Question for you swing bladers? New guy

[whitepine]

Hi I have owned a linn lumber mill in the past and sold it a few years ago want to get back into sawing and interested in the  Peterson and Lucas mills (are there any others out there , I know about the mobil dimension mill). I have never seen one and live  way back in the woods but have the Lucas video and getting the Peterson. Something I do not understand say you have a 16 inch blade you are cutting horizontally seems to me there would be bolts holding the blade on that would extend below the blade so how would you make the second cut horizontally? Do you cut the whole log  from left to right than take another cut  horizontal? The thing is  they mention slabs you are supposed to be able to make one out of every log by flipping the log but that would not seem possible if something is below the blade. This is my first question on here so be easy on me guys. Thanks Tom

[brdmkr]

The bolts that hold the blade on are beveled to fit the holes in the blade; thus, the bolts are flush with the blade.  You typically cut one board / trip down and back. 

[Frank_Pender]

Welcome, a board.  I wish I could help you, but I basically operate Mobile Dimension mills.   I believe the blades have a recessed portion where the blade bolt heads are set.  That is the way they are for my edger blades on the MD mills.  You remove the bolts with an allen wrench.

[Ianab]

Pictures  :P

As you can see the bolts are countersunk into the blade and you remove them with an Allen key.





Hope that helps.

Then you can cut slabs like this



Ian

[whitepine]

Thanks Guys I understand now. Great site.

[Part_Timer]

Welcome whitepine.
     I just got my Peterson ATS in on Tuesday.  They are real great people to work with.  Had a problem with parts interferance on the lap siding attachment and they were there for me.  We got the book out so we could see the same pictures and whala problem solved.  It is real nice them being half way around the world.  When I get off work I can call up and there is someone there.
    The wife don't know it but I'm taking it out on it's maden voyage on Sat or Sun.  Wether the deck roof is done or not.  It's killing me to see it setting on the trailer under a tarp

[Captain]

Pictures, Tom.  We need pictures.....;D

Captain

[Part_Timer]

Captain

I know you want pictures and I really want to mill so be patient. :  You can't have pictures till I get to mill so call katie-did and tell her forget the deck you need pictures. :D

While she is giving you the story of how I start projects and never finish them I'll slip out and make some boards and take a few pics we can both be happy

We are sawing this weekend if I don't get called in to work.  Not a lot just some red oak and some short hedge apple.  I can't wate to see how it cuts hedge.  There will be pictures though.

Hay by the way are you using the small kerf blade on your mill.  Is there anyone out there that is using one?  I'd like to get some opinions on it. 

Thanks Tom

[Ernie]

Welcome Whitepine.

Anybody got a good way to get the packed in sawdust out of the allen screw holes?

[Dakota]

I use a small sharp awl.

[Dan_Shade]

dental picks work good for that sort of thing too

[Gilman]

I use dental pics and compressed air to clean those buggers out.

DanG, Dan beat me to it. >:(

[Dan_Shade]

 ;D

[Timburr]

Ernie, the only way is PERSEVERANCE with the above utensils. I have tried all sorts of solvents to try and soften the packed sawdust, including vigenar and beer ;D but to no avail.

Whitepine, welcome to the greatest forum on forestry there is.
If you want more info on other swingmills then try the following links
Brand X
Forestor  - Don't know if they export to USA
Ecosaw

Cheers Tim