Log seats, Im having troubles

[bandmiller2]

Really the most important is square between the saw and the bunks, the cant lays on,you make a cut flip it down flat on bunks the next cut should be square to the first.Only problem would be if you had dogs that pulled the cant back into the headblocks,mine simply clamp down.Headblocks usally wear more on the top than the bottom where they ride on the bunks,a square cant pushed agenst the bottom of the headblock and simply clamped down should remain square.Last couple of boards and surely the dog board could be a problem.Now if you make a cut then turn the flat agenst the headblock whole nuther story  then you must have square between the bunks and headblocks. Frank C.

[lyle niemi]

The carridge is back on the mill, I still have a few little things to do before I saw a log with it.If I dont have to go dig ditches todayI should be sawing!!

Im still not done messing with the carridge tho..... Later on I will be building a longer carridge, it will be 20 feet long with 2 extra bunks. Before I do that I have to find another old mill with the same knees as mine. I think I will be building a steel frame this time, much easier for me to work with and keep straight.

[Jeff]

Being able to put your second cut against the knees and have it square to the world is a very important thing. Don't ever discount that unless you are putter sawing and can blow time sawing around the problems of an un-square mill.

This in no way was meant as a dig towards your comment Frank, It's just you brought it up and I thought right away how much longer it can take to saw some logs when you can't put a sawn face against the knees and have it square.

[lyle niemi]

Being able to put your second cut against the knees and have it square to the world is a very important thing. Don't ever discount that unless you are putter sawing and can blow time sawing around the problems of an un-square mill.

This in no way was meant as a dig towards your comment Frank, It's just you brought it up and I thought right away how much longer it can take to saw some logs when you can't put a sawn face against the knees and have it square.

I agree Jeff, anything you can do to improve your mill will save you time and money in the long run

[Goodndusty]

Lots of good info here and glad you got the problem fixed Lyle.  Did you figure out why the knees were out of square?  Was it wear or bent?
I have to do a major rebuild on my old mill this spring and will be working on the same problem among others.

I was wondering about a log turner.  Nothing faster than two good men turning the logs but it is hard to find workers here where I am.  Especially someone to turn logs on a mill.  Do you have plans to add that.  I know you are about 20 years younger than me and flipping logs is a lot easier with a younger back.  I saw a video that showed the guy turning the logs backward but I couldn't make out how it was accomplished by the angle of the camera shot.  Anybody have turners on their mills?
Larry

[bandmiller2]

No offence taken Jeff,your right,most of the mills I've seen make a cut and the log turner or the peavy turns the cut face back tight to the headblocks.In that case any out of square on the headblocks would be transfered directly to the cant.I forget because I use wedges and pull the log twords me and it slides face down on the bunks,and the bunk determines square.I'am spoiled my mill uses a set beam and seperate headblocks very easy to shim to square perfection.The knee/bunk assemblies are harder to deal with they must ether be remachined or wear strip put on and squared.I mention this because there are many old mills in use and the owners don't want to or can't afford to freashen them up. Frank C.

[lyle niemi]

Lots of good info here and glad you got the problem fixed Lyle.  Did you figure out why the knees were out of square?  Was it wear or bent?
I have to do a major rebuild on my old mill this spring and will be working on the same problem among others.

I was wondering about a log turner.  Nothing faster than two good men turning the logs but it is hard to find workers here where I am.  Especially someone to turn logs on a mill.  Do you have plans to add that.  I know you are about 20 years younger than me and flipping logs is a lot easier with a younger back.  I saw a video that showed the guy turning the logs backward but I couldn't make out how it was accomplished by the angle of the camera shot.  Anybody have turners on their mills?
Larry

Hi Larry,
I dont think the knees were bent or wore out, maybe come out of the factory like that????? The log turner I have is attached to my shoulders, I gots two of them..lol some day I will see If I can make or get one..
Today I tried to do some sawing and things are out of wack! I adjusted the normal things and still I wasnt happy so I pulled the carridge back off and started to align the track again. The track was out a bit so tomorrow I should get it straight ad try sawing again.

We are getting a little hi tech now, we are rigging up an electric throttle control and a air clutch that can be operated from my sawing platform, Im inking it should work good  8)