Initial Impressions

ebath · April 25, 2007, 06:47:30 PM

Hi,

I started milling this week with my new Lucas 618 (vacation!). I'm brand new to portable sawmills, but have been a semi-serious hobby woodworker for a number of years. With one whole log under my belt (36" x 8'), I'd like to share my initial impressions.

The mill is great. The only issue so far is that the water valve is inadequate. It will be replaced very soon with a butterfly valve. I have not tried the track extensions or the blade sharpener, but the rest of the fit and finish is very good and the horsepower to cutting capacity is just about right.

Material handling seems to be the key. Logs, boards and waste all have their own special needs. I'm using a 16' trailer to side-load logs and my first outing was less than successful. Due to operator error and poor design (more operator error!) I broke the mast that parbuckles the logs.

Tomorrow I'll get this fixed and make another attempt at loading the thirty plus red oak logs that my neighbor has given me. I'll also get the metal to make some light duty forks for my small Kubota so I won't have to handle the finished boards so many times.

I wish my two sons were still about fourteen or fifteen years old! Then I'd have the leverage to force them into helping me with the mill! Now that they're in their twenties and have their own interests, I'll have to trick them into it somehow. Any suggestions are welcome!

Sorry, no pictures yet. I don't want any evidence of how steep my learning curve is!

Ed

Fla._Deadheader · April 25, 2007, 07:27:59 PM

Tell 'em that ya got a new TOY, and if they help ya, they can get a chance to play with it. If possible, don't tell 'em whatcha got. Hazardous warning :: they MAY like it so much, YOU will be offbearing. :

:D :D :D

sawguy21 · April 25, 2007, 08:02:28 PM

Don't worry about the pictures, everybody has been through the near vertical learning
curve. :D :D Welcome aboard, grab a drink outta da cooler and pull up a stump.

Furby · April 25, 2007, 09:45:46 PM

You don't need a mast to parbuckle.

brdmkr · April 25, 2007, 11:17:48 PM

ebath,

You and I have the same mill. I agree with you on the HP to capacity. It is about right. YOu have already discovered the importance of material handling. I have gone through several ideas and most were a significant improvement.

You mentioned that you have not used the sharpener yet. I encourage you to use it soon and often. It takes more time to install and remove that it does to sharpen the blade. There is just no sense cutting with a dull blade. If the logs are dirty, I open the log to get a nice flat face, then I sharpen before cutting the remainder of the log. If logs are relatively clean, I will sharpen between logs. If you have a helper to roll logs onto the bunks, you can sharpen while the next log is being loaded. Saves time.

I wish you all the best. Keep us posted with your progress.

low_48 · April 25, 2007, 11:46:28 PM

Ed,
Congrats with the new mill. You'll be running out of space to store the lumber in no time. Getting 20 year old sons to hang around, now that's a tough one. I think your solution will have to be something to do with girls or beer. Maybe both! :D

WDH · April 26, 2007, 01:00:10 AM

Welcome to the best Forum on the web. There is nothing like lumber drying........Smells fine 8).

JimBuis · April 26, 2007, 09:39:51 AM

Keeping the boys around? Find them a prospective girlfriend who likes woodworking more than they do and get her to come out and help you run that mill. If she's pretty enough, they'll stick around.

IMHO,
Jim