I added a solenoid to my blade lube

[kelLOGg]

I forgot once to many to turn off the diesel drip so I spent the rainy days adding a solenoid. Thanks especially to Jim Rogers for his pics and input. I got the solenoids off of eBay. They are actuated by the drive belt engagement arm (anothe idea I got from someone on FF). I put a latex cap over the plunger to keep moisture and sawdust out.



  

 

[Chuck White]

That will be a handy addition.

I want to put one on my mill in the not to distant future.

[Ga Mtn Man]

Looks good and is definitely a worthwhile mod.  Did you use two solenoids?  Why?

[Brucer]

I did something similar with my mill. I bought the solenoid that WM uses on their lube-mizer system (I was too cheap to buy the whole system). I was able to wire it up to the drum switch so it only switches on when the carriage is moving forward.

This worked well but I would be dripping lube as I approached the log, so I added an on-off switch as well. There was a knock-out on the control panel for an on-off switch for an optional laser (which I will never need). As it happens, the symbol for the laser on the panel looks a lot like a stream of fluid hitting the side of the log ;D.

Now I pretty much set the lube valve and just rely on the solenoid to switch off the flow when it isn't wanted.

[kelLOGg]

Looks good and is definitely a worthwhile mod.  Did you use two solenoids?  Why?

I lube the blade on the entry side AND and exit side. Probably overkill but... I got caught in a very embarrassing situation when I was sawing very old heart pine beams for an aging old time sawyer neighbor I wanted to do a good job for. Buildup caused all kinds of problems in the cut. This was about 8 years ago and I swore this would not happen again. So I went into OVERKILL mode: wipe before and after, top and bottom of blade. Since then, I have never had build up on pine but have also never sawn pine as pitched as that.
Bob

[WV Sawmiller]

KLog,

     I'm not real mechanically inclined. What activates the solenoid? is it the clutch arm engaging? Does the arm hold on the button and off when you disengage? Thx for the post. Good info.

[kelLOGg]

Yes, it is the clutch arm and, Yes to the rest of your questions. Here's another pic showing the belt engagement lever just an inch or so from hitting the switch.
Bob

 

[barbender]

Good mod, kelLOGg! Brucer, my '97 LT40 Super is set up just like you modded yours, from the factory. It must have been the original "lubemizer" ;D It is activated off of the drum switch, just like yours. It sure saves on the water.

[Ugly Tree]

This is excatly what I was thinking about doing today.  I finished cutting last night and built a big fire and broke out a Mason Jar.  This morning, lube tank was empty. I have a manual mill too, so I am constantly turning the lube on and off while I handle slabs, etc.  Can you tell me what make and model solenoids you got? How much did they run you on ebay?  Where are you pulling power from?

[Jim_Rogers]

This is excatly what I was thinking about doing today.  I finished cutting last night and built a big fire and broke out a Mason Jar.  This morning, lube tank was empty. I have a manual mill too, so I am constantly turning the lube on and off while I handle slabs, etc.  Can you tell me what make and model solenoids you got? How much did they run you on ebay?  Where are you pulling power from?

I got my first solenoid from Napa, a right tank left tank gas tank valve unit. After that I got my from Woodmizer.
I pulled my power from the hot lead on the back of my alternator, then an inline fuse then an on off switch then the push button switch mounted where the clutch lever pushes it down when the blade is sawing. Ground to frame.

Jim Rogers

[kelLOGg]

This is excatly what I was thinking about doing today.  I finished cutting last night and built a big fire and broke out a Mason Jar.  This morning, lube tank was empty. I have a manual mill too, so I am constantly turning the lube on and off while I handle slabs, etc.  Can you tell me what make and model solenoids you got? How much did they run you on ebay?  Where are you pulling power from?

Here is the eBay link
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-Brass-12VDC-Electric-Solenoid-Valve-Water-Air-B20N-/300569711075?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fb59d1e3#ht_2275wt_756

Seller shipped very fast. I could have gotten them cheaper but these were for diesel. I took power from the engine battery by connecting near the starter. That way there was no flexing required of the wiring as the sawhead movess up and down. Good luck.
Bob

[Ugly Tree]

Many thanks.