Stop Hitting Your Sawmill Log Stops (Works with Any Sawmill)
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- čas přidán 17. 06. 2022
- Many people will tell you one thing or another about how to avoid hitting the steel log stops on your sawmill but I can tell you that this method that I use has worked well for me for several years without fail. Now don't get me wrong here, you can still hit the log stops quite easily while using this method, but I think at the very least this method will help you avoid it. Like many of you I"ve move the factory Woodland Mills blade guard out of the way from time to time while sawing crooked logs and have inadvertently forgot to put the blade guard back in position. When this happens the first time you realize that you forgot is often the time you see the sparks from your nice sharp blade slicing through the steel log stop. This little tip I"m providing on today's episode gives one easy visual reminder to you that may help you save a few bucks as we all know the cost of a sawmill blade isn't cheap. Above all else, if it doesn't work ,at least you can say you tried. Thanks for watching everyone, here we go!
Sawmill shown in this video: HM130max by Woodland Mills
Trailer shown in this video: Woodlander by Woodland Mills
#discoverthewoodland
#woodlandmills
#sawingwithsandy - Zábava
Hardwood stops is the best idea for people like me that get in a hurry and distracted easily. Things always go wrong when you hurry. The old saying goes " the hurrier I go the behinder I get"
I agree with that saying!
Dude, you're on a roll!!! Yesterday the bucket idea and today the log stop numbers!!! I can't thank you enough for these great hacks! I'm made my first cuts a few days ago on my 130max and was wondering how low or high should I position those suckers. Now I know! You're a great mentor Sandy! Thanks for your knowledge and sharing! 🤙🍻
Glad to hear these tips are helping ya out Max
Sandy
Dave here from northern Wisconsin. I have owned my woodland for 7 years now, and really enjoy your videos. I also feel for you about the bugs, but living in the north is worth it especially when I'm fishing. Thanks for the log stop idea. I use a different method. Using a piece of 1/2" phenolic resin cut to 1" wide x 5" long , I attach it to the blade cover in line with the blade so as to contact the log stop before the blade does. mounting it with a single large sheet metal screw allows me to pivot out of the way for custom situations , if you know what I mean.
Thanks for all your videos, I know they are a lot of work
Happy sawdust
Dave
You need to put up signs declaring a "No Bug Zone". I've only hit a log stop once, and that was when I was demonstrating the sawmill operation to a friend. Being distracted, by bugs or friends, always puts you in a precarious position. Anything you can do to put the odds in your favor is definitely a plus! Watching videos and learning from the mistakes of others is preferable to making those mistakes yourself. You give a lot of good sound advice, and I love your channel. Keep up the good work!
Great to hear that Marvin! I’m the same way. When I’m distracted I also make those same mistakes
I took this a step further and stamped my lines and numbers in... crazy enough, that idea has caused me to be more cognizant of the log stops and their position! Thanks!!!
I like that idea Travis!
Thanks for the tip. I just got my brand new Woodland Mills saw mill set up today. I think I'll mark the stops before I ever use it.
Thanks man! This is going to be very helpful. Bought my sawmill 2 weeks ago and have yet to cut a stop. I can feel it coming though. lol
Great to hear. You'll get the bug of sawing wood quickly I'm sure as it's a great time out making dust
Like you, I too mowed the log stops. It has been a few years now and I have been using this tip from your older mill. Works perfectly. Thanks for sharing what you have learned hands on. It makes us all better sawyers.
That’s great to hear Johnny! Hope the mill has been treating ya well
Sandy thanks for all your INFO , You have been a great Help
Always welcome Frank
That number draw on your log stops is a great idea it will save time and blades thanks for the tip. Great video Sandy
Happy to help Jeff!
Good tips. I've also seen people use 1.5 inch PVC as the log stop, which fits in the Woodland Mills log stop holders.
thanks for this tip i cut a log stop first when i started out. i am going to mark mine. take care and enjoy your evening
Anytime Wallace
I also find if the log has a good square edge at the bottom, the log stop provided with out stops in place are enough to hold the log best, I have also used a sacrificial two by two and use it to hold the log stable if its not real square on the bottom.... good talking points Sandy
Thanks Morgan
When I first got my sawmill a year ago, I vowed I would never hit a log stop. Now I am determined not to hit my log stops AGAIN!! One trick I use, is to turn my cant over, for the last cut and measure up from the bottom, rather than down from the top, as you do with all your other cuts. This helps keep the blade higher off the log bed, and thus farther from log stops. With this method, and your measurements, hopefully I will never hit a log stop again, but I doubt it.
