I just bought a Peterson Swingmill

[Nate Surveyor]

It was a used one, and has alot of needs. The previous owner was not real mechanically inclined. It is a 24 horse honda. 9" mill (yes, a rare USA 9" one!)

Anyway, I am just about to get all the stuff worked out. And, I am full of ideas. I used to own a Logosol chain saw mill, So, I have a clue about work!

Anyway, here are some of my ideas:

Install a small pressure switch on the HANDLE, that turns ON the water, when I grab the handle.
Install another switch on the handle, that RELEASES the brake, (build a solinoid activated brake) to keep the mill from rolling, when I release the push/pull handle. Works in conjunction with the water solinoid.

Install a ROTATING  laser, to assist in log allignment. Both Horiz and vertical.

Also, I need to buy / manufacture a logging arch. To pull logs with truck/4wheeler/van.

Also, I want to set up a set of tracks at home, out of angle iron, for STATIONARY milling. The stock aluminum ones should stay on the portable trailer.

Also, I don't really like the HORIZONTAL bracket for holding the sharpner. The LIGHT does not hit the blade at just the right angle (maybe a work around would be a 12v light RIGHT DOWN THERE). Brand X sawmills have a better sharpening position. (IMHO)

Also, I want to build or design a log bunker with a screw jack in it, to raise and lower one end of the log. I even think my 14.4 volt hammer drill could have a fitting on it to do the job.

Anyway, I am looking for folks that have solved some of these problems, and have figgured out more than me!

Thanks for reading my thoughts.

I'm in SW Arkansas

Nate

[ronwood]

Nate,

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your new tool.

Ron

[beenthere]

Nate
Welcome to the forum. From all your ideas, you are going to be a lot of fun to listen to and get pictures from (or are you already putting some in your gallery?  ).  Go to 'Help' on the button above if you need to use the photo tutor.
Thanks for stopping by, and hope you have pulled up a stump to stay awhile. 

[artenvielfalt]

hi there i´m finally getting the internet flat at my house so i will be on the web more often and i have the same idea as you, i have a peterson 10"WPF and will make a stationary rail system also with iron tracks.  and i like to get the rail system from a bandsaw for holding the log, then i like to instal the hydaulic turner too, just so i can make some real big square blocs out of "rotten " birch and ash for sculpturous or wood turners.  i have some friend who is waiting for those rotten logs to be cut into his turning sizes, he can make bowls up to 1,2m in diameter and likes to get some flat floor bowls out of that material.

well i keep you posted when i´m done with my setup and hope to hear from you about yours.  my mail adress is info@art-en-vielfalt.de in germany.
bye ulf

[Part_Timer]

Nate Welcome to the forum,

I'm the guy you emailed about parts and was wondering if you were able to find them?

Tom

[scsmith42]

Nate and Ulf - welcome!

I too have a Peterson, in my case a 10" WPF with 60' of track.  Let me know how your ideas work out - I like the log deck idea that Ulf mentioned - I think that some other FF members have previously done something similar.

I personally have wondered about a log deck that would allow me to quickly align the log (when putting new logs on the bunks), and also a system where I could quickly angle a log to the side for cutting shingles (cutting gooves into the sides of the log in advance with a chainsaw, and then cutting the shingle lengthwise from the log).

Scott

[brdmkr]

Welcome Nate.

You will be well pleased with your mill I am sure.  We do like pictures here, so keep us posted.

[Nate Surveyor]

Here is a pic about a yr old. We need a bigger house!

I cannot seem to figure out how to add this photo to my profile.

You say you like photos, so here is one. I cannot seem to figure out how to edit my profile either.
I'm 41 yrs old, and needless to say, male!

Nate

[Nate Surveyor]

Do any of you have any experience with the DOUBLE CUT mill from Canada?

He is selling the LEWIS swing mill now, and it is set up with a narrow kerf, and only 4 teeth.

I'm curious as to how this is working out.

Nate

[newbietech]

Hello everybody looks like another fine day on the Forestry Forum!

Great to see you on the forum Nate, glad you took my advice.

For those of you who don't know me, I work in the Technical department here at Petersons NZ, been here for almost a year in Feb. We are always looking for innovative ideas that can enhance our mills and by the looks of what has been said here, theres plenty.

If you have something that you are itching to get out or want to brainstorm with us, then by all means please e-mail me on lemery@petersonsawmills.com . All customer input is appreciated.

Take care for now yall, keep the ideas flowing.

