WM EG200 edger…gas or diesel?

[KWood255]

Great point LL. Makes perfect sense to me. My business has grown year after year, although still small compared to some folks on this forum. I work full time and run my business on the side. I have a little less than 8 years before I can permanently step away from my "real" job. Some days that seems like leap years in the distance.

I have a vision of where I want to be with the company, and hopefully that can continue in the right direction. My boys are old enough now that they are becoming instrumental in helping out. I could not keep up with demand without them. Not even close.

As we progress, I want to add a kiln suitable for +/- 3000bf of dimensional lumber, and a more industrial planer and moulder. With that comes additional work space, storage and drying areas. Not to mention material handling and occasional help.

Currently we only cut-to-order and sell "green" lumber and timbers. The ability to produce in-house KD T&G would be a near future goal. We are 95% softwood focused.

[YellowHammer]

There is a reasonable limit to phase converters, and at some point, and generators become a better option. However, for us, the "smaller" 3 phase motors are much more convenient being operated on the phase converter.  So both phase converters and generators each has a sweet spot.

When we got the 30 hp phase converter, it worked great for yers, and then we got a big planer, about 60hp.  We decided to upgrade the whole electrical system to a genset, bought an 80Kw generator, wired for 150 Kw and figured we would convert everything 3 phase to run on it, and so wired in the full system, lots of money invested that we don't use.... 

Because, over time, we came to realize that some things just were lots more convenient and easy using a phase converter, because I just walk into the building in the morning, throw a switch, the flux capacitor starts humming and magically flows 3 phase to every "smaller" machine we have, or any combination of machines.  It's a non event kind of thing. Click, we have three phase.  At the end of the day, Click, it's turned off, shut the door, and go home.  The phase converter, like most electric motors, only draws rated power when under load, so when it's idling with no machines running, it's hardly using any amps, just enough to power itself, and basically coasting.

On the other hand, our generator burns enough fuel that the gas company had to install a radio transmitter on it so that when the fuel got low, it would automatically "phone home" for a refill.  Under full load it burns a lot of fuel.  OUCH! Even when idling it still has to maintain a constant 1800 RPM so really never idles, and is still burning significant fuel.

So we have and both, but try to use each in their sweet spot.     

[customsawyer]

When talking with your electric company, don't be afraid to ask how much for 3ph. I was pleasantly surprised by my little local coop. I was 9 power poles away from 3ph and they charged me $4600.00 to run true 3ph to my place. Now when I had to buy the drop down transformers it hurt. I don't regret it though. I have great 3ph power. I have both 480V and 230V 3ph. I can add as many machines as I could ever need. And I don't have to pass on good used equipment, just because I don't have whatever power they require.

[caveman]

You have budgeted an extra $8000 for diesel and lots of folks have suggested you go with electric-none of which is bad advice, but we run a gas-powered Kohler. It does a good job, and we run 2" kiln dried live oak occasionally, but usually green lumber.  When our engine was made, it was rated at 28hp, now it would likely be 26.  Regardless, it runs the edger well and for only a few hours a week we run it; it is a blessing for us.  

If we were using it a lot more, we'd likely look to electric or diesel.  I look at diesel options daily, but for us, this machine does just as the doctor ordered with a gas-powered Kohler.

[KWood255]

Update here...the EG200 has landed at the dealership. Picking it up Friday morning. I remained with the diesel option. Looking forward to getting it setup in the shack. I have a mountain of boards to edge. 

[jpassardi]

Congrats, that will be sweet! I hate edging flitches on the mill...

[Warren]

Yes indeed, thanks again. I will make a few calls on Monday. When we built the new house we went from overhead lines/poles to underground as my poles were rotten and past due. With the change, we had to swap out transformers as well. My transformer is about 120 yards away from the saw shack, so if new service is required it could get expensive real quick. I will connect with an electrician who I trust to get his thoughts on tapping into the shop, which is only about 75' away.

