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Wavey Cut

Started by DAR, June 12, 2017, 09:43:21 PM

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DAR

Help! I purchased a LT40 last years from a friend that was hanging up his blades. I saw for fun and to take my mind off other things. Since I bought the mill I replaced the rollers on the frame and did all the measurement according to the manual. Here's my problem. For some reason the blade has started rising then go back down to create a wave when I enter the cant. Then it will level out and then about half way through a 12' cant it will wave then stop and level out. I've tried slowing down a little on entering but doesn't seem to help. Tension is correct for the blade that I'm using (WM). I haven't called WM yet, thought I'd start here first. I have read a bunch of posts on here and have learned a lot from you guys. Thanks from a newbie.   

pineywoods

1 dull blade, dull blade
2 guide roller alignment
3 not enough tension

Most new owners have trouble telling when to swap blades...
1995 Wood Mizer LT 40, Liquid cooled kawasaki,homebuilt hydraulics. Homebuilt solar dry kiln.  Woodmaster 718 planner, Kubota M4700 with homemade forks and winch, stihl  028, 029, Ms390
100k bd ft club.Charter member of The Grumpy old Men

WDH

I had a similar problem and I found out that the outboard blade guide roller was out of adjustment. 
Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

Magicman

And then you are probably entering the butt end of the log which sometime has it's own surprises.  After all of the above spot on advice has been done/followed, turn the log around and enter from the top end.

And Welcome to the Forestry Forum.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

Brad_bb

Where are you located?
What wood are you cutting?
Does the log have any significant branch knots?
What HP motor on that mill?
What degree band are you using?
Are you sure the tension is right?
Are you sure your guides are set right?
Is your drive belt tension set correctly?
Anything someone can design, I can sure figure out how to fix!
If I say it\\\\\\\'s going to take so long, multiply that by at least 3!

Rachiano

Cooks has some great videos on diving and rising blades...video 13 through 18....enjoy and welcome to the FF.
https://youtu.be/x6oBsl_zDOY
Rachiano

WM LT70
WM EG50
Werklust WG25 Wheel loader
DAF 2100 HIAB truck

derhntr

Check for sawdust on band wheels :P
2006 Woodmizer LT40HDG28 with command control (I hate walking in sawdust)
US Army National Guard (RET) SFC

Chuck White

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, DAR!
~Chuck~  Cooks Cat Claw sharpener and single tooth setter.  2018 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Subaru Ascent.
With basic mechanical skills and the ability to read you can maintain a Woodmizer  LT40!

ladylake




If your sawing wide dried out hardwood try a 4° blade, 10° like to rise at the start of a cut a lot more..  Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

DAR

Thanks guys you gave me a lot to look at. I'm located in Virginia and sawing Hemlock for a barn and shed. There is quit a few knots in the wood. I do start my cuts from the small end of the log. I saw maybe 2 or 3 24" logs per blade. Is that to much? The engine is a Kohler G25.

Chuck White

That doesn't sound like you're getting good life from your blades, before sharpening!

You should "normally" be able to saw quite a few more logs before changing the blade!

Then, when it starts acting up, switch it out!
~Chuck~  Cooks Cat Claw sharpener and single tooth setter.  2018 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Subaru Ascent.
With basic mechanical skills and the ability to read you can maintain a Woodmizer  LT40!

drobertson

I've seen this type of wave before, often times it comes from a  blade that seems sharp, but for some or other reason won't  saw straight.  I've seen blades in the same box just not saw good. The other thing to check, unless I missed it, would be the drive belt tension.  If it continues to wave at the exact same spots on every log/cant, you may have other issues on the rail itself,,
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

WV Sawmiller

DAR,

   Welcome to the FF. Where in Va are you located? Please update your profile to help us out.

   I'm running a 25 hp Kohler and I tend to use a 4 degree band when cutting knotty logs like pine or hemlock. The wood is soft enough for 10 degree blades but the knots want to jump so I find the 4 degree works best for me. Good luck.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

MobileSawMilSlo

Hi guys

I hear a lot of talking about 4 degree blades. The "problem" is, that I did not found Woodmizer 4 degree blades for 1 1/4 (32mm) only for 1 1/2 inch (38mm).
I would need it for my Woodmizer LT20 and I do not know if I can "fit" 1 1/2 blades into it.

