Sawmill and Timber

The wood shop => Tool Reviews => Topic started by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on February 19, 2008, 07:52:00 AM

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Title: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on February 19, 2008, 07:52:00 AM
Have any of you folks had experience with any of these pellet machines?


  http://www.pelletpros.com
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 20, 2008, 09:18:48 PM
I see them advertised in Country Living Magazine but dont know much about them.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on February 20, 2008, 09:37:50 PM
They are made in China, as I understand.  Someone in your state of Illonoise, is selling them in the states.  I thought you might have seen or heard of them, Kirk.  They want me to floor at least 4 units before becomeing a dealer.  That would cost me around $10,000 to get set up.  Nope!
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Stevem on February 20, 2008, 11:01:04 PM
Saw a thread on Woodweb, value added forum about pellets that refered to this page.
 
Were you thinking of making pellets or sellin machines?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on February 20, 2008, 11:15:18 PM
Yes on both issues, Steve.  I have heard some skuttlebutt that there seems to be some possible issues with the units. Just what they might be is totaly unclear.  It =may just be that the user is not very friendly with such items.  One must remember that there is a learning curve that is often very steep with some twists and turns.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 21, 2008, 08:05:32 AM
I am guessing post #2 was someone suggestiong the pellet pro mentioned here but now post number 2 is missing?
http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/vawp.pl?read=530096

This is a perfect example why we "encourage" posting your links to information that can benefit everyone.  This site is not about "self", its about the total gain for "ALL". 

Woodweb is real fussy about posting links to other sites. In the past they delete the post real quick and it appears thats what happen here.  Lots of great info on the site but its sad they feel the need to restrict peoples access to information.   :(
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Stevem on February 21, 2008, 09:43:02 AM
Last year I was researching pellet plants and came across an outfit that would sell you a turn key mill, and if you didn't have a market would buy all the pellets you could make.  Basic plant was about $125,000 in equipment, return on investment was less than three years.  Modular so it could be expanded. But I can't find it now.

There is a pellet plant on the Columbia (The Dalles?) that offers (or did) engeneering assistance to set up pellet mills for a price.  Here's a link to equipment: http://www.freedomequipment.com/?OVRAW=oregon%20pellet%20mills&OVKEY=pellet%20mills&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=2384100521&OVKWID=22912655521

Also you might check for California Pellet Mill on the web

I really like the idea of using the waste wood, but for personal use it doesn't seem to make sense when I could buy a wood furnace.  The killer to me is pure economics.  Retail pellets are selling for about $4/40lb bag or $200 a ton.  Economics seems to say, "Get big or stay at home!"  But there is the idea of Proof of Concept


Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 23, 2008, 05:37:23 PM
I sure would like to see how well that hammer mill works that the pellotpro people are selling. If it works good, that would make perfect biofuel for the biomizer. 
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on February 23, 2008, 07:07:45 PM
I have a hammermill!
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 23, 2008, 07:09:34 PM
And?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on February 23, 2008, 07:17:51 PM
You need more with you statement than one word.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: joasis on February 23, 2008, 07:20:12 PM
Hammer mills are pretty common around farming country....of they didn't get cut up for scrap...I used to have one and wondered if I could build a chipper out of it....sure would be nice, instead of dealing with the brush from cleaning up the 20 acre woods where we are building the new home.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 23, 2008, 08:55:25 PM
Frank are you just teasing me?  Is it for sale? What size is it?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on February 24, 2008, 08:03:13 AM
Right now, Kirk, I am not sure what I am going to do withthe unit.  I have it at a place Nurthof here that was using it to downsize Oak chips and then being used in the making of wine with an Oak barrel flavoring.  I know that he is not using the machine at all, any longer.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Stevem on July 23, 2008, 12:42:48 PM
Just heard that Frank Lumber (Not related to our Frank) up the road from me about 8 miles has put in a pellet mill but can't run it full time for lack of material.  They are now in competition with the local mill that just brought on line a waste wood co-generation power plant that needs fuel.
Seems it might be from nothing (lack of market for waste wood) to too much demand.     
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on July 23, 2008, 03:10:42 PM
Well, Steve, it looks as though there might yet be a market for the materials left after logging. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Buzz Sawyer on August 16, 2008, 03:10:30 PM
I recently read a write up  from people who bought the $2500 chinese pelletizers in Farm show....basically you have to have wet sticky stuff to get a pellet....many where displeased....only could make pellets from sawdust by using either soybean or distillers byproduct.... :'(
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 16, 2008, 09:08:32 PM
Well, Buzz. I could buy lots of oats and have them rolled.  Then I could use that as a sticker material with the wood fiber.  Oatmeal?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Buzz Sawyer on August 23, 2008, 02:46:45 PM
Most of the guys complained that binder costs were reducing the margin of profit tooo much....I am not sure about the oily quality in cold rolled oats but I bet it has more oil than plain ol sawdust...some kinda ag or industrial byproduct would be great if a guy could buy it right,eh?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: POC on February 07, 2010, 12:57:59 AM
What about used frier grease from fast food joints?