Kia Ora from this corner of the globe,

[treebucker]

Welcome Nate Surveyor,
I'm curious about your proposed modifications and why you need them. I am considering buying a swing mill/slabber some time in the future. I have much to learn and would want to go into this with my eyes open.

newbietech,
I 've had extensive dealings with factory reps such are yourself in the past. I made 1000's of suggestions over the years. So did my counterparts. Most fell on deaf ears. This costs me, my counterparts, our customers and the factories involved dearly. We heard every excuse you could think of. Most boiled down to apathy, internal politics, and limited R&D funding. Only one factory took my suggestions to heart and ended up with the best and easiest to use product on the market. So what I would suggest, if your company truely doesn't suffer from apathy, internal politics, and meager R&D funding, is to start a user group here to propose ideas for improvement, discuss which have the most merit and marketability, and submit them to your company for feasability and implementation. Forgive me for being skeptical and please don't take this as an attack. It's just that  I've seen too much hyperware and vaporware over the years and seen too many fall victim. I hope you can benefit from the advice of someone who's been there and experienced it for so long.

[Gustavo]

be wellcome to the forum

you have very goods ideas

a friend  of mine  will buy a lucas mill  827  in a few days 

i have a special question about this kind of  sawmills

how  do you load the logs without  make damages to the frame???

its not  too much work lift(get up) the frame  in each  log????


there are not a better way to load?? 


the double cout  is diferent in both  mills  ..

what about put a  litle crane   or winch to roud up de mill at the end ??

you can make the double cut   whitout  too much work  or   whitout use tools to remove pieces  like peterson

[Nate Surveyor]

My email server has been loosing my emails. Hole in the mail truck. I never got any reply from anybody. I finally called a guy out east, Blake something... His email is *email removed and I got some wheels/rollers for the side to side mill motion.

Have any of you ever made white oak shingles with a swinger?

Nate

One should probably not put their email
or intimate personal information on the internet. 
It can open you up to spam.

Definitely Don't put someone else's personal
info or email address on the internet.

admin

[Nate Surveyor]

There are 39 ways to load a Peterson Mill.

1.) Use Hi/Lo tracks, and a cant hook. Roll the log into place, and block it.

2.) Use Lo/Lo tracks, and a cant hook. """

3.) Set up a large metal beam, across the milling site. Hook up with a winch, and move as you desire. Handy, cause you can rotate the log, if you have a sling.

4.) Set up right over the log. Be sure and block it.

5.) Use a tractor. OR the neighbors! (wink)

The Peterson mill is handy because there are MANY options. It is hander to move, than a Lewis because the lewis although advertised as "The most portable" it requires 2 persons to place the engine and stuff into the tracks. I'm totally solo. And I think the Hi/Lo option is a peterson only too.
I'm curious about all the pros and cons. These are some that influenced me to want a Peterson.

Watch the videos, and note items that allow a solo operator to run it. If it will work solo, it will work better with a helper. But sometimes the helper is too small to carry the other end of a 300 pound object!

Nate

[scsmith42]

Nate, the Peterson rep in the NE is Craig Blake, of Timberpro and Majesty Stables.  He's a frequent contributor to the FF under the name of "Captain".

Craig is extremely experienced with Peterson mills, has "been there, done that", and is always receptive to feedback and bouncing ideas.

Re the shingles, I've thought about it, but haven't made any, hence my ideas re some type of log deck that would allow fast and easy shifting of the log.

REgards,

Scott

[RMay]

Nate welcome to The Forum what county are you in I am in Clark county ;D

[solodan]

Nate,
Welcome to the Forum.

Kind of sounds like when I bought my Lucas 827. It was used once also. The guy who sold it to me called me up and asked if I wanted to buy it, and then I asked how many hours were on it. He told me that it had 2.5 hours on it. I said I would buy it since I was the one who put the 2.5 hrs on it. ;D I bought it used, but I was the only one who had ever used it. :D  

I am real interested in your log bunk idea. Please keep us all posted on that and ask us questions as well. I would like to come up with a log bunk that can shift a log side to side, and also a log turner. I have a Lucas so the up or down for taper is not that big of a deal, I  raise and lower each end frame separately any way. This would be a nice set up to have at my semi permanent location, and then just leave it behind when I am out going portable.

Gustavo,

Just roll the log under the frame.  Or if it is a monster, set it up over the log. Real simple. 8)

[treebucker]

Has anyone considered/used Fabriks http://www.fabrik.us/sawmillsupportequipment.html offerings on bunks for swing mills that have builtin toe and side to side adjustments?

I liked their video: http://www.fabrik.us/sawmillequipmentvideo.html

The only thing that concerned me was their rollers. I thought they should be larger diameter pneumatic tires so it would be easier to turn the logs without debarking.

