Back from the Dead!

NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004

Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 15:19:00 GMT -5

Quote

Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Oct 15, 2009 15:19:00 GMT -5

WhoooHooo!!! I finally have a slab saw! ;D Found this old soldier on Craig's list and couldn't say no. The price was right and it came with a couple of old Loto's that still run.

My Dad and I spent a couple days going through it and had a blast. Replaced a lot of bearings and readjusted everything on it. It's back to cutting rock again. The parts were all available locally. There hardest thing to find was oil.

There wasn't much blade left... just enough to work out a couple of bugs, so I need to order a blade this week. (Any suggestions)

I gotta thank Catmandewe for all his help and advice. He was a big help. Thanks Tony and I'll definitely take a rain check on the hounding!

I sat aside a few large rocks this hounding season, just for a slab saw. Here's a few slabs off those rocks.

Jaspelite

Mary Ellen Jasper (Stromatolite)

Steve

Toad misunderstood rock expert Only rocks understand me. Member since September 2004 Posts: 12,798	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 15:25:53 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Toad on Oct 15, 2009 15:25:53 GMT -5 That's awesome. Looks like it cuts well enough with the old blade. I'd be scared to death of trying to refurbish something like that. My father-in-law on the other hand...
	Convinced myself, I seek not to convince.

Bikerrandy can identify rocks - even green ones Say what?? Member since September 2005 Posts: 15,688	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 16:38:26 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 15, 2009 16:38:26 GMT -5 Nice! Be sure to post plenty of pics!!
	The reason they say 'Women and children first' is to test the strength of the life boat Rockhobby on Facebook Check out

stonesthatrock gets rocks for Christmas RIP Ralph, you are missed Member since December 2006 Posts: 7,114	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 17:14:52 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stonesthatrock on Oct 15, 2009 17:14:52 GMT -5 looks like it cuts great....... more slabs please. mary ann
	www.cabochon.ws www.facebook.com/pages/Cabochon/108296059195768

pebblepup has rocks in the head Succor Creek Thunder Egg Member since July 2008 Posts: 515	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 17:30:13 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by pebblepup on Oct 15, 2009 17:30:13 GMT -5 Congrats on the new saw. I have had mine for a week now and have been having a blast. Let see some slabs!
	pebblepup.com - The Rock Hound Experience

Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368

Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 17:38:32 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Wolfden on Oct 15, 2009 17:38:32 GMT -5

Looks like the one we just got from Tony ( Catmandew) , only ours is not working as of yet lol .. I just finished spraying all the moving parts with penetrating oil . next will be to see how many bearings need replacing

great slabs

Wolf

" Be Who You Are And Say What You Feel, Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter And Those Who Matter Don't Mind." - Dr. Seuss

150FromFundy fully equipped rock polisher Member since February 2009 Posts: 1,520	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 17:44:32 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by 150FromFundy on Oct 15, 2009 17:44:32 GMT -5 All the slabs are nice, but the last two are amazing. Incredible coloor and pattern. Darryl.

johnjsgems gets rocks for Christmas Member since August 2007 Posts: 6,959	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 19:12:54 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by johnjsgems on Oct 15, 2009 19:12:54 GMT -5 I wonder if Highland Park made that saw for Lortone. Belt drive system and guard look the same. Old 18" HP had plexi hoods but that hood looks just like my HP24.
	John at JS Gems www.jsgemslapidary.com

catmandewe
gets rocks for Christmas

Contact me for a discount on DP Products.

Member since April 2007
Posts: 5,403

Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 20:46:46 GMT -5

Quote

Post by catmandewe on Oct 15, 2009 20:46:46 GMT -5

Hey!! We finally get to see it!

John, I said the same thing when I looked at the pictures.
That sure looks like a Highland Park to me, it has the HP clamp and carriage and even the feed system. The shutoff switch is a Royal Lapidary switch though.

Nice slabs, I love the Mary Ellen, what a color menagerie!

Glad to see it going..we expect many more slab pics now..................Tony

Join the adopt a rock program.
Tis a sad thing to see a rock without a good home.

