Author Topic: Sawmill Brushes (Read 3892 times)

Magicman · « **on:** January 14, 2011, 02:15:59 pm »

Here is what I use around the mill.

The top one is a car washing brush with the handle whacked off. It cleans the mill and knocks the sawdust off of the radiator.

The third one just had a "cold stroke" and broke it's handle. It had been with me for 9 years. I haven't found a new one yet.

Of course the bottom one cleans log ends, etc.

The second is a bathroom grout brush that cleans my LubeMizer nozzles.

This is it's home.

Piston · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:26:00 pm »

Quote from: Magicman on January 14, 2011, 02:15:59 pm

The third one just had a "cold stroke" and broke it's handle. It had been with me for 9 years. I haven't found a new one yet.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss Magicman.

isawlogs · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:55:37 pm »

Is that what you could not find the other day, I sure would of went into the paint department and got a paint brush.

bugdust · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:43:48 pm »

Magicman, Time to retire that "special brush" because that's beyond even Gorilla Glue, and that holds anything.

Bibbyman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:52:11 pm »

Maybe getting rid of the handle just made it handier. I've got just the head of a modern broom I use often.

I’ve just finished my coffee break, I’ll take the camera out and get a picture of our collection.

Chuck White · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2011, 05:37:16 pm »

I think that one of those brushes that some of us used to use when putting up wall-paper would be a good "mill brush"!

Bibbyman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2011, 06:31:15 pm »

I didn't fine the broom head. It must be on temporary assignment somewhere else.

Here are four brushes we have around the mill. The three boot brushes came for free when a cousin cleaned out his dad’s house and brought a bunch of junk down and put in our dumpster. I retrieved these plus some other things – like a full roll of solder. I use the old paint brush without handle to check a face for defects or width.

Mary uses the black handle one on the edger infeed table to check for width. She often has it hung in her back pocket. The handles on the other two are designed different and can’t be hung like this one.

It never occurred to me to brush the sawdust off the mill. We usually get a 20 mph+ wind about once a week that takes care of that.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:32:49 pm »

I use a straw whisk broom around the planer, lathe and saws in the shop to remove sawdust and shavings.

Magicman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:46:24 pm »

I forgot to add that the long "grout" brush is my sawdust chute cleaner outer tool. Fresh SYP sawdust sticks like glue.

Yup, that broken handled paintbrush looking one was my favorite. It mostly cleans the top of the battery box, that little hole. The bristles are plastic and very coarse.

Bibby, since we really don't have much wind, I use a Stihl blower to actually clean the mill.

Buck · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:52:40 pm »

Magic, look at walmart, dollar store etc. That broken brush looks like one I have that came with a small dust pan in a set. A modern whisk broom. The set snaps together. Possibly in auto dept.

Magicman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2011, 09:06:48 pm »

Buck, I'm familiar with that brush. Matter of fact, I tried one. The bristles are too light. My bristles were very stiff.

bugdust · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2011, 10:23:11 pm »

I tried the soft bristle brush too thinking it would be good getting into those tight places. I retired it from the mill and now use it sweeping off bees from the supers when robbing. I like the leaf blower, it does a good job as long as the saw dust stays dry. I tried convincing Wifey it was her job cleaning up the mill after I've slaved all day. Her was reply was something about "where the sun don't shine." $:-\$

Magicman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2011, 10:41:59 pm »

I will have to check this guy out. Grainger has an air conditioner fin brush.

taylorsmissbeehaven · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2011, 10:56:37 pm »

Hey Bugdust good to see another bee man sawing logs use my bee brush on the mill more than the bees!

woodmills1 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:55:27 pm »

so, what kinda brush takes the grunge offin the edger rollers?

paul case · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2011, 10:33:57 am »

all this clean up talk make me think about bragging, but some of you already stole my thunder.

