Question on the use of a Logrite Cant Hook

[Furu]

I was going to put this in the current post on the current offered deal on purchasing slightly used Logrite Cant Hooks but decided to post here.

I got two scratch and dents cant hooks back the end of November.  Tammy was great to work with and she told me what was "wrong" with the units that I was getting. As you can see the one had the yoke installed upside down when it was welded and thus they had to drill two new holes for the pins to work properly.


I thought Tammy told me the second one had the same fault but it does not and I have never figured out what made it a S&D. Bottom line I have been very happy with the purchase and as everyone here know there is no better product of this nature than Logrite's.  Far superior to my previous cant hook.

Here is my problem/question.  The standard series 60" says it is good for logs from 10-36" diameter.  I have found that up to 22" I just slap it on and use it no problems.  At 24" I can work with it a bit and get it to bite but it really just wants to slip with no bite in the log.  Above 24" it is mostly impossible to get to to bite and hold.  This is on Doug Fir, Hemlock and Western Red cedar.  While diagnosing a problem on the internet is chancy at best I thought I would ask to see if anyone had input.

Thanks

[Dave Shepard]

I have a 60" and found that on the bigger logs I had to be careful that I got a good bite. It would be very hard to have a hook that performed flawlessly on the entire range of logs one might encounter. I thought about getting another 60"  with a hook off of an Arky Super Stick, which is larger than the 60", however I started running a hydraulic mill and never thought of it again.

[lumberjack48]

You answered your own question, you can trust it wood up to 22 inches, anything bigger be careful.

It looks awfully poor made, compared to want we used 40 years ago.

[fishpharmer]

The following video has not been endorsed logrite or customsawyer.  The people shown are not paid professionals.    I think the tools are peaveys not cant hooks, it may make a difference.  The best technique seems to be getting a good "bite" with the hook.  I personally think my Logrite canthook is a required sawmill tool, its great! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z35dmxKhAgI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[thenorthman]

Abuse it a little... either jam it into it so the hook sets or give it a little kick.  These type of tools are meant to be beat on a little bit, once the hook has a little bit of a bite it should just keep digging in, the harder you lean on it the harder it bites.

Loading tongs are more or less the same shape, to get them to bite sometimes a guy had to whack em with a hammer...

[beenthere]

Thickness of western species bark may lead to some of that.

lumberjack

It looks awfully poor made, compared to want we used 40 years ago.

It is unfortunate that you can't give one of the logrite's a try, as I think you'd find them some superior to the 'old' ones.

[Dave Shepard]

You answered your own question, you can trust it wood up to 22 inches, anything bigger be careful.

It looks awfully poor made, compared to want we used 40 years ago.

I'd like to see what you used 40 years ago. If you are talking about the typical metal type with the socketed wooden handle, they don't compare to a LogRite. I've broken a few of those wooden handles, and you go for a ride. Of the many 'hooks and peaveys I've used, the LogRites win every time.

[lumberjack48]

  I never said it didn't work good, i'm looking at the thickness of the medal where the pins and bolt go though. If it happened to get pried side ways, it would bend.

[Dave Shepard]

I don't think so. It's an aluminum extrusion and the sides are quite thick. I have done several things not in accordance with manufacturers specifications, and only managed to break one of the roll pins so far. :D

[Jeff]

  I never said it didn't work good, i'm looking at the thickness of the medal where the pins and bolt go though. If it happened to get pried side ways, it would bend.

Nope, it wouldn't.

[Furu]

Thickness of western species bark may lead to some of that.

lumberjack

It looks awfully poor made, compared to want we used 40 years ago.

It is unfortunate that you can't give one of the logrite's a try, as I think you'd find them some superior to the 'old' ones.

I wondered if the bark thickness was the problem your comment kind of reinforces that.

