Useful sawmill mods

[mesquite buckeye]

I'm guessing the small bolt broke off inside the handle.

Mine just used to vibrate out. now they are properly rusted and stay put. ;D

[69bronco]

Good looking bead there 4x!

[Peter Drouin]

Mine kept falling off until I lost the thing. So I grab an allen wrench, Fix now. :D :D :D :D



 

[4x4American]

I had to weld it because the blade bit off the head of the bolt.  It's right in the line of fire.  The other one taint far from being bit off.  Look at the dowel that plugs into the top hole for the cover, that things been gnawed on a time or two I'd say...

[Magicman]

   In two years??   ???

[Peter Drouin]

He's hard on things MM. :D :D

[Magicman]

   I am wondering how many thrown/broken blades it took to caused that many tooth marks.   ???

[Peter Drouin]

  I am wondering how many thrown/broken blades it took to caused that many tooth marks.   ???

4 :D

[4x4American]

 :D :D :D


MM don't ever sell your mill! 

[4x4American]

I wanna see what the inside of Jake's covers look like on his Hazelhurst 70...they are prolly a lot lighter than they were new

[Magicman]

Mine is 18 years old.  You don't wanna see the claw marks on it.   

[Czech_Made]

Nothing wrong with blue flame fix  ;D

The drivers side cover busted off the handle and the dust shield collector unit mabobber..I welded the chute thingy, nothing special, but I wasn't sure if the handles were weldable with my wire feeder and solid wire and argon/c02...so I tried it, and it worked...really noting special but I figured that if someone had same problem it might be good to know u can weld it.

[reswire]

Hey Bibby,
Do you know of a way to increase the lift head motor on a LT 40 HD?  I love my mill, but the head life is painfully slow sometimes, and I'd like to make it faster without buying the super!!   ;D ;D  Is it simply a matter of changing a motor, or is it more to it than that?   Any ideas?

[grouch]

This thread has gotten so huge it needs an INDEX!

Here 'tis. Rough and in chronological order as they appeared in the thread. Not sorted by type of mod or whether brand-specific or generic. Just chrono index. Dunno if Bibbyman can edit the first post to include this (or even if he'd want to), but here 'tis anyway.

Needs work, but I need a break.

reverse bolts on Wood-Mizer cover plate

two sacrificial boards for sawing shorts

12V fuel pump for priming diesel engine
12V fuel pump for priming diesel engine

hydrostatic carriage drive and chain hoist for log turning
hydrostatic carriage drive and chain hoist for log turning

R.V. level on mill

platform for WM walkers

carriage return switch

changing Wood-Mizer from mobile to stationary

2nd battery, oil pressure, tach, micro switches on clutch handle for lube and engine, marker lights, spot lights

lights to tires, head, posts

spring to LubeMizer tube

hydraulic solenoid valve indicator light

glass sediment bowl

garden hose to cover leg hazards

hydraulic hose to protect loader ram fittings from breakage

sleeve to hang fenders, wrenches, ammo box

block of oak to replace bearing

movable scale becomes special scale

file for blade

Moon hubcap as skid

buddy bearings and spare tire

scale and log lights

light for night sawing

brush for bark fuzz, rounded power strip, fenders filled for billboards

manual to power back supports

guard as belt cleaner

forward battery box, keyed switch, oil pressure, tach, 3 inch backstops

stainless steel bolts with Nylock nuts

double head chain, lights, line levels, jack

water tube relocate, deflector protector
water tube relocate, deflector protector

sawdust drag with overhead return, table spacing

throttle activated windshield washer blade sprayer

other manual back support converted to powered

lever mod, switch for 2nd loader arms, no tongue

chain turner idler

solid square for chain turner rollers

dragback deck extension

tape measure magnet

board guide

replace blade tensioning lever with nut

loader mod for short logs

wrench hanger

hook and bar for earmuffs and gloves

DC fan for sawdust
DC fan for sawdust

closet basket

umbrella

handle bars and throttle

traction for step

sawdust chute cover plate

ramps and extensions for offloading timbers

handle for shifting side stops

sawdust exhaust chute
sawdust exhaust chute

fork to clean sawdust chute blade stoppers

chain substitute for dragback cable

dragback motor prop

castors for outriggers

bicycle tach on idle wheel

gearmotor for head height
gearmotor for head height

toe boards via ratchet binders

load lock as log dog

gearmotor replaces winch for head height

blade guide motor rubber knuckle saver

convex mirror

balanced guide crank, ice tea bottle hand grip, oil filler sleeve, battery outlet/plug, cutout in mainsaw guard

air quick connect

oil fill extension, dust chute

contact strip bypass with welding leads cable
contact strip bypass with welding leads cable

