LT28D18

[Jim_Rogers]

The water jug sucks...having to reach across the mill to turn on the water is wasted motion, and it flows too much...I cut one log when I got the mill and then modified the water line so there is a shut off and regulator (needle valve) on the "drivers" side..now I can adjust water flow to the blade
almost infinitely, and the gate valve lets me start and stop the water between cuts... In a full day of sawing I'll use maybe two jugs of water..in softwood at least.

Have you got a picture of your setup for your water jug?

I'd like to see it as Piston and Thelittleguy could use it on their mill......

Jim Rogers

[zopi]

 



This is the only pic that shows anything...after this one I decided to add the needle valve right under the ball valve..and the lear tubing between lets me see at a glance how much water is flowing..much like an IV burette...the white tubing is PEX done with Sharkbite connectors, so they are easy to repair/replace...or modify...

[Jim_Rogers]

Thanks, I hope Piston and Thelittleguy see this....

[zopi]

Now that I have a shed over the mill, I need to put a light shining down onto the controls..even with the 'lectric lights in the shed it's hard to see the scale...I ought to make a set of moveable magnetic scales for it too..4/4, 8/4 etc....not really necessary, but could save a bit of time..

[ljmathias]

You have lights in your sawmill shed?  Wow, what a novel idea!  I guess I should try that- save my eyes from squinting at the scale after dark and trying to line things up by hand.  It's called "cutting by feel" and the only problem is getting your fingers between the blade and the log as you try try to line up for that first cut with the blade spinning.  Puts a whole new level of thrill in the sawmilling effort around here...

Lj

[zopi]

yah no lie, welcome to the 19th century...we have state of the art mills and they live in shotgun shacks...

Sorta like Bill Gates living in my workshop.

I just put the lights in too..have to pull an extension cord down the hill, but that keeps the county bubbas off my back...it's NICE!

Watch, I'll wind up with an lt-40..and it won't fit under the bloody shed...it's too long...oh well, I'll just have to build another.

[Piston]

Thanks, I hope Piston and Thelittleguy see this....

Got it!

[zopi]

LEt me know if I can help ya with it...the needle valve I used is actually a hope valve..one we use on gauge lines to be able to calibrate the gauge with an external pressure source...but almost anything will do.

[paul case]

lj and zopi,
i havent done this yet but i was thinking on the mill lights. why not mount a couple machinery lights on the mill in places that you need it.u know like tractor lights. mine has a 12 volt car battery the add on would be easy to do and i think you can get the lights for less than $10 each. if you move the mill  they will still be in place.i have good lights in the shed where my mill is buti cant read the scale very well after dark.plus the head isnt always at one place when i need to read the scale.   would it work?  pc

[amberwood]

I have just that. 12v sealed beam tractor lights mounted up high. One on the front of the motor shining down on the log/loader infront of the head, the second on the top of the mast above the scale. Pointing straight down it is fairly effective on the log/scale and control panel. I wouldnt want to start a job with them, but it enough to just finish the last log, or packup with.

DTR

[ljmathias]

Boy, do I feel stupid: not one solution but two!  My sawmill shed is only about 20' from the big barn which has an outside plug I put in to, guess what, have lights and electricity for the sawmill that was going to be under the barn roof shed.  Guess I could find an extension cord to run out to the new shed...  The 12 v lights are even better: my mill is stationary anyway so they shouldn't get in the way and I'd always have them there when I need 'em.

So, now the hard part: which wire do I use or splice into for the lights?  And where to put the on-off switch?  Since I've already admitted my reasoning skills (and lack thereof, but then, I am almost 61 now and after memory going first, reasoning is right behind...), I'll just ask for advice and sift it for what my skill level will allow me to do.  BTW, has this been described in the "useful sawmill mods" thread?  If not, why not put it there as well?

Thanks, all: again, the value of this forum is demonstrated to me for even what-should-have-been obvious things.

Lj

[zopi]

I'm planning on using LED lights...they don't draw much amperage...the LT 15 doesn't have a big laternator, so stadium lighting is out...I'll just wire it to a switch and back to the battery..chassis ground on the engine mounting plate somewhere.