Yikes (Parts and tools check list)

[Jeff]

Well, I dont know whether to be excited or scared.  A fellow stopped by here yesterday after hearing I had a mill. He looked at the lumber we had milled in the fence and in our new little "Model Home" and seemed to be quite impressed with the quality of the lumber. He informed me the fellow that used to saw for them had retired and they needed to find someone new.   Anyway, Stacy and I have been hired to go a week from tomorrow and do our very first custom sawing job for him and another fellow.  About 1000 ft of red and white oak at each location. They have been informed that I am pretty decrepid right now and I cant lift or pull or do much of anything 'cept saw and they say thats fine. Stacy is going as my stop guard, dog watcher and dog setter. (She is going to make sure my blade is always higher then my dog and back stops so as we dont scare the new customers  )

[Furby]

 
Have fun!

Stacy will have a camera...right

[Part_Timer]

Congrats Jeff

You aint had fun till you sawyed into a dog in front of the customer.

First hand experiance here

Have fun

[Captain]

...and so it begins.....

[Bibbyman]

Way to go!   

  Make a list of everything you took when you left the house. 

  Then, while you're there, collect a list of the things you should have taken but didn't. 

  Then when you get done,  make a list of everything you took and then didn't need.

[sigidi]

Hey Way to go Jeff,

we all want piccys from your first custom job. Let us all know how it goes.

You'll do just fine, I'm putting my money on missing all your dogs

[Corley5]

Won't be long and the need'll be there for that new LT 70

[Ga_Boy]

get R done!


 

[Todd]

Jeff, I just got our new mill going and we had my wife and mother come down to the shop to show off our new toy.   A list of things to do to impress the spectators..

1.  Forget to put the log loader arms down and wonder what you're stuck on
2. Use log turner to completely throw log off of bed after first cut.(instead of rotating it)
3. Forget what your last cut was and waste 3 min. trying to relocate head.

Anyone can cut their dogs, you have to work to do stupid stuff!
Have fun.

[Jeff]

tburtscher, I am way ahead of the game then!

 I dont have loading arms, just ramps and winch.

I have a cable log turner that I have never used that isnt capable of throwing off a log,
and
I have no setworks other then in my head so I'll be forgetting what my last cut was continuously, so know one should notice anything strange.

[ronwood]

Jeff,

Congrats on the  job. Most of the time they can be fun even though they are a lot of work. I have a number of customers that realy have been a lot of fun to cut for. I come over and their whole family is there. They treat my son and I like royality.

Also I have an Excel spreadsheet that I put together that gould help you position your cuts. If you like I would be happy to send it to you.

Thanks
Ron

[Jeff]

Ron, really in general, I dont have any problem with the cuts. I spent the last 25 years adding and subtracting fractions in my head so it comes pretty automatic. However, the spreadsheet certainly might be of interest to everyone if you want to share it. You can attach it to a post using the additional options link. 

[crtreedude]

Way to go Jeff - they will make a real sawyer out of you yet... 

I am sorry, I just couldn't resist.

[Jeff]

Here is my off the cuff list of what I plan on taking with me, maybe someone else can help to complete my list.

Stacy
Full fuel tank with extra full can of fuel
full lube jug with extra jug
LogRite Cant hook(1) junk hooks (2)
LogRite hookaroon
Tool Box
Wheel chucks
drinking water
4 or 5 blades
chainsaw full of fuel and oil
The MILL!
mill ramps
My extra winch and battery
a few chunks of 6/4 and 4/4 for blocking up alog if needed. (I dont have toe boards on lt30)

[ronwood]

Jeff,

I will post it later today. Have to go to work now. On your list if you have your manual for the mill that may come in handy.

Ron

[Minnesota_boy]

Looks like a pretty complete list, but you need to add a prybar or some sort.  I prefer something like 5 foot long steel bar for those logs that just don't cooperate.  Add to that another 5 blades if you have them.  They haul home sharp just as easy as they haul to the job sharp, but they make such great insurance.

