Sorry, this sawing is pretty cool...

mmartone · January 15, 2013, 08:21:07 PM

I'm having a good time milling some of these logs, sorry if I'm a PITA. Heres a log we did this evening, the cant made 5 2x10x16' pieces. After the cuts we flipped the logs over and found this beautiful heart all the way up the log.

Dont make fun of my engine, it was on the mill when I bought it.

mesquite buckeye · January 15, 2013, 08:24:46 PM

Very cool. What wood is it? ??? ??? :

Looks like an old honey locust.

mmartone · January 15, 2013, 08:38:05 PM

Long leaf yellow pine...

rooster 58 · January 15, 2013, 08:46:39 PM

Awesome wood! Looks similar to larch, without the knots ;)

mesquite buckeye · January 15, 2013, 08:46:57 PM

Quote from: mmartone on January 15, 2013, 08:38:05 PM
Long leaf yellow pine...

Is that funky, or normal for that tree? I've never seen one cut open.

dgdrls · January 15, 2013, 08:48:14 PM

Dandy looking planks!!

What year and model is your Mill?

DGDrls

WDH · January 15, 2013, 08:50:06 PM

mmartone,

Don't argue with success!

haywire woodlot · January 15, 2013, 08:58:39 PM

Quote from: mmartone on January 15, 2013, 08:21:07 PM

Dont make fun of my engine, it was on the mill when I bought it.

I wouldn't dream of making fun of it, but what is it?

Bogue Chitto · January 15, 2013, 09:11:46 PM

I have cut long leaf also. Its fine wood.

drobertson · January 15, 2013, 09:17:40 PM

Nice!

Delawhere Jack · January 15, 2013, 09:45:58 PM

You'll be just as excited when you mill you 1,000th awesome log!

mmartone · January 15, 2013, 10:04:07 PM

Some of them have that dark heart on them, not all. The engine is a military surplus opposed 4 cyl 84 cid, just like a small aircraft engine. The mill is an 86 lt4 manual. It only cuts to 2" not 1" like the flyer says that came with it, just gotta plan ahead!

Magicman · January 15, 2013, 10:08:34 PM

Well said Jack. Every log is a box of chocolates.

mm, do you know why it will not drop below 2"? What is hitting what?

mmartone · January 15, 2013, 11:02:03 PM

Theres some framework on the up/down carrige that stops on the rail guard over the top rod. The scale only goes down to 2" also.

Jeff · January 15, 2013, 11:07:05 PM

My 1987 LT30 won't go below 3". It may have been 2" at one time. It was just how the early mills were made. You can't saw to the bed. It can be a real pain in the butt when you have to keep putting stock under the wood you are sawing, if only sawing boards.

trapper · January 15, 2013, 11:32:14 PM

My LT30 manual of about the same vintage as Jeffs will go to 1inch.

LeeB · January 15, 2013, 11:36:05 PM

Couldn't you add some height to the bunks? Possibly something out of aluminum or ss square tubing.

Buck · January 15, 2013, 11:49:36 PM

should be able to adjust the bed up.

Cedarman · January 16, 2013, 07:09:30 AM

It would be possible to add 1" of metal to the bed rails and the slides at the end. Those old mills were designed to only go down to 2". I don't know the reason. It was a happy day when I put in our 96 mill with hyd. Don't miss that old LT30, but it is still sawing today about 15 miles away and the owner is happy as can be with it.

Magicman · January 16, 2013, 07:26:59 AM

OK, I was/am not familiar with the specifications of the older sawmills. I certainly would not modify the sawmill, but I would be looking toward building a jig.

slider · January 16, 2013, 07:30:01 AM

Nice wood but that engine had me captivated ,glad you told us what it was.How about parts.Can you still get them.

mesquite buckeye · January 16, 2013, 07:58:39 AM

The easy way to deal with this is to stick a 1" board under your 2" board to make the last cut. Make sure it is a good one, or you end up with 3 crooked boards.

The mill I borrow in Missouri works like that. I think it is the old original Woodmizer design. :(

mmartone · January 16, 2013, 08:57:20 AM

Parts are available here.
http://www.saturnsurplus.com/4a084.htm

ITs smooth being an opposed, but I need some decent 1.5" mufflers for it.

I havent tried putting aboard under it, still have to do something about the stops, the are less than 1" tall

isawlogs · January 16, 2013, 09:04:37 AM

Take a 1 inch board and screw a 2x4 on edge to its side. First 2 inch board you cut in two the 2x4 will be cut and leave you with a board stop for futur use ;)

beenthere · January 16, 2013, 10:08:05 AM

Per MM and isawlogs, we used to use a similar jig (just a 2" base with a 1" fence for a lip). Would only clamp the jig and just set the cant on top. Leave the saw set for the 1" board and pull the board after each cut.

Also worked quite well for processing the quarters of logs when making 1/4 sawn too.