Great tip Matt!
Great system!
Simple solution ! Good idea Sandy
Right on Tim'r !
Thought you were silly for taking the blade stopper off. That's until I got my own sawmill. Didn't take many times of getting hung up on knots that I followed suit. Soon after I followed your lead and marked my log stops as well, which was a game changer. I've never hit the log stops but did skim the top of my log clamps once. I also take a look down the log before hitting the throttle just to be double sure everything is where it needs to be. Again, your spot on in this video Sandy! Hope this video finds you well. Don't know if you have kids or not, if you do Happy Father's Day to you! And your Dad as well, he did a pretty good job and raising a fine man. Take care!✌🌈
Thanks for the well wishes Jill! Glad you liked the tip and happy to hear that you are out making lumber these days
Excellent tip, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Paul!
Good morning I can say I am lucky in a way in 8 years of owning my mill never hit a log stop but did hit the locker mechanism it self twice already
I like the way you did your log stop I will do it to mine also I am always taking the measuring tape out to adjust the stoppers when I first both my mill I did mention to have stppers with line ingrave to the proper Hight but the representative said it was more costly to do it that way I they were trying to have a good machine but at a low cost then I mention make some of them optional but never heard from it again so I will do it the way you just did and it will not cost anything thanks have a great day
I do like the engraving idea. Think that would solve this issue for sure
Hi Sandy I did the same as you marking my log stop but I also bought a plastic clip from the dollar store that I clip on the scale at the height of my log stops as a reminder. I haven't hit a stop since. This is just an idea you might want to try. Enjoy your show keep it up.
That’s a great idea!
Yes I hit the stops too. I put an inexpensive backup monitor and camera on there that lets me see the stops from the operator side. I also have lasers on both sides. The mounts for everything are 3D prints that attach to the mill with magnets. I'm going to mark the stops as you did for an additional reminder.
I like that idea about the backup camera. Whatever works to keep the blade in the wood and not on the steel works for me
Great stuff. I also do that on my other tools. Like my shovel for depth,,, 24"",32". 36"',,, my post hole digger,,,etc..
I like that idea about the shovel! I may take that one
Excellent idea. Thank you....
Thanks for watching!
Awesome great information
Thanks Ian
Thx for sharing
Great tip, thanks!
Right on thanks Liz
I really like that buggy thanks for show and good info
Sure is a fun ride around the woodlot
Great tip! Saves blades and time
Absolutely! Thanks for watching Chet
Always!
You don't have to worry about measuring accurately. Take the blade out of a combination square and adjust your height for each measure. The combination square blade is 1" wide, guaranteed. Save you a ton of work. I just did this to my mill based on stuff you did before on your early mill. But, I used a 1" measure to make it easy.
I love your content. If it wasn't for you, I never would have bought one. Thanks, Sandy.
That's a great idea. Thanks for sharing
Replace log stops with 2x2 wood scraps. Saw right through them.
Yep that’ll do the trick!
I'm waiting for my HM 122 to be delivered, maybe I should hold my comments until I've had some hands-on experience. Your tips are being noted, thank you
Always welcome to comment here Wayne
We also went thru this process. Our solution was looking/measuring before a close cut. How do we remember? Pain from losing 2 blades early in our learning! The grooves in 1 log stop and one dog handle (THAT kinda stupid stays around) are a constant visual reminder.
Yeah I’ve got those same reminders haha
Good Idea, and if my p-touch labels are thin enough I’ll wrap the stops with a bright Yellow tape with 4 widely spaced 1s, then 2s, 3s, and finally the 4s
That tape idea is a good one!
Look for crafters tape, they come in very narrow sizes. All bright colors! Great Idea
So far, knock on wood, I have not hit a log stop on my on my Woodland HM126. I have been darn close many times. In all fairness, I have only been using it since early February so am still pretty new at this. Like you, I quit using that angled guard early on because it kept hanging up on other things. My big problem is where I get most of my logs. I have lost 5 blades to nails in the wood. I now run a metal detector over my at risk logs before I put them on the mill. If I find a nail, I remove it and then run the metal detector over it again because I didn't do that before and hit a second nail that was right next to the first nail. That sucked. I love this idea of yours and will incorporate is before I use the mill again because eventually I will hit a stop. Thank you Sandy for the video.