Since you are sawing oak, you probably don'e need that much lube for the blade, but once loaded, it hauls pretty nicely too.  Spare parts for the mill can be handy too, if you have them.  I carry switches, brushes for the motor, and anything else I can afford to keep on hand.  Extra belts for the blade wheels and the alternator can save a trip to town too.  Make sure you have blocking for themill stabilizers too.   I've often found the ground too soft to hold the mill up with just the stabilizer bottoms, big as they are, and sometimes they won't reach the ground if the site is too far off level.  Sometimes a spade is necessary to shave down a hump so the jack doesn't stick up enough to hit with the blade and will also work to shovel back the sawdust that builds up right where you walk.

I carry a pair of ski goggles in the truck to keep the hardwood sawdust out of my eyes on a windy day.  They seal up pretty well, remain comfortable over a long time and don't fog up easily.  If nothing else, make sure you and Stacy wear safety glasses.  Just a little piece of bark thrown by the blade that gets in your eye can sure hurt for a long time.

[DouginUtah]

I didn't see on your list:

Camera 
Metal detector 
Hammer and chisel 
Hearing protection

-Doug

[Corley5]

A hydraulic jack can be pretty useful for any number of things and an axe might be handy too along with a big hammer

[Fla._Deadheader]

 A BIGGER truck 

[Jeff]

Bigger truck?  My mill aint a ten ton homie.   It only weighs 1800 lbs.

[Octoman]

How about a live web cam link so we can check up on your progress?  

Ronwood, would be interested in seeing that spreadsheet later!

[Tom]

A little first aid kit is handy.

I also came across a glass eye-cup one time that I bought and put in the glove compartment of the truck.  It sure has come in handy too.

The bigger injuries get ambulances so, tourniquets are the kinds of bandages you need for them.

The stuff you never have are the tweezers to get the splinters out and the bottle of rubbing alcohol to wash a cut and the little bandaids to close and protect a cut.

..........and a few pieces of hard candy makes a kid with a boo boo feel a lot better.

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Bigger truck for haulin all the ACCESSORIES    You'll be surprised how fast this list fills that truck 

[Furby]

Uhhhhh................
Are we not forgetting something VERY important





FOOD!

[Corley5]

Glass Eye Cup   Is that what your glass eye goes in because you forgot to take along and wear your safety glasses one time

[Murf]

I suppose the item "FF hat" wasn't on the list 'cause it goes everywhere you do anyways. 

Take a couple of lumber keels though, so's you can mark the date & species on the stacks so da customer don't call you back months from now ta' remind em of which pile was what and when you cut it for them. 

[Gary_C]

EXTRA BLADES, and

Make sure you have some dust masks just in case the wind is from the wrong direction. It's easier than moving the log pile or just eating and breathing that dust.

[Radar67]

What is a good number of extra blades to take with you? 3, 6, 10?

[Ernie]

Good on ya Jeff

Spare battery for the camera, we would hate to miss the pics

Eyes in the back of your head so you dont mill the spectators

[Corley5]

Basically it boils down to no matter what you take along it'll never be the right thing nor will you have enough of it   Welder and torches would be good to have along also.   Maybe a Bobcat too   A big fire extinguisher would be right near the top my of list

[Mike_P.]

Jeff:

Congrats on the saw job.  Please take a lot of pictures.  Don't forget to add the Rust Reaper to your list.

Mike

[Jason_WI]

Kitchen sink.................

Congrats on da sawing job.

Jason

[Minnesota_boy]

What is a good number of extra blades to take with you? 3, 6, 10?

I like to always have at least 5 spare blades with me and it don't hurt much to have 10 or even 15.  They don't haul that heavy and if you don't use them on this job, maybe there will be another later on.

[Corley5]

Paper towels and hand cleaner

[Patty]

Each of you need leather gloves too.

Congratulations on your new job! 

[sigidi]

You might want to heed FDH, I think you will be needing a rental to carry all your stuff!!

[asy]

I don't think anyone's mentioned Cant Hook! So, there's my contribution.

Oh, and, don't forget to HAVE FUN!!!

asy

[Jeff]

I don't think anyone's mentioned Cant Hook! So, there's my contribution.

Oh, and, don't forget to HAVE FUN!!!

asy

Its in my list 3 times. 

[Chet]

Don't furgit yur handy dandy Ebay nail puller outter.   

