Steady hand, good eyes and he did it.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Kirk and I were sawing today and the small pin broke that holds the gear that moves the guide arm in and out.\
I held the light and Kirk was able to replace the new pin without taking anything apart.
Took about 3 minutes.
Sure beats removing the whole motor, bracket and having the psi handle flop around.
 
You can see the pin if ya look close.


 

[Bandmill Bandit]

There is a woodmizer upgrade to that little problem that has fixed that issue permanently for me so far. Been about 2 years and about 800 hours of sawing since I installed it. 

[Magicman]

Even a good man needs someone to hold da light.   

[Dave Shepard]

I've replaced that little guy a couple of times. I keep a bunch of them on hand.

Bandmill Bandit, what is the update part?

[terrifictimbersllc]

set screw

[Magicman]

It may happen tomorrow, but I have never broken that roll pin.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

It may happen tomorrow, but I have never broken that roll pin.

It happens.  >:(

[Nomad]

     I've replaced that pin a couple times.  It's nice to know it can be done without taking things apart next time.

[Peter Drouin]

I replace the pin without taking it apart all the time. ;D

[terrifictimbersllc]

Hats off to your friend I couldn't do it with a goat watching.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I replace the pin without taking it apart all the time. ;D

If you're replacing your pin "all the time".....somethings wrong with your alignment.  :D

[Magicman]

He is sawing too many Pine Logs.   :D

[Bandmill Bandit]

The upgrade kit includes a new shaft with a flat spot machined onto it and then a set screw in the new sprocket as mentioned above. Would have to check with woodmizer but I am pretty sure it is a higher grade of steel too. I also used high strength lock tight on mine when I installed it.

I am gona look for the invoice so I can give the kit part number here.

[customsawyer]

The new one on the LT70s has the same shaft as before but there is a threaded set screw on both sides of the sprocket.  I used to have to replace mine about every 150 hours or so. This new one has been going for almost 800 hours.  ;D

[Chuck White]

Hope I don't jynx myself, but something must need alignment for that pin breaking to be so common.

My mill now has over 2,500 hours on it, and I've never had any trouble with the pin.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

My mill now has over 2,500 hours on it, and I've never had any trouble with the pin.

Are you sawing or just letting your mill set and run?  :D

[Bandmill Bandit]

Hope I don't jynx myself, but something must need alignment for that pin breaking to be so common.

My mill now has over 2,500 hours on it, and I've never had any trouble with the pin.

Pretty sure it isnt an alignment issue at all. just a slight loose fit with out the set screws lock tight would probably solve the issue just as well

[terrifictimbersllc]

Debris jamming  rhe tiny space between guide block and roller can  cause the blade to pull the arm when engaging the clutch. If the blade  guide arm rollers are a little bit loose that can yank the arm hard for some distance. I think this can break the pin. Maybe there are other reasons too.

[Nomad]

     Jamming the arm into the log puts a lot of stress on it (an "oops.")  Jamming the arm all the way open does the same thing.  (Much more common.)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

     Jamming the arm into the log puts a lot of stress on it (an "oops.")  Jamming the arm all the way open does the same thing.  (Much more common.)

x10

[Magicman]

Y'all probably saw into your side supports too.   :D   8)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

 :D :D :D :D :D

[Bandmill Bandit]

SIde supports? what side supports?

[drobertson]

Steady hand and a good eye for sure, done it before, an extra hand would've been nice ;D  it took a little better than 3 min for me :D

[Magicman]

After multiple trimmings, some side supports are only a few inches tall.   :D

[Ga Mtn Man]

So are you less likely to hit them as they get shorter?  I'd like to think there is some hope out there.

[MartyParsons]

 

 

Hello,
You can solve the pin falling out by replaceing the old gear with the new and improved style. They removed the spring roll pin and put two set screws on each side. Note that there is a pin mounted to the screw. Lock Tite works on the screws.  ;) blue

Before this change I would wire the pin. Thread the wire through the pin and wrap it around the gear. At this point the gear and the motor shaft is worn and should be replaced. But you can keep it in operation until the part arrives.

If the pin brakes more than once the rollers are tight on the arm on another binding issue.

Marty
Part # P09970  $ 6.95 each.

[terrifictimbersllc]

So are you less likely to hit them as they get shorter?  I'd like to think there is some hope out there.

No. A couple of weeks ago mine were only 3 inches up and one of them still managed to jump up and grab the blade.    Hint you don't have to saw them down you can just lower them, this will save some blades at least.

[Bandmill Bandit]

Hey Marty
Thanks a bunch for posting the upgrade Kit part number. I just haven't had a chance to look for it.

[4x4American]

I'm willing to bet it's from jamming it open or closed.  In the picture, its that roll pin is sheared off?

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I'm willing to bet it's from jamming it open or closed.  In the picture, its that roll pin is sheared off?

It happened when I was attempting to pass a knot that I should have chain sawed off ahead of time.
You're actually looking at the new pin already installed.

[Kbeitz]

So are you less likely to hit them as they get shorter?  I'd like to think there is some hope out there.

No. A couple of weeks ago mine were only 3 inches up and one of them still managed to jump up and grab the blade.    Hint you don't have to saw them down you can just lower them, this will save some blades at least.

It's real easy to make a pusher in front of your blade that will hit the side supports before the blade.
It will eather stop the mill or push down the side supports.

[Dave Shepard]

You will loose some of your throat capacity that way on a WM, and you won't push down a hydraulic support.

[MartyParsons]

Hello,
This thread is jumping around. The picture of the gear and the screw on only one side of the pin is on the allen wrench. The new design has two set screws on each side. No more roll pin.
Understand?

Marty

[drobertson]

 new is good, but have to say, I've never seen much of an issue with the existing roll pin design,  other than at times through the winter when frozen conditions are present.

[highleadtimber16]

I finally welded mine onto the shaft. It's never coming loose again. ;D

[Ga Mtn Man]

My blade guide stopped moving yesterday so I thought I was gonna get a chance to see if my hands were goat-steady.  Well, when the sprocket fell off with the first tap on the pin punch I realized there was more going on than just a sheared pin... the shaft was broken at the pin hole  :(.  With the motor off of the drive chain, I tugged on the blade guide arm and found it was pretty hard to move.  I must have over-tightened the rollers when I did an alignment a few months ago .  I think this may have caused the shaft failure.  I find it difficult to tell when the rollers are tight enough but not too tight  ???. 

So... I'll be ordering a shaft and new-design sprocket tomorrow.   Did the shaft get re-designed too?  I recall seeing a post here on the forum that it did, but I can't find the post.       

[terrifictimbersllc]

I'm willing to bet it's from jamming it open or closed.  In the picture, its that roll pin is sheared off?

It happened when I was attempting to pass a knot

Be prepared for adventure on the goat path, roll pins being just one possibility. 🐐