my bandmill is set up stationary and we get a lot of bark and sawdust built up under the mill. the first foot is not a problem but it will get built up high enough to be in the way of the clamps. i paid my son to ''scoop'' all that out once. took 3 hours. bark mixed with sawdust is impossible to ''scoop''. the next time i wanted to clean it out, he was nowhere to be found(not a dummie like me). so i tried my leaf blower out on it. it took quite a bit of time but it worked easier than the shovel. i just knocked about 12'' of the bark/sawdust out. that keeps me working for a while and is much less hand labor.

my experience with leaf blowers is that if in an enclosed area and lots of fine dust, electric leaf blowers are better. the dust will quickly plug up the engine on a gas powered one. we used to have to blow fans and heaters off on the chicken houses before each new flock came in. pc

ljmathias · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2011, 11:04:05 am »

I don't brush mine down like MM but I have learned to take a FEL load every other load I move- one of lumber and one of sawdust/bark in the bottom with slabs on top. This keeps my stationary site more or less clean. I've gone the route of letting it build up till it was REAL work to clean out- never again; I'd rather do a little bit now and then and stay ahead of it all...

Of course, we all work differently...

Lj

Magicman · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2011, 02:20:35 pm »

With "bark slipping" logs, the bark gets removed before the log hits the mill. This reduces the amount of underside buildup.

Bark still on the logs.

Bark removed before loading it onto the mill.

Since I'm portable, I'm gone before the sawdust builds up enough to cause a problem.

Chuck White · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2011, 02:45:30 pm »

Quote from: Magicman on January 15, 2011, 02:20:35 pm

With "bark slipping" logs, the bark gets removed before the log hits the mill. This reduces the amount of underside buildup.
Since I'm portable, I'm gone before the sawdust builds up enough to cause a problem.

That's one of the nice things about sawing mobile!

backwoods sawyer · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2011, 12:48:27 am »

Even sawing mobile all the time. There are times that it builds up quick. Like when sawing western red cedar that sheds bark thru out the milling process and redwood that the bark crumbles off. When it is wet out the leaf blowers leave a bit to be desired. A good stiff brush can be handy but just using your gloved hand will clean a mill plenty fast. But compressed air with a long wand is the way to go.

Chuck White · « **Reply #20 on:** January 16, 2011, 09:41:53 am »

Quote from: backwoods sawyer on January 16, 2011, 12:48:27 am

Even sawing mobile all the time. There are times that it builds up quick. Like when sawing western red cedar that sheds bark thru out the milling process and redwood that the bark crumbles off. When it is wet out the leaf blowers leave a bit to be desired. A good stiff brush can be handy but just using your gloved hand will clean a mill plenty fast. But compressed air with a long wand is the way to go.

As a matter of fact usually while I'm doing the WM "waddle" I, even unconsiously almost always use my gloved hand and wipe down the rail.

When I have a large order to saw, 5 - 7,000bf there will be times when I'll have to clean under the mill to clear a path for the log turner.

Magicman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2011, 02:18:27 pm »

Quote from: Chuck White on January 16, 2011, 09:41:53 am

while I'm doing the WM "waddle" I, even unconsiously almost always use my gloved hand and wipe down the rail.

I generally drag my gloved hand or the big yellow brush along the top rail when returning, but I'm not "waddling", I'm riding.

Chuck White · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2011, 03:00:57 pm »

Yah MM, we know. You love your operators seat.

I have an operators seat, I've tried it, but I don't feel that I have full control of everything when using it. $:-\$

For instance, if you're on the seat you can't hold or stop the feed (when the band is about to meet iron

) by just holding back on the control box.

woodmills1 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2011, 04:45:48 pm »

So......

no edger info....

Magicman · « **Reply #24 on:** January 16, 2011, 05:28:06 pm »

Quote from: Chuck White on January 16, 2011, 03:00:57 pm

but I don't feel that I have full control of everything when using it. $:-\$

For instance, if you're on the seat you can't hold or stop the feed (when the band is about to meet iron ) by just holding back on the control box.

