Original Am Flyer Sawmill question.

[route1rails]

I have a question for the American Flyer experts out there - Thanks..
I recently purchased an original American Flyer Sawmill and am going through the process of cleaning and lubing the unit. I'm finding that the sawmill runs relatively well at about 8.5 volts but labors down quite a bit at the lumber drop off point. I can see mechanically why
this happens in the design, but it doesn't appear that there is much that can be done about it. Is this slowing common? Also, I'd say that about 1 out of 10 pieces of lumber either don't get ejected properly or fall beyond the pick up point. Is this typical.

Thanks again.. Tom
Beltsville, Md.

[Anonymous]

Hi I have both an original sawmill and a new Lionel model and the problems you described are the same ones I have encountered in both accessories. I have seen this problem a number of times on other layouts. Some individuals suggest using thicker wood planks. I have tried this but see little difference in operation. I have even lined up the planks very carfully in the bin on one side or the other to no avail.

[Anonymous]

I've been an american flyer operator and collector for over 40 years and do my own repairs on all locomotives and accessories. I have an original af sawmill that my parents purchased for me on Christmas morning 1957, it still works like new!!! This slowing up when the lumber drop off is normal for this accessorry, It's just the way it was designed. Just keep the voltage to at least 9 12 volts for proper operation to overcome the slow up or it will stall on you.

[route1rails]

AFCARL and majorG - belated thanks for the info! Glad to see that the sawmill is operating as "designed". I'll run the voltage up a bit higher and hope for the best.

Thanks, again.

-Tom