Author Topic: Finally pulled the trigger (Read 1516 times)

island boy · « **on:** December 07, 2011, 12:23:49 PM »

It's been a while but finally purchased a used mill...TK B-20. Got it on and off the barge OK and set up at first location on island. I read the manual, did some maintenance, and then on the weekend went at the white pine stash I had. Things went relatively well, no one got hurt though I had my share of rookie mistakes... trying to cut to fast and bogging down, breaking a blade due to log shifting and making wasteful initial cuts. All in all I ended up with about a 1000 BF of rough sawn boards, a weekend of sawing under my belt and some sore muscles. Can't wait till next weekend

The mill came with about a dozen used blades. I was told some were sharp and some were not. I figured I should be able to easily determine which were which but when I tried I found otherwise. A few, obviously need resharpening but many I am not sure about... without putting them on and cutting with them how do I know if one is in need of sharpening? Also since it has been warm here in Maine 40-50 degree days I have been using a dish washing soap and water mixture for lubrication what do you recommend below freezing temps. Last question.... for you TK owners... do you find the log dog flips down when disengaged from log and needs to be held upright to reengage it? Any easy mods?

Magicman · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2011, 02:12:15 PM »

First, Congratulations on the "new to you" TK !!! Your learning curve will be OK because you have us to lean on and ask additional questions.

You will learn how a sharp blade feels when you drag the teeth across your palm. I also have a small magnifying glass in my pocket.

In your area, I addition to the dish soap, I would add a gallon of -32 windshield washer fluid.

jueston · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2011, 02:42:00 PM »

congrats on the new mill, i'm sure it comes with an endless supply of both happy sawing and sore muscles.

ladylake · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2011, 03:00:59 PM »

Congrats, the logs dog not flipping up is common on the B20. Type in (maintaing a Timberking B20) in your search engine. You should find a Woodweb site that I posted some pics of the modd I did that works 100% of the time. Pics are good, on the bottom its a flat piece of steel with a hardwood block screwed to it, with a half circle cut out that rides against the screw with 2 bed springs pulling the block against the threads. Steve

customsawyer · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2011, 03:11:44 PM »

Congrats on the mill. In your neck of the woods I would run strait washer fluid with some pine-sol in it.

redbeard · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2011, 03:23:39 PM »

Hope you get lots of enjoyments with the B-20 l sure do with mine 6 years under my belt. Use some sticky red grease on the log dog keep it packed with grease. Also lube your jack screws with lithum grease by brush and keep those clean and greased alot. If there are no ABS pipe covers there easy to make. When you get the milling down you will be able to mill 1000 bf in a short days work.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2011, 04:13:11 PM »

You Da Man...Island Boy!

I could see me taking my sawmill off a barge.

I'd have an LT 40 ANCHOR!

Good Luck sawing.

Chuck White · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2011, 05:01:16 PM »

Congratulations on your sawmill purchase!

A quick test for sharp vs dull blades is drag your fingernail (carefully) against a couple of teeth!

If the tooth bites in, the blade is sharp, if the blade glides across your fingernail, it's dull!

Peter Drouin · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2011, 05:27:52 PM »

Best of luck with your new mill

. this time of year I use straight washer fluid ,the yellow stuff good to 35 below .the blue stuff is cheaper and is good to 20 below or so it says.but it fredzes up at the end where it comes out

Magicman · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2011, 05:36:04 PM »

Yup, I misquoted on the wiper fluid mixture. One gallon per 5 gallon is my mixture.

As stated above, straight -32 degree stuff with your dish soap is your formula.

hackberry jake · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2011, 07:34:53 PM »

My mix is 1/2 used motor oil and 1/2 diesel for building material. And 1/3 bar and chain oil and 2/3 diesel for fine lumber. A drip about every 10 seconds does the trick. I use diesel year round. My lube tank is a gallon and a half and it normally lasts about 4000 bf.

Dave Shepard · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2011, 07:52:24 PM »

Congrats on the new mill!

I don't use lube, because the little hose got caught on a log last spring and I've not fixed it yet.

Haven't had any problems sawing either.

island boy · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2011, 08:13:46 PM »

Thanks everyone.... appreciate the advice. It's also reassuring knowing people are out there willing to help.
Ladylake, thanks for the mod help.... will get on it this weekend.

thecfarm · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2011, 06:50:10 AM »

Now you are sawing. I use half diesel and half bar and chain at a very SLOW drip. But I'm only sawing building material for my own use. I do not make anything that will be finished and require a finish to be put on it.

Tim L · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2011, 07:54:14 PM »

Ok I'll say it , PICTURES?

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