Lionel American Flyer Sawmill

[davewi]

I just installed the Lionel AF sawmill. The metal slide does not push the boards out far enough to be picked. The slide pushes the board part way then snaps back. The board is only about half way out and is not picked up. There is room in the metal slide slot for it to go farther and push the board out far enough but the spring snaps it back before that occurs. Any suggestions to solve this?

[Timboy]

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

 

I do not have the Lionel remake but I do have the original sawmill and have had the same issue occur. Do the planks always come out crooked or when the “stack” of planks is almost full or almost empty? Watch the mechanism that pushes the plank out of the slot, and ensure the pushing piece is pushing the plank out evenly side to side and also dead center on the plank. This can be tweaked into adjustment. Also make sure there are no rough sides or edges on the planks as they will drag more when being pushed out if they are rough and not come out even. Once adjusted the sawmill is really a neat accessory. A word of caution, Do not leave the man in the carriage extended over the track and run the Franklin or Washington (21088 or 21089) on the track because the smokestack will hit the extended carriage. Jim

[davewi]

Thanks for your suggestions. The metal plate that pushes the boards does not extend far enough. There is a slot in the metal plate and it would allow it to push it farther but it snaps back before going the full distance. Thus the board comes out only about half way. I have sent an email to Lionel about this. I can push the metal plate manually and it does not seem to be sticking. The string and pulleys seem in perfect condition. It is brand new and just out of the box.

[Steamr]

I believe you need to shorten the string just a bit.  You may want to pull the string through an eyelet if you have one and squeeze the eyelet to hold it, marking the string for observing if it slips or not,  and try it as you can adjust it again if need be before the final crimp.  I believe this will help and I have to add these are a nice and dependable operating accessory.

[davewi]

Thanks I may try that. Just hope the string doesn't break!

[Timboy]

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]