I am curious as to what some of you are using for chip screens between the operator and the blade? I am thinking of using 3/4" welded screen with 1/4" hardware screen over that. I plan on hanging the "guard" allowing it to swing. Thank you.
I have a piece of 3/4" expanded metal screen that swings or on hooks that I can remove if necessary. Best thing I've found so far is a forestry helmet with a screen face guard with earmuffs. It keeps all but the finest dust out of your face with the added ear protection.
Do you now have a framework above your circle blade to hang a screen? I like the helmet idea to cover the bases.
I worked one mill that had a piece of glass with screen on the inside of the glass. Easy to clean, but it gets dirty quickly when the sap is running. It will also take a shot to the glass without shattering. That comes from experience I had when a slab that came back to the headsaw. It also would swing.
I would think that the 1/4" screen would cake up with dust.
Here is a pic of the current state. I was going to make a swinging screen but wanted to see if there was a better idea first.
Concept sketch.
How much of a problem do you have with the sun shining on your blade? I know that my not seem like a problem, but I have always noticed that the saw doesn't perform nearly as good as it does on a cloudy day. Even in buildings with a roof, whenever the saw can shine directly on the saw, it will perform differently.
To overcome the problem without building a building, I put a roof over the top of the saw. I used slabs as roofing material. Perhaps you could incorporate your window with that type of structure.
What are you going to do to handle the dust?
Ron,
I have read about and am aware of sun heating the blade. In time, I will build a complete sawmill shed. I just found (4) utility poles and hope to have them planted within a couple weeks. I eventually plan to build a conveyor for sawdust.
My priority shifted a tad yesterday when the grandson of my cabins original builder showed up with a (10)cord load of red oak firewood. Knowing I had the mill he brought several nice bolts in the load. I am anxious to throw one on the mill!