Last board off the mill?

[WoodChucker]

I use a WM LT-15 saw mill and when I get down to the last board out of a log I'm not sure how to cut it.

Lets say I've cut all the boards 1" thick and I end up with a board 1 7/8 ". I can't cut it to one inch without hitting the dogs on bed rails, so do I just leave it at 1 7/8" or is there a way to get another inch board from it that I'm not seeing?  Like a jig or something?

It could be that I have a mental block and the obvious is going right over my head here, but it always makes me a little nervous when I get down to that last board, I must look at from a 100 different views to make sure I'm not going to hit anything.

Sorry if this was a stupid question, but be warned, there will be more.  

Thanks for your time!

R.T.

[Tom]

Your LT15 should cut within an inch of the bed. I know it makes you nervous, it does us all but it will do it.  That is decision making time.  Why make a one inch board when an inch and seven eighths is a usable board too.

One thing to check.  Is your scale calibrated such that one inch is actually one inch above the bed of the mill?  Measure from the bed to the bottom of the blade.  If you, or someone, has moved the scale then you might need to re-calibrate.

If your sawing procedure doesn't come out evenly at the bottom for the boards you are cutting then a trim cut is nothing to be ashamed of.   Many times I find myself in that situation and just take the board as it is to keep for a 5/4 or 8/4.  

If everything is out of the way (dogs and clamp) and the blade doesn't dive, then you should be able to cut to one inch..

[Kevin]

My LT15 cuts 1"off the bed, my last cut would be 1"on the scale, the second last board will be a little less than 7/8" and the last board would be 1".
Drop your band to 1"on the scale and slide it up to the fixed log stop, it should clear easily, if it doesn't something is out of line.

[Kevin]

On another note I made my own scales from 1/2"magnetic tape.
I use white paper tape stuck to the magnetic strip with the size of boards I want to cut marked on the tape.
The 1"graduations are 1 1/16" to allow for the thickness of the band.
The strip gets stuck over the existing scale.
Every board is exactly 1"and it saves me mega time.
I can change scales quickly.

[biziedizie]

  Kevin where do you buy magnetic tape from???
 I have a velcro strip for the scale and it's very cool but from looking at my kids shoes I can't see it lasting forever.

  Steve

[Kevin]

Canadian Tire, Biz.

[WoodChucker]

I think I'm to stupid to live, .

I was trying to cut the one inch off the top of the last board instead of using the scale. So all I had to do is set the scale to 1 1/16" and then the bottom board would be one inch. I'm not explaining myself very well and I don't know why I didn't figure this out on my own, I guess I just got used to lowering the blade 1 1/16 inch for each board and when I got to the end I couldn't take any more off the top of the board to make my inch board, the last cut is measured from the bottom of the board up instead of the the top of the board down. I know I sound like an air-head and sorry I had to ask such a stupid question. Thanks everyone for taking the time to explain this to me.

Kevin, I like your idea with the magnetic tape and may give that a shot, seems like it could really save me some time...Thanks!

R.T.  

[biziedizie]

  WoodChucker there's no such thing as a stupid question, the only stupid question is one that is never asked
 I think I've asked a few questions here where everyone may have thought that I was brain dead but I'm glad that I asked cuz the answers always put me another step ahead of the game.

 Kevin thanks Must put that on my list of things to buy next time I'm down there.

  Steve

[Jeff]

Whats brain dead? I hope thats not whats wrong with me.

[BBTom]

woodchucker,
I think that if your scale is set properly, you should set it at 1" to get a 1" board.  the scale should match the distance from the BOTTTOM of the lowest teeth to the bed.  Don't feel bad about your question, we all forget to think outside the box now and then. That is part of what makes life interesting. It is also what makes this forum so great, noone here is so high and mighty that they think they have all the answers. Most of us have asked some of those questions ourselves.

[Kevin]

My LT scale matches the height off the bed.
Bring the band down to where it reads one inch on the scale and the bottom of the band should be 1"off the top of the bed.
The magnetic strip will fit nicely over the present scale and under the plastic blade height indicator.
Once the cant is square and I`m ready to start producing lumber I use my magnetic strip.
When I get down to the last board I'll switch over to the LT scale and cut my last board.
You'll need the 1/16"on the magnetic strip to compensate for band thickness.
On the magnetic strip, 1"lumber the graduations are 1 1/16".
1 1/2"lumber the graduations are 1 9/16" and so on.
You can use one strip to mark two different sizes side by side on the same strip.

[WoodChucker]

Thanks again guys, I appreciate the help and kind words!

Kevin,  great idea!

R.T.

[Andre]

Here is the scale I am using.
The short vernier part is on the mill frame and the long scale moves with the saw head.  The vernier scale compensates for the blade kerf.
If you are cutting 1" boards you line up the numbers one to one, if there is enough wood under the blade for 6 1" boards you would cut at 6 on the main scale lined up with 6 on the vernier scale then 5,5 4,4 and on down.  Same type of thing for 2" boards, if there is enough wood for 6 2" boards it would just be 12 on the main scale lined up with 6 on the vernier scale the 10,5 8,4 and on down.
For mixed thicknesses you need to do a little more thinking but it is not too bad.  Say you wanted 2 1", 1 4" and 1 1" boards, you would cut at.

 Main     Vernier
  7          4       remove slab
  6          3       remove 1" board
  5          2       remove 1" board
  1          1       remove 4" board leaving a 1" on bed

http://www.forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/index.php?image=Sawmill+Scale.gif