Dealer for CabPro8

Authorized Diamond Pacific Dealer

CabKing affiliate
cabking.myshopify.com?aff=5

NorthShore-Rocks fully equipped rock polisher Member since December 2008 Posts: 1,004	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 21:12:19 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Oct 15, 2009 21:12:19 GMT -5 John & Tony... you guys have me curious now. HP is good, right?

catmandewe gets rocks for Christmas Contact me for a discount on DP Products. Member since April 2007 Posts: 5,403	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 21:48:37 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by catmandewe on Oct 15, 2009 21:48:37 GMT -5 Yes that is a good thing. They made them so good they went out of business because they had no repeat customers. Tony
	Join the adopt a rock program. Tis a sad thing to see a rock without a good home. Dealer for CabPro8 Authorized Diamond Pacific Dealer CabKing affiliate cabking.myshopify.com?aff=5

Saskrock fully equipped rock polisher Member since October 2007 Posts: 1,852	Back from the Dead! Oct 15, 2009 22:49:24 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Saskrock on Oct 15, 2009 22:49:24 GMT -5 Great saw! Looks like its cutting really nice.
	Scott

montanamuskrat fully equipped rock polisher Keep your nose to the wind, your powder dry and watch your top knot. Member since September 2009 Posts: 1,150	Back from the Dead! Oct 16, 2009 1:05:23 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by montanamuskrat on Oct 16, 2009 1:05:23 GMT -5 Great slabs, nice old saw. It looks like the one we are using. Debby and Tom
	From the land of the shining mountains.

Gem'n I freely admits to licking rocks Member since March 2008 Posts: 980	Back from the Dead! Oct 16, 2009 11:05:51 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Gem'n I on Oct 16, 2009 11:05:51 GMT -5 New Blade..? try John @ jsgems...he's a regular and will treat you right... Larry
	If necessity is the mother of invention, who is the father??? What do we call the kids???

NDK Cave Dweller Member since January 2009 Posts: 9,440	Back from the Dead! Oct 16, 2009 12:19:44 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by NDK on Oct 16, 2009 12:19:44 GMT -5 Awesome saw Steve! I love the mary ellen jasper. I think Steve Holmes ha a few blades for sale in the buy/sell section. I don't remember the size, but thought you may not have seen it. Nate
	-Nate

mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278

Back from the Dead! Oct 16, 2009 13:37:23 GMT -5

Quote

Post by mossyrockhound on Oct 16, 2009 13:37:23 GMT -5

Good job on the saw. Those slabs are beautiful - love the reds. I noticed a new LS18 costs $3395.00 plus shipping (http://www.lortone.com/slab_saws.html), so you probably saved a goodly amount by refurbishing this one. Great job on the photos too.

Garry

Last Edit: Oct 16, 2009 13:38:02 GMT -5 by mossyrockhound

Garry

highplainsdrifter fully equipped rock polisher Member since December 2008 Posts: 1,266	Back from the Dead! Oct 16, 2009 14:49:50 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by highplainsdrifter on Oct 16, 2009 14:49:50 GMT -5 Great saw and slabs. The Mary Ellen is really fantastic.

rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507

Back from the Dead! Oct 16, 2009 16:24:15 GMT -5

Quote

Post by rallyrocks on Oct 16, 2009 16:24:15 GMT -5

Wow I think yours is even older than mine! but my LS-18 has all of the exact same hardware- mine even still has the belt shield.
"price was right from CL" and you had to do a lot of cleaning up? I am curious if you got as good a deal as I did on mine?

I second the suggestion to hit up John at jsgems, he took care of my blade needs quickly and reasonably.

"I used to be 'with it' - then they changed what 'it' is. Now what I'm with isn't 'it' anymore and what is 'it' is wierd and scarey to me... It will happen to you, too." - Grandpa Simpson

NatureNut no longer being taken for granite Peace Member since November 2008 Posts: 7,893	Back from the Dead! Oct 18, 2009 21:42:47 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by NatureNut on Oct 18, 2009 21:42:47 GMT -5 Lookie, lookie, lookie!!! You got a sweet saw there Steve. And some incredibly sweet slabs to boot! I'm so happy for you!

rockdewd
has rocks in the head

Member since October 2007
Posts: 605

Back from the Dead! Oct 20, 2009 16:30:10 GMT -5

Quote

Post by rockdewd on Oct 20, 2009 16:30:10 GMT -5

Congrats on the new saw and good job on the restoration.

As for blade recommendations I use Kingsly North brand named blades. They are cheaper then most and they cut a nice narrow kerf. They are good for slabbing but not so good for cutting down the middle of a big rock since it cuts such a narrow kerf the blade tends to bind and heat up when cutting big chunks. Since my saws run pretty much unattended I can't always be there when a rock slips in the vice so I don't want to go bankrupt buying a new blade. Still with cutting 8 hours a day they last me 6-9 months until the get fatigued and dish.

For the best price on a quality blade contact John and JS Gems.