Post by: kbeitz on January 11, 2019, 04:04:31 PM
I will be happy to answer or help anyone with build questions.
Post by: Ox on January 12, 2019, 09:51:37 AM
How are all the components you used holding up? Would you have changed anything if you could go back and do it again? I'm starting to make my homemade mill into an automated one using wheelchair motors and control boards for reversible variable speed with limit switches on the track. Then onto hydraulics for log loader, log turner, 2 plane clamp and powered backstops.
I've been talking with Richard at Cutting Edge and he's given me some good ideas along with some good pictures as he's made himself a hydraulic/electric/gas mill in the past. I'm always trying to gather as much info as I can (usually pictures because I frequently have trouble seeing and thinking in 3D) so I can make the best decision as to what I want to build.
Post by: kbeitz on January 12, 2019, 10:05:11 AM
It works better than I thought it would...
Post by: Crusarius on January 12, 2019, 12:59:42 PM
Just like KB, Mine works better than I thought it would. I did figure out my absolute max length cut is 20'-4.5" its a real pain to get the log just right.
Post by: bandmiller2 on January 12, 2019, 06:44:43 PM
Post by: Ox on January 13, 2019, 10:05:15 AM
The reason I went electric is because so many have and have had good luck with it. Parts are cheaper by quite a shot, too. For instance, I've got 2 wheelchair motors and 2 - 55 amp, reversible variable speed control boards to run them for $115 altogether, brand new. All I'm lacking is some wire, an outdoor electrical project box, several sprockets, and some fabbing. I'll have a completely motorized carriage that saves my shoulders from more agony (mostly from the up/down). I won't have $300 in motorizing the carriage I don't think. I've been working with wires and hoses and chains and shafts and all things mechanical and electrical enough years that I know what works and what doesn't so at least I have that going for me. I'd be quite tentative if I was completely new at all this, I know that. I thank God that he gave me the brain I've got, messed up as it is (memory/dyslexic when thinking/building in 3D), because it allows me to save me and my family thousands of dollars every year.
I have thought about documenting it with pics to show folks how simple things can be and still work OK. I've never done this. Ever. It will be a challenge to remember to take pics.
Post by: kbeitz on January 13, 2019, 04:48:27 PM
Post by: kbeitz on January 23, 2019, 07:39:14 AM
Post by: Ox on January 23, 2019, 08:42:26 AM
I've got similar control boards for my setup. Similar project box too.
Post by: kbeitz on January 23, 2019, 05:27:46 PM
Better pics this time - glad you got it figured out.
I've got similar control boards for my setup. Similar project box too.
I'm still uploading my pictures as an attachment... Before I was optimizing my pictures but I found out that they look so much better if I only resize them to 640x480. No optimizing...
Post by: A.O. on February 23, 2019, 07:40:59 AM
Post by: kbeitz on February 23, 2019, 08:52:09 AM
A few different tools and work slower. Sometimes working
with metal is easier. It's not easy to bend wood. I do both
and I love working with both...
electric is like running water... In and out... Valves and
switches.
Post by: A.O. on February 23, 2019, 09:08:05 AM
I don't think working with wood or metal is much different.
A few different tools and work slower. Sometimes working
with metal is easier. It's not easy to bend wood. I do both
and I love working with both...
electric is like running water... In and out... Valves and
switches.
Yep, electric isn't bad been doing that for years.. and yes electric and plumbing are similar.
Post by: furu on February 23, 2019, 01:17:19 PM
Yep, electric isn't bad been doing that for years.. and yes electric and plumbing are similar.Yes but don't mix them. That can result in a shocking outcome.
Post by: Ox on February 23, 2019, 02:33:46 PM
Post by: A.O. on February 23, 2019, 03:03:18 PM
Yes but don't mix them. That can result in a shocking outcome.
Yeah, probably not a good idea!
Post by: kbeitz on February 23, 2019, 03:18:08 PM
Post by: A.O. on February 23, 2019, 03:41:29 PM
Post by: kbeitz on February 23, 2019, 05:33:25 PM
Post by: A.O. on February 23, 2019, 05:39:31 PM
I really was thinking about selling it...
