Mast Wiper

Chuck White · January 23, 2013, 06:48:48 PM

Just wondering if anyone has tried installing felt or other type of wipers on the mast of an LT40 or similar mill. If so, how did/does it work?

Similar to the wiper some here have installed to keep the blades clean.

Seems that in doing so would eliminate the need to apply ATF with a rag every once in a while.

learner · January 23, 2013, 07:17:12 PM

Good question Chuck and now that I think about it, a good idea too. You have me wondering if putting an ATF soaked piece of felt just above and below the mast pads, might help some. But how to keep them in place? They would help keep the masts clean and lubed at the same time. Much like the track cleaners and lube strip of felt do.
I know that having to clean and lube the masts is a pain at times and anything that makes the day easier and cleanup quicker would surely help.

barbender · January 23, 2013, 09:04:36 PM

I've had the same idea, we'll have to see who goes from thought to action first ;D

POSTON WIDEHEAD · January 23, 2013, 09:15:01 PM

I have a squirt bottle that shoots ATF about 4 feet. In the morning I shoot the mast post 2 sides on each post
I shoot the top first and let it run down, raise the head....shoot the lower end and lower the head. She's ready to go. It only takes a few seconds to do this again after lunch.

I think a felt pad would be in the way and something else to worry about.

This is just me Chuck....I'm from S.C. :D So don't hollar at me. ;D

clww · January 23, 2013, 09:20:20 PM

Back in my previous career, all hydraulic actuators on all the aircraft had these felt wipers installed internally. Regardless, all exposed "shiny metal" was required to be wiped down during a "daily inspection" with MIL-H-83282. Occasionally, even with these inspections and the wipers working as advertised, pitting would occur on the exposed cylinder shafts. I would check with the manufacture to see if these felt wipers are already installed in your actuators at the factory. IMHO, if they indeed are, I don't see any benefit from an extra set installed externally.

barbender · January 23, 2013, 09:32:20 PM

Poston, I have one of those "atf cannons" too, the problem is all the atf running and drippin all over >:( The idea is like the track wiper, it coats the rails with a nice even sheen of atf and all I have to do is remember to soak it once a month or somethin' :D clww, these aren't actuators, it's the steel mast the nylon pads of the head frame ride on.

clww · January 23, 2013, 09:34:43 PM

DOH! Got it!
Can you tell I have no sawmill, yet? :D

POSTON WIDEHEAD · January 23, 2013, 09:42:32 PM

I see your point barbender (not really.... :D I love ya brother)

I do know the felt pad that lubes the head rail, will dry out on you in less than a day. That's why even after I soak and I mean soak the felt for the head rail, I will still spray ATF on the rail about twice a day while the waiting on the blade to saw through a cant.

I have also learned that what ever species you are sawing will determine how fast a pad dries out. Cedar dust will dry one out quick.

barbender · January 23, 2013, 09:55:02 PM

Clww, I hope you do get one soon! ;) The mast is relatively crude compared to the actuators you are describing ;) Thanks for the love, Poston! ;D As much atf as it sounds like you are firing around, maybe you should just look into one of those backpack sprayers ;D I'm just ribbing you, cause I know you can take it ;) Seriously, I'm just looking for ways to make a few things more automatic, if you will. And also to cut down on the amount of atf that ends up on the ground, I don't want a future Superfund site ;D Maybe I'm just a bad aim with my squirt can, but it seems only about 10% of my atf ends up where I want it :

POSTON WIDEHEAD · January 23, 2013, 09:59:32 PM

Barbender....You know those WICK AIR FRESHENERS you can buy and hang up? The kind with the spray can in it and you can set the times it will go off?
If we had something like that with ATF in it, it would spray, whatever you wanted, every 9 minutes.
Set it and forget it.

*****I do use some lubes now......ATF, DIESEL, CASCADE.....I keep 'em in business.

*****

learner · January 23, 2013, 10:05:04 PM

I'm starting to learn that Lube, Lube, Lube should be the act of the day! Have a pair of gloves that Drip ATF from lubing the masts. I'm gonna try this just to find out. And see if it helps me avoid having to put those slimy gloves on! :D ALL things can be done better until the Perfect solution is found. Haven't found it yet.

beenthere · January 23, 2013, 10:15:09 PM

How about a paint brush and a can of lube? Goes where you 'paint' it, and no need for a glove. Seems like.

Peter Drouin · January 23, 2013, 10:24:01 PM

This is what use

and pant all the nut and bolts too :D

trapper · January 23, 2013, 10:36:37 PM

In this same line how do you all add ATF to the felt in the rail wiper? I use a oil can to drip into the cuts that secure the felt to the cover.

barbender · January 23, 2013, 11:14:08 PM

I just take it off and dump as much atf on as it will soak up. Poston, I like that idea ;D Actually, I've been searching the smileys for one with it's tongue sticking out at you :D

POSTON WIDEHEAD · January 23, 2013, 11:51:26 PM

Quote from: barbender on January 23, 2013, 11:14:08 PM
I just take it off and dump as much atf on as it will soak up. Poston, I like that idea ;D Actually, I've been searching the smileys for one with it's tongue sticking out at you :D

:D :D :D

bandmiller2 · January 24, 2013, 08:11:18 AM

Seriously has anyone tried paste wax,the type you would use on a wood floor,its a good high pressure lube and will dry and not attract as much dust&dirt. Frank C.

Bibbyman · January 24, 2013, 08:18:06 AM

I've thought about an oil reservoir like used on old equipment with tube and application system.

AdamT · January 24, 2013, 10:40:55 AM

I like Peter's idea with the paintbrush. I've been using a good squirt bottle, but I plan to go ahead and try a paintbrush. I think the paintbrush will do better than a bottle when it comes to lubing the chain drive.

I'll still keep the squirt bottle for when I need a quick squirt, which is usually on the mast rails

POSTON WIDEHEAD · January 24, 2013, 02:36:23 PM

The paint brush is pretty good Adam.

But however you do it...just do it. :D A well lubed machine will last.

AdamT · January 24, 2013, 04:02:39 PM

But what to do with the lubed up brush after oiling the machine? I can't just put it in my toolbox. I'm not stationary, so would need another container or something...

Bibbyman · January 24, 2013, 04:11:50 PM

Heavy Ziploc bag would work great to store oily brush.

Peter Drouin · January 24, 2013, 06:54:00 PM

I leave the brush in the can and put the cover back on, the can is a old coffee thing, when it gets old I get a new one, I had the same brush for a loooooong time :D :D

Tronvik · January 24, 2013, 07:22:10 PM

Paint brush/ coffee can is a good idea for the mast. I use the same setup with diesel fuel on the blade when cutting pitchy pine wood.

pineywoods · January 24, 2013, 07:26:51 PM

I'll definitely be checking this idea out. I usually forget about oiling the masts until the head starts shuddering. I know of one mill where the shuddering got so bad, the shaft on the output of the up/down gearbox sheared off. The mill owner had never read the manual, didn't know they needed lube.