Lap siding

[Mrwelder7018]

I am going to start sawing some 6" cedar lap siding on a LT 40 SH with the simple set and siding jig. What measurements would help make this come out equal for both sides. I want atleast an 1/8" on the thin side. Any of you experts have any advise to make it come out right? I would appreciate the help.

[Planman1954]

Here's a link to the way I make lap siding for my own use:

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,58534.msg977137.html#msg977137

Mine is 8" wide though. Make the little sticks like I did, and try it on 6". You may have to play with amount of drop for each cut, but one you get the correct measurement, stick with it until you get to the bottom of your 6" wide cant. I usually cut a 1" flat board when I hit bottom. Have fun!

[C_Miller]

it's been a while but i think it was 3/8 and 5/8 drop depending on if you were in the flip or flop position with  handle.  also when cutting the cants i  cut enough on the bottom so there is no rocking (about a 4 inch flat). with mine i need to leave about two inches of waste on the bottom to avoid hitting the clamps. i get about two clapboards for each inch. you'll need to play with it,its like pancakes the first one don't count.

[Chuck White]

CJM, where abouts are you located?

I have a SLR, but haven't gotten around to use it yet.

In the pamphlet (can't really call it a book) I got with it, it says you'll need to leave 2" to avoid the clamps!

[C_Miller]

i'm in the southern tier, 80 miles south of rochester near wal mart

[Mrwelder7018]

I found that with a 6" cant that a 1/4" and 5/8" drop turned out the best and the siding added up fast.

[giant splinter]

Mr Welder,
I use my shingle / lapsider quite a bit and the 1/4 over 5/8 does match up ... I prefer a 6" to the weather lapsiding so I cut mine with a 1/4" over 5/8" on an 8" cant, I have found that an 8" X 14" cant will yield 16 or 17 boards if you trim one off the bottom of the cant after removing the S/L attachment. Even after setting the center three boards (heartwood and one from both sides) aside you should have enough to do an 8' exterior wall with a minimum of 2" overlap at the lap-joints, I start out using an 8"w X 14"t cant just to be sure I have enough material, I prefer to eyeball the 1/4" side when I lower the powerhead for the next pass ( just seems to work out better for me ) and you need to check it on every pass anyway. Over the last two days I have been cutting 21'-0" x 8"x 14" // 6" to the weather x 1/4" x 5/8"  lapsiding for a small out building and leaving the stack of siding boards resting in place on the mill, this kind of gives you a better "eyeball" on the material as its getting done, only one wall was this long and called for no joints the other walls are broken up by doors and windows so the siding is variable length 16'/12'/10'.
The shingle/lapsider is just over 12' and you can hang over off both ends to get the long stuff done without having any problems if you are careful with everything. Last but not least of importance is to read your operators instructions on the adjustments you will need to make to the SLS equipment before you begin sawing, the two bolts at the rollers need to be backed out and the limit bolt next to the handle must be backed out // also (DO NOT) clamp the SLS to the mill bunks as this set of bolts is only for transporting the SLS with the mill over the road.