DC to AC hydraulic pump
DC to AC hydraulic pump

manual log turner handle

roller toeboard

accuset buttons for gloves
accuset buttons for gloves

squaring arms

6 gpm AC hydraulic pump

log dogs

battery box
battery box
battery box

rail guard and battery box dust sucker

scale and magnets

splatter shield

hydraulic tank heater

log stop scales

LED tail lights

roller chain board guide

tubing light protector

mechanical remote controls

gear oil drain plug

dragback arm pivot joint pin

water drum, hose, tap, pump, switch

tape measures and magnets for scales

umbrella on accuset

LubeMizer retrofit

water tank with air hose quick coupling

offbearer table with roller

roller chain board guide details

sawdust chute clean-out fork

water lube to drive side, 2nd valve on lube tube

home made autoclutch for LT40

custom tool boxes

custom aluminum fuel tank

dishwashing detergent jugs for lube

ratchet strap for head during travel

washer with hairpin clip for head during travel

remove hydraulic decal plate

tripod and electric winch for log turning

battery hold-down, battery isolator

heavy sawhorses for mobile dead deck

battery terminal short prevention

bucket for sawdust discharge

forkliftable toolshed

blade cover and log dog mods for Oscar

hydraulic cover traction mod

dragback removed for larger cant

7 ft bed extension for LT15

hour meter, exhaust re-route, cold air intake restrictor, choke cable removed

truck mudflap sawdust deflector, Norwood

duck tape Honda fan intake

trailer jacks

blocks for stabilizers

wedges for stabilizers

Log Arch Mill Deck, Mark I.

12VDC gearmotor speed control

trailer axle front

rubber bumper protectors

boat winch to worm gear winch

nuts as loading arm teeth

cam cleat and rope control for dragback arm

calculator and cyclocomputer

umbrella mount using nut rivets to seat

Ambidexter Thermostropter

removable log stop extensions

sawdust discharge chute

hinged unloading ramps (for timber), bed extension with removable bunks

broken blade for log clamp teeth

blade storage

half-pipe sawdust collection trough

12VDC winch log turner

saw lube solenoid switched by engine rpm

lube tubing extension and re-route

lube tube extension and re-route

dragback guide fingers

hydraulic toeboard reposition

plastic drum blade storage

Magic Can

cut-down garbage can with expanding foam, blade storage

clamp fangs
clamp fangs

seat umbrella

LT15 clamp mod

Norwood log loader extension plus winch

belt cleaner tool

stainless steel lube tube with bushing

hydraulic control center mods, 3/8 drive socket tensioner, deflector board

see-through debarker flap

lube mixer side shield relocate

marker lights as hydraulic solenoid trouble lights

board return arm lower lip added - Wood-Mizer

modified plastic jug guard mod for LubeMizer upper jet

board return (dragback) arm lower lip added - TK 2000

LT15 clamp bolts as pins

dust chute scoop welding and cover warpage

modified (angled) board return arm lower lip

clamp fangs, traction nuts, nut locks, umbrella holder

end of mill backstop

log shifter for loader

clanger

gun bluing rails

removable bed rail risers with cant stops, electric winch turner / loader, extra battery

bondo spreader as blade cleaner

Norwood sawdust chute deflector from tire

external battery and 5.5HP engine with 105A alternator

NO-OX-ID "A-special" for electrical connections

BX backstop mod

ball valve and needle valve for lube control

carriage activated lube valve

valve and tee for "breeding the system" and washing hands

request for explanation of "breeding the system"

suggestion for "INDEX"

fine adjust outrigger from jacks

fine adjust outrigger from jacks - step by step

permanent band shield keeper bolts

clamp lock bar mod

lube tube reroute

forstner bit for clamp teeth

water tank

lock for compressed outrigger pin spring

smaller alternator pulley

replace drive-in grease fittings with threaded

steel dragback roller table

dragback fingers and holder, dragback deck

TK hinge in dragback

mill as edger with vises

upside down broom on offloader

3rd toeboard

voltmeter

exhaust extension

HF log dog shortening

allthread plus coupling nut log dog, acme thread log height adjusters

HF track extension

welded dust shield handle

[OneWithWood]

Nice work, Grouch.  Appreciate it  8)

[Savannahdan]

Grouch:  Thank you for the index. I've spent almost an hour looking at some of the modifications.