Those metal pieces in the wood sure can be frustrating as you never see them coming. Thanks for tuning into the channel Randy!
Someone once said, patience is a virtue.
For sure
The guide lines are an awesome idea! I am going put them on my hardwood log stops. Because … you know. I have a bunch made up, and I store them right next to the metal detector that sweeps each log before it gets sawn.
Yeah I think this would do the trick for those as well.
@@sawingwithsandy
Agreed. No point destroying them just because they are wood. I treat them like I would the metal ones. Keep up the great content. Love your channel!
I painted the tips bright orange to make them more visible. After dinging a few blades.
That would help can imagine. Thanks Joe
One thing worth considering if you do make some hardwood stops; mind where you store them. Weather conditions and moisture affect wood WAY more than it does steel. I loved the wooden stops I made, until they spent a couple of weeks in the elements and being blasted by wet sawdust.
Great points!
If you spray those w clear lacquer your numbers n lines should last a lot longer.good info.on my lt35 hyd.you can't get backed out of the cut to release the presser ,to lower the bars.
That’s a good idea!
OOO, nice hack thank you.
Happy to help! Thanks again for watching
I believe the square stock that is welded on just behind your log stops are there to butt your cant up to . If so you can take you log stops out and use the welded on pieces
I agree those are pretty handy
how would aluminum or plastic log stops work? I can imagine those won't be too hard on a blade
If the blade guard hits the bunks, it's set too low. Turn the long, angled stops 90 degrees so the high side is what the blade guard encounters.
I put numbers on my stops as you did, but they wore off fast, and I still have to remember to look at them.
I use the blade guard and accept the inconvenience of sometimes having to move it to get past a branch stub. Haven't hit a stop since the first time, right after I got my sawmill.
Sounds like you got the setup down pat. Thanks for passing along that tip and happy sawing!
I am quite good at hitting my log stops. The tips of my log stops have the hack marks to prove it. Especially when I am distracted by the camera making video. My wood miser has hinged log stops so not sure I can use that technique. I never thought of having a guard on the saw head. Maybe I will see if I can make one of those.
Yeah I"m the same way. All goes good until I start thinking about something else and BAM
After hitting my log stop the first time, I only use hardwood stops now. Don't want to take a chance on hitting a metal one again.. I hate ruining a blade...
Yeah I hear ya there Gary!
Hardwood stops work for most logs...but not so good with large ones(say 20" or more diameter and 16' long) as they are so heavy that the stops break when loading the log or turning it. Marking the metal ones works best for me. Although a good idea having the blade guard, it either gets in the way as Sandy has said, limits the log size on my HM122 to under 20" or so unless the log is perfectly straight, or simply comes loose and falls out(I added a groove in the metal to help prevent this, but I have since simply don't use it).
Sandy, anything that WORKS - and prevents FUBAR's - is worth saying..., and repeating. Back in my flying days, we used to say, "There are two kinds of pilot. Those who've landed with the wheels up, and those who are Going to land with the wheels up." In reality, there are THREE kinds of pilot, and that third category is... (wait for it..., here it comes)..., the third kind of pilot is: "Landing with the wheels up - AGAIN!"
When I first started 'line flying,' the company had a policy. When established on final approach, reach down and touch the gear selector and insure it's down, confirm three green (gear down) indicator lights, check the visual indicator on the cockpit floor, and only then state aloud, "Gear down, landing checklist complete." Yea, maybe it sounds hokey, but after twenty-three-thousand-hours in the air at retirement, I'd yet to make my first wheels up landing.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Keep up the good work, Mon Ami........
I like your thinking there Carl! I’m sure that process can get solidified in ones head after all that time
Simple but effective. You mentioned that your markings eventually wear off, how about going over them using something more permanent like black paint ? In your spare time of course 😆. As for bugs, can you wear a beekeepers hat while you're out there, or would that reduce your vision ? Nice video Sandy.
Yeah I think paint may be a bit better for sure. Sometimes I throw on a bug jacket but that's like the final straw for me haha
Bug jacket ? Aren't you worried that the Red Pine Fashion Police would arrest you ? LOL
nice video. the pin are not worth much the move and get hung up on logs. i use the steel ones to load the logs and wooden ones to saw with i saw the top on a few of them but no damage is done. buckets are a cheap way to catch the sawdust as are the bags. i have gotten a hft dust collector and will be hooking it up after i get metal roof on sawmill. it's been so hot here or windy can't get the metal on. take care, be safe and well.
