Woodlands HM126 VS Wood-Miser LX50Super

[schreib69]

...why should Wood-Mizer not use the the same blade guide setup that they and the other top of the line manufacturers use on their non-entry sawmill platforms?  Top only rollers with down pressure works and works very well.

I am also comparing the these 2 mills and am confused after seeing a video of an LT50 setup . . . It uses shoes to guide both sides of the blade instead of roller on the top.  Wondering what your thoughts are on that?!  Has Woodmizer adapted the shoe system for bigger units for some reason? and why aren't they using a top roller?  This implies the shoes are just as effective.  I understand they space the shoes 0.01"(10 mils) off the blade on each side. 
EDIT:  Wrong, as pointed out by Magic man:  Shoes are in addition to rollers, not in place of. . .

[schreib69]

Hello All. Looking to get my first mill. I was fairly set on getting a HM126 but saw the LX50Super and wondering if it worth the extra money.  . . .
Any thoughts?

I am compaaring the SAME two machines and have come down on the side of the HM126 at this point.  Almost ready to pull the trigger.
WHAT is YOUR conclusion?!

[Magicman]

It uses shoes to guide both sides of the blade instead of roller on the top. 

No, look closer and you will see that the "Hi Performance" sandwich guides are an option in addition to the guide rollers.  They are there to "catch" the blade after a catastrophic event rather than to continually guide them.  There would be a heat issue if they were continually guiding.  Reread Reply #43 above.

[Magicman]

I believe that Woodland Mills offers a roller guide upgrade as an option. 

Consider resale value when you upgrade to a larger sawmill before making your final decision.

[schreib69]

I believe that Woodland Mills offers a roller guide upgrade as an option. 

Consider resale value when you upgrade to a larger sawmill before making your final decision.

INTERESTING, I will check into that. . . thanks.

[schreib69]

It uses shoes to guide both sides of the blade instead of roller on the top.

No, look closer . . .

Yep, after I re-viewed the video, I saw how that is an "add-on" to their normal rollers. . . thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biSpSKNTm0I&t=1403s
view this at 22:30 into the video, one minute or so.
However, it IS interesting that they added something on that appears to simply increase maintenance. . . Not sure the advantage of recovering from a "catastrophic" incident is worth the added putzing with this. . .!

[Magicman]

Since I have never actually seen the Hi Performance option, I can not understand the need either.  I have read that they also reduce the cutting width which to me, is a serious negative.

[SawyerTed]

I believe there's a bit of confusion on the models  being discussed here. 

There are both a Woodmizer LX50Super and an LT50.  Of course threads do transition to other topics.  The video is of an LT50. 

The LX50 is part of the original post comparison to another similar mill.  Both manual mills are at near the same price around $3,500 to around $4,300.  These are basic manual mills with few extra features. 

The LT50 is a super hydraulic with electronic setworks at a significantly higher price around $55k plus.  It's an entirely different sort of machine than the two from the original topic machines. 

I have the High Performance Guides and am ambivalent about them.  I can still make wavy boards with the best if them!  😂 The optional guides don't necessarily protect you from yourself.