The Dangers of Sawmilling

Watch I Have The Worst Day Saw Milling

[@Mercmad]

I've seen 9" band saw blades come off when a loose log gets pushed into them and the worst was a time when a saw found a singer sewing machine inside a large log ,which must have placed there early last century and the tree grew around it. 🙄🙄

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@Mercmad finding a singer sewing machine? That's the craziest find I've ever heard of yet. That strengthens my hope to find that pot of gold in the log. Thanks for sharing and watching God bless, Shannon

[@franksprecisionguesswork501]

My brother in law has a 40” saw similar to this. One day he and a helper was sawing an 8x8 in half when the cut was half through the beam pinched the back side of the blade hard enough that it flipped the board up in the air. When it came back down, it landed directly on top of the blade which Dug in an threw the beam 50 feet out of the back of the shop where it punched a 2 foot hole and broke a 2x4 stud like it was balsa wood. No injuries but two pare of underwear were never the same.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

My Lord! My first thought would be, "Did we get that on film?" Thanks for sharing that. That's a scary and awesome tale. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@navret1707]

That’s called “kick back”. It can happen on a table saw without a riving knife or with a misapplied push stick. It is VERY PAINFUL, Ask me how I know.

[@RichardKuivila1947]

OK. So his skull went thru the 2 foot hole first ?

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@@RichardKuivila1947 it was close

[@chudleyflusher7132]

If they work hard enough they just might break even!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I have doubts, lol

[@deaddadd]

Mark sent me here....that last log would have been firewood after the 1st mishap

[@templehillsawmill1748]

That ole Mark has been really good to me. He's a good fella. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@kempaswe4022]

This is why people should treat saws with respect. Many have missed their lives, I've been lucky and only split a thumb in half at the same time I cut off 95% of one finger joint on my index finger. And that was just on a table saw, got a kickback and it sent the piece away together with the push stick and my hand in the blade. About 80-90 years ago, a relative of mine died when a saw blade exploded and cut his stomach wide open. There are extreme dangers and you should not have music on in the headphones etc, you have to listen to the sound when the saw cuts through the wood. You can hear the sound if something is wrong etc and then you can back it of or shut it down.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Sorry about your fingers, appreciate you sharing. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@MacDa-yy8xn]

Need to take the guys cell phone away from him so that he has his undivided attention to the saw and log. This is a great way to get yourself or someone else hurt.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@MacDa-yy8xn Yes, sir, cell phones are the worst invention ever. I have one, too, but I really do hate em. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@arkansas1336]

Glad you're okay. Thanks for the video.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@thedavesofourlives1]

looks like the dogs weren't set in agressively enough

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I think you're right. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@Watertender-lu7vj]

Automated set works and dogs are nice but you have to pay attention. My Dad had a Frick OO mill that he rebuilt with I beams and channel iron instead of wood for the carriage, husk and track. We powered it with a D4 Caterpillar diesel engine. There were a few mishaps while sawing and I got my bells rung good when a piece of slabwood caught on the saw and hit me going about 900mph. Dad was a good man but safety and he were not in the same realm. He would do stupid things like reach by the running 56" blade to remove a piece of slabwood or go down in the sawdust pit without shutting down the diesel. He never lost any fingers and neither did I but he taught me a lot about how NOT to do things. I still work full-time as a Stationary Engineer but I am very safety conscious. I like my body parts attached and in working order!!!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I miss working with my dad as well. He would love to work on this ole mill. I appreciate your insight and memories, thanks for watching and commenting

[@TheWildWestMill]

When I’m sawing and the dogs slip off try not to panic hit the E-stop and don’t move the carriage until sawblade stops turning We have a vertical edger so when that happens it hits the edger and shoots back 50 feet

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@michaelhaiden6718]

I am telling you now way I would work on that mill I see at least 50 safety issues that need to be addressed you are going to get someone seriously injured or killed that has to be one of the most happy Hazzard mill I ever seen

[@templehillsawmill1748]

We strive to improve each time we get together and saw. I appreciate you sharing your concerns and thanks for watching

[@michaelhaiden6718]

@@templehillsawmill1748 well i was not trying to be a smart ellick but that is a lot of people get killed in a saw mill that delevery bely or what ever you call is all but usless like it is it needs to level with rollers

[@dewaynewilliford178]

Dog's not catching,not paying attention and speed is what everyone would tell me that caused that Xs 3, if I had done it!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@templehillsawmill1748 it wasnt doged

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Right on !!!! The first was operator not paying attention that the slab went sideways and he pulled it back into the blade...launch time !!! And the last 2not paying attention if the dogs were down and holding....pay attention !!!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@wilburfinnigan2142 yep, I can't argue with that. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@templehillsawmill1748 BE CAREFUL !!! Those old mills are dangerous and they will eat you alive !!!

