Author Topic: Any tips on setting up a Logosol PH260 4 sided moulder? (Read 3049 times)

LOGDOG · « **on:** October 07, 2006, 07:47:03 pm »

Hi Everyone,

I've finally decided to go ahead and set up my Logosol PH260 moulder that I've had new in the box for 2 years. It's crazy I know. Long story though. Finally going to do it though. I've got steady work lined up for it and it's time for it to come out of it's crate.

I know some of you have similar machines. Any tips that may help during setup? I've ran the big machines in the past. Just not sure what to expect from this one. Any shortcomings or limitations that the machine has? All comments appreciated.

Thanks,

LOGDOG

Norwiscutter · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2006, 11:09:13 am »

Can't say enough about the importance of straight blanks with this machine. Also, I have found that my infeed/outfeed tables have begun to sag a bit and need to be releveled.

LOGDOG · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2006, 05:20:12 pm »

Thanks NORWISCUTTER. I'll be putting in a straight line ripsaw to presize the blanks and likely s2s'ing the material before it's made into flooring. How long did it take you to set yours up? Did you hire an electrician or wire it yourself? BTW ...I'm from up there. Where in Eagle River is your operation?

Thanks,

LOGDOG

ARKANSAWYER · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2006, 09:03:04 pm »

I have found a pair of straight bar magnets help in sitting up the bottom wide blades. The tools they give you are lacking in doing that part of the job. As for the side cutters it is not really a problem. Mark the size of the spacers with a perminate pen and it will make sit up faster. Once you sit up for a certian cut record the spacers under the knife numbers and then you can reset the same each time. I can change the blades and reset up in about 15 mins if no one is helping me.

Wired it up all by my little self to a gen set.

LOGDOG · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2006, 06:54:34 am »

Sounds good Arkansawyer. How do you like the finish that comes off the planer? Do you have the single phase motors or 3 phase? I bought all three phase with a phase converter. I'm wondering if I'll be able to figure out how to wire that phase converter up.

Where have you guys located your blower system? Directly above the planer or further down the line?

Thanks,

LOGDOG

ARKANSAWYER · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2006, 07:58:13 am »

Blower is just above and to the left of the machine and blows outside. The wall is closed off now to keep the shavings outside. Finish is good with sharp blades. Straight material that is sized right will make better products. I run every thing through a planer to make sure there are no thick spots and I straighten every thing on the mill to make sure they are the same width. If you hang one up in the machine you will just have to throw it out as it will not go back in and get done again. The one I use is 3 phase.

LOGDOG · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2006, 08:38:55 am »

Thank you very much for the pic Arky. Looks like a nice compact arrangement. I'll post pics as we're setting ours up just in case others are curious.

LOGDOG

GregS · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2006, 08:37:46 pm »

Thanks for the info gents. The timing is perfect considering I just received my used PH260 from GA. I was nervous that my homemade 20hp phase converter would have a hard time with it but it runs fine. The tips on setups is great with pictures to boot...thanks Arky.

I only ran one board and sent the knives in for sharpening. They were a mess. The profile T&G knives I got with it are really nicked up but a guy at work thinks he can still make them work.

It's really good to see so many people happy with the unit!

fireman05 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2006, 11:27:55 am »

I have had my Logosol PH 260 single phase unit in operation now for almost 2 years and only regret 1. not buying one sooner 2.not buying the 3 phase unit! I do mostly white cedar and pine VM T&G paneling, hardwood flooring and moulding. I preplane the hardwood so I get a better finish, especially the flooring. Otherwise I am very happy with the machine for the money. I utilize the machine on a part-time basis processing material on average of about 16 hours/wk. I do saw all of my material as well as kiln dry in a Nyle L200 DH kiln. You should have no problem keeping busy and making money with this unit. Don't push material through too fast for good quality finish and make sure all nuts/bolts are tight! I did have problems with nuts/bolts loosening up and falling out which was frustrating.

Good luck and enjoy!

GregS · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2006, 09:09:17 pm »

Fireman,
When spending this much money one always likes to hear stories such as yours. Thanks for the inspiring words.