But I feel like I have more control. Each hand is on a control that will instantly stop the feed. I can see better because I'm perched higher up and closer.

Plus, I can enjoy the fireworks better. Front row seat to the sparks and things.....

Peter Drouin · « **Reply #25 on:** January 16, 2011, 09:18:28 pm »

When I go to all jobs I bring my aircompresser in the back of the truck and cleen the mill at the end of the day. That 100 psi cleens! Then like MM I ride and drag my hand on the way back. Your right MM more control

But sometimes riding puts you in the gun sites of the debarker

Woodmills1 I cleen my WM edger (rollers) with a wirer brush

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #26 on:** January 16, 2011, 09:32:56 pm »

Well all ya need now is to be stationary, an air conditioned booth with a TV, a joystick to run the mill and a conveyor for the bark and sawdust. Get the customer to roll his own logs onto the chain and let the wife deliver sawdust and bark to the boiler plant.

Magicman · « **Reply #27 on:** January 16, 2011, 10:47:08 pm »

We ain't sissy sawyers.

I use a Stihl 055 to blow the mill off. More air volume.

Brucer · « **Reply #28 on:** January 17, 2011, 01:38:54 am »

Quote from: woodmills1 on January 14, 2011, 11:55:27 pm

so, what kinda brush takes the grunge offin the edger rollers?

I use a welding brush. It works great if I clean the rollers after each session. If things get too built up or pitchy, I spray the tough areas with WD-40 and let it sit for 10 minutes or so before applying the brush.

My edger was 7 years old when I bought it, and probably sat unused for 6 years. The feed rollers were really built up badly. I did the WD-40 trick and applied the brush. Most of the build-up flaked off. I gave a second shot to any patches that wouldn't come off easily and that did the trick.

Papa1stuff · « **Reply #29 on:** January 17, 2011, 08:14:31 am »

Does anyone wash down their mill with a water hose?

Chuck White · « **Reply #30 on:** January 17, 2011, 08:21:07 am »

I DO!

When I get done for the season!

First I'll blow it down with the gas powered leaf blower, then when I get it home, I'll blow it off with high pressure air nozzle, then hit it with the water hose.

You'd have to look for a while after all that to even find a flake of sawdust!

pnyberg · « **Reply #31 on:** January 17, 2011, 09:39:50 am »

Quote from: Papa1stuff on January 17, 2011, 08:14:31 am

Does anyone wash down their mill with a water hose?

Spring, summer, and fall, yes. Winter, not so much. Forecasted high for today is 20° F.

--Peter

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #32 on:** January 17, 2011, 10:22:07 am »

No, wouldn't be a good idea at all today. 9 F here, but no wind, lots of sun so it feels great.

Magicman · « **Reply #33 on:** January 17, 2011, 07:42:18 pm »

Yes, a few times, but I don't want to spoil the old gal.

backwoods sawyer · « **Reply #34 on:** January 18, 2011, 02:02:03 am »

I replaced the door seal for the big control box right after I washed my mill the first time and found water in with all the electronics. When the mill is home on the asphalt, it gets washed way more often then all my other rigs put together. Washing it out is about the only way I can clean out that space between the drive and idler wheel that is boxed in with just a slit for the saw to fit into and is a big collection area for sawdust and bark.

woodmills1 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 18, 2011, 08:33:38 pm »

SO still no edger ideas?

Brucer · « **Reply #36 on:** January 19, 2011, 12:51:13 am »

Quote from: woodmills1 on January 18, 2011, 08:33:38 pm

SO still no edger ideas?

Go back 7 from your last post

.

Magicman · « **Reply #37 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:54:23 pm »

I never was able to find a replacement for my broken brush, so drastic measures were necessary. A package of Permatex Cold Weld. (think JBWeld) I drilled four 1/8" holes into each broken piece and filled everything with the epoxy. I hope that it will be better than new. I was missing my old brush. $:-\$

Two part epoxy

Epoxy enhanced handle.