Regards, Dejan
Woodmizer LT20 mobile and TTP-600 Premium Plus
DAJK - all sawing equipment in one place

Ox

Kasco, a sponsor on the left of the page, has the blades you're looking for.  Cutting Edge, a member here, is a factory direct representative for them.  Click on the Kasco link, fill out the blade request and you'll have awesome blades in no time.  It's the best move I've made so far.  My mill loves the Kasco blades.
K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without
1989 GMC 3500 4x4 diesel dump and plow truck, 1964 Oliver 1600 Industrial with Parsons loader and backhoe, 1986 Zetor 5211, Cat's Claw sharpener, single tooth setter, homemade Linn Lumber 1900 style mill, old tools

Magicman

Dejan, I have no idea regarding the availability of blades in Slovenia.  I would contact the Wood-Mizer Dealer.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

terrifictimbersllc

All of my blades are 1-1/4, and 4 degree blades are available here.  Woodmizer double hard, 0.045" thick.
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

4x4American

Pretty much everything has been said, and X2 to Dr. Obertson on checking the drive belt tension.  WM has a gauge to set that tension.  Also, the alignment of the guide rollers is crucial.  They need to be flat to the bunks and have 1/4" of down pressure on the blade.  WM also sells a gauge for leveling the roller guides.  Another thing not mentioned is the blade body curvature.  The blade has to be flat or have a slight dish on the inside of the blade so that the guides can guide it properly.  I have had many brand new blades that wouldn't cut before rolling them flat.  Cook's sells a blade roller.  Many places that sharpen blades do only that, sharpen (and set).  But they don't all roll the blade flat.  When you get the wavy cuts, shut down the mill, keep full tension on the blade and stick a brand new razor blade (to use for a straight edge) on the inside of the blade in between the guides.  If the razor can wobble back and forth (if there is daylight on the outside edges) the blade needs rolled flat.  If you see daylight in the center just a little bit then thats not your problem
Boy, back in my day..

MobileSawMilSlo

Quote from: Magicman on June 14, 2017, 05:27:58 PM
Dejan, I have no idea regarding the availability of blades in Slovenia.  I would contact the Wood-Mizer Dealer.

Well, you see ... how can I put it right way ... WM dealer in Slovenia did not know that 7 degree blades exists. I told them and gave them serial / part number, so now I have it  ;) ;)

On WM European website, there is no 4 degree blades with 1 1/4.

http://www.woodmizer-europe.com/Products/Blades/DoubleHARD



I will definitely check on Kasco blades.

Thank you all
Woodmizer LT20 mobile and TTP-600 Premium Plus
DAJK - all sawing equipment in one place

Magicman

I am surprised at the thickness (actually thinnest) of the blades that are offered.  Our blades are normally are .045, .050, and .055.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

drobertson

Wood-Mizer is not the only blade out there, frankly, I wonder why folks still hold so fast to this.  These blades broke on a constant cycle when I used them, they work, they just break, at least on my mill.  Kasco blades if possible to obtain for those in search would be well worth trying,.
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

Magicman

Dejan, I overlooked the fact that you have an LT20.  My apology, as I have no experience with the LT20. 

I have not experienced the blade breakage problem that drobertson commented on in the above reply.  Many years ago I had an entire box of blades to break in the weld and the problem was isolated to a particular welder.  They were all replaced under warranty.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

DAR

Thanks  for the information you gave. I installed new rollers on both sides, new blade and replaced the main belt. One problem. Set the blade pressure at 2400lbs and the inside roller has pressure on it and rolls with the blade all the time. The outside roller doesn't roll at all. Is there a distance from the roller that the blade has to be set with a feeler gauge? The WM manual doesn't say anything about it at all. 

Magicman

The blade guides on most sawmills are set ¼" below the bandwheels.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

ladylake

 I think your blade is not level with the bunks, with the blade tensioned back the guide rollers off the blade so they're not touching then measure from the blade to the deck (measure several bunks to make sure one isn't bent ), I think WM recommends the blade should be 1/16 higher on the outside, then adjust  both guide rollers to push the blade down 1/4". Also how is the round rail that the head rides on?  I've seen one that was half wore off in the middle which I think would make the head tilt different in the middle where the most wear was. Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

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