When you say "preplane" do you mean you use the Logosol without the side cutters, or do you use a different unit?

Greg

LOGDOG · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2006, 09:15:13 pm »

Actually I just signed on to ask a similar question. Do you gentleman ever use the Logosol without the side heads in to double surface prior to straight line ripping? Seems to me it would be a big time saver.

Thanks,

LOGDOG

GregS · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2006, 09:20:46 pm »

Logdog,
We are on a role..

Here is another question. I need some flex-hose for my chip-extractor Logosol hookup. Has anyone tried using black flex non-perferated drainage pipe as a low cost alternative to the fancy clear metal support ring versions?

Greg

mur · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2006, 12:36:07 am »

I have the 3 phase PH260 and run it off a phase converter. After much frustration and experimentation, what works for me is pre-planing the bottom of the board through a Woodmaster 718 to size the blanks evenly - no thick and thins. The 260 then feeds evenly and consistently. Finish is dependent on sharp knives and feed speed. Good chip collection is a must to avoid hammermarking the finish side of the board. Is a good machine for what it does and the money you pay for it. I am switching to the WMoore tooling for the side heads. Logosol steel is too soft and good for short runs only in my opinion. Plus, I could not properly re-sharpen the Logosol profile knives - basically throw away tooling in my experience. Hence the switch to WMoore.

GregS · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2006, 07:11:45 am »

Mur,
Thanks I found the site WMoore. I called there and they were very helpful. I ordered a new set of T&G knives and waiting for them to get in the carbide upper and lowers. They will be $195/set. They also have new side heads that will fit the Ph260 that will allow us to use more common profile knives.

Nice selection.

mur · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2006, 04:49:33 pm »

Hi GregS:
Yea, the price is not really that much different from WMoore than Logosol and then they can be properly re-sharpened. And they are the modern corrugated knife if you got what I got from WMoore. Costs a bit to set up but Adam Lumley from WMoore said you could get a lot more "run" from the Moore knives. He's down in the North Carolina (I think) shop of WMoore and they do all the Euro knives there. Excellent folks to deal with. I am travelling on the road due to my medical thing and don't have Adam's 1-800 # with me - it's at home back up North. But the New York WMoore office can connect you to the Southern office. And they can make any knives you can give them the pattern for. Top notch made in the USA material. Quick, excellent service.

ARKANSAWYER · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2006, 07:49:36 am »

Run all my boards through my Grizzly planer first to skip plane them. If they hang up in there it is easier to get them back and replane. In the PH260 if you hang one up it is hard to rerun it when doing both sides. You can leave the top head off and plane with just the bottom head to size material.
Then clamp them back on the mill with a cant on the back side and straighten them up and size them all the same.
I like the machine and hope to soon own two of them.

Brad_S. · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2006, 08:56:52 am »

Quote from: ARKANSAWYER on October 12, 2006, 07:49:36 am

I like the machine and hope to soon own two of them.

Arky, have you seen or heard anything about D&L's machine? It appears to be a Logosol on steriods and may be worth checking into as it may have the power to plane irregular stock without the need to pre-size.
http://www.doublecut.com/planer.asp

UrbanLogger · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:36:38 am »

I talked to the PlanerPro guys when they first got into the business. Apparently they were one of the biggest distributors of the Logosol for many years.

They said that they suggested that Logosol make a 12" capacity machine to meet the needs of the wideplank market for reclaimed longleaf flooring and Logosol said no so they had a Taiwanese company knock it off in the size they wanted.

I offered to be their tester/reviewer but they didn't go for it. I've yet to see one in operation or a review of it from a customer.

GregS · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2006, 12:11:05 pm »

Quote from: ARKANSAWYER on October 12, 2006, 07:49:36 am

Run all my boards through my Grizzly planer first to skip plane them. If they hang up in there it is easier to get them back and replane.

Excellent info Arky...thanks.

Brad_S. · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:01:37 pm »

It's getting crowded in the planer/moulder business. Baker just announced a new 4 sided unit that looks similar to the PlanerPro/Logosol.

News:

Author Topic: Any tips on setting up a Logosol PH260 4 sided moulder? (Read 3049 times)