While on the topic, it may be worth while researching a 3ph generator. I only say this as it could prove beneficial to run the edger, and future planers/moulders. A number of years ago my folks had a twin set of Yanmar/Izuzu 12kw generators at their resort which sipped fuel, and provided all necessary power.

Again, I am less than limited on my electrical knowledge. Just assuming a 12-14kw generator would be plenty.

Late to the party.  I ran a Baker two saw edger with a 20hp Honda gas engine for several years. Up to 2" oak.  Never felt like the 20hp gas engine was under powered.  I think your 24hp diesel unit will be the cat's meow.

FWIW, I am also struggling with the combustion engine versus 3 phase versus phase converter versus VFD...  When I checked into 3 phase ~20 years ago, there was some wonky stuff with usage and pricing if you were not going to be using it all day every day.  -->  Peak usage charges?  Not sure if still a thing.  However at that time, the way my RECC explained it, my highest single day usage would be the high water mark charge across the month.  Need to check if that is still the case.

[KWood255]

Yes for sure Warren. While I think the 3ph electric would be a great option, I'm just not prepared to go down that road...right now. Everything else associated to my milling setup is diesel powered so it was an easy option. I suspect the 24hp diesel will be plenty powerful for my purposes. Since it's a 1 man operation frequently, the edger will only be running when necessary. 

Our electricity rates are always fluctuating upwards, combined with 3 different ratings depending on time/dates. Although it's not even home yet, I'm guessing the edger will see a couple hundred hours of run time per year, at least for now. My annual fuel costs will be pretty low in comparison to other businesses here I'm certain. 

[caveman]

If you are going to be running the edger by yourself, look at Peter D's setup.  It will save you a lot of steps.  I occasionally edge alone on an EG 28 (the predecessor to the ED200k) and it is still better than edging on the mill, but I get my steps in.  We still need to buy the split blades that Customsawyer (Jake) had made.  The softwood blades are junk.  The hardwood blades are a lot better, but still take a while to change.  

[PAmizerman]

I really like my edger setup but a return conveyor would be my second choice. 

[KWood255]

I really like my edger setup but a return conveyor would be my second choice.

Any chance you can share a picture of your setup?

[KWood255]

The sawdust factory is in full swing, well almost! Once I deal with the pile of edging inside the shack, I can push the edger back into its final place and get my roller tables setup more efficiently.

A bit of learning to do yet, but I'm impressed with the accuracy and speed. It would be tough to keep up with stickering/stacking the finished product by yourself if the edger is always being fed.

Beauty little Yanmar diesel. It sure runs nice and smooth, and no emission nonsense to be seen.

My only complaint (short of the bank account side effects) is that when edging only one side (using fence) it seems to pull the board crooked by about a 1/4"  inward - towards the gear box. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but I'm a little discouraged with that. Plenty more hours to go so I'm certain a few issues will get resolved.

[scsmith42]

My only complaint (short of the bank account side effects) is that when edging only one side (using fence) it seems to pull the board crooked by about a 1/4"  inward - towards the gear box. .

Usually when it does that it's one of two things. 

1 - your fence is not perfectly parallel to your saw blade,

2 - your feed rollers are not parallel to the arbor shaft that your blades are on.

In occasional instances, a blade that has been dulled on one edge may cause a slight pull, but since your edger is new I doubt that is the case.

I've found that a magnetic torpedo level with a built in laser is an easy way to check the alignment of the fence to the blades. I'll attach the level to the side of the blade and shoot the laser towards the infeed side - positioning it to go in-between the feed rollers.  Then use a machinist scale to check the distance from the fence to the laser beam on each end.  Adjust as needed.

[KWood255]

Spent about 4 hours on the edger today. Edged, stacked and stickered 3200bf all together of slabs which were taking up space (lots of space) in my saw shack, in anticipation for the EG200's arrival. I'm getting the hang of this thing now.  The 2" pine doesn't make it grunt. I'm impressed.