[farmerdoug]

Nate and Ulf,

Welcome to the Forum.  From what I have heard about Peterson mills you guys have great mills.

To you guys that want to start a user suggestion forum you should talk to Captain about that.  His Sponsor Board is open to new topics and posts from any members and he is a big Peterson dealer so he may be willing to handle this for you.  I think that his Board would be an excellent place for your suggestions and dealing with Peterson directly as they are here often and Captain is in the USA also.

So Captain, what do you think of this idea?  Your board is designed for this kind of thing already but we would not want to clutter it up if you do not like it.

Farmerdoug

[Jeff]

I cannot seem to figure out how to add this photo to my profile.

I gotcha covered on the first one.  Next time go to your profile, look to the left for a list of links. Choose Forum Profile Information. You can then change your photo, fill out your Bio, and stuff like that.

[Ga_Boy]

Welcome to the FF Nate.

I run a 10" WPF, great machines.  Peterson is a good company to do business with.  From my point of view they listen to what you have to say about the daily use of your mill.

I use mine to operate a small custom saw mill and kiln dry operation.  The only thing is you will soon see the need for a fork lift.  It took me a year of using my tractor with a FEL with a pallet fork frame to fully appreciate what a real fork lift can do for you.  Now I have a Hyater H80 doing the heavy lifting for me. 

Show us some pictures when you get the mill set up.




Mark

[Captain]

Looks like Nate has been calling all over the planet    How are those rollers working out and did you get your adjustments corrected??

Talk about a small world, that mill spent its entire life cutting timbers off land previously owned by Bro. Noble's grandfather in Missouri.  I came from a fellow just 3 miles from Noble's place.

I'm always open to comments and suggestions in my "sponsor news" section.  Yes it is interactive.  I do feel, however, that questions are still best answered here in the "sawmill" board. 

I do carry most consumable parts and accessories(blades, rollers, etc) and provide service and training on Peterson Sawmills.  I will also be doing some occasional contract work for the company.  However, I am no longer a Peterson Regional Center as of the first of this year.  Therefore, product comments and suggestions should be forwarded to them directly.  I will ALWAYS be happy to help with problems here on the Forum, or my IM, EMAIL or phone and share my experience with others.  I am also considering a "tips" section on our website.

Welcome again Nate to the best spot on the internet and let us help you with your questions.

Captain

[Burlkraft]

Hi Nate,

I bought a used 8" ATS last summer, mostly for the slabber, but I soon found out that it works pretty good for sawing lumber too. Make sure you post some pictures of that mill and all your improvements... ;D   ;D   ;D

Welcome to The Forestry Forum.....

That's a good looking family ya got there.... ;)

[Nate Surveyor]

I just got my profile filled in. (thanks Moderator)

I think I want a skid steer loader, with bucket, and forks. It seems that this would be as handy or more handy than a tractor. My first project is to add on to our mobile home. I have 5 huge pines that were given to me. They are 30" dia plus. The bark has not fallen off any but one.
Will they HAVE to dry before I can use them? Of course it depend on moisture content.

If they have too much moisture, I will have to dry them some first.

Another project is a barn. I'm self employed. I get loaded to the gills with my other business, and need something like a sawmill to clear my head.

Thanks everybody for the replies.

Captian, my email server has been problematic... Thanks for the parts. Do you stock the 2 piece swing pivot blocks?

I just ordered some from Peterson. 26 bucks shipping!

Another idea is a forum for Cheapskate millers! Like how my rollers on my Peterson were too sloppy. (the ones the carriage rolls on) and I carefully shimmed them with aluminum cans. They are as tight or tighter than the originals now!




Nate

[brdmkr]

Nate,

I don't know about wheter SYP HAS to be dry before use.  I suppose it depends on the use.  Most will tell you that you can use it for board and batten siding right off of the mill.  I had a similar question regarding framing lumber some months back.  The concensus was 4 - 6 weeks was enough to air dry for framing.  I let mine AD for 6 weeks and framed up my shop.  I am still in the construction stage, but everything seems to be just fine.

I look forward to hearing more from you. 

Mike

[Engineer]

Hey Nate, another welcome to the forum.  Five kids, self employed, do land surveying, own a sawmill.  If I didn't know better I'd think someone was writing about ME!    Sorry I can't help you with the Peterson, but there's a lot of guys on here who can and will.  But if you ever need to BS about kids, work and needing a bigger house, let me know.