I like that idea of switching back and forth
Hi Sandy, Dave here front eastern Ontario. Thanks for the ideas that I will trial. What I was wondering is if you will still use the Lewis winch or will you only be using the tractor log winch? Just wondering if I should get the Lewis winch. Thanks I will monitor the comments.
Great question Dave. I don't use it much now that I have the PTO winch to be honest. It does have it place but doesn't get the same use as it once did unfortunately.
salut sandy tu sera oubligé de recommencer car l encre disparaitera alors moi j ai pris un dremel pour groover les chiffres et ensuite stilo encre a l intérieur bravo pour tes vidéo
Great idea using the Dremel!
Sandy do they sell solid plastic wood stops, you could always make your own using any old plastic lying around just heat it so it melts, not to hot then put it in a square tube and when it cools down, jobs a good un and if you do cut one then throw it in the next time you are making wood stops.
Great question Jim. I'm not too sure if those are sold anywhere. Would certainly save some blades
Hi Sandy. Do you think a Tiki torch with some Citronella oil would help to keep the bugs away? Have good days!
That’s a great question I did used to use those when camping but never thought about it for this case
Putting 1 inch marks on log stop fixed my periodic memory laps on the log stops trimming. The next thing I'm contemplating is welding apiece metal on them so they don't fall through all the time because I can't seem to hang onto them when trying to get them totally out of the way.
That piece of metal is a great idea. Now that I have a trailer I do periodically drop the long stops right through
Sometimes a simple solution is the best solution.
Absolutely!
I noticed that you have the square bars welded to your cross members. You should be able to pull your stops too when you have square corners.
Yeah I agree that would work well
Your stops are on backwards. Is there a reason you have them that way? Thanks for the great info!
I rotate them depending on whether I need to support the log/cant or whether I need to rotate it
yeah i dont use that metal stop either. its more a pain in the arse to use. i have always marked the metal stops and that helps. thanks
Hey Billy! Yeah same way here. I like the idea but I often bump the guard too much
i do use the hardwood stops on my sawmill so i dont take the chance of sawing a metal stop but the hardwood stop can pose a problem to ...this only happened one time to me but i hit the hardwood stopwiththe mill and cut off about 3/4 inch ....no problem huh ? well it shot inside the cage and got caught between the blade and the wheel kinking the blade ruining it ...however that was the only time one shot inside the cage so all in all its been very sussefull ...but they d warp so thats another thing to watch for
Thanks for sharing that. Never thought about that using hte hardwood stops
MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼
Always happy to see those thumbs up from ya. Thank you
Would it work if you moved the push handle to the other side of the mill then you can see the log stops just thinking
Interesting idea! I’ve never even thought about that
First... Nice to see you again! Would it not be possible to make a fysichal stop that would stop the sawhead before hitting the logstop? Something that would be 1/4" ahead of the sawblade?
right on! Hope you’re doing well on this beautiful Saturday!
The sawmill comes with one, Johannes. Sandy doesn't like to use it.
@@OregonOldTimer
Ok, all clear 👍🏼. Thank you for the info 😎!
There is a metal piece but I find it hits the small parts of the log and branches that may stick out at times
I like the idea but it seems to me you numbered them wrong. 1 should be at the top so you can see the height number. The way you have it the height number is in the tube. Love your videos still waiting on my new HM126.
Yeah that way would work as well
My memory is like lightening..... A brilliant flash then it's gone.
Hahah I like that one Frank! How you liking the LT35?
a thought when you set your log stops you know where they are . the time laps is the problem. is there room on to scale to set a marker like a clip or clothes pin or a dry marker
I bet a clip or something would work well for sure
Good idea. They say there are two kinds of sawyers. Those who have hit their log stops, and those who are going to hit them again.😃
hahah That's pretty accurate I"d think
Once you have a square cant, why not drop the stop to its lowest position? The only reason I can see for marking the stops is if cutting small diameter logs. Is this correct?
I find the markings help me so I don’t have to double check how high they are when cutting logs
Hahah dam bugs, I know how you feel from manitoba and mosquitoes are FREAKING BRUTAL lol cheers
I can imagine you've got some thick bugs out your way for sure
Just made a ton of wood stops many lengths
That’s something I should do one of these days
Cut log stops from UHMV plastic lumber - tough as nails and stops the balk but not hard on a blade.
