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Unconventional Sawmill Build

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by ITLKSEZ, Oct 29, 2021.

  1. Nov 30, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Little stuff…
    I notched and braced the trolley tubing below the sprocket to allow the drive assembly the drop down all the way. Thinnest cut is now around 1/2”.

    [​IMG]

    Here’s a better shot of what I was talking about yesterday with the bar being too narrow.

    [​IMG]

    I got the oil reservoir mounted and plumbed.

    [​IMG]

    I’ll start on the idler arm tomorrow.
     
    73 cj5, SFaulken, 47v6 and 6 others like this.
  2. Dec 1, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    I was literally losing sleep over how I was going to make the idler arm work. I just couldn’t come up with a system that would be strong and reliable. Then, at 2:10am, it hit me: an e-brake assembly.

    Keeping with the Subaru theme, I had a handle from an old GL wagon in a bin of parts. I made a mount to affix it to the upper mount on the diff, and used a dowel rod to center the idler.

    [​IMG]

    From there, I sliced up a piece of tubing to sandwich the mechanism.

    [​IMG]

    Disengaged position

    [​IMG]

    Crank up on the handle to engage the drive

    [​IMG]

    I need some diff oil, a belt, and a longer bolt for the idler, and I’ll be ready to fire this up and try it out.
     
  3. Dec 1, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    9,754
    You may have just solved my same problem with an air compressor... :beer:
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  4. Dec 1, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    My first thought was to pillage the parking brake lever from my old Ford, but I should probably keep that where it is… just to say I have one, even though it’s worthless.
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  5. Dec 1, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    :rofl::rofl:

    Happens I brought a brake handle assembly home from the dump last month. Now... if only I can find it.
     
    Twin2 and ITLKSEZ like this.
  6. Dec 2, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Feb 9, 2018
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    5,622
    A whole DAY without an update???

    :steamed:
     
    dozerjim and ITLKSEZ like this.
  7. Dec 2, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Aug 13, 2015
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    I got some parts today. :sneak:
    Tomorrow is my work day.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  8. Dec 3, 2021
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
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    966
    Toe Tapping...........:shrug:...........:watch:
     
  9. Dec 3, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    I’ve been working on piddly little stuff.

    I got a belt that fits on the second try, but it’s still not the right one. These are 5/8” pulleys, and nobody around here has a 45” belt in 5/8”. All 3 stores have a gap from 43” to 47”. I’ll run this 1/2” belt until it gives me issues.

    [​IMG]

    I was having issues with the trolley binding, then being too loose, then binding again multiple times down the track. My spacers were all dead-on 4”. I measured the webbing, and it varied as much as 1/4”, and if two wide or two narrow spots teamed up, it was as much as 1/2” unequal in places. I spent the last two days with the big grinder taking the width down to the narrowest point, then adding bevels, using this plywood as a guide. Used up an a tire 7” grinding wheel in the big grinder. My arms are TIRED.

    [​IMG]

    And now I’m drilling out and re-tapping the holes where the bar mounts. The first bar had a tiny slot and only allowed 8mm bolts. The Stihl bar will accept a much bigger mount, so I’m tapping them out to 7/16-20.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2021
    Twin2, Ol Fogie, 73 cj5 and 7 others like this.
  10. Dec 5, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
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    I pulled the assembly off the trolley…

    [​IMG]

    I grabbed a cheap boat winch and fitted it to a top cap that slides in place…

    [​IMG]

    I made slots in the top to hold wedges…

    [​IMG]

    I got the whole thing outside just before the snow hit.

    [​IMG]

    I finally had a chance to try it out yesterday. Half way through the first cut, the differential locked up. I walked away, locked the shop, and haven’t been down since. :banghead:
     
    dozerjim, Twin2, tomasinator and 2 others like this.
  11. Dec 5, 2021
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    Feb 4, 2005
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    Man that sucks.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  12. Dec 5, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I have one more design I want to try before I rage quit and throw the whole mess on the scrap heap.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  13. Dec 5, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Hydrostat?
     
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  14. Dec 5, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Ha! No, much simpler.
     
  15. Dec 5, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    3b with modified sickle bar mower?
     
  16. Dec 5, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    Hydraulic saw?
     
  17. Dec 5, 2021
    Jay's WWII Jeeps

    Jay's WWII Jeeps Member

    Napa CA
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    Mar 14, 2018
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    Love watching this build. Did the diff lock up due to this design or was it bad?
    Jay
     
  18. Dec 5, 2021
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Dec 4, 2018
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    That's a Beazatch , man .
    Differential Assembly - Subaru (38300AC450)

    [​IMG]


    • Sale Price: $862.30
     
  19. Dec 5, 2021
    Desert Runner

    Desert Runner Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hickory, Pa
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    With the diff laying on it's side, did it become oil starved? :shrug:
     
  20. Dec 5, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    "I have one more design I want to try before I rage quit and throw the whole mess on the scrap heap."

    I'm thinking a subaru diff would be relatively easy to find a used replacement? If you can correct the lubing issue.

    Seems like the V-groove is giving you trouble, because it binds side to side when adjusted closely, but the important spec is the up-and-down. Not much room for variations and highly critical geometry.

    When I used V-groove wheels on my mill they ran on top of an angle with one leg vertical, so no binding. But whereas mine had four legs, your rig is offset to one side, so you'd also need a roller under the rail on the outer side to counter gravity acting on the bar.

    Good luck!
     
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