I would agree anyone who thinks that it is poorly made needs to get their hands on one.  When I compare this one to my older style one I would put it up against any I have seen or tried. 
I am VERY happy with the two of them. 
I just was a bit disappointed that I was having a spot of bother in using it on larger diameter logs.  I will try the"slam the hook harder" technique before setting it.  Even if it can't do the larger diameter logs I would never give them up now that I have my hands on them.  There is a mega hook (45") that I can always go to if I find it necessary that will no doubt be able to handle the 30" logs.

[Jeff]

You could order a larger hook for for one of the tools you have.

[Furu]

You could order a larger hook for for one of the tools you have.

That is an interesting point.  I would have thought due to the required geometry of the design, that the placement of the yoke would be different for a larger hook. (I.E. the yoke would be slightly further up the body.) If that is not the case then a larger hook would be perfect remedy.

[lumberjack48]

The sleeve that the hook is bolted to should be adjustable, slide up an down with a quick release pin. This way you'd only need to buy one cant hook for all diameter logs.

I see they make a yellow one for the extreme user. 8)

[isawlogs]

The sleeve that the hook is bolted to should be adjustable, slide up an down with a quick release pin. This way you'd only need to buy one cant hook for all diameter logs.

  That sleeve is welded in place.  ;)

[WH_Conley]

I used a bunch of those old hooks. Still have 4 or 5 around the mill someplace. Most have broken handles, probably rotten by now. Nobody will touch them after I got the Logrite hooks.

[lumberjack48]

The sleeve that the hook is bolted to should be adjustable, slide up an down with a quick release pin. This way you'd only need to buy one cant hook for all diameter logs.

  That sleeve is welded in place.  ;)

I think i know that its welded in one place   I'm saying it should be made adjustable so you have three tools in one, i'm always stepping out of the box.

[isawlogs]

 Well I had a peavy that the sleeve was squeezed on and not bolted through, that dam thing hurt me one time too many by turning and letting go, It now lives with someone else. I am a firm beleaver that that (Tom  ;))  sleeve needs be there and not move.. ever.
   I undersdtand that you like to think out of the box and appreciate that, it is one of the best ways of improving things that many take for granted. 

[tyb525]

I don't think that would work. To grip bigger logs, the actual geometry of the hook has to change, not just where it mounts to the handle.

If a log is hard to grip, try pounding the   hook in a little with a hammer.

As a testament to their strength, I have used my 4' can't hook as a pry bar to lift a log up in the mill to put blocks under it, among other things they weren't intended for. :)

[Jeff]

I don't think that would work. To grip bigger logs, the actual geometry of the hook has to change, not just where it mounts to the handle.

Ty beat me to it. Moving the collar has little to do with it. Its the shape, size and angle of attack of the hook. Nothing fits every size log, but the standard size fits most of the stuff the typical mill will handle. Guys that have big logs, get the bigger hook.

[John Mc]

The sleeve that the hook is bolted to should be adjustable, slide up an down with a quick release pin. This way you'd only need to buy one cant hook for all diameter logs.

I don't know that that would make much difference.  The size/shape of the hook is a big part of what sizes it grips.

Seems like the pin would just be a possible point of failure.

In my experience, these things are just about bomb proof.

[beenthere]

For bigger logs, one would need more leverage.

If one moves the hook up the handle, it ends up with less leverage so seems counter-productive.

[Jim H]

One thing that helps the hook bite is keeping the point sharp. Even with the excellent geometry of the logrite hooks, when you get to the upper end of their capacity they can slip pretty easy with a dull point. I notice this most on my 48" peavey since I tend to use it on larger logs rather than grabbing another hook.

[WDH]

My 78" LogRite megahook ranks among the very best things that I have ever bought.  Of course, with a manual mill, one learns to appreciate these type of things  ;D.  Now, you can get some real leverage with that big boy .  The best thing is to have both the 60" and 78" or hydraulics  :D.

[Corley5]

The Logrites I have are far superior to any wooden handled canthook I've ever used.