Frick Edger re-power

[doncny]

First post, so a quick introduction.

I live in central ny, about smack in the center of Oneida County for you other CNY folks.

I have a home-built mill, started as a Linn design, added power up/down/feed, and hoping to add some hydraulics over the winter.

Saw mostly for myself and sell what excess lumber I have to people I know, although lately, my stacks are shrinking, seems like logs have gotten harder to come by here this year.

Recently purchased a 27" Frick dual blade edger.  It was powered by a 7.5hp 3 phase electric motor.  But since I don't have power out to my mill location, I was going to convert it to gas engine.

Looking at other edgers like a WM, they have 25 and up horsepower.  Does an edger really require that kind of power?  I was thinking of putting a 13hp single piston engine on, but now I am thinking it needs something more.

I think the Frick can edge up to 12/4 but I mostly run 4/4 in hardwoods, and 8/4 in softwoods.

Anyone else run an edger with less than 15 hp gas, or do I need more.

[Kbeitz]

My neighbor powers his with a 600hp detroit diesel... Not a type-o ... 600 hp

[Ron Wenrich]

The more the better.  You might be able to get by with a 13 hp. If you have one on hand, give it a try.  If it doesn't work, then go out and get a bigger one.  We ran a 50 hp electric in our mill, but had used a hydraulic motor prior to converting to electric.

Where you might get in trouble is when you have 2 blades in the wood or are in thick stock.  If you're not cutting much, you could use just one blade in the harder wood or thicker stock. 

[doncny]

Wow, 600hp, bet that does not even change rpm when edging.

I do have the 13hp engine already, but have a 22hp I could buy.

I know it is always better to have more HP, maybe I will just go with the 22 HP to start.

Still a little ways from powering it up. It spent some time outside and somewhat rusted up, but have most everything moving albeit stiff still.  And have to figure out pulley sizes to get back to the right input shaft rpm.

[JB Griffin]

I believe that it was Ron that said, on a head saw 2-3hp per tooth, can't see why that wouldn't be a good starting place for an edger.

[plowboyswr]

First off welcome! Some years ago when we were looking at converting our irrigation pumps over to electric we were told 1hp electric equals 3hp fueled ( gas or diesel). Don't know if this helps or not, just pitching in my .o2 ;D

[Ron Wenrich]

Rule-of-thumb is 5 hp per inch of wood per saw. 

[JB Griffin]

Ron, is that for edgers or circle saws in general??

[Ron Wenrich]

Circle saws in general.  That was given to me from a guy that sold and installed mill equipment. 

[JB Griffin]

Thanks Ron

[jeep534]

so where are the pictures
archie

[Dave Shepard]

I would suggest as much power as you can get. I've run a two blade edger with ten hp electric, and it would do it, but only at about 20 fpm. My 26 hp CAT diesel will run at 80 fpm.