[@AndruwsLumber]

Congrats on 1,000 subs bud

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate it, Andruw.

[@papaw5405]

With that much tension in those logs is the lumber going to be any good? You can work with a bend or bow in lumber an inch or less but more that that you're just asking for trouble.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Some of 4X4's have bowed but most of it turned out nice

[@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223]

That is fire wood if I ever saw a stick .

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Yes, sir, and I know that now myself too. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223]

@@templehillsawmill1748 We usually learn the hard way .

[@canyondan]

Bad day at Temple Hill Sawmill for sure. Glad everyone is ok.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@deernutOO]

The powered roller off the off-bearer belt is not powered.. why is that?

[@templehillsawmill1748]

It was disconnected when I bought the mill, and I really just haven't given it any thought. I think it would only take a short chain to put back in service. Trying to remember I think Mrs. McCoy told me she didn't like it and took that chain off. I think I remember her telling me that? Thanks for asking

[@jackgreen412]

It's awesome how much power is there. I was hit in my fat belly from kick back on a 10" table saw. That hurt and was a little scary. Just can't imagine what happened there.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

That would hurt for sure right on the soft underbelly. Thanks for the memories

[@ironworkerfxr7105]

Had one kick back on a 10" missed me splintered the wall..new respect..

[@livingadamman7994]

Same here on a 12" table saw a offcut came back at me so hard it would have impaled me if it hadn't hit my thick belt, the skin behind the belt and pants was torn and bloody bruise. One of a few close ones. Recently cut my knee open when I let a throttled off chainsaw in my left hand still spinning but thought it was about stopped but it caught my pants and that made it bite into my flesh, blood running down to soak my sock in seconds. Was fairly lucky healed up really well. First time in 35 years I cut myself with a running chainsaw. Man they cut skin like nothing else I wouldn't want to have a throttle on accident with one. Was using a old saw I don't use very often and not used to it, but it was the riggers gloves I was wearing out of the blue also, and when I held saw in one hand to bend down to move a log the saw handle rolled in my hand making bar drop onto knee. Point is be extra careful when using something different or in a different fashion to usual.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@livingadamman7994 good advice. Thanks for sharing

[@livingadamman7994]

@@templehillsawmill1748 I'm sorry to see the damage caused by that log. I was surprised to see the blade wobble and wondered what damage may have been done.I run a 10" Lucas Mill in Australian Hardwood all on my own so I'm not pushed faster than I want to go by having to keep my off-sider busy and his wage worth the cut timber etc so I have time to take extra care, if blade catches bad enough the blade stops via some clutch. I note blade evenness and sharpness are important factors and wedging the cut on certain relief cuts. Only happened once in over 10 years using them, usually if the cut closes up the blade keeps spinning and engine labors hard and you can hold the carriage from running away while you quickly close the throttle and then wedge the cut if the log hasn't moved keep cutting from there. I would love a carriage mill like yours but they are very dangerous from what I see, productivity is awesome with two guys but no amount of extra productivity is worth a serious injury. Accidents must be avoided at every cost, there's too many bad stories in saw milling. May Father Bless you and your mill.

[@fricknjeep]

hi there some days are like that , no one got hurt , it was a lesson , best to all john

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Thanks for watching

[@livingadamman7994]

Yes. It's only a lesson if you actually learn from it.