Don't you love it when new guys join up and go mining in the old posts....   ;D
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 07, 2010, 09:11:24 AM
The used grease will rot with the sawdust and you get real stinky pelets.

Andy yes, nothing like raising old posts!
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: POC on February 07, 2010, 03:40:03 PM
Ah, rotting grease and sawdust, not good.  I was thinking about more immediate use.  IMMEDIATE use.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 07, 2010, 05:19:57 PM
I know here on the farm you would have every fox, coyote, opposum and coon coming around trying to get at the smell.  Im sure it would work but after what I have seen this year with critters roaming for food I would stay away from it. 

I have had a skunk at my place for weeks and each time I get him in the open to get a shot its like he disappears after he runs around a corner or a tree etc.  I couldnt figure out why he was hanging out near the garage all the time until today. Once peice of butt fat off a deer I got was draged behind a stack of wood by our cat. The skunk was chewing on it today.

I saw him go in the garage through the open door so I went after him.  Saw him chewing away and when he saw me he just looked at my and it was like he was saying, "What, you got a problem?" 

I managed to move him out of the garage with a long stick and he quietly and unevetfully walked back out of the garage........................to his dimise!  Once less skunk! 
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: POC on February 07, 2010, 07:42:59 PM
I used to have a nuisance wildlife removal business.  I caught many, many a skunk in garages, under porches, etc.  The best bait I found, very target specific for skunks was peanut butter on ritz crackers.
I caught one in a fellows garage by grabbing it up by the tail.  I didn't get sprayed either!

I did that for 5 years and never got sprayed.

I agree that the critters would come after that grease smell.  Bad idea.
How many bad ideas do you have before you get a good one?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Kirk Allen on February 07, 2010, 07:45:05 PM
Thomas Edison had Thousands!   :D


Grabbed it by the tail?  That takes balls!  I dont think I would try that but then I have to admit I was surprised how calm he was with me bumping him with a stick. 
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: POC on February 07, 2010, 07:52:09 PM
They can only see about 18" in front of their noses.  The best way to kill one is shoting through the heart/lung area.  A head shot will almost always lead to them spraying.
I usually put them down with an injection of acetone into the heart.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on March 12, 2010, 08:32:09 PM
I will go get the mill,this next week and have it here, when you come around again.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Stevem on March 12, 2010, 09:12:17 PM
What mill did you/are you getting? 

Can I bring a friend?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on June 26, 2010, 08:12:10 PM
I was talking about the hammer mill.   I will give him a call and see where he has it stored.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: Gemco Machinery on April 09, 2014, 08:57:46 PM
Yes, it is a little bit wired for me to reply a post years ago however as a worker in a pellet mill manufacturing factory, I'd  like to share information about pellet mills.  :)
Here is the website of the reputable Chinese pellet mill manufacturer,http://www.biofuelmachines.com/Small-Pellet-Mill.html
If you have any other question, please contact me by
https://www.facebook.com/pages/AGICO-GROUP/166546160161262?ref=hl
https://plus.google.com/b/110665736930501496688/110665736930501496688/posts
https://twitter.com/AGICOGROUP1995
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: bandmiller2 on February 15, 2016, 06:23:25 AM
Any of you studs made your own wood pelletizer. Their a simple design would just need to be made heavy duty. I'am told that in farm country feed pelletizers are common would they be built heavy enough.?? Thanks Frank C.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader on February 15, 2016, 07:31:42 AM
 I've done a lot of research. Biggest thing is getting the holes in the plate right. Second is getting the moisture % absolutely correct.

 We are about to have tons of limbs and tops from our plantation thinning. I was wanting to use pellets to run a gasifier for the 20HP Honda that will not run on high $$$ gasoline, anymore. We have a species of tree that auto sheds limbs. It is light weight and dries quickly. Mixing that with wetter stuff could be done to keep moisture % at correct levels ??

 Whatcha thinking, Frank ?
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: bandmiller2 on February 17, 2016, 07:45:43 PM
Hal, just thinking out loud I'am up to my arse with sawdust just dumping it now. I think you right about the fussiness of the moisture. Also hear the bonding agents that should be added are costly. Probably be better off fishing or playing with the cat, don't need the money. Frank C.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader on February 17, 2016, 09:42:06 PM

 Bonding agents are not necessarily needed. The perforated plate needs to be brought up to temperature, then, the pressing of the wood heats the pellets and the steam generated from the pressing is what releases the lignum in the wood and makes the binder. That's mainly why moisture is somewhat critical.

 I was thinking about commercial meat grinder plate for the pellet plate. Drilling all the holes twice in a blank plate can get old, depending on size of the mill.
Title: Re: Pellet machine
Post by: bandmiller2 on February 19, 2016, 06:28:28 AM
After the great oil shortage the gov. was giving out money like jelly beans to anyone with alternate energy ideas. I went west to the hills of Ma. to see a pellet making operation. I could not see into the machine but it looked like an old make and brake engine with a hopper and small piston the size of a pellet. It worked like a hay baler kept compressing the material ahead of the piston. I left unimpressed and they left too when the grants dried up. Frank C.