Another new guy, intrduction

sawmillsmith · February 09, 2011, 01:19:41 AM

Hello all, I love this forum, it's been very helpfull. I have an old circle mill, I think it's an American #2, at least it's got some ameican parts on it. It's kind of a frankenstien mill, all steel construction etc. Power is from a 220 cummins truck engine, I currently have a 48" blade w/ 40 teeth. I've had the mill for about 7 years, and although I consider myself an amature at this, I'e had pretty good luck with it. I should add that I only cut for myself and a couple of niegbors on my road. I think I have a lot to learn before I can charge actual money for this. Another interesting thing I have for moving wood around is an old Garrett 15 skidder w/ a front end loader on it. I have never seen one of these before this one, only heard of them. I've had machinery in my life, but this thing tops them all! I live near Buckley, Wa. which is one town over from where Garretts were born. Anyway, I love talking about sawmill stuff and Garrett stuff, and collecting any advice I can. Thanks, sawmillsmith

redbeard · February 09, 2011, 02:13:54 AM

Welcome sawmillsmith, Nice logs in your area, I spent a few years in Algona in the 80s doing construction, worked all over. Several folks are running old Americans on the FF, Can you post some pics?

fishpharmer · February 09, 2011, 04:51:30 AM

Hi there, Sawmillsmith!!! Glad to have you on FF!! I look forward to hearing about your sawmill adventures. Can't wait to see pictures of your Garrett skidder too. 8) 8)

weisyboy · February 09, 2011, 04:56:54 AM

gday and welcome, how about some pics?

POSTON WIDEHEAD · February 09, 2011, 05:54:40 AM

Welcome Sawmillsmith......you'll learn a lot on here! In fact, we all know the words to the Star Spangled Banner!

Magicman · February 09, 2011, 09:25:37 AM

I can't help you with your mill, but I can say Welcome to the Forestry Forum, sawmillsmith

KyTreeFarmer · February 09, 2011, 09:56:17 AM

Welcome Sawmillsmith.....you will have lots of fun here.
KTF

SandpointSawmill · February 09, 2011, 11:20:40 AM

I, too, want to see pictures - especially of your skidder!

Welcome!

mad murdock · February 09, 2011, 03:40:36 PM

Welcome to the Forum Sawmillsmith! Check out the pics in my gallery, I have a Garrett Tree Farmer mod. 15A (diesel).
They are nice machines. I will not part with mine.

backwoods sawyer · February 09, 2011, 09:33:08 PM

Glad to welcome you here 8) I looked at one of those Garrett's a while back. Good solid log handler. This one has hydraulic issues but still is used, so will be glad to hear more information on them.

Seven years of playing just about should qualify you to be able to be called a "sawyer".
I know :

some places it can take longer

sawmillsmith · February 16, 2011, 10:02:37 PM

Thankyou everyone for the welcome, I'll try to get some pictures on soon, but right now I need to get my computer worked on. Maybe the motherboard needs to be hammered and retensioned or something I dunno. I'll try not to keep you in suspence too long! Thanks, sawmillsmith

bandmiller2 · February 17, 2011, 06:54:35 AM

Welcome millsmith,what do you use for a governor on your Cummins.Does the limiting speed over the road gov. hold your speed constant wile sawing.? Frank C.

clww · February 17, 2011, 07:05:00 AM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum!

sawmillsmith · February 18, 2011, 01:10:33 AM

Quote from: bandmiller2 on February 17, 2011, 06:54:35 AM
Welcome millsmith,what do you use for a governor on your Cummins.Does the limiting speed over the road gov. hold your speed constant wile sawing.? Frank C.

I was wondering if someone would ask about that. After looking everywhere and asking everybody, I was lucky to finaly find an original Woodward full range governor that mounts on the accesory drive ahead of the pt pump. It was off an older engine w/ a disc pump so it turned out to be quite a project to get it to fit. Since I had to make adaptors for both ends I went ahead and kept the Bendix compressor too. That lashup puts the pt pump 2/3 the way back on the engine. The woodward gov uses its own oil pressure vs. flyweight for balance. It seems to be very sensitive, and works very well. I know i could have used a small belt drive tractor gov. but this seemed to be a better way. I will try starting an album and post some pictures there.

bandmiller2 · February 18, 2011, 05:42:53 AM

Millsmith,your right about that Woodward governor being sensitive,they used them on gen sets to hold RPM/cycles constant.Judging from your adaption you've got what it takes to be a sawyer and mechanic.What do you use to turn the logs on the carriage?? Frank C.