[@wazalee4872]

fix that with a bit of steel plate, would also fix the overhang problem

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@cjmaslowski1112]

That log had more tension than I have ever seen I might of flipped it on its side or just gave up better safe than sorry

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Lol! I appreciate it

[@steveprice-n9b]

slow down, make some improvements on your out feed to move the slabs away faster. You will get better and safer with time. Maybe don't try to saw logs that are so large and crooked until you are more comfortable with the machine. I could tell you were a bit nervous and unsure by the way you sawed. Again, take your time, maybe even go watch someone with a bit more experience saw a few days and have a good walk through with other mills to get some ideas. You are doing great from my point of view.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Thank you, Steve, I appreciate the advice and suggestions. I tell ya, I visited Bret and Andruw from Andruw's Lumber. He hammered my saw and spent the whole morning going over important things he wanted to be sure I was up on. After I got back and did what he wanted me to look over, that mill ran like it was a different one. There is another youtube guy called the Sawmill Pimp close by. He said I could come over anytime and check him out. I appreciate the kind comments. Thanks for watching

[@dougclem7711]

Table saw will throw the board back at your right shoulder if you ain't giving holding pressure on it.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Yes, sir, really fast too. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

rough day for sure,

[@templehillsawmill1748]

It sure enough was. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@troytreeguy]

Things happen fast at the sawmill

[@templehillsawmill1748]

And I was trying to make things happen faster than I should have. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@user-dn4iv2ne6r]

Been around sawmills, log yards, logging for sixty years. The stuff is dangerous. No amount of safety devices will stop all accidents. Fact is, all that stuff may contribute to things going sideways. You try to work as safe as you can but know stuff is going to happen. Cruising in the redwoods years ago. Eating lunch one day when about a hundred feet away, the entire top of a tree fell to the ground. Fifteen minutes later, and someone on the crew would have had a bad day.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Thanks for the awesome story. I had an Uncle who was in the Forestry Service in the Redwoods of California back in the 70's. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@phildo39645]

Got to get them doggies in.. Lesson learned,your doing fine, this is how we learn.. glad no one was hurt..

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@HaroldParks-bd7ng]

Looks like a little maintenance wouldn't hurt.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Good observation, Harold. I do need to work on the dogs. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@roberthyatt474]

Nobody got hurt nothing broke down just live and learn !!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

That's right, I'm learning every time I saw. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@GFSwinger1693]

Maybe some coaching from Mark would be in order here, both operational and set up. The kinetic energy in that sawblade is nothing to take lightly. Thankfully you lived to saw another day.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

That's some good advice, thanks.

[@leonardryan8723]

Tks God No got hurt 😔, remember at the sawmill got to THINK 🤔 SAFETY and always put SAFETY FIRST . I see spruce lumber 🪵 crab the saw blade and go flying threw the air at highway speed . Get a D6 CAT DEISEL turn up 🔝 on cutting 33’ feet logs 🪵 watch its if spruce . Fir , pine , cedar and any hardwood is all right . 8’ 6” foot 🦶 logs is a long time getting board feet 🦶 out in a day . We call it wait off good time on a sawmill.😊

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@@leonardryan8723 33ft! That's getting out there!

[@alan-rc2tv]

That mill looks extremely antique.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Hey, Alan, great observation, thanks for watching and commenting

[@beyondmiddleagedman7240]

I didn't realize that was the McCoy mill!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

It is. I bought from the family early in 2022. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@clarencetrice4442]

that's the 1ST time 😮😮 I seen that be 4 / 1 the board fell off right 👉 😮 at the carriage wheel 2 the rest of the log looks like it wasn't dogged down that's not good either 3 and when running trims U use a edger most Sawyers don't fool W that it takes a long time U are looking at lumber production in a day's time so U can a tractor trailer of lumber 4 the week 😊😊 OMG 6 3O 2O24

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate the feedback and thanks for watching and commenting

[@mcburcke]

Your belt feed seems to be set too low compared to the first roller?

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Yeah, we thought about raising it up some. Sometimes, it takes a while to get things done. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@garyblevins3532]

It was a rough day no doubt but I'm just glad that nobody got hurt!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Yes, sir, we all want to go home as well as when we showed up. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@jefflitchford1422]

Oh how nice it would be to be young you have a strong back

[@templehillsawmill1748]

A strong young man for sure. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@robertgreen8695]

First and foremost no one got hurt. Did the dogs not operate properly on that second log, or did it just bind up on the blade?

[@templehillsawmill1748]

It squeezed it tight. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@fgllc]

Thank God no one was hurt!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

fully God is good. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@heshy14]

What’s log tension?

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Well, it's the log squeezing the blade as it's been cut. It shouldn't squeeze the blade at all. But this log did

[@heshy14]

@@templehillsawmill1748 10-4. Thank you.

