New TimberKing 1220

[jander3]

I just set up a new TimberKing 1220 mill at our cabin site and spent a day or so cutting lumber and getting the feel of the mill.  This 1220 is a manual mill, but compared to a chainsaw mill it just doesn't seem like work.  It is clear that it will take me a while to figure out how to read a log.   Also, after one day, I fully understand that bowed is bad.   I can figure out how to make a bowed log work for hand-scribed cabin building; however, for milling operations...straighter is better.  And, it only took me about 3 hours and one blade to re-enforce that the log stops need to be completely below the blade travel path.   A lesson I will not soon forget.

One question....

Do you grease the rail or the rollers that run on the bed rail?




1st log...12 foot Red Oak.




3/4" x 4" x 12' Red Oak.  Testing out sizing of planking that will be used to close in the cabin eaves.

[fishpharmer]

Now your talking.   8) 8)  Nice boards. 

Not sure about others, my rollers have fittings in the axles.  I would think grease on the rail would collect sawdust.  I am sure the more experienced will give better advice.

[Slingshot]

You're right, fishfarmer. Grease on the rails would pack with sawdust; and grease only the bearings/axles in
the rollers.

Nice mill, jander3. Just keep the blade high or the logstops low :


______________________
Charles   

[Chuck White]

Congratulations on the mill jander3.

Ditto and Ditto again, do not grease the rails, only grease fittings.

You're learning the hard lessons early.  ;D

[Magicman]

Congratulations on getting the mill set up and drawing first sawdust.  Hitting that log stop was just a simple test to see if you would admit it to us.   ;)   You passed with flying colors.   :D

[r.man]

Jander, no to greasing the rails and don't grease the wheels themselves. Most moving parts that need grease will have a grease fitting on some part of them. Wipe off the grease fitting with a clean rag before putting the grease tip on it and don't overgrease any fitting. Check your manual to see how many pumps are recommended and if it doesn't tell you be conservative. Very often one pump per interval is enough. Overgreasing very often displaces seals that keep grease in and grit out. Other owners of similar models of your saw can give you more specific advice if you need it. Good luck with your new obsession.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

And congrats on the first days sawing Mate  ;) ;D ;D 8) 8) sorry to hear you hit the squaring arm but it happens to us all at some point you just have to get it out of your system  ;) :D :D

If it has a grease nipple grease it every 8 hrs and for roller guides do it every 4 its also better to grease roller guides at night at knock off and again at lunch while the bearings & grease are  still warm  ;)

Regards Chris

[LeeB]

Cheapo ATF on the rails is all you need for the tracks. It helps keep the sawdust from sticking and builing up. Wipe it on with a rag. The manual gives a greasing schedule or at least it did with the predasessot to the 1220, which was the 1200.

[JBritt]

Sweet mill Jander3, I do not have a mill yet, but I have joined this site to learn as much as possible in hopes of when the purchase does take place I will have an idea of what I am doing.  Obviously hands on experience is the best, but this will do for now.  Thanks for the pics, for someone who does not fully understand all of the jargon (its like japanese to me) pics work out great! Nice work and good luck with the cabin project!

[SamB]

Jander, the only grease fittings on my 1220 are on the bearings for the bar that raises and lowers the saw and the top blade guides. TK recommends every 25 hours of use on the bar bearings and since the greasable guides came as a later modification they're not mentioned in my manual. I grease them at the end of the day to force out any moisture that may have collected from the blade lube. Greasable axles on the trolley wheels would be an improvement IMO, I keep an oil can handy for them and other movable parts. Have fun!!! And don't worry about those stops and clamps after you saw for awhile you'll probably only use one most of the time.   

[Toolman]

Sam,

When I had my TK1220, I failed to keep the wheels greased my first year and two of the wheels froze up. I used to loosen the bolt that held the wheel in place and squirt marine grease on the shaft where the wheel would ride. I periodically would check it and only had to grease it 2 or 3 times in the 8 yrs I owned it. I always felt that was an improvement that could have been made to that machine. Also, be careful with that handle that moves the power head!! The one I had would turn as you pushed the unit back. You had to disengage it so it would'nt spin and crack you across the face, bust your glasses and send your ball cap flying across the yard like a flying saucer, not to mention the shiner and the swarm of canaries that mysteriously appear while you are on your knees performing an inventory on your teeth. Don't ask me how I know about this. :D I removed that handle and welded on a steering wheel with one of those spinning knobs (cant think of what you call them) . It works much better and is alot safer

[SamB]

Toolman, maybe the TK folks will pick on the idea of making those trolley axles with a grease fitting. Would be a pretty simple fix to what seems to be a common issue. There has been many complaints written about their blade guide bearings seizing and they did come out with greasable blade guide bearings, so they must be listening. Still a pretty solid machine for getting into milling without breaking the bank.
I always heard those knobs on the steering wheels referred to as suicide knobs. I stay on the operator side of the mill and pull it back, but I have come close to getting my helper with that handle.  ;D

[old joe]

I never sawed into any part of my mill.... anyway I wasn't even there that day...and nobody saw me do it!!!!!


Joe

Is my nose growing??

[Magicman]

Well, did you take a picture of it.  If you don't have a picture to prove it, it didn't happen.   ;D

[paul case]

i think a grinder could make the other one match it on my mill. then no one would be able to tell anyhow. pc

[Magicman]

My mill is 12 years old.  Looks like it needs stitches.  Some of them are even mine.  Not all, but some.   :D

[paul case]

i am THE sawyer on my mill . thats kind of telling isnt it.  pc

[Magicman]

I have been with mine since Jan. 2002.  It was 4 years old when I bought it, and had been ridden hard and put up wet.   :'(  I believe that everything that sticks up had been sawed into.  Including the log turner!   :D