If you're only going to do work on a flat-ish surface and around the mill, a skid steer is a better option than a tractor.  I'd like to have both, but only have a tractor.  I think the skid steer is actually more versatile, but skidding logs out of the woods is NOT one of it's strong points.  However, with a decent set of aftermarket tracks or add-on tracks, and a front-mounted skidding winch (and operating in reverse), you might want to make a go of it.  But I wouldn't, personally. 

[Jim_Wahl]

Hi Nate and everyone,

Regarding your water and brake ideas, I think you can just ignore both for now
at least. I used the water lube religiously as instructed for the first summer and fall.
Then when I inquired about what I could use during cold weather, Peterson advised
to use nothing, which worked so well that I have been using nothing ever since.
The only thing you might even need it for is really sappy stuff.

They say the only thing between here and the north pole to break the wind is a 3
strand barbwire fence somewhere near the Minnesota state line, and I believe it!
The only time I use my brake is when the wind is blowing hard enough to move it,
(or when not in use) and that is not very often, even here.

The rest of your plans sound very interesting, and I'll be interested in how they work
out for you. My mill is also a 9 inch Peterson antique which work like new to this day.

Good luck, and have fun with your new mill,
Jim Wahl

[Nate Surveyor]

I went portable milling the other day, and set up the back end of the tracks higher than the front end. Back is to your back when you are facing the mill.  A mechanism to stop it from rolling would have been nice. It was a 20'2" x 24" White oak log.

And, the water thing, well, when you hit a nice sap knot, or a dammaged part of yellow pine, there are sap pockets there. And I have forgotten to turn on the water a number of times. The water is good for it, and seems to make it run faster.

Nate

[Fla._Deadheader]

Hi Nate
Welcome to the FF.  My Peterson has NO brake. It was not on the mill when I purchased it used. I carry a small wedge in my pocket, and just "scotch" a wheel when I need to be away from the carriage. When overnight, the cows and horses will want to "rub-up" on the mill, or chew the belts, hoses, whatever. Be sure to cover the mill COMPLETELY, and I chain it to the track, at either end. The cows will push it, and, cause a "runaway".

[Nate Surveyor]

This is USA. We turn faucets to the LEFT to turn them on! The old jug is cracked, and the water valve is full of scale. I think I'd like to replace the water jug. And maybe set it up to turn the proper direction to turn it on! (Wink).

So, 1st, are the Peterson Jugs available? And the water valve, too?

If it is any bit pricy, I can make my own, from a 5 gallon bucket. And I can redo the valve from brass.

Ideas?

Thanks!

Nate

[Nate Surveyor]

Somehow I think I could make a little plastic paddle, with a grove for the rail, that would keep the rails nice and clean. The prev owner made little ones from metal strapping bands, and hung them on the mill with hose clamps. They are kind of easy to bend up when mobile milling. Maybe a little whisk broom that sticks out.

Nate

[FC_PineKnot]

Hey Nate,

Another welcome to the forum!  I've enjoyed reading your posts about all the modifications you want to make to your mill.  I've had my Peterson 8" WPF for a little over a year now, and I'm constantly daydreaming (at my REAL job, of course) about little things I could do to make sawing easier with the mill.  Then, I finally get the time to saw and I'm having so much fun (or have to meet some deadline) that I just never seem to get around to making any of those little mods!  BUT, I've found out that the mill works just fine without them :D :D !

I've got some good friends north of you in Russellville.  Get to work there sometimes with my REAL job.  Mighty pretty country up there!

This forum is absolutely the best source of information on sawmilling I've found anywhere.  I went to the Ag Show in Moultrie, GA before I bought my mill.  I got to meet Craig, Tom, Dang, DonK, Woodbowl and a couple of others from this forum there.  They all treated me like I was an old friend! It seems to be that way with everyone on the forum.  More like extended family than just friends!  You'll like it here. ;D

Best of luck with your new mill.

[CDN-woodchuck]

Enjoy your new mill!!,

I have seen guys use plastic tie straps to attach 'finger nail brushes' to the rollers to keep rails clear as well.

I just bought a swing mill from D&L in Sept. and I am having alot of fun with it, pretty steep learning curve for a newbie tho,

mk

[BigTrev]

Welcome to the fun-house Nate  smile_juggle

That machine you have really is rare, infact I think it may well be one of only a handfull.

Quite the good score  8)

All the bits and pieces for your water system are available through Petersons though you could probably pick up the bottle and tap pretty cheap locally, try your garden center or plastics store.

Hope it helps.

[Nate Surveyor]

Big Trev, what is that water jug called?

I'd like to get one here, without the NZ postage!