[@alanm3438]

Mark G. told me to check your video out.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Oh yeah? Well, what do you think? Ole Mark is a good ole fella. I really like him

[@alanm3438]

@@templehillsawmill1748 I am so glad that nobody got hurt. I like sawmills. It is so cool to see a what is inside a log. Sometimes there is gold and sometimes it is just to late. I am not sure why I like Mark so much. I sent him some of my metal art and I think you bought my bottle bass for the fund raiser. Good to see you!!!!

[@jacksanders7018]

Are the dogs not working?, thanks for sharing.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

The height of the cant was too tall for the lower dog, and the top dogs just touched it but with not enough bite. And with the log tension squeezing the blade, it just slid right off. I need to work on it for sure. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@papaw5405]

I thought the same thing. The dogs ain't catching.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I thought the cant weighed enough but that tension pinched the blade causing it to slide back. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@mrsawyer186]

Take that a lesson learned. When logs have allot of tension in them only cut 1" material out of it. Less likely to pinch the blade and cause that problem.

[@mrsawyer186]

Take that a lesson learned. When logs have allot of tension in them only cut 1" material out of it. Less likely to pinch the blade and cause that problem.

[@southernadirondackoutdoors]

Wow, some days make you wish you just stayed in bed. Glad no one hurt!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Sure enough! At the end of the day we still had a nice stack of pretty lumber. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@bigdawg1944]

Sent here by Mark and that log was bad news. (firewood) 🤕

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I'll know next time, Bigdawg! That ole Mark is a good one. Glad you came over.

[@LewMcCloud]

wow

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Yeah, sure enough. Thank you for watching and commenting

[@dougsmith9099]

My question is why do you let the carriage travel past the saw and the splitter your gonna get hurt or your off bearer,thats how stuff gets between the splitter and the saw . Not trying to be smart but I worked on a mill just like this

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Well, Doug, I really didn't realize I am doing that. But, I will work on not doing it because I can see what you're saying, and it sounds good. Let me ask you about the carriage pump unit. I'm not getting but 300 lbs of pressure, and I have spoken to that D&D Sawmill Services and was told it should have 1,500 lbs. He was supposed to get a price for me but hasn't. The carriage is really slow to respond in either direction. Sometimes it won't finish cutting and I have to back up and take off again. Does your saw have 1,500 lbs? Or would you even worry about it? It will saw but not as responsive as I feel it should be. Thanks for asking about that. I really didn't know that I shouldn't.

[@dougsmith9099]

@@templehillsawmill1748 I don't know about the pressure,our carriage and set works look just like (sold out in 2005) but was powered by electric . Do your belts slip when it won't finish the cut?

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@dougsmith9099 No, sir, belts don't slip. Saw doesn't slow down. The carriage will just slow down and act like it just runs out of horse power. But, that only happens from time to time. The biggest problem is trying to stop the carriage before it hits the stop if it returns too fast. Or when it's time for it to return, it takes forever for it to start moving. I feel like the fella at D&D Services is right, saying the pump needs rebuilt or replaced. I appreciate your interest and sharing some knowledge.

[@dougsmith9099]

@@templehillsawmill1748 are they telling you that it's in the valve body for your carriage control lever? I don't ever remember if we rebuilt that or not,is there a filter on the hydraulics

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@dougsmith9099 they are saying the pump itself should have 1,500 lbs. The valve is OK, and it does have a filter that I replaced a few weeks ago, along with draining all the fluid and replacing with new.

[@stevenpederson1645]

I wouldn't call it a bad day, both of you there left with no blood loss or broken bones. If you decked the open space between the blade and cab as far back as you can without impeding your log loading, I believe it would help a lot. Also, I would raise the outfeed belt some and increase its FPM. Your Offbearer wouldn't have to work as hard. Make sure your log dogs are sharp enough to firmly hold the log against the knee. In fact the whole carriage looks like it could benefit from a little TLC.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Steve, thank you for the feedback. Those are good suggestions. I appreciate you watching and commenting

[@stevenpederson1645]

@@templehillsawmill1748 Nothing quite like the care and feeding of a sawmill. Keep up the good work!