Yeah, not sure what I'd do with t or how I'd get it here.
So you say its electric? does it generate electricity?
Post by: starmac on February 23, 2019, 06:31:57 PM
She didn't feel too good. lol
Post by: moodnacreek on February 23, 2019, 07:06:00 PM
Just one old farts opinion but the fewer low voltage motors, rheostats and electronics you have the less problems you will have. Most anything that needs doing can be done better with hydraulics. Frank C.There you go again Frank using MY word of advise that nobody listens to. Keep it up and I won't have anything to say!
Post by: kbeitz on February 23, 2019, 07:50:37 PM
Post by: A.O. on February 24, 2019, 08:12:11 AM
I found some of that in and out electricity last week, while wiring up my compressor.
She didn't feel too good. lol
Updating my service box many years ago I got bit big time! Electrician that was helping me just laughed and laughed..
Post by: A.O. on February 24, 2019, 08:18:18 AM
I was making electric when I had a water supply. When my brother sold his part of the land I lost my water supply.
I have a water supply, but its too far back in the woods to get that thing to, and would have nothing to power back there anyway..
Post by: kbeitz on February 24, 2019, 11:50:15 AM
Post by: starmac on February 24, 2019, 01:23:58 PM
We snuck down to the lake and took baths every night for that period, so when the trailer arrived I was determined to get it hooked, by the time I got around to wiring it up to the meter, it was dark and a good rainfall coming down.
His meter was 8 or 9 feet up on the pole, I had never seen one mounted that way, but it made sense, the meter reader could actually stand back several feet and read it.
Anyway, I decided against my uncles advice to wire it up standing on an aluminum ladder in the dark and rain, he did hold the flash light for me. lol
The next thing I knew I was laying on my back in a pool of water and he was shining the light in my eyes, laughing and asking if I didn't think it would be better to wait till morning. lol That was the worst I probably ever got bit, but I still had lights that night. lol
Post by: kbeitz on February 24, 2019, 02:24:04 PM
Post by: starmac on February 24, 2019, 03:44:34 PM
One of the worse times involved an old redwood water cooler and an electric fence. My grandfather had that cooler and would just throw it in the pond and let it float around for a couple of days every spring. I went to get it for him and had to swim out to the middle, then carrying it back, I forgot about an electric fence wire that was strung between the windmill and an outbuilding. The wire was just the right height to come under the bill of my cap and get my forhead, that one took me to my knees and kept me there a while.
Fords thick film ignition is worse than any shock I have gotten out of a 240 volt system too.
I have also been tricked to check out a magneto.
The old model t coils were some shockers too.
My freshman year initiation party they were making guys stand in a n old washtub full of ice water. I peeked through a hole in the barn, so went back to my pickup and put on my rubber boots and fooled them. I wound up sitting in the tub, and was hit a few times with a cattle prod to boot. The next year, I brought a cattle prod of my on for the newbes, but they wouldn't let us use them anymore.
Post by: kbeitz on February 24, 2019, 06:15:29 PM
It Generates over 700 volts or it can be used as a motor. Ether one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adaQvjFg5bg&t=0s&index=10&list=PLPmdHS4aWQkarJdxyJX_pwpR0Rtv7vGV_
Post by: starmac on February 24, 2019, 07:28:43 PM
I have been bit enough times I do not need anything that runs 700 volts EVER. Twice I have seen guys get into 440, and it was not pretty.
Post by: kbeitz on February 24, 2019, 08:16:21 PM
Post by: starmac on February 24, 2019, 08:33:47 PM
What kind of amps does it put out?
Post by: kbeitz on February 25, 2019, 03:09:10 AM
Light a light bulb.
Spark a sparkplug.
Run a fan.
All at 60RPM...
Post by: Sawmill Knowledge on April 20, 2019, 08:54:36 PM
Post by: kbeitz on April 21, 2019, 10:20:50 AM
yes the bigger the band wheel the longer the blades will last before cracking.
Bigger wheels will also let you cut bigger logs....