19 1/2" edger blade mill

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I spoke witht he owner yesterday and things are looking up for this mill that some of are after him to build. 
 The design is all but done and he is talking of makeing this unit an electric mill set up rather than the traditional VW engine model.  I will have to  get another converter and build another building atttched to the older mill bilding, where I now have my Logosol planer/moulder, set up.

[Stevem]

So what depth of cut will that get you?  8"?

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Yes, up to an 8" x 12" timber.

[Stevem]

I wonder if the dragback will work on a 8" x12" x 12' oak? 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I know it works on Douglas Fir 8 x 12s.  Not sure on Oak.  I have never operated an electiric unit, so I am not quite sure of its workability and all.

[Stevem]

Years ago the MD I ran would not bring back a 4" x 12" x 18' green water logged hemlock.  It just sat there and frowned at me.  It was all I could do to get it off the log straight back.

But that 8" side cut will allow quarter sawing like my Lucas.  That will be nice.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

That was the problem, Steve, you did not smile back when it was frowning at ou.

[Stevem]

I checked MD's web site and they have that blade listed as an option.  so guess it's a done deal unless it's still vapor ware.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

The blade is an option with the present mills now.  It is just that you do not have two such blades on the edger shaft.  It takes a heavier duty edgershaft and modification of the whole carrage unit to handle two such blades at the same time.  You have to have a wider carrrage package so that you can be further away from the track with the upper, movable edger blade.

I hope Ron reads my posting and gets me straightened out on my explanation.  I am sure I am close in what I am saying. 

With the more heavely builit carrage package, you also have to have a wider and heavier build track system.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

There may be some change options in the works and I have requested, very strongly, to be the first in line.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I know a secret!  I know a secret!

[DaveK]

While you are at it Frank, how about talking them into a diesel version   Electric isn't going to work for me, so I'll be going with a gas motor unless they decide to make a diesel available.  I also decided to wait till next spring to buy since the framing on our house is almost finished and there is probably three to four months to finish it up after that.  At some point one has to say enough and finish a few things before taking on more.   By the time spring rolls around, I should have a lot more time on my hands to really start sawing again.

Oh, I almost forgot!  What's the secret?

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Dave, I will, again and have worked on the diesel issue.   I spoke with one of the fellas from the factory last week.  He is coming down in a week or two for discussion and viewing of the hydraulic unit I have and discuss with him,some other things, as well.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Imight just be in line to get the first one made, all electric.  I have some researching to do on what size of converter I need for the two electric motors.  The main blade runs on a 30 horse motor and the edger blades run on a 20. 

So, all you electricians, what size of converter do I need to install?

[Kirk Allen]

No less than 60 and preferably 75!

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Wow!.  You sure shook me up.  I will hve to save some nickles and dimes for that size of unit.

[Kirk Allen]

I guess you could get away with a 50hp but normally they reccomend a step up from the load demand. 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I would suspect that a step or two up, would be a good idea, aswel.  I have one of my students that is an electrician doing some research for me at this time.  I plan converting the planer building again, to a mill building, because of the elcetricity issue.  I suspect that I cant just be operating an electric mill, outside all of the time?

[caryr]

So, all you electricians, what size of converter do I need to install?

It depends on the type of converter. What everyone has been talking about so far are rotary converters and they work fairly well and are relatively cheap, but need to be over sized and may not be able to start large motors if your electric service is not up to it.

Because of my remote location I opted for an electronic converter. This allows me to run any load with out the voltage on the wild leg varying, it has PFC (no nasty inductive load that the power company hates and it helps tremendously with the inductive starting current) and it's much nicer on the AC motor since the voltage is almost exactly balanced (gives balanced currents). The disadvantage is they are more expensive. Yah, I know you wanted a cheaper alternative. Sorry, but in this case better costs more!

Here's a link to what I got http://www.phaseperfect.com/. They have units that go up to 60HP and will deliver from 0 - full HP with no significant change in the generated voltage/phasing.

If you want more information or want to discuss this in more detail let me know. If you want to order a unit let me know. I think I may have a discount card in my office some where. If you or you student (electrician) want to stop by and see what I have and how it's set up let me know, but now's probably not a good time. We are approaching 3 feet of snow so you may want to wait for a bit of thawing before making the trip.

Have a Merry Christmas,

Cary

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Thank you Cary, for the inside scoop.  I will stop by when we thaw a bit around here, as well.  Three feet is the area we are heading as well.  It is really beginning to snow hard here, again this morning.  White Christmas is an understatement, this morning. 

I have a deck of logs that reaches at least 25 feet in the air and you can hardly tell that they are logs, with the amount of snow everywhere.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Well, it looks like I will selling my MD mill, in the very near future.   

[Kirk Allen]

I sure hope for an upgrade!

[HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader]

 He's getting a WoodMizer, Kirk. 

[Kirk Allen]

 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Alice has given me her blessing to go ahead and get the New Mill being built.  I am going to sell my present MD mill, the Logo Sol, and the big head rig with a 52" blade.  That is my goal.  We will see what happens.