades
Question
Forum Responses
From the original questioner: Thank you, Gene. If I build it shallow enough, one for each blade, they should not move around. From Professor Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor: I heard from one person that was teaching me years ago (B.C. - before computers) that you should not put a bolt through the eye of the saw when shipping, as you might damage that critical piece of metal (the saw's eye and not the bolt) if there was a small shift. If you don't have it, you will find this book to be very helpful: "Circular Sawmills and Their Efficient Operation" by Stan Lundstrum. 1981. State and Private Forestry, US Forest Products Lab, Madison, WI Incidentally, we had 52", 54" and 60" saws. The 60" never ran well, so we had it cut down to a 48" and then it was our favorite. We used F and 2-1/2 teeth, but I do not recall anymore which saw used which size. In any case, it is well to repeat: never remove more than one shank at a time and always put the shank back in its original hole. If all the teeth need replacement, replace each one (one at a time) by removing the shank, inserting a new tooth and then reinserting and tightening the shank. The shanks, if moved from their original hole, will cause the saw tension to change. Saw tension also changes quickly with heat, so always avoid heating the plate of the saw, especially near the rim. (This can happen, for example, when a small piece of waste gets stuck between the saw and the frame. Stop the saw and remove safely ASAP.) One small trick is that a saw that is low on tension might be helped with a little heat at the eye. I saw one mill that used a heat lamp; it worked, but probably was a fire risk.
From Professor Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor: I should have added that many mills drip cold water on the rim to improve stability of a saw (the opposite of heating the eye). I saw one set of guides that had small holes in them with cold air exiting and keeping the rim cool. From contributor T: Below is a sketch of a typical large saw blade box that we use to ship the type of saws you are talking about. It is pretty simple to make and the materials are cheap. The carriage bolt, washers, and nuts can be purchased from any local hardware store. To make the box just cut the plywood large enough for the saw being shipped and an inch or two of space plus the width of the 2x4's. For larger saws you may have to cut multiple pieces, but just make sure you do not cut equal pieces, otherwise the hole for the bolt will fall on the seam between the panels. Cut the 2x4's to make a frame around the perimeter of the back plywood and use both glue and screws to secure them together. Drill a hole in the center of the back for the carriage bolt to pass through from the outside to the inside; use a washer to add strength. Cut matching plywood sheets for the front of the box. Now turn a wood circle larger than the bore of the saw blade by an inch or two. Then turn a pilot that is smaller than the bore of your saw by just a little. Drill a pilot hole in the middle for the carriage bolt. Place your saw in the box over the bolt and then put the wood plug over the bolt and center it in the bore of the saw. Install a washer and a nut. Now you can put the top on and secure it with just wood screws. Make sure to mark the front of the box, as you won't be able to reopen the back due to the glue.  Click here for higher quality, full size image From the original questioner: Thank you. I do not know how much longer there will be skilled companies to do repairs on blades; it is becoming a lost art. I have never seen it done. Perhaps the basis for a seminar. From contributor G: In years past I purchased 100 or so blades from Miner Saw (they closed down), 24" to 36". They would cut 3/8 osb 2" bigger in diameter than the blade, then use the arbor cut as a spacer and bolt it all together. Never had a problem with shipping. Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
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