[@williamgardner8105]

Don't think you're blade is square with carriage, where the tension is coming from

[@TheWildWestMill]

Pine logs have tension in them other species too especially when they are fresh cut

[@templehillsawmill1748]

You maybe right, I'm not going to say I have it set up really good. But, I did just check the lead last week and it's within a 1/16". Thanks for suggesting that and I'll certainly check on that again this week.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

​@marcchatterson-xq7qt these logs had just been cut two days prior. I appreciate your comments

[@williamgardner8105]

@@templehillsawmill1748 figured maybe the first accident could have gotten it out of line. I got a mill of my own, edminston fully hydraulic

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@@williamgardner8105 oh yeah, I see what you're saying. I'll definitely be sure to check that. Thank you for commenting

[@stevejones9062]

Inattention, lack of maintenance, lack of guarding, not addressing a known problem only an idiot would be anywhere near this machine when it was operating.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

You're probably right about all that. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@Mercmad]

Looks no different to the head rigs I worked on 40 years ago. Where,may I ask would you put guards? Everything appears to working exactly as intended so where is the lack of maintenance? Old style milling like this is hard dangerous work and fools are never tolerated so the safety aspect is addressed from the moment the saw is started.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

@mercmad, if I still drank, I'd like to buy you a beer. I appreciate your thoughtful comment. God bless ya.

[@sawmillingGarry]

Were you racing somebody , good thing nobody got hurt. My suggestion just like everybody else slow down. 👍

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Thanks for watching

[@sawmillingGarry]

@@templehillsawmill1748 Not downing you one bit. I learn every day I'm by far a professional 4 and a half years now and still consider myself rookie. Good job on the thousand Subs 👍😎

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Oh yeah, I appreciate it Gary

[@pete-davis-photography]

Why is anyone surprised? That whole rig is a death trap. Not a question of if, only when.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Awh! But there's always room for improvement. I'm always striving to grow and do a better job than I was able to in the past. Please keep an eye on my channel and see if I do. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@chuckmayerchak3071]

I think you are quite careless. To me you have created your owne accidents. You are also very disrespectful to your offbearer! You start retracting the sled while his hands are in harms way! I wouldn't want to be near machinery you are operating. Also you need to slow down the feed and alow your helper to clear the cut material. Those were totally avoidable!

[@templehillsawmill1748]

Chuck, I appreciate your observation and commenting on my poor operating skills. I certainly want to improve my sawing. I couldn't agree more that the accidents were 100% avoidable, but accidents do happen regardless, and I wanted to share this video showing what had happened. As for the safety of my off bearer; I will forever remember what you have said here today and will pay more attention to where he is at all times. I do appreciate the candid comments, and thank you for watching.

[@chuckmayerchak3071]

@templehillsawmill1748 Your response is very commendable!! Many people would take criticism poorly! Believe me, I don't intend to bash anyone. I just don't want to see anyone hurt! Equipment although expensive, can be repaired or replaced. Lives and limbs can't. It seems your dogs aren't biting very well or don't have enough pressure??? Putting that freshly cut piece of lumber on top actually made things worse. You lost any bite the dogs would have had. Fix things up and cut some more lumber. Thanks again for the gracious response. Many uncaring people would have negatively responded. You are a true gentleman!

[@gala1ish]

@@templehillsawmill1748 I do believe the "off bearer" could have sharpened his work rate without compromising himself, with that body language he would never work with me. just sayin'

[@raymondo162]

@@gala1ish using his mobile phone is dangerously slack of the off guy. seems to have little regard for his own safety, or is blindly unaware of the dangers ?? hope his health insurance is up to date !!

[@bluethunder1951]

Not going like you planned 🧐 when incidents happen people like to call them accidents not thinking it was preventable, in your situation it was totally preventable, that first cut you could’ve stopped and waited for the board to be taken away so it didn’t get caught on the carriage, on the second incident you saw it was starting to bind and reversed, then on the third incident that was totally unnecessary, because you should’ve put the cant in the firewood pile. Hope you figure out how to prevent “incidents” because having an “accident” in your pants won’t feel good.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I can't argue with anything you said there. I agree it was totally preventable, and I do appreciate you pointing that out. I'm just getting started, but wanting to improve myself. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@art1muz13]

Glad you're okay. Thanks for the video.

[@templehillsawmill1748]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching and commenting