Sawmill Wear

Magicman · February 18, 2011, 05:40:13 PM

I've had to replace several components, especially during the past year. Stuff wears out. I bought my mill used with a replacement engine and it now has a replacement hour meter, so I have no idea how many actual hours are on it.

I noticed the stabilizer jacks when moving this morning. Even they are showing wear with the oblong holes. I'll switch left and right the next time I remove them to empty sawdust. With the caps, they still gradually fill up. The ones under the rail carry the weight and are showing the most wear.

Stabilizers work hard too.

bandmiller2 · February 18, 2011, 08:03:31 PM

Nothing lasts forever except an old ford and a natural stone,quote Willie.What I hate to see are mills that die young due to neglect and abuse.Long faithfull service like your mill is something to be proud of.Frank C.

Chuck White · February 18, 2011, 08:13:10 PM

MM
You do have a recourse if/when the holes get too elongated.

Remove the stabilizer and turn it 90° and drill new holes! ;D You can do this 3 times, after that you'd have to purchase new stabilizers! ;)

But I do understand the "wear factor".

My top rail has is flat where the roller rides fore and aft time after time, but it's not bad enough yet to replace the rail!

bandmiller2 · February 18, 2011, 08:45:08 PM

How bad are the pins worn,the holes can be built up with weld.As stated the best fix is to drill the outher side and turn around but that will take a good sized drill press or verticle milling machine.theirs really nothing on a mizer that can't be rebuilt.Frank C.

Magicman · February 18, 2011, 09:10:17 PM

Quote from: Chuck White on February 18, 2011, 08:13:10 PM
My top rail has is flat where the roller rides fore and aft time after time, but it's not bad enough yet to replace the rail!

Quote from: bandmiller2 on February 18, 2011, 08:45:08 PM
really nothing on a mizer that can't be rebuilt.Frank C.

Except that top rail that Chuck was talking about. According to WM, that top rail is the only thing that can not be replaced. :-\

I could Mig those holes and re-drill them, but just interchanging the inner and outer will be my fix for now. The pins must be hardened, because I detected no wear in them.

sigidi · February 18, 2011, 11:46:17 PM

You never know, if your previous owner was anything like most of us, the pins may be quite new, due to being replaced after being misplaced.

I have my own little wear issue with my mill (sort of similar too - thats very weird timing on your part mm) and will post pics of the fix soon - but only if it works

;) :D

Jeff · February 19, 2011, 12:41:07 AM

I don't know why, but the first thing that came to mind when I read this topic title was that Magicman was going to have a fashion show.

sigidi · February 19, 2011, 04:16:33 AM

Quote from: Jeff on February 19, 2011, 12:41:07 AM
I don't know why, but the first thing that came to mind when I read this topic title was that Magicman was going to have a fashion show.

;D :D ;Dthat is just priceless

;)

bandmiller2 · February 19, 2011, 05:58:48 AM

Magic,you don't think a skillfull welder could replace that round top rail.? I wonder if anyone outside the factory has done it and ended up with true cuts.Most likely the sawyer wears out before the top rail.Frank C.

terrifictimbersllc · February 19, 2011, 07:14:13 AM

i was told by WM that you could strip everything off and replace the whole frame with a new one for about $4500.

Bodger · February 19, 2011, 07:34:36 AM

MM, how do you remove the posts to clean them out?

Magicman · February 19, 2011, 08:00:10 AM

Quote from: Bodger on February 19, 2011, 07:34:36 AM
MM, how do you remove the posts to clean them out?

The 4 bolts that hold the brackets on. You can see one in the picture. It's a relatively simple matter.

It sounds like WM may have changed their stance about replacing the top rail, but I really don't think that I will ever have to be concerned with it.

Now, If I can just make a fashion statement.

The right kind of Sawmill Wear. ;)

Slingshot · February 19, 2011, 10:05:33 AM

Quote from: bandmiller2 on February 19, 2011, 05:58:48 AM
Magic,you don't think a skillfull welder could replace that round top rail.? I wonder if anyone outside the factory has done it and ended up with true cuts.Most likely the sawyer wears out before the top rail.Frank C.

I don't consider myself a skillfull welder (learned welding at a vocational school) but when I built
the 4 1/2 extension for my LT30 I was able to install the top AND bottom rails and mate them with
with the originals. I took very precise measurements and used a jig to keep them in alinement .
So if I had a mill with a badly worn rail I think I would feel I could replace it.

And the mill seemed to like it just fine

____________________________
Charles

terrifictimbersllc · February 19, 2011, 10:10:11 AM

Of all my sawing activities, my wife is most enthusiastic about my purchase of "Sawmill Wear". Hats, gloves, chaps anything that is meant to be worn on the human body qualifies. Since I have narrow feet, a broken toe and a new swing mill, I ordered a custom pair of Wesco hard toed boots which should come next month. This has her almost over the edge.

I predict this thread will surpass the your one about sawmill brushes.

Magicman · February 19, 2011, 08:11:02 PM

I remember your excellent mill extension very well Slingshot, and yes, I agree that it can be done. I was simply passing on what I had been told by a WM representative. I now understand that maybe they have changed their stance. I'm really not surprised, because of their zeal to satisfy their customers.

Now, if we can steer this thread toward food. digin1 :D

MartyParsons · February 20, 2011, 05:07:42 AM

Well this is not food but I thought you may want to know how much a replacement leg was.
You can get a replacment leg for just $ 37.00
and the new style inner legs have a 45 degree pad for $ 54.00

Hope this helps!

Marty

sdunston · February 20, 2011, 07:38:15 AM

Quote from: MartyParsons on February 20, 2011, 05:07:42 AM
Well this is not food but I thought you may want to know how much a replacement leg was.
You can get a replacment leg for just $ 37.00
and the new style inner legs have a 45 degree pad for $ 54.00

Hope this helps!

Marty

I know in not cheap but what about the new adjustable outriggers?
Sam

Magicman · February 20, 2011, 08:10:31 AM

Thanks Marty. It was food for thought.

Brian_Rhoad · February 20, 2011, 01:37:31 PM

Drill the hole so you can insert and weld a piece of round tubing with an I.D. the same size as the pin.

Bodger · February 20, 2011, 02:34:23 PM

My mill is only 16 years old, would that still be covered by warranty?

woodmills1 · February 20, 2011, 06:51:31 PM

So, not food but fashion.....................

weisyboy · February 22, 2011, 04:27:47 AM

i to was expecting a catwalk display.

everyting with load bearing and moving parts have wear.

i have recentyl had to replace the winches on my mill as the holes where the pins of had elongated so mutch as to allow for 3" of movement in the rails.

this wasnt a problem you just had to remember to wind below the desired position and then go back up to take up the slack.

other than that and the common things like rollers and belts the old girl ist to bad for a mill with well over 3000 hours on it.