[dail_h]

   OH BOY, DA BOSS GONNA BE RICH LIKE DA REST UV US

[RMay]

Don't forget a calculator and pencil & paper for adding up the bf.

[Brad_S.]

Rain coat and boots (unless you're a wimp and quit when it rains. ).
Grain shovel for sawdust clearing.
Pen, pencil, paper, calculator and lumber crayon.
Billing invoices.
Business cards to hand out to inquiring stopper byers.
Chains and log tongs if you have 'em. (sounds like you won't need them with this client, but you will with Harry Homeowner.)

Tip of the day:
Don't stack wood or slabs in the path you need to back down to hook up the mill to leave. Don't ask how I know this.


Edit:
RMay beat me to the clock with the talley items but they're important so I'm leaving them on my list too!

[asy]

I don't think anyone's mentioned Cant Hook! So, there's my contribution.

Its in my list 3 times. 

I thought they came in differrent sizes, maybe ya need all three???

asy

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Even BIGGER truck 

[Jim_Rogers]

Here's my check list for road jobs:

Checklist for Sawmill Road Jobs
Item                                    Loaded
Sawmill………………………………...(…………..)
Sawmill key…………………………….(…………..)
Bandsaw blades…………………………(…………..)
Big chain saw……………………………(…………..)
Little chain saw…………………………(…………..)
Debarker chain saw………………………(…………..)
Big peavey………………………………..(…………..)
Little peavey………………………………(…………..)
Sawyer’s favorite peavey…………………(…………..)
Crow bar…………………………………..(…………..)
Metal detector………………………………(…………..)
White pail with nail pulling tools……………(…………..)
Gas jug for sawmill…………………………(…………..)
Chain saw gas jug/with oil…………………(…………..)
White box w/misc spare parts………………(…………..)
Level…………………………………………(…………..)
Axe………………………………………..…(…………..)
Rake……………………………………….…(…………..)
Round point shovel…………………………..(…………..)
Gray floor jack. ………………………………(…………..)
Apron for protecting clothes from pine Logs…(…………..)
Ear muffs and safety glasses…………………(…………..)
Clipboard and calculator……………………..(…………..)
Black and yellow stop watches………………(…………..)
(Black is for timing the blade on the mill, yellow is for misc. services charged by the hour, such as pulling hit nails)
Log scale ruler………………………………(…………..)
Red tool box with standard mechanic tools…(…………..)
Chain saw tool box…………………………(…………..)
Grease gun…………………………………(…………..)
Water, lunch, and snacks………………..…(…………..)
Tarp for mill……………………………….(…………..)
Umbrella……………………………………(…………..)
Sawmill operator’s manual…………………(…………..)

Edit and add as you see fit.....

Jim Rogers

[Jeff]

Lots of helpful stuff!

[Minnesota_boy]

I think Jim_Rogers takes too much stuff!   

[Murf]

Hey Boss, what about a wireless laptop so you can keep up with the FF while you're on da road? 

[Percy]

AHAAAAH!!! I been busier than a one legged hockey player for the last couple of months and then alluvasudden, no work. Couldnt figure it till this post. Jeff's gettin all the work.
The pointers given here are excellent and Im gonna take some of them to heart, specially the "sawmill key" one. Ya dont wanna hear that story.......

[submarinesailor]

AH, come on Percy.  Tell us all about it?

[Jim_Rogers]

The "key" why do you think it's on my list?.......

As I was milling today, a saw some tools that aren't on my list such as a pickeroon, a 2' ruler, bee spray, Rust Reaper, hoe, invoices, and a dust mask.

Just some more to add to my too long list 

Jim Rogers

[asy]

you guys are just teases..  You allude to a good story, then don't tell it.

Come on, I wanna hear them!!! 

asy

[jpad_mi]

I don't have anything to add, but wanted to say congrats. Can't wait to see the pics and hear the recap.

I'm curious, are you cutting by the hour or by the board foot?

[beenthere]

I think he quoted a price by the week 

[Jeff]

By the board foot. Not sure anybody would want to pay me buy the hour.