Thanks for that
Are you going to put a Lazer guide on your portable sawmill?
I'm not too sure yet to be honest. Haven't put much thought to it
if we barely knicked a log dog, do you think that's enough to ruin a blade?
I’d keep running it unless it wasn’t cutting well
if you were at the table saw sawing some oak stops the bugs wouldn't be biting you
Oh yes they would hahah. My shop is full of them as they hide out from the sun waiting their turn to find me in the woods
Wouldn't it make sense to write the numbers on the other (upper) side of your lines?
I think either way would work for sure. I like to think of it as if I don't see the number then I"m ok to cut up to that dimension
I've also clipped those dumb log clamps having it swung to the opposite side
Yeah that zing sound sure is a bad one (my wallet hurts when that sound rings)
On my way to St George island from Panama City Beach and I'm thinking, we have yellow flies or sand flies in late spring/early summer. In late summer/early fall we have black flies or dog flies. I can identify with your bug problem.
Sure is a pain in the neck haha (actually)
Interesting...my stops are inline with the 1/2 inch blocks on the bunks . Once I have a cant I drop the stops all the way down below the bunk and use only the 1/2 inch blocks on the bunks.
Yeah my blade guard is in line with the small blocks as well
There’s a certain board thickness that I find I’m unable to cut when the blade guard is in place. I think it’s around 1.5” and the guard hits that 1/2” block . I’ll have to double check
I would think the stops would not stick up more than the blade goes down.
Aluminum square tube will scream, but your blade band should survive.
That’s a good point
My 122 has log stop or blade guard. Cant happen to me!
Just be sure it stays put as mine has rattled loose before
I would recommend writing your numbers above the line instead of below so at a glance you know the amount the log stop is sticking up, ie. seeing a 3 would mean that you cannot cut lower than 3", Right now seeing the number 3 means that if you cut 3" then you wipe out a blade again because your stop is 4". Good Stuff though. thanks for sharing
Thanks for coming along for the video
Sandy, get yourself some bug repellent. At least 40% deet. I have the same problem here in the Ozark mountains of Northwest Arkansas.
As crazy at it sounds, I was wearing Deet in the video
Do you need log stops once the log is squared up? I only need them until I make a cant then I take them out. Is your mill different? I should say that my stops are notched in 1” increments. They don’t have a bolt that locks them in.
I find that the can't can periodically jump over the little welded on piece as sometimes my cants aren't perfectly square all the way around
Why not try aluminum for log stops.
I’d imagine as long as it was strong enough so it wouldn’t bend out of shape that it could work
Why not just use wooden stops ? Maybe a piece of 2 x 2 ?
That is definitely and option
Use wooden ones. ? I do. Nothing worse than sawing thru your metal stakes. I used oak.
Mrs Sawing with Sandy must be a good woman to be out there with all those bugs bitting you.
Get yourself a can of insect blaster. It contains pyrethrin and shoots about 20 ft. Stinging insects hate it and will abandon their nest if you hit it with the stuff.
Sounds like the perfect ticket
A Like & A Comment For The Algorithm.
Thanks again Tony!
I'm thinking, I've heard the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Here I am, living in Florida on the beach going on a day trip to the beach in Florida. Insane has got to fit in there somewhere especially at near 100 degree temperatures
Sure wouldn’t mind that beach day right about now haha
It's a nice place to visit but living here makes it common. I'm ready for a change, 2 ft of snow sounds nice
The snow is nice for sure. Especially since I enjoy getting out snowmobiling.
That won't stop you from hitting stops put a guard about 1/4inch below your blade that hits yor stop if it's to high that stops you everything don't have to look for numbers
My wife is an expert at recognizing 2 inches
How about telling us something about your self? Married single etc?
Ive got some real camera shy people around haha
Mrs Sawing with Sandy runs the camera on occasion.
not good for the blades ether
Very true there
Good idea, but it doesn't work with ANY sawmill. Won't work with any sawmill where the log stops rotate up/down like on a bunch of the Woodmizers. Just being a pedantic putz here....
Just have to be creative
Are those deer flies that are bugging you? If so, check this out: chiotsrun.com/2013/07/26/dealing-with-pesky-deer-flies/
Thanks for that article!
"bugs"; XXXbatsXXX. I had a 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' flashback during that iteration - love it!
Thanks for watching Matt