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The Problem...

The most common problem is flat rail wear in from of the saw, causing the carriage to roll sideways while in the cut. This is evidenced by the backstand boards being thin in the middle and on-size at the ends. It also causes undo stress on the saws. Any V-rail misalignment only adds to the problem.

If your flat rail is worn 1/4 inch in front of the saw, depending on the width of the rails, the top of the log is moving approximately the same amount.

A fast method of checking the carriage is to place a level on one of the bunks and watch the changes as the carriage moves down the track. The level should not change more than 0.010"/ft., otherwise the carriage will roll sideways, resulting in twisted and beveled backstand boards. Actually, most of the sideways movement of the knees is from the sideways rolling of the carriage due to wear of the flat rail, not distortion of the V-rail.

The Process... Restoring Carriage Rails

• A rail survey can be made giving you a survey map of the exact condition of the rails, separately and in relation to each other. (Fig. 1)

• The V-RAIL is shimmed, aligned, and ground to a laser line removing all vertical and horizontal deviations. Grouted rails cannot be moved so any deviation must be correct by machining. (Fig. 2)

• The FLAT RAIL is shimmed, if possible, then ground level to the V-rail. (Fig. 3)

Laser Alignment Equipment

Problem SOLVED...

In the past, the only solution to worn rails and the resulting sawing problems was to replace the rails. Not only is this costly in terms of the expense of the rails and installation, but also the considerable loss of production time.

There is an option: A cost saving alternative to rail replacement is restoring the rails to their original condition. We have been grinding rails throughout the U.S. for 15 years with excellent results. In no way does this process damage your existing rails. Carriage rails are made of an alloy throughout and the restoring process does not "remove the hardness" or affect the durability of the rails.

This is a proven process and will save your mill a substantial amount compared to the cost of rail replacement. Because of varying traveling distances and the fact that every set of rails is different, costs may vary slightly.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We also recommend reading articles on sawmill alignment written by Bruce Lehmann, Senior Engineer at Thin Kerf Technologies, found at www.thinkerf.com.

Acculine Rails
PO Box 1586, Corvallis, OR 97339
Phone: 541.745.6420, Cell: 541.760.7173, Fax: 541.745.6820
Email: info@acculine-rails.com, General Inquiry Form