Just pulled the trigger on 10-30

[OHBucknut]

Just decided to pull the trigger on a swing blade 10-30. I just sold my woodmizer lt15. I did some portable work with it and really enjoyed it but it wasn't really the right tool for some the bigger logs I often get asked to mill. So I looked in Lucas (never operated one) seen them at paul Bunyan and was impressed with functionality and portability. 

Anyways the only thing that scares me about the Lucas is metal. I plan on metal detecting logs but when sawing yard trees I know I will encounter metal. What usually happens when you hit a nail or screw? Bust a tooth? Bust all the teeth? I know there are a lot of variables to the question any help is appreciated. 

Also got slabbing attachment so I am curious on the metal thing with the chain also. Assuming it's like hitting metal with regular chain saw (possibly could file out the damage or could destroy it)? 


I don't know but I see way too many yard trees get wasted bc they are too big for band saw mill or people don't have equipment to move them so the turn into firewood. Those are the logs I want to save with my new mill. 

[Dakota]

Congratulations on your new mail. As far as hitting metal, you're going to want to try and not  do that. What usually happens is it knocks the tip off one of the teeth, or all of them if the metal is big enough.  It's good to have a few extra blades handy, especially if you are going to be cutting yard trees. I'd find someone that would be retyping your blades, right away.  Or, you could get yourself a retipping kit that is sold by Baileysonline.com. 

As far as your slabber, it would be about the same as hitting metal with your chain saw.  Hopefully you can stop quick enough before you do too much damage to the chain.

[Don P]

And it'll happen on the second cut on a new blade at some point, in a churchyard with an audience so you can't even throw a proper tantrum  :D.

We take them in to a saw shop for retipping. I don't see how the kit can side dress the blank but have never tried one out.

We were working with a roller table setup at one point and I swung the blade into a steel conveyor roller. It seriously bent the blade but didn't do much damage to the roller. I tossed the blade figuring it was toast. The sawdoc said to let him make that call next time, he may have been able to save it.

[OHBucknut]

Does anyone know anything about carbide insert blades? If it saves me in the field I wouldn't mind paying the price. I have a good local shop for blade work but sometimes it's 2 weeks or so to get something back. 

I know other manufacturers sell them but have not seen anything bout Lucas selling them. 

[Don P]

I don't think it has the power to pull that much through the cut. We have 5 blades in rotation, and still manage to end up on our best worst blade while putting off taking blades in :D. Pressure washing whenever we can has really extended tip life.

[thecfarm]

That sounds good!!

[wkf94025]

Pressure washing whenever we can has really extended tip life.

Just the bark before first cuts, or as you continue to plow through the log?

[Don P]

Just washing the mud and rocks off the bark. That gets me wet enough  :D