McDonough Blog

We're often asked, “When should I grind my wheels?” While there is no clear cut answer, a general rule of thumb is once every two to three years if you are running a single shift or .005” wear. Some mills do it once a year and some do it once every five years. You don’t want to find yourself fighting filing room problems and find out your wheels are not flat.

To check your wheels, place a machined straight edge across the face of the wheel. Make sure you insert a feeler gauge between the wheel and the straight edge to get an exact measurement. A little light can be very deceiving when trying to estimate wear on a wheel, so we recommend using a feeler gauge. To ensure your straight edge is accurate, rotate the straight edge 180 degrees and remeasure. If the gap is more than .005”, it is time to call McDonough to assist you in grinding your wheels.

McDonough has been a leading supplier of band mills for more than 100 years. With knowledge and experience dating back to the 1880s, McDonough’s band mills are built with time-tested features to meet ever-evolving customer and industry needs.

In January 2021, Meherrin River Forest Products in Macon, North Carolina installed a new McDonough 6-7A Band Mill. Replacing an existing circle saw, this piece of equipment will allow them to reduce their kerf and increase their yield to make more lumber and less sawdust.

A Minute with Matt - the Importance of Cast Iron Wheels is the second video in our new vlog series. McDonough Manufacturing has been building quality sawmill machinery in the U.S. since 1888! Watch this video to learn why Cast Iron Wheels are so important to your saw mill operation.