I saw a flyer for an auction today starting at noon. It featured something pretty rare around here as far as I know. I went primarily as a spectator but came home as the bid winner. The previous owner had a tree service and purchased this for the occasional nice log. Well, I'm now the owner of a Lucas 613 that looks slightly used. My plan is to get the slabber attachment. I have a Wood-mizer LT-40 hydraulic and an Alaskan 56" chainsaw mill. I have requests for slabbing and the CSM isn't easy to handle for my old body. I'm still recovering from a back operation and my wife now has some health issues, but neither of us are willing to quit. At first, she wasn't real happy I went over my promised limit, but she came around on the way home with a little sales pitch from me. I'm going to have to watch the video and read the manual. Going to try it out on a soft maple log sawing some pallet material I need. Definitely different from the Wood-mizer, going to have to put on my thinking cap.
Congratulations. Definitely get the slabber if you want to move some heavy boards. :D :D :D Seriously, watch out and go slow. There are just as many ways to make mistakes as with an LT-40, and this time it's carbide teeth and you're closer. Wear a helmet, face mask, dust mask and chaps when that blade is spinning. But have fun. 8) 8)
Cool 8)
Main thing you will probably have to get your head around is how you look at the log. With the band mill you saw from the outside in. Swing Blade you saw top to bottom, in layers. How things are orientated depends on you. The mill doesn't care if it's 6 x 1 or a 1 x 6 that you are cutting, or a 6x6 for that matter. Heck you can even change your mind half way through the log and change your pattern depending on what you find inside.
But best plan is to watch the video, read the manual, then go saw a log. The 6" limitation may actually do your back a favour, if you can't cut really wide boards, you wont have to move them around :D
Ian
From the top down... Do you ever get tension problems in longer logs?
No, I don't recall hearing of any swingmills in this part of Indiana.
Quote from: hackberry jake on May 06, 2012, 09:37:31 PM
From the top down... Do you ever get tension problems in longer logs?
You can...
But 2 things help overcoming that. First you release the tension gradually, and resurface the the top of the log each time. Means you might get a couple of mm variation on individual boards. Still within spec, even if the log actually moves an inch, it's only 2mm per board. Second thing is you can leave the right hand slab wood attached while you saw more. Makes your log look like a "L" beam and that resists bending better than just 1/2 a log would. This works best with smaller logs, where the tension is going to be noticeable.
If you do get one that really moves on you, so the boards would be out of spec, you can always just take a skim cut to level it again. But I've only had that happen a couple of times.
Also, although you don't usually move the log while sawing, there is no rule that says you can't . You can set up some more permanent bunks and stops etc, and flip the log and saw from the other side if you wanted to. You can also use this to cut beams larger that your double cut capacity. So if you wanted an 8 x 12 beam with the 6" saw, you cut away the top part of the log, flip over and saw from the other side. Just cut of everything that's not in the beam.
Ian
Lots of us have purchased at an auction and only went as a spectator. :o
I guess I should not of got the bid number. :-\
I hope you enjoy your Lucas 613.
Two differant type of saws. That's nice to have.
I'm exciting about some new possibilities this mill could present. I have a couple of other projects to finish before buying the slabber attachment. Biggest problem is I need to be 20 years younger. :D
Quote from: JV on May 07, 2012, 07:36:19 AM
Biggest problem is I need to be 20 years younger. :D
That is one that you will have to learn how to work around. ;D (I know) :)
Nice score, JV. 8)
I have recently added a CSM, but have yet to try it out. Got to get my barn additon done sooner thatn later...
You will like the slabber attachment, as will those around you with giant logs. If you want to save your back with the slabber, first find a way to move the slabs with skid loader or tractor. I have moved 400 pound slabs by hand. My back did not like me at the end of the day. The other thing you need to keep in mind is always having a sharp chain. I would buy one or two more so you're not constantly sharpening. If you try to cut with a dull chain your back will kill you, and you will nearly give yourself the hernia in the process. As you cut lower to the ground you can use your legs to push. When it's high up you have to use your upper body. It can be a very good workout, or a severe beating depending on how you look at it. It is definitely a young man's game. There are a lot more tips and tricks when it comes to slabbing. Just ask, or search around the forums.
I would like to have some boards wider than 6". The manual says to turn the sawhead 180 degrees by lowering the rails and sitting the head on the log and turn it. Then pick it up back up and saw on the other side of the log. This sounds fairly simple, but is it? Any suggestions from you veteran swingmillers?
It's a bit of messing around, but not difficult or anything.
What will save time is do several horizontal cuts on one side, then rotate the carriage, lift back up to the first level, and do the second 1/2 of the cuts from the other side. Four or Five 1 x 12s cut with one spin of the carriage.
You can only do 1 wide board on each level, but you can do them.
Also cutting 2/3 of a log, then flipping it over gives you one full width live edge board from every log, and just edge that with 2 vertical cuts if needed.
Ian
Thanks Ian. I'm wanting to try different things on a couple of logs I have left. If I mess up no problem.
Ianab: " Still within spec, even if the log actually moves an inch, it's only 2mm per board. "
Well. Which system are we on? Standard or Metric. Cant be both ;D
I am reading carefully to any advice being given. And much thanks for it. Me and my Lucas 618 are just becoming acquainted. Awesomely different from a bandmill. Still trying to wrap my head around it. But making sawdust...
How are folks dogging their logs to flat bunks? Or have you cut a notch? I cut a notch in some 8 by 8s, but I want to know the secrets of the force
QuoteIanab: " Still within spec, even if the log actually moves an inch, it's only 2mm per board. "
Well. Which system are we on? Standard or Metric. Cant be both
Yes it can :D
My rulers and tapes all have mm on one side and inches on the other. :-\
Ian
Are they all printed upside down too? :D ;D
Not upside down really, just wound from the wrong end. :)