Busted our Wood-Mizer

[Bibbyman]

 

 

Over 5500 hours, 10 years and a couple million board feet sawn, something has to give out. This adjustment bolt broke because nut in bed rail was pushed in.



 

This was the major damage – nut weld cracked and nut pushed in.



 

I straightened up the nut and welded it back in and repaired the cracks and puddled the dent full – thinking it would re-enforce it. New bolt was made by taking a standard hex head bolt and welding two heavy washers on the head.



 

I discovered the damage a day or two after sawing this big red oak log.  It was  10' long and some 30" dia.



 

Pretty nice log.  Squared down to 18"x18". 

If the repair lasts another 10 years and two more million board feet,  I won't complain.

[MotorSeven]

Wow, what a cheap piece of garbage....WM should be ashamed :D ;D

I am still amazed at how much punishment a mill can take and still cut perfect boards

[Jeff]

If the repair lasts another 10 years and two more million board feet,  I won't complain.

If it don't we'll know who to blame. ;)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Now you're gonna have me looking at my little bolts. 

Good thing you could fix it in-house. Probably not much down time.

Good job Bib and Mary! 

[Bibbyman]

I don't want to brag on it because you know what happens. But I'm constantly impressed at the use, abuse,neglect and punishment this mill has taken over the years.

The souped up hydraulics has to push everything harder.

It seems when you turn the big cants, the back end pushes up high and then drops hard.  Back in my younger days I could figure the impact of a cant dropped from a foot off the bed.

[Ljohnsaw]

How big is your electric motor?  I'm assuming 240 service.  Is it running the blade as well as your hydaulics?  Do you feel it is too small, just right or over sized?
Thanks,

[ronwood]

Bibbyman,

Is there a bolt missing in the first picture Upper right hand corner?

Ron

[customsawyer]

Bibby I am with you. The fact that I overload my mill every day and that it holds together simply amazes me.

[Bibbyman]

Bibbyman,

Is there a bolt missing in the first picture Upper right hand corner?

Ron

I'd already taken it out before taking the picture.

[Bibbyman]

How big is your electric motor?  I'm assuming 240 service.  Is it running the blade as well as your hydaulics?  Do you feel it is too small, just right or over sized?
Thanks,

25 HP 3ph. 220v single phase running a Ronk phase converter. Big enough.

Power pack hydraulic pump has 7.5 HP 3ph motor and produces 6 gpm @ 2000 paid.  Moves things right along.

[MReinemann]

Thought you busted it.  Looks like a maintenance item to me.     Nice work with the repair.
-Matt

[drobertson]

bibby, as a show me kinda guy, I am real proud of you!  thanks for the post.  david

[Magicman]

You should be OK.  When I bought my sawmill, it had been used sawing cants at a commercial sawmill.  They regularly loaded it with the sawmill loaders, sometimes dropping the logs on the bed.  The swing arms and bolt underneath had really taken a beating, and some welding and building up was necessary.

[Solomon]

Judging by your pictures Bibby, its time to start shoveling some saw dust. smiley_inspector

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

There's probably Hundred Dollar Bills mixed in that sawdust.  :D

[Bibbyman]

You should be OK.  When I bought my sawmill, it had been used sawing cants at a commercial sawmill.  They regularly loaded it with the sawmill loaders, sometimes dropping the logs on the bed.  The swing arms and bolt underneath had really taken a beating, and some welding and building up was necessary.

There is nothing harder on equipment than letting someone run it that doesn't own it.

[clww]

Glad to see you got her fixed up quickly, in-house, Bibby. You'll have to keep Mary from abusing the equipment so much. :D

[waho]

Bibby, what are you using the phase converter for?

[Bibbyman]

Bibby, what are you using the phase converter for?

We only have single phase electric service.  The motor on the mill is three phase.  The phase converter takes in single phase power and produces three phase.

[waho]

Thanks, that's what I thought. A few post's up you said 25HP 3 ph. Had me confused.

[waho]

Never mind the last post. Can't read.

[Chuck White]

Good fix Bib!

Another couple of million bf and you'll probably have to do it again!  ;D

[paul case]

Judging by your pictures Bibby, its time to start shoveling some saw dust. smiley_inspector

I kinda think he is ok for a while.
You should see the mess under my lt40. I have had to rake out from underneath the turner and clamp and bottom rail near the axle 3 times just to keep going. I probably have a 15yard dump truck full of bark and sawdust under and around my mill. Yep I need to clean it out, but anyone can look at it and see it works. ;D
Bibbyman,
Glad ya got it fixed. PC

[bandmiller2]

Twentyfive three phase is considerable overkill. [no harm though]I've got a 15hp three phase running the band and hydraulic pump.The motor never gets more than warm.If I recall the LT-70 ,I ran, also had 25hp.Woodmizer engineering is a cut above most,if you break something blame the guy that watches you shave in the morning.Bibbs is right an owner/operator is the best sawyer. Frank C.

[moosehunter]

Bibby, is that sag in your live chain just from wear or did something happen to it? Is there any problem with it binding like that?

mh