Mechanical Post Peeler Gives Drawknife Look

Mechanical Post Peeler Gives Drawknife Look FENCING Tools 33-4-7 Many people like the look of a log that's been peeled with a drawknife. But few people want to actually do the work. That's why W.B. Benjey Inc., in Alpena, Mich., started selling a German-style log peeler that mechanizes the job. "It's faster than a drawknife and less labor intensive. You're adding value to your product," says Al Dziesinski, a Benjey engineer. The peeled logs - usually pine and cedar - are used for railing, furniture and log home construction. The peeler also removes bark off half logs or slabs for siding. An operator pushes logs through the peeler, which removes the bark and leaves marks that make it appear the log has been drawknife-peeled. Peelers come with 20, 24 and 32-in. dia. dish cutting heads with 4, 6 or 8 blades. The largest can handle logs from 2 to 12 in. in diameter. The peelers have foot-mounted, fan-cooled electric motors (2, 3 and 5 hp), but can be set up with a gas motor or run off a pto. The frame is made of 7 gauge, 1/4-in. steel, and the blades are made of tool steel for a long, cutting life. A blower discharges the bark out of the way. Prices range from about $5,100 to $13,000, and the peelers have a one-year warranty. They can be purchased direct from the company, which sells a variety of woodworking equipment including peelers for logs up to 24-in. in diameter. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, W.G. Benjey Inc., 2293 Werth Rd., Alpena, Mich. 49707 (ph 800 269-9006; www.benjey.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.