[Jeff]

 WD-40
Jim Rogers

Um, I dont think so... I only use>>
  RUST REAPER

[Part_Timer]

I'll be the first to rat myself out.

I had 4 hours on the Peterson when the neighbor came down and sold me some oak.  (see gallery)

We cut at his place cause he has a backhoe    (wish was on my list)

        I was so worried about forgetting things like sharpener and wrenches to put rails together that I left the keys at home.  We got everything set up and level.  Log on buncks.  ligned up the first cut and set the depth.  Turned on motor.  turned on motor.  Wish I turned on motor.   
      Drove to house got key while wife fell off the couch laughing at me.  Drove back turned on motor while son and neighbor laughed so hard they fell off the trailer.  Cut boards.

lets hear the rest of the stories now.  I'm just glad I'm not the only one



Jeff you better take some FF members with you to help with all that gear.

[Roxie]

Don't forget the CAN OF PEAS and a pocket knife so's Stacy can whittle herself a spoon!   

[Dan_Shade]

I drove an hour a few weeks ago to slab a log, and forget my sharpened chain

[pigman]

Jeff, take along the sponsors catalogs so you can decide on a new mill while Stacy is doing all the sawing. 

[Rockn H]

I'm glad, I'm not the only one that has problems remembering that DanG key.   I put it on a bright orange key chain with the key to the lock I use on the hitch.  When leaving out with the mill ,because of the lock, I'm pretty good to go, but once I get set up I always have to check about halfway to the mill the next day to make sure it's in my pocket.   It has been known not to be there.

[Tom]

I keep the mill key on a chain of its own.

I keep a spare on the keychain that  has the truckkey on it.

I keep a spare truck key, house key, barn key and mill key hidden on the truck.

I keep a spare of all of my keys in a secret hidey place back in the swamp. 

I still reach in my pocket when I go to work and, about halfway there, worry about turning the stove and coffee maker off.

If there is nothing to worry about, I'll invent something.

[Ernie]

I have too many senior moments to have secret hidey holes anymore

[Brucer]

I exerienced the same mix of fear and excitement about 6 weeks ago. My first on-site job, 4800 BF of Ponderosa Pine. The little one was 16" x 16'. The big one was 33" x 20' (about 4000 lb). And yes, you can winch a log that big onto a manual WoodMizer.

Jeff, don't underestimate that cable operated claw turner. It'll lift a 3000 lb cant right up off the bed of the mill, and if your side stops aren't vertical at the time ... oops!

 - Everything Jim Rogers mentioned, plus ...
 - Outrigger jack handle for the mill.
 - Small square.
 - Steel toed boots (but that was a given wasn't it).
 - File for the chainsaw.

I bought a box of 50 "procedure" masks from my dentist. Light, comfortable, and wrap around the back of the ears so they're easy to take off. More than adequate for any dust that's blowing at you. Cost me about a quarter apiece.

I have a checklist of how the mill should look just before I tow it away. It's a quick reminder, just in case I forget something (or thought someone else did it). Last year Louis & I were heading to a customer's site in separate vehicles. He fetched the mill, and I ended up pulling onto the highway just behind him. As he went by, I thought "Hey, where's the water bottle." Turns out he forgot to strap it down. On the way back 3 days later, he took off with the mill and left me to check the site for anything we might have left behind. I was about 20 minutes behind him on the highway, went around a blind curve, and there was this big red jug right in the middle of the road -- neither of us noticed that the fuel tank wasn't strapped down. And then there was the time he forgot to strap up the sawdust chute -- or forgot that one of his outriggers was still down. I find at my age I gotta keep my ROM written down on paper  .

[Jim_Rogers]

Did I say WD-40, not me...... I use Rust Reaper also.......

[OneWithWood]

Jeff,
Glad to see you sawin' for money again.  I'm sure any jitters will disappear as soon as that blade sinks into the wood.  All that practice you have had is going to pay off now    I was glad to see Jim had invoices listed.  Don't want to forget to get paid. 

Add to list:

Folding chair for Stacy

[Minnesota_boy]

Gee, if Jeff gets paid, that will make him a professional sawyer! 
 

[Jeff]

Well, my first job called today and post-poned because of a dr appointment until the end of the following week.  Atleast it wasn't ta go bird hunting. 

