1^: |LK ii . '2222 ( Lavout s)* FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY f FOREST SERVICE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SMALL SAWMILL IMPROVEMENT PRACTICAL POINTERS TO FIELD AGENCIES SETIING U? A GHC .\~D ;:ILL In choosing the mill site the general requireml . - : 1. Place the mill so as to minimize logging up hill and to favor ha j .. out lumber. 2, Have the machinery on relatively level ground combining, if possible, gentle slope at the log deck, sharp downslope to the refuse bui . if slabs and edgings are burned, and level or downhill haul tc the yard in case lumber is dried at the setup. The drying lumber should not be in a de- pression where free air movement is blocked. If steam powered a suitable water supply becomes an essential. The essential requirements in setting up a ground mill are: 1. Mandrel level. 2. Track level at right angles to mandrel end so bedded that car- riage neadblocks clear the saw by l/2 to 3/4 inch at a line approximately 1 inch above th< . :ollar. 3. Track and husk so bedded and bolted as to hold this i I n- ship under the shocks and stresses of sawing. Place the husk at desired location and lay a sill under each end so as to permit accurately bolting husk to sill , allowing sill xtend parallel from beyond outside track to the pulley end of mandrel. Sills should be at least 10 by 10 inches, well-dried heartwood of durable species. Hills differ as to methods of locking husk to sills. Some use me Lai plates or an irons, otners bolt the husk directly to ;ills. Husk ; rid sill lould h - no play under the heavy str of operation. M plat rand dressing the face at contact th 1 ds in some s. .til Mark on the ground the outline of sill: firmly about half their depth so that the hus: level to determine this. See that sills are solldf^Mup^Srt'ed length with ends under outside track, each restilg on a post dr olilly into the ground and tamp earth firmly against sides. Dw^T^ 1 ; V972 \o provide for type; of dust removal and feed works etirployecT. Bolt husk firml to sills, place mandrel and feed works* dnrirlAl ll.FAS. '^..v.ofnorioai Portable mills are usually provid :l -ii L 1 tened to light stringers and correct track width is maintained by cr pieces between string rs. stringers which in turn r R899-11 r Maintained at Madison, Wisconsin in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin ' See outline in Small Sawmill Improvement Working Plan, March 1930, for explanation of indexing system proposed. on sills bedded in the earth. The gap in the sill- tie foundation at the should be reinforced with 6 "by 8-inch cro pi eos saddled between the husk sills directly und*or each track. Good foundation:" for the track beyond the saw pit are secured by bedding under each rail a 4 by 6-inch ^i 11 lev- elled with the top of the hurl; si Lis. The mill manufaeturer pattern? the dram shaft and track stringers to insure that the headblocks cloor the. saw by 1/2, to 3/4 inch at a line about 1 inch above the saw collar. In some mills this l/2 to 3/4-inch cl ance is :ed by metal plates between husk and track. Lacki:. I h fit blocks between the husk and rail stringer, one bolted to each •.•.ill. Solt track stringers tightly to husk sills and ties making sure that track is ab- solutely right, angles to mandrel and level both ways throughout 11 Length. Tie in other track sections maintaining those conditions. Place carriage on tracks, ran it the length of track lusting with levels lengthwise and across the headblocks to check accuracy of levelling. If inaccuracies occur correct by raising or lowering sills under ties. Fasten one end of cable to cable eye on front of carriage , ran cable thn deck end pulley and back over drum. Usually the first strand is carried over the top of the drum and from 3 to 5 wraps taken on the drum, ble leaving drum at the top. These wrappings snould occupy the middle portion of the drum. Thread cable through othnr pulley and fasten to eye at rear of carriage. The cable should be tight, when fastened. Mills naturally wear with service and may give a poor performance even when carefully set up. Mandrel bearings, carriage wheels, set works, and headblocks should be checked. The mandrel should run level and witnout end play, which calls for good bearings. The same is true of carriage wheels. Provision is usually made for taking up play developing in carriage wheels. Keep the wheel adjusted just short of binding or sticking. 'Torn " vorks parts preclude accurate cutting as do worn bolsters on headblocks. 7- sten the guide blocks to husk adjusted so that guide pins touch the saw about l/4 inch inside the gullet to clear bit holders and 2 inches below level of carriage bolsters on the front or deck, edge of s; . board side pin snould be set ■ Lth the face of the fixed colter by ;ing a straight edge across trie face of th . d collar and bringing pin to straight edge, fixing guide block firmly to hold thi -at. The log side pin is set after patting lead in saw. next step is to hang thi saw. It must fit the mandrel per- ly, not so tight that it , iust be forced on nor loose enough for p> .- ceptible play. Place loose collar and 4 I pins or sere . nut hard against collar and check with plumb line to insu vertical and not dished. Minor d ; can be corrected by •is. Gut one paper ring l/2 inch wide and of the full diam ter of collar. Cut a second ring l/2 inch wide and of a diameter to fit inside the hole in the first. Oil both paper r rid si Lck lar collar and smaller on loose collar if dish is awa; ad t