Issues milling 2x4s on Wood Mizer LT15

[@BigelowWoodcraft]

Just found your channel. Nice work. I get those boards at times too.

[@Ratherbemilling]

Hi Jerry, Thanks for watching. The stress in the log is frustrating but as we all know, we take what the log gives us, sometimes its not always the best.

[@TheOldManAndTheSaw]

Ravi, there's not much you can do when you have stress in a log. Usually you don't know it's there until it's there..... then it's too late. Use the maple to build a boat. Or, maybe, sell the 2z4s to Lowes; they LOVE crooked lumber. As far as the binding is concerned, I would clean the saw head support posts to remove all of the old oil and sawdust then apply some ATF. See if that works. Good Luck Dave

[@Ratherbemilling]

Thanks Dave, i thought I did something wrong with not leveling the log. Hopefully the next one turns out better. I milled an oak for 2x6s and there was no warping or bowing. That log was on the ground for a year and a half though. Lowes is fully stocked with boat lumber currently but they said to check with Home Depot … their always in need of some. I’ll clean everything before the next milling … I have much to learn. Really appreciate all your help.

[@TheOldManAndTheSaw]

@@Ratherbemilling The learning is where the fun is.

[@DustyRanch]

I like Dave’s ideas about stressed lumber, if those don’t pan out you can start a rocking chair factory. Also They make a small batter powder blower it may be worth the investment for those chains.

[@Ratherbemilling]

Thinking starting that chair biz. All these logs are stressed out! Rotate and rotate and rotate … I don’t have hydros sooooo that’ll be fun. I’ve got a few leaf blowers and a compressor … always forget to use them! Wire brush seems to work. #theoldjarhead suggested the compressor which I think will be most efficient… just need to remember to use it.

[@dougsmith548]

How much does that pail of sawdust weigh hanging off the side of your saw.

[@Ratherbemilling]

It probably weighs about 10lbs or so. Not too heavy. I’m thinking of putting hooks in place of the bolts… the pail falls off every now and then.

[@robertfoote3255]

Trees that grow leaning or on a bit of a side hill are better firewood than boards.... straight growth on fairly flat land will not contain as much stress in the grain.... It's a bit of a learning curve, but carry on, love the woodmizer mill! 🤠

[@Ratherbemilling]

I didn’t realize the terrain trees grow on made a difference to the stress level. I’m sure temperature when the tree is cut down has an effect as well. Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching.

[@robertfoote3255]

@@Ratherbemilling with trees that grow like that the grain has a natural "bow" in it.... Been there, done that, got my tee shirt and participation trophy. 😆 Not that it is not "useful" wood for certain things....where it won't be as critical.

[@Ratherbemilling]

Haha… got it I’m mainly using the dimensional lumber for a solar kiln I’m building

[@projectsadventuresfarmlife]

Uncover my mill today to find that my struts were bad again, this time the assembly was down and the cable was off the wheel. Its been sitting covered up for about 3 months. Was going up and down just fine the last time I had used it. I think the freezing temps has blown the seals? It was freezing weather when they went bad the first time. Was wondering if your struts have went bad for a second time?

[@Ratherbemilling]

That’s pretty much exactly how it happened with mine. It definitely has something to do with the freezing temps. Mine went bad a second time and woodmizer stepped up and replaced them with a different manufacturer. The strut issue is not a woodmizer issue, it’s the manufacturer of the struts who suck. Is yours under warranty?

[@southernadirondackoutdoors]

How do you like your LT15 Wide? I have the LT15 and have been kicking myself for not getting the wide!

[@Ratherbemilling]

I love it, however mine is under powered to mill 35” logs. I have done it and it works fine but it takes a lot of time. For a homeowner I get those size logs ever so often so it’s alright. But if your going to consistently mill anything over 28-30” you should get the upgraded motor. Also, WM needs to figure out a way to make the manual log winch work with the wide. I have the winch but it’s made for yours not mine…. Loading without it can be tricky. Thanks for watching.

[@waults]

Inside that black tube there's 2 gas assist struts. If they're weak, height adjustment crank becomes a real bitch. My dad's new mill had 2 failed struts from the factory. They sent new ones under warranty and the height crank works effortlessly.

[@Ratherbemilling]

Yea, I had that issue as well. Replaced them a few months ago. This time it was my lack of maintenance… needed to grease the shaft for the hand crank. Thanks for watching

[@paularthurwebb7212]

Your wire brush fell off between 11:08 and 11:13 in the video, just in case you are wondering what happened to it.

[@Ratherbemilling]

I was looking for that!! haha. i lost a bunch of tools in the saw dust, so now everything stays on the end of the mill where saw dust doesn't collect. thanks for watching

[@ricksanchez7459]

This looks exactly like what ours is doing.

[@Ratherbemilling]

Check @theoldmanandasaw comment below, he’s pretty knowledgeable with this stuff, I’m going to follow his direction and clean everything up and relubricate. Compressed air would be helpful as @theoldjarhead suggests. Another tool that might be helpful would be a chain brush that would normally be used for cleaning a motorcycle chain. I have one so I’ll give that a shot too.

[@Ratherbemilling]

@rick Sanchez did you see the video about the solution with lower the carriage? I posted it yesterday. Really hope it’s the solution for yours. Simple, cheap and easy.

[@ricksanchez7459]

@@Ratherbemilling I did, I greased it when we got it but I need to regrease. I think my main problem may be sawdust of those bearings surfaces cause I bristle brushed it all good and it's much better.

[@Ratherbemilling]

That’s great to hear! Let me know if you run into anything else so I can look out for it on mine.

[@ricksanchez7459]

@@Ratherbemilling 10-4

[@dmhipkins]

Use automatic transmission oil - it does not attract the dust as much.

[@Ratherbemilling]

Thank you! I use it on the railed, carriage chain, and blade guide slider. Works great.

[@scottreese5492]

I guess you building a canoe with those curved 2x4's, lol

[@Ratherbemilling]

lol barely 2x4's .... not a bad idea however already sold them to lowe's and home depot ...

[@paularthurwebb7212]

grease that shaft.

[@Ratherbemilling]

I've realized that lubrication is just as important as it is on the machines. thanks for the tip