Just got a Lucas 618

[okie]

Well I finally got me a sawmill. Went to Arizona and picked up a Lucas 618 with 75 hours on it, now I just got to figgure out how in the world to set it up without any manual for cross referance. I need to look for a parts list online just to make sure that I have all the rail frame pieces first I guess.

[Nate Surveyor]

Did you buy it in parts, or in a disassembled condition?

Have you seen one run, first hand?

Or run one?

With that last comment about the rails, it makes me curious.

N

[okie]

Nate
I bought it, I think, in the same condition that they are originally shipped in. There are just several parts like the end frames, rails, extensions and such that I am not sure of. The man I bought it off of had gotten it to buy himself into a business of another man and had no personal experience with it, their business relationship went kaput and he retained the mill and sold it with 75 hours on it. I started the mill while the carriage was on the ground with the wheels on it and it runs great but neither one of us knew right off hand how to set up the rails / endframes so no cutting was done. I thought the manual was with the mill but it was just the manual for the motor and sharpener. I have only seen videos of these mills in use but I think I can figgure it out, Maybe  :-[ .  Looking at photos online I believe I have all the pieces plus one. 
This is what I have
2 long rails
4 extensions
2 end posts with winches
2 end posts w / out winches and extendable braces
2 poles with square tubing on the end (I believe these go on the ground between the end posts  :-[  )
2 pieces of pipe (to connect end posts together?)
And finally the piece that causes me confusion....
1 and only 1 post with spike on bottom with extendable brace (what in the world is this for?)
I gave $6500 for the mill which is a good deal less than new and I figure with only 75 hrs on the machine I didnt get hurt none even if I have to buy a part here or there

Morgan

[okie]

Woo Hoo  8), I just seen where the piece in question goes.....in the middle, between two end posts for some reason. I saw it on brdmkrs photo gallery, Mike you helped me out and didnt even know it :D.
Now I need to find someone in OK who retips blades, I got 3 with the mill and 2 had tips missing.

[Nate Surveyor]

I am not a Lucas owner, but there are a few here.

As you know, Baileys sells and supports them. I am sure that they would sell you a manual for it.

Lucas is a good mill, as best as I have heard.

Have fun with it!

And, I do recommend "Anti seize" for blade bolts, and most every part that will eventually need to come apart.

I saw a Peterson run, before I bought it. Mine had a dozen worn parts in it, and was out of adjust.

Remember, if it does not work right, there is a fix somewhere.

Sorry I can't help much. Maybe an encouraging word occasionally!

N

[okie]

Thanks Nate, I'll get er figgured out, sometime, with lots of help, Maybe ???

[WildDog]

okie
The centre post is usually only required when using the slabbing bar, in saying that I loaded a hardwood log lastnight that's got a fair bit of stress in it on my Lucas 827 to mill this morning and put the centre post on for extra suport.

As Nate said I'd look at getting a manual especially for setting the mill up for correct cutting, it will save you heaps of time and frustration. There is info on blade tilt etc that will result in higher quality cuts, less stress on the machine and more economical cutting.

With the parts you received you didn't mention the sharpening jig and electric diamond wheel, this is a must have.

Congrats on the mill you wil have a stack of fun on it like the Peterson they're a great bit of gear.

[beav39]

congrats    happy sawdust trails

[Dave Shepard]

Congrats! I bet Baileys could help you out with a manual. ;)

Howdy WildDog. I see you are not a new member, only new to posting. :D


Dave

[Part_Timer]

Glad to see another swinger.  Congrats on the new mill.

[techmark]

you can get yourself a manual from the Lucas website, you will need your mill serial number to register. i think you can then download the manual you need.

https://lucasmill.com/OnlineSupport/tabid/60/Default.aspx

[brdmkr]

Hey,

Glad to hear that you got home with it.  I think you will be well pleased.  Let me know if I can help you out with anything.

[okie]

Thanks for all the input guys, I did get a sharpener with what I think is the diamond wheel but I aint sure about the jig. I will look at the lucas mill site about their manual download.
Thanks again.
Morgan

[brdmkr]

okie,

If you take your blade guard off you will see where the sharpener goes.  The short bolt (on the sharpener) with wing nut goes in the slot on the angle iron next  to the water tank.  The long bolt rests against the other 'leg' of the angle iron.  Once in place the teeth on the blade should be at the correct angle for sharpening.

[okie]

Thank you Mike

[brdmkr]

I assume that you got it to work ???

When sharpening, it doesn't take much.  You just want to make sure the cutting face shines.  I also hit each tooth moving the sharpener all the way across the tooth a couple times.  I then move on the next tooth.  I generally make 2 trips around the blade and call it done.  It shouldn't take more than 3 - 4 minutes to sharpen once the sharpener is mounted.  It takes such little time that there is just no excuse for cutting with a dull blade.