Hello. Have had my Lucas 8-25 up in mothballs for a few years but broke it out to get back to milling this week. Realized when un-tarping that the last time I used it ... cutting up a 36" white oak for a pal (for free of course) I'd hit a nail and it actually took one of the 5 carbide teeth right off cleanly. I've got fresh blades but aren't in the mood to wait a few days to allow the blade bolts to be soaked in a loosening fluid prior to removal as it's been a few years.
So my question is, can I operate the mill with only 4 of the 5 teeth without hurting the bade? I'd not want to injure the point where the new tip will be re soldered on (if that's even possible?) (Naturally I'll get all 5 teeth done when I do get around to taking the blade off)
Finally, running a Lucas with only 4 of the 5 teeth ... will result in how much of rougher cut or will it at all?
Thanks for any wisdom, looking back to doing some serious milling again.
PPS: How often do you Lucas owners completely replace your blade bolts by the way?? and any magic way to get them off if they've been sitting for a while in the elements? (covered but accessed by humidity etc)
Thx again. Such a great forum.
The "magic" is Blue Creeper from Logrite sponsor.
Thx Beenthere.. Is this a product like "never seize" to put on after I take it off, or is this something that works like a loosening penetrating fluid?
Penetrates.. like you have never seen before.. no "snake-oil" with this stuff.
Blue creeper is a good product! Here are some other ideas on how to loosen the bolts.....
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,62930.40.html
Its likely not recommended by Lucas, yet I know from experience that the blade will cut fine with a missing tooth. Slow your feed down some.
Thx to you fishpharmer.
I wasn't sure if the bare unprotected metal where the tooth is soldered onto would wear really fast and thus require a possible "metal added" needed situation when it goes to the shop. I'll slow my feed and perhaps turn up the water flow as well to compensate. Hopefully that'll do her!
Teeth can be silversoldered back in with no problem.
Do a search in the forum for "Lucas mill questions" its a thread I've tried to add questions I get from time to time.
Also if the tooth is completely gone, ie. The pocket is exposed, don't cut with it! Your blade will wear down very fast and you will have an extra bill on that blade every time it gets re-tipped. Been there, done that.
The blades will still cut when you are down to one and a half teeth - been there, done that, but all my pockets still had some tungsten protecting them.