If this gets to be a nuisance, I have a local guy that will make me a bracket that will hold the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket. They make those with a good lid here, for next to nothing. Out at a clear cut there are often 5 gallon hydraulic fluid containers that they throw away.

Say, Woodchuck, how do you like the 4 tooth blade?

Nate

[Part_Timer]

Nate

It's to late tonight but tomorrow if I get home before dark I'll take a picture of the track brake on my ATS for you, it works very well.  Captain has the water jugs and valves in stock I think. 

If you do a search on here you will find a thread on useful sawmill mods.  There is some interesting reading.

[Nate Surveyor]

It is on the Right Rear of the mill. It is a metal device, that drops over the track. It is stock.

Right Rear is to your right, from the operator's position. And at the near side of the mill.

Why is it not at the OTHER side of the mill? I think I will design one that uses a caliper like a bicycle. And is spring loaded. Can be set to OFF all the time, if desired.

[Captain]

Nate has to old style drop brake on his right hand track.  The new brake is on the left of the operator on all mills, high or low track position on the WPFs.  I don't have a pic, I just checked.

Nate, the newer mills have a piece of sheet plastic for a track wiper on the left lower rollers.

Captain

[Nate Surveyor]

Can I get swing blocks from you? (These are the blocks that the swinger swings on.)
And water jugs?
And the new track brake?
And the plastic track wipers?
AND AND NAD!

I never got any tools, or spare parts with mine, as it was used.

What is in the tool kit?

What is in the parts kit?

Nate

[Snag]

Nate,

I was wandering around the local wally world tonight picking up a few things and I saw some square jugs in the sporting goods sections.  They looked very similar to the peterson ones, the differences were: they were blue (should help keep down algea), they were 7 gallon, and they had no spigot assembly, oh.. and they were only $10.  They also had the groove on the bottom of the jug, just not sure yet if it is the same size, but sure looked it.  A spigot would be simple to add.  I didnt grab one, 'cause I wanted to look at the mill first.  I hate returning things.  Also, I took some advice on a thread I started a few days ago and bought a 12v solenoid valve for my lube that will turn on when the engine is rev'ed up and close when rev'ed down.  Just came in the mail today.  I'll take some pics of the install and let you know how it works.  I don't particularly like the idea of a switch you trigger when you grab it.  I have milled small logs and huge logs in my short milling career, but have realized each log finds me holding, pulling, pushing with my hands in different positions.  If you look at my avatar, you will see a "middle" size log and I really utilized the "swinging handle" on the vertical cuts.  Especially when stepping up and down on the log.

[Nate Surveyor]

Hey Snag,

Where'd you get the 12v solinoid valve? :

I might add, if GROUNDING the switch turns it on, place 3 or 4 switches wherever you want them.

Also, if the water is not on ALL the time, it is OK. I just want it to turn OFF when I stop pushing or pulling.

Nate

[scsmith42]

Nate, www.surpluscenter.com usually has solenoid valves.

[Snag]

I got it in an ebay auction that jpad_mi referred me to in another thread.  Here is the link:  Solenoid Valve

[Nate Surveyor]

Thanks for the links. I did not think of that!

My problem is that I am focused on the next event, like pulling the cut board off, or designing the next cut, and forget and leave the water on. The solenoid should take care of that. On some logs you don't really want/need water, so having 3 buttons (one on the pull handle, and 2 on the push parts) should take care of that.

Now, on the track brake... I think I can use bicycle calipers, and a 4 wheeler lock mechanism.

N

[Nate Surveyor]

OK, kind of an update.

I had been milling a nice big log, and shut it down, as my 2 yr old approached the mill.

I drug the cut piece off the mill, and he observed that I did not turn off the water for the blade.

He said emphatically "DAD! YOUR SAWMILL IS GOING PEE PEE!"

Too funny! :D :D :D

Anyway, here is a link to a handy Modification that has helped with double cutting long logs:
(Note: Go to the Peterson Forum, if you want to see larger pics)

This first pic is of the Hi track, showing the string:


Then, here is a zoom in on the subject matter, in the first pic:


Then here is the middle of the track, by the center hi track support.


To make this work, you have to really tighten the string, to be as tight as a guitar string. But it really gets the tracks straight. This is really helpful for double cutting LONG logs.

PHOTOS MUST BE IN YOUR FORUM GALLERY

Note to moderator: Sorry about the linking. I assumed that due to Peterson's Sponsorship, and all, that this would not be an issue. I somehow thought I saw somebody else post a link to other sawmill company sites, that also had photos. Like references to Wood Miser, and Timber King sites.

Later,

Nate