When You Have To Stop Everything To Repair The Mill

[@12ar34sw]

As always, I enjoyed the video. Something always breaks. Right after I put my brand new home built sawmill into service, I blew a main bearing. The thing didn't even have ten hours on it yet. Stuff breaks. I own a machine shop. Stuff always breaks. Things wear even if you stay on top of the maintenance. I made a living for a long time fixing things for machinery that were routinely maintenced. Thanks again for the videos. I just love your saw shed. That is awesome.

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

I'm a machinist by trade, I had my own shop as well, for 9 years. I wrapped the machine shop up 3 years ago to move up to Vermont. I did mostly manual work, as well as some cnc milling. What sorts of things do you get up to in the shop? -Andy

[@12ar34sw]

@@cripplecreeksawmill I ran a job shop. I ran short run production of machined and fabricated parts. I also did tool sharpening and repair for the locals. I had numerous industrial customers that I did tool building for. I still have the shop and equipment. I closed it 12 years ago, when I started teaching in higher education. I enjoyed my years in the shop. I still putter with it now and again. I built the sawmill because I have an old building in need of repair. I also have a small wood lot and a pile of steel, therefore for sawmill. I want to build an edger next. Alan

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

That sounds similar to what I had, a job shop with lots of repair and metal fabrication. I also did some hot work/ architectural forging during random spurts when I still had forging hammers. I've been thinking for a year, about building an edger (or some sort of gang saw) if I can't find one cheap at an auction. -Andy

[@southernadirondackoutdoors]

That's one way to get the sawdust to come up out of the cracks in the floor! 😁 Editing good, some walk around would be good to try as long as it is stablized footage. How did the foot heal up, you don't look to be limping or anything.

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

I told Dave that we need to do a walk-around at least once, mid-log. I'm super thankful/blessed that the foot/ankle finally healed, it took about 6 months to get off of crutches/cane and another 3-4 to stop limping. Now it only really bothers me when its about to rain, which is happening a lot in Vermont these days. How are you guys, rain-wise? Getting hammered so far? I'm praying for a bone-dry summer up here. -Andy

[@southernadirondackoutdoors]

@@cripplecreeksawmillRain, rain and more rain. Then it clears up and just when you go out to work it rains again

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

@@southernadirondackoutdoors That's exactly what it's been doing here! And what it did here all last summer! You can't plan anything for outside work, and then when you have a clear day, you have to scramble to wrap up when the clouds appear out of nowhere. -Andy

[@sidlawrence4045]

Just happened onto your channel. You have the same mill as I do. What are you turning your logs with?

[@sidlawrence4045]

I can see the can't hook and cable. I'm wondering what hoist you're using...brand, lift capacity, etc.

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

It's quite a coincidence that you asked that because Dave and I filmed a video on it last week, and I'm editing it tonight. Should be uploading it tomorrow. It's a 2000lb electric Pittsburgh brand winch from Harbor Freight. How do you like your LT15, happy with it overall? -Andy

[@justinrussell760]

What a nice log!. I have an HD36V2 Norwood mill and this is probably a no brainer, but I have ceramic guides and am thinking of upgrading to rollers, thoughts?

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

That log wasn't too bad, all things considered! I wish I could give you an informed opinion on the norwood guides, but I can't. What is very interesting, is that woodmizer has solid carbide guides that are sold as an upgrade over/beyond the regular rollers. The only thing that I've heard with the solid guides in general is that they can be finicky, and sensitive to sap build-up. They can also make the blade run hot if they are too-tight/binding. Is it a significant cost to upgrade the Norwood to the rollers? -Andy

[@justinrussell760]

@@cripplecreeksawmill $450 for roller guides. They say the 1/4" down pressure helps stabilize the blade from dipping and rising

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

@@justinrussell760 Have you checked on Forestry Forum for possible reviews of them? I'm sure you already know this but: I always tell people that how tight you choke the saw is super important. When I cut, I try to keep the adjustable roller guide within 1.5-2" of the face of the log. The stiffness loss on a cantilevered member is exponential, so every inch counts. I see guys sawing with the rollers 6, 8, 10" away from the log face, and I don't think they understand what that does to the quality of the cut on a band mill. Every little thing adds up. -Andy

[@andrewlewis9300]

Can you tell us what exactly you had to repair? What broke?

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

Andrew, this was the log that we were working on when I filmed the video a month ago "woodmizer lt15 problem, and solution", I just uploaded them out of order. -Andy

[@andrewlewis9300]

@@cripplecreeksawmill I really appreciate you answering, I watched that video just now. I have this same mill on order and your video is very helpful to me.

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

@andrewlewis9300 If you have any questions about the lt15, or running it, just ask, im happy to pass on what ive learned from running it. -Andy

[@robertgreen8695]

The editing is fine, and as far as the camera angles maybe one from the blade point of view might be nice. By the way you all need a boom plaque like Marks has for sale on his channel/BMP productions.

[@cripplecreeksawmill]

I'm going to try a magnetic-mount near the saw blade for a few of the cuts, and see if the go pro can handle the vibration. It seems to have odd frequencies that make the auto-correction wander (creates a "slow undulation" on video, because it can't cancel certain HZ bands). I think Dave and I will start making some things once we get to 10k subscribers (youtube doesn't like listing merch for sale until you are at 10k). Lets hope we get there! All in good time! Hope you are well! -Andy

[@robertgreen8695]

@@cripplecreeksawmill Try a few rounds of copper wire and putting it next to the camera as an external filter. It might help.