Western sawmill

[jbelwood]

Here is a scratch built western sawmill that I built back in 1976. This all started when I came across an
article by Don Reschenberg in the November, 1961 MR. The article revolved around building a free lanced
western mill. At the time I had the FSM #140, Backwoods Sawmill kit, unbuilt. Took the entire contents and
fashioned what you see in the photo. Construction took about 300 hours over an 8 month period. After 36
years she still looks good.

[bparrish]

John............

Great mill............

I just recently observed that the Western Scale models company that was run by Bill Gustafson has been picked up by Wild West Models....Bill had stopped much of the small scale stuff in trade for G scale.  Wild West claims that they will reintroduce all of the earlier kit and parts offerings.  Great news as that was the best source of mining and logging castings in the west..

I met the guy who runs Wild West at the Dearborn narrow gauge convention in 2005.  I can't recall his name but he runs a cool company and interesting kit offerings.

see ya
Bob

[gnatshop]

A fantastic looking sawmill !!!!
With all your additions and details, I would have never realized that you started with a FSM #140
unless you had mentioned it.
Well preserved 36 year old wood straight out of a sawmill would be would be worth a fortune today!

[GPdemayo]

Great work John. 

[jbelwood]

David, Bob and Greg,

Thank you all for your gracious comments. FSM #140 was never built. However, all of that kits wood and castings were
used to build this much larger mill. Interior is fully detailed. Will take a pic of the other end later today. Considerably more
going on there.

[jbelwood]

OK so I couldn't wait until later. Had a little time before I see my rheumatologist.


Here is the other end of the mill. The slash burner is an old tennis ball canister wrapped
with brick paper. Screen is from moma's tea strainer. The boiler house is scratched with
a steam line into the belt works. Somewhat crude to todays offerings but this was long
ago.

[coors2u]

John, I really enjoy seeing your work. Thanks for sharing it.

[S&S RR]

John

This is some great modeling! Thanks for sharing.

[Jerry]

John that is one hell of a model.  Clean lines great staining.
It would be hard to beat that even with some of kits that are out there today.

Jerry

[jbelwood]

Thank you so very much for your comments John and Jerry. That mill was my very first scratch build
when I was new to the hobby back in the 70's. It garnered a Blue Ribbon Series award in the May/June
1979 NG Gazette. The photos show it installed on my finished O&PS Rwy.

[halrey]

John, It looks great! and it has stood up very well.
Hal

[rustyfawcett]

I have always loved the look of old saw mills. I have no need for one now but when we move I with in the next two years I will be adding a large area for logging. 

[GPdemayo]

Great work John.....this gives me some ideas to think about for my lumber industry area. 

[gnatshop]

Great work John.....this gives me some ideas to think about for my lumber industry area.   

Think, hell - get to buildin'!!! 
I've already said "Monday nights are boring" - but they're still good for pickin' on my good friends!