Buck · « **Reply #38 on:** January 31, 2011, 10:14:32 pm »

captain_crunch · « **Reply #39 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:36:34 am »

Magicman
I need just amight bigger brush

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #40 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:14:58 am »

Looks like a nice shiny shovel there.

Magicman · « **Reply #41 on:** February 01, 2011, 08:50:56 am »

Shovels and brushes are your friends.

This one just celebrated it's 9th birthday.

Tom · « **Reply #42 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:02:45 am »

I had one just like that but I put a long handle on it and got rid of the D handle. It worked great for a lot of years, until I ran over it with the bushhog one day. $:-\$

Magicman · « **Reply #43 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:23:35 am »

I have my Dad's old scoop, but I won't use it around the mill. I know that it is between 55 and 60 years old. I did use it to shovel sawdust for a while, but sometimes stuff needs to be retired before something bad happens.

rbarshaw · « **Reply #44 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:36:47 pm »

Quote from: Tom on February 01, 2011, 09:02:45 am

I had one just like that but I put a long handle on it and got rid of the D handle. It worked great for a lot of years, until I ran over it with the bushhog one day. $:-\$

I've done that all to often, let the grass grow up too high and all kinds of things get lost in the bushhog, under tractor tire.

redbeard · « **Reply #45 on:** February 12, 2011, 01:43:57 am »

Dry sawdust is a little rare in my area it is usually raining this time of year So a squeegee works pretty good.

weisyboy · « **Reply #46 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:43:27 am »

brush, clean what it this you speak of, mine gets a good wash everythime it rains.

i dont shovel either, that what tractors and bobcats are for.

Magicman · « **Reply #47 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:15:45 am »

I guess 10 years must be the life of my favorite brushes. $:-\$

I just hope that they still make these grout brushes. This is what I use to clean my Lubemizer nozzles and sawdust chute.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #48 on:** March 17, 2011, 12:08:40 pm »

I use a brush to remove wood dust from my rasps and a toothbrush sized one to clean the sawdust from the air filter in my brush saw once a day. They all come as a package in the automotive department in the hardware store.

northwoods1 · « **Reply #49 on:** March 17, 2011, 12:16:38 pm »

Quote from: SwampDonkey on March 17, 2011, 12:08:40 pm

I use a brush to remove wood dust from my rasps and a toothbrush sized one to clean the sawdust from the air filter in my brush saw once a day. They all come as a package in the automotive department in the hardware store.

I use a lot of different rasps and files in my woodworking, in fact I use those tools more than any other, the best thing I have found to clean the teeth in them is just a regular old brass brush you would commonly find in any hardware store for cleaning the grate on a charcoal grill.
The one thing you do NOT want to use is a file card made out of steel which is commonly sold for cleaning these

terrifictimbersllc · « **Reply #50 on:** March 18, 2011, 05:25:34 am »

Quote from: Magicman on February 01, 2011, 09:23:35 am

I have my Dad's old scoop, but I won't use it around the mill. I know that it is between 55 and 60 years old. I did use it to shovel sawdust for a while, but sometimes stuff needs to be retired before something bad happens.

I carry a scoop shovel my father gave me too, about 30 years ago, and am starting to think maybe I should get another. I wouldn't want to lose that.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #51 on:** March 18, 2011, 07:19:32 am »

Quote from: northwoods1 on March 17, 2011, 12:16:38 pm

the best thing I have found to clean the teeth in them is just a regular old brass brush you would commonly find in any hardware store for cleaning the grate on a charcoal grill.

Well, don't think for one minute this package of brushes I get out of the automotive are some high falooten expensive brushes.

I only buy the package for the smaller toothbrush like brushes and the bigger brush is part of the package, so it gets put into service cleaning rasps and may occasionally freshen up a sanding disk surface.