They don't make metal like they used to.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · June 03, 2018, 10:03:47 AM

When I crank up 3800 PSI on the wide head it takes a good bit of arm strength to pull the handle around.

My handle has now developed a crack. Its not in a weld, the handle appears to have been cut out of 1 piece with a Plasma Cutter.

I called Woodmizer and sent them pictures.
They are sending me a new handle and pin.

Thanks Colin.

Right now I'm use a screw driver to wind up the pressure until my new handle arrives.

I'll take the cracked one and weld it up and have a spare.

Larry · June 03, 2018, 10:54:20 AM

Looks like some kind of abnormality in the metal rather than a manufacturing defect. Most steel is recycled anymore and might have been a Chinese ball bearing right at that spot so a crack developed.

I wouldn't worry about it unless the second one fails.

WDH · June 03, 2018, 11:58:02 AM

I have to use a litte 12" section of conduit as a cheater bar. Easier on the old body.

Southside · June 03, 2018, 12:29:13 PM

Yikes, that is surprising. Almost wonder if it needs a forged handle there due to the leverage, or a hex bolt / wrench type of set up.

Magicman · June 03, 2018, 02:17:03 PM

Goats da eats Kudzu are stronger. smiley_airfreshener

Larry · June 03, 2018, 03:24:21 PM

Seems like I remember somebody, I think maybe Bibbyman, complaining about that little handle years ago. Whoever it was, modified it to take a box end wrench.

Of course I could machine an adapter so you could use either a 1/2" socket wrench or 1/2" breaker bar if your really weak. 2 SGU's (paid in advance).

Magicman · June 03, 2018, 05:07:40 PM

Not keeping the screw/threads greased with greatly increase the pressure needed to reach the proper blade tension.

petefrom bearswamp · June 03, 2018, 05:53:47 PM

I have welded a 3/8 drive socket to the shaft, being careful to keep spatters off of the threads.
Then leave a 3/8 ratchet on it making tensioning and releasing very easy.
I think i may have put this on usful sawmill mods a few tears ago and I'll bet others have done this too.

ladylake · June 03, 2018, 05:58:26 PM

Quote from: Larry on June 03, 2018, 03:24:21 PM
Seems like I remember somebody, I think maybe Bibbyman, complaining about that little handle years ago. Whoever it was, modified it to take a box end wrench.

Of course I could machine an adapter so you could use either a 1/2" socket wrench or 1/2" breaker bar if your really weak. 2 SGU's (paid in advance).

I'd just weld a two sided handle on it like TK used, tensions up easy and fast. Steve '

WV Sawmiller · June 03, 2018, 06:12:19 PM

Ladylake,

Maybe in the future after it is out of warranty but I suspect, if like mine, any welding on the mill voids the warranty. No doubt WM will have the replacement part to the goat quicker than a Southerner can eat a bowl of grits. :D

Crossroads · June 03, 2018, 06:17:20 PM

Ya know my dad used to tell me "boy, you could tear up an iron ball with a rubber mallet". Is there a chance the goats cast from the same mold? 🤔

Southside · June 03, 2018, 06:17:54 PM

The goat could use that fancy nail gun he is running around with and just nail a couple of wide pine boards together to make a handle. ;D Oh - wait - what about a LogRite adapter kit that allows use of the cant hook, that would let a guy get some tension on there!! More power!!

4x4American · June 03, 2018, 08:35:26 PM

Quote from: petefrom bearswamp on June 03, 2018, 05:53:47 PM
I have welded a 3/8 drive socket to the shaft, being careful to keep spatters off of the threads.
Then leave a 3/8 ratchet on it making tensioning and releasing very easy.
I think i may have put this on usful sawmill mods a few tears ago and I'll bet others have done this too.

C'mon we all know you use a pneumatic impact wrench lol lol

Chuck White · June 04, 2018, 06:39:19 AM

Post number 133, here!

http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=7789.120

Scottasheppard · June 04, 2018, 08:04:33 AM

:D need more braces lol

Larry · June 04, 2018, 09:16:19 AM

Quote from: Larry on June 03, 2018, 03:24:21 PMSeems like I remember somebody, I think maybe Bibbyman, complaining about that little handle years ago. Whoever it was, modified it to take a box end wrench.

I thought it was Bibbyman. I surprised myself as most of the time I can't remember what I had for breakfast.

Chuck, your search skills are outstanding.

barbender · June 04, 2018, 02:16:08 PM

I thought this was going to be the goat making a tribute to Black Sabbath or something😁

WDH · June 04, 2018, 08:30:12 PM

:D :D :D

POSTON WIDEHEAD · June 04, 2018, 10:17:43 PM

:D :D :D

SawyerTed · June 04, 2018, 10:43:14 PM

Quote from: barbender on June 04, 2018, 02:16:08 PM
I thought this was going to be the goat making a tribute to Black Sabbath or something😁

Fact is they don't make metal like they used to. Black Sabbath Rocks!

POSTON WIDEHEAD · June 04, 2018, 10:47:05 PM

I got my new handle today.

This was NOT a fault of Woodmizers.
It just seems like a lot of the stuff with metal in it today does not come close to the quality of the metal things used to be built with.

I like the idea of the ratchet handle. 8)
I may look at putting one on.

Brucer · June 05, 2018, 12:53:44 AM

You could use Steve's suggestion of adding a T handle, but without welding it. Get a length of metal bar the same cross-section as your handle, but twice as long. Then pin it into the tensioner slot. You'd get half the stress on each side of the handle.