[Kevin]

maybe someone else can help to complete my list

First aid kit. 

[Jeff]

First aid kit. 

Actually, I have two in the truck. Always have.

[Kevin]

You must have put those in there after your brudderinlaw cut my finger off. 

[Chet]

Well, my first job called today and post-poned because of a dr appointment until the end of the following week. Atleast it wasn't ta go bird hunting.

Does he read this forum? Maybe he knew dat da bird huntin' excuse was already used.   

[CHARLIE]

Geeez, there was only one thing I could think of to contribute and see that Roxie beat me to it.

[ronwood]

Sorry for being so late in posting the attached is the Excel file that I used for setting up various scales when I am cutting. Below is the first 4 lines in the file. The first line (1/8) is the kerf in inches. The second line is the desired board thinkness. The 3rd line plus all the other lines give you the position that you need to set your saw head at.

Let me know if I need to explain it furthur.
Thanks
Ron
                           
             Lumber Scale                  
  1/8          1/8      1/8      1/8      1/8      1/8      1/8      1/8      1/8      1/8     Boards
  1/2      5/8    1         1  5/8    2         3  5/8    4         5  1/2    6         7  1/2    1
1  1/8    1  3/8    2  1/8    3  3/8    4  1/8    7  3/8    8  1/8    11  1/8    12  1/8    15  1/8    2
1  3/4    2  1/8    3  1/4    5  1/8    6  1/4    11  1/8    12  1/4    16  3/4    18  1/4    22  3/4    3

[Jeff]

Well, Stacy and I went on our first custom sawing job. We couldnt check back on the listof things to take as we were without electricity alll morning. We were to meet Chris at 1:00 P.M. I think we had everything we needed 'cept one thing. We forgot to take the camera.

I can honestly say I dont think we embarrased ourselves.  We worked until Chris said "uncle". (he's decrepid like me  ), which was about 4:30. Stacy just tallied up our total using the Forestry Forum board foot calculator and found we sawed a nice looking pile measuring 445 board feet of 4/4 red oak in about 3 hours saw time on the manual LT30.

I'm tired, Stacy is Tired, Chris the customer and his helper Don is tired, but the best part is Chris is very happy with his lumber so far. 

[sprucebunny]

Glad it went well for you. 

How's it feel to be a pro sawyer again

[Chet]

How could ya ever forget da camera?    Sounds like things went well, yur on yur way now dar is no turnin' back.   

[Corley5]

    Sounds like ya had a good time too.  So what's the name of the new sawmillin' company   Can't believe you forgot your camera   

[Part_Timer]

way to go Jeff

How'd the shoulder hold out?

[Jeff]

way to go Jeff

How'd the shoulder hold out?

Shoulder is not my most major malfunction these days, its a total duel arm malfunction. they are beginning to think that its some sort of tissue/nerve issue. My elbows and forearms are so sore I can bear to lay my arms on anything. Any activity with my arms, no matter how small, translates into major inflammation. Thats one of the reasons I dont post as much lately. I got a lot to say, just cant bear to say it at times. They have me on a anticonvulsant medication that is supposed to help supress nerve pain. What it does mostly is make me get on the south bound freeway when I want to go North. (true)

[beenthere]

So did you get the sawmill turned around going North while on the Freeway (maybe cutting across the median, or did you use the "for emergency vehicles only" crossing?    )

Sometimes I set too long at this keyboard and start to feel strange things in my arms. Maybe trying to tell me something. Maybe those ergonomic keyboards help??   

[Jeff]

I have the good split keyboard. I limit my time to about ten to 15 minutes at a time on the computer and then rests. Thats not when I have problems. Its going out and driving the garden tractor, or driving the car, or other rather mundane activities that really fires off the problem.

[crtreedude]

Sounds like a real bummer Jeff. We sure hope you will get better. I wonder if the speach recognition software would work for you?

I actually had a very bad problem with my hands and arms in the USA. Starting about now until May I would develop pain - but it was cold related. It was one of the main reasons I decided to live where it stays warm all the time.

I find the split keyboards are great - no one wants to use my computer because of it.