New to Milling with a WM LT 15 Start

[WDFL]

Let me introduce myself - I'm one of the guys who bought a mill on a whim, being tired of cutting up beautiful oak trees for my fireplace.   Never used one or saw one in person before.   Don't know anyone with one.  

After hurricane Irma in 2017 so many trees were shredded for mulch; there was all kinds of beautiful oak wasted.   I wanted a mill to use, but not make money with, so I needed to spend a smaller amount I would be comfortable with having lots of idle time.  Watched a number of YT videos and decided on a LX25, then changed to a LX55 with upgraded engine, and then finally a LT 15 Start.   After buying the Go trailer and extra bed extension, I should have just went LT15.  

It came in just under 3 months from order the delivery to the Newnan, GA office.   We drove up there to pick it up in the middle of July, but I've been so tied up I didn't get to put it together until I had vacation last week.  



 

Assembly wasn't too difficult, had to do it alone but had my tractor to help.  Would have been very difficult without a lifting device.


 



 

Fired her up for the first time today and test milled a large oak branch I had cut down two months ago.  Have at least 5 oak trees on queue I've been saving that need to be dropped in my woods and will now become slabs.



 

So far, I'm happy with the choice I made to get this one - some of the things WM omits on the Start I'm going to have to order to make life easier (rollers, additional log clamps).   I'm not enthused with the engine on/off switch; feels flimsy and I'm wondering about its longevity.  However, so far it cuts good and as I get more comfortable with it will address some of the wants I have.

Thanks for looking.  

Any advice from the pros is appreciated!

[thecfarm]

Welcome to the forum. 
All I can suggest, make sure when you stack your lumber your framework is level.

[trimguy]

Welcome and congratulations.

[jpassardi]

Welcome to the forum and congrats.
It sounds like the full LT15 would have a better fit but at this point you'll just have to order the parts and add them.
I have to say the LT15 is a very well built mill and has alot of nice features for a lower end mill.

[Brad_bb]

Welcome to the forum and the addiction.

[rusticretreater]

Off to a great start.  3 months wait is kinda speedy in the current market.  Enjoy!

[Sixacresand]

Welcome to the forum.  Looks like you are ahead of the game owning a FEL tractor. 

[kantuckid]

Welcome!
I had to modify my arms by drilling but I bought my bearings, bolts ,nuts and washer/spacers on amazon for lots less. My much older LT15 has the threaded log/cant holders. Lots of LT15 owners and mods info here in this forum. So far in 20+ years I've replaced lube jug with a reliance blue water jug, Kohler CH15 carb is NLA so now a crappy Chinese clone carb, starter solenoid, gas tank valve and bung twice, ignition key (most all small engines have cheapo switches and mostly all the same switch too), several batteries, hour meter went kaput, fuel pump and blade belts. 

 I use & prefer Lennox blades FWIW.

 Hope you have a VG back doc, sawmilling's not real body friendly hobby or work. ;D  

[bigblockyeti]

I went through the mental upgrade but only once from an LX25 to an LX55 with the 14hp engine.  I'm happy with it but if I could have had an LT15 wide for 2018 prices, I probably would have gone that route.  The engine switch is actually a fuel cutoff valve with a micro switch at the end of its travel that actually kills the ignition, I think it's a pretty good design provided it lasts.  If just the micro switch went bad it's probably $20 from Kohler or $0.50 from the big river in South America.  It keeps you from forgetting to turn the fuel off which is particularly important when trailering it down the road, the last thing you'd want is fuel spilling from the carb overflow or a fire rolling down the interstate (unlikely I know but awfully inconvenient if it happened).

[WDFL]

Yes, but the switch seems very flimsy.   It actually gets in the way of the pull handle for the starter cord.
And how would a fuel shutoff work instantly?    On my smaller Kohler engines, I turn the fuel off and let it idle until it stops, generally a minute or two.  With this setup I can't see how there still wouldn't be fuel in the carb bowl, which leads to gum/varnish and carb problems.

After using the mill a couple days it's pretty much perfect for what I need, as long as I order another log stop and get those rollers as described.

[Brad_bb]

@WDFL I will suggest that you cut your own stickers and let them air dry.  Don't use warped stickers.  Good stickers and neat stacking make good lumber.  Build pallets for your lumber.  Keep your lumber trimmed to your pallet lengths. I build mine 8', 6' and 4'.  In some cases you may be able to have your lumber kiln dried such that they will just put your pallet straight in the kiln.  Keep your stickers neat and well aligned in the stack.  put some weight on your pallet and when you mill add layers of board and put the weight back on until you have it the number of layers you want.  Then strap the lumber.
Pallet making post:
Standardizing lumber pallet? in Sawmills and Milling

Strapping:
Kubinec strapping trick in Sawmills and Milling
Kubinec strapping trick #2 in Sawmills and Milling
I bought the green ratchet tightener.  I removed the cutter from it and just use it as a tightener.  I get the 3/4" strapping and supplies from Global Industrial.  Best supplier i've found for Kubinec.
Global Industrial Kubinec strapping

[customsawyer]

Welcome. I will add that limbs don't produce very good lumber due to the amount of stress in them. Don't beat yourself up if the lumber warps pretty bad.