"laser" indicator for sawmill.

doc henderson · February 22, 2019, 02:26:23 PM

I am looking for a laser to mount on my mill. 12 v ideal prob auto. style application. i want to set it so it is just in front of my blade to help me see when I am behind the log enough to drop the head and, to help signal when I am about to enter the log. i know someone use a dewalt one to show height of the blade on a scale. what-cha got? prob. needs to project a line, not a dot, and needs to be of and intensity, color and brightness to see in daylight.

PAmizerman · February 22, 2019, 08:05:07 PM

Use the search function. Lots of good threads there.

doc henderson · February 23, 2019, 04:01:52 PM

thanks pa, got one ordered.

PAmizerman · February 23, 2019, 08:35:13 PM

You go with a green one?

doc henderson · February 24, 2019, 02:42:24 AM

yes, 50mA. I got the cheaper one, if it does not last, I will order the several hundred dollar model. It is not mandatory, but milling all day, a person can get sloppy and fatigued watching to drop the head as soon at the blade is behind the log.

PAmizerman · February 24, 2019, 09:10:10 AM

Once you have one you really get used to it. They are a nice feature. I have the stock red one from woodmizer.

boonesyard · February 24, 2019, 09:39:54 AM

Can you see it in the daylight?

PAmizerman · February 24, 2019, 11:02:42 AM

I have my mill under a shed roof. There are times when the sun is in a certain position and I cannot see the laser.
My laser is useless outside.

tawilson · February 24, 2019, 01:52:31 PM

Here's a 50mw. Even though the sun washed it out at the far end, there was enough to site down and see where the blade was going. It shows up better than in the pic. When the suns moved away it will light up the whole log.
PA, for $35 you could swap that red factory laser out for one of these. I used the Woodmizer mount.

PAmizerman · February 24, 2019, 04:06:27 PM

@tawilson do you remember what model that laser is? Did you get it at cemar?

tawilson · February 24, 2019, 04:12:28 PM

Nope Amazon. I put a little electrical tape on it to snug it to the woodmizer mount.

PAmizerman · February 24, 2019, 04:36:21 PM

Thanks

doc henderson · February 24, 2019, 04:47:16 PM

I think that is the same one I got. Those of you at home, be sure and do the "air quotes" when you say "laser"

btulloh · February 24, 2019, 08:26:36 PM

Righttttt.

With the right mount that could go on a seabass.

PAmizerman · August 08, 2019, 10:58:49 PM

@doc henderson are you running the laser on 110 volt or a 12v battery?

doc henderson · August 09, 2019, 08:16:49 AM

I went to walmart and got a 12 v cigarette lighter attachment (rv and trailer area) and wired it to my battery. then I got a 12 v to 110 v inverter that plugs into a cig lighter. then I plug the laser into that. it came with a ball mount that has a flat base. I used "industrial" strength double sided tape to attach it to a flat front guard on my mill. after use, I unplug and dismount and take the tech parts inside. It makes a straight line just in front of the blade so I can better tell when I am past the end of the log to raise, and behind the log to drop down. I have computer set works and it makes you swear a little if you get on a roll, and drop to soon and catch the blade on top of the log. I can add pics later if that would help. I do not use it for little projects, but it is helpful and fun when planning a long day at the mill.