[pineywoods]

Hey Bibby,
Do you know of a way to increase the lift head motor on a LT 40 HD?  I love my mill, but the head life is painfully slow sometimes, and I'd like to make it faster without buying the super!!   ;D ;D  Is it simply a matter of changing a motor, or is it more to it than that?   Any ideas?

There's more to it...The bigger motors need more electrons ie bigger alternator, then the drum switch contacts aren't husky enough. Search for "faster up for older woodmizers"  I didn't post it in the sawmill mods thread. There's an update which I haven't posted yet, but will do so asap..

[mesquite buckeye]

Grouch:  Thank you for the index. I've spent almost an hour looking at some of the modifications.

;D ;D

[stihltoomany]

This thread needs to be a book on sawmilling. Thanks for the index. I never have managed to read this entire thread. This will really help.

[Ga Mtn Man]

Hey Bibby,
Do you know of a way to increase the lift head motor on a LT 40 HD?  I love my mill, but the head life is painfully slow sometimes, and I'd like to make it faster without buying the super!!   ;D ;D  Is it simply a matter of changing a motor, or is it more to it than that?   Any ideas?

I share your opinion on the speed of the head.  When I first got my mill the slow speed drove me nuts compared to that of my previous mill, which was hydraulically driven.  As an experiment, I changed the lift motor pulley on my LT40HD Standard to the same size pulley as is used on the Super mills.  I reckoned that there must be some excess lifting capacity since the mill can be ordered with much heavier engine options than my mill has(G29).  The motor had no problem lifting the head and, as expected, was about 50% faster but... the SimpleSet was no longer accurate at that speed, as much as a ¼" off.  After playing around with all of the hidden settings on the SS without any success,  I spoke with Rick at WM and was told that it can't be made to work without a firmware change, which is not available.  Changed the pulley back and just got used to the slower speed. :-\   

[Bandmill Bandit]

Hey Bibby,
Do you know of a way to increase the lift head motor on a LT 40 HD?  I love my mill, but the head life is painfully slow sometimes, and I'd like to make it faster without buying the super!!   ;D ;D  Is it simply a matter of changing a motor, or is it more to it than that?   Any ideas?

I have tried a few thing but ultimately have not found any thing that really makes a lot of difference short of changing out the lift motor to the same one that is on the super with the wood mizer upgrade for that purpose.

It is the ONLY upgrade I have NOT done on mine to date and probably wont be doing. All the other upgrades combined made a very significant production improvements and in running the mill since all the upgrades I find the head lift speed is not as much of a noticeable issue any more.

There is a spring assist mod somewhere in the usfull mods but I found it made the head a bit to "lite in the cut" as you approached the lower cuts in the log.

I some times wish i had done the super lift motor upgrade BUT only because I could have added the full set works II instead of just the simple set.

With I all said and done i am very happy with my mill and head lift speed is a very minimal productivity factor if at all as my mill is now operates. The hydraulics, feed motor and simple set, board return with the out feed table and laser site, in that order will give you the most productivity increase you can get.

With all that done the lift motor becomes a matter of milling experience to get the head where you need it BEFORE you are ready for the next cut.     

[Chuck White]

Hey Bibby,
Do you know of a way to increase the lift head motor on a LT 40 HD?  I love my mill, but the head life is painfully slow sometimes, and I'd like to make it faster without buying the super!!   ;D ;D  Is it simply a matter of changing a motor, or is it more to it than that?   Any ideas?

I have tried a few thing but ultimately have not found any thing that really makes a lot of difference short of changing out the lift motor to the same one that is on the super with the wood mizer upgrade for that purpose.

There is a spring assist mod somewhere in the useful mods but I found it made the head a bit to "lite in the cut" as you approached the lower cuts in the log.

It's called the Piney Wood's lift assist.

 



 

I found that this system helped increase the speed a lot, but a year later I upgraded the motor and the gear box.

The lift assist is cheap and easy to do.

[Ga Mtn Man]

I have tried a few thing but ultimately have not found any thing that really makes a lot of difference...

It seems like you didn't read my post.   :-\

You absolutely can increase the speed (by about 50%) just by changing the pulley but, the SimpleSet won't work correctly.

[Magicman]

MM don't ever sell your mill! 

OK, you pictured yours so I'll let you off of the hook and post up mine.


 
There are plenty of claw marks, but none are freshly done......yet.   ;D

[Magicman]

Self modified sawdust chute.  Kinda like the monkey said when he got his tail caught...it won't be long now.   :-\


 
It's only 17" long now.  A broken blade tore a hole through it which was constantly catching sawdust, especially ERC, so I whacked it off.