|
Post by jakesrocks on Jul 15, 2012 14:19:02 GMT -5
Hey Krystee, send that rainy 56 degree weather a few states east so you can go play. We're already in the 90's and humid.
If you can determine the flow pattern in your OB, Just trim it at 90 degrees to the direction you want to slab it. You'll have the blade dressed after a couple cuts, and your OB will be ready to clamp up for slabbing.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jul 15, 2012 14:21:00 GMT -5
I can't find too much sympathy for not being in a heat wave. I think my garage will be cool enough this afternoon to work. Not sure yet. I get the problem with rain however.
Don't forget to check that the pulleys are tight on the motor and arbor shafts. Do a quick check that the motor is 1750'ish rpm. The pulleys look about the same size, so the motor RPM is the blade RPM. If you have some wd-40 or spray lubricant, try to get some on the motor shaft w/o getting it on the pulley or belt. Same for the arbor shaft.
If you do work out back on the table, try to plug in to a GFI outlet, but at least make sure you are grounded. You can get GFI extension cord at home depot.
you can also start by trimming a slab to see how the blade cuts and the arbor sounds. The vise should be able to move out of the way.
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Jul 15, 2012 14:57:44 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by tntmom on Jul 15, 2012 15:00:35 GMT -5
Don, The obsidian I have is rainbow and gold sheen. Most of the flow bands are visible. I have Jason's sheen cutting thread bookmarked. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=tips&action=display&thread=42517 I saved it knowing that someday I would need it Time to try it out!!! Daniel, The motor is a 1/4hp 1725 rpm I'm grounded but will pick up the GFCI extension cord this week. It quit raining and it looks like the sun is trying to peek out from behind the clouds. Oh boy!!!
|
|
|
Post by tntmom on Jul 15, 2012 15:05:23 GMT -5
Jo, that's AWESOME! Wish Patrick or my boys did carpentry....
I'll probably get one of those rolling carts like Donnie got for her new saw. That would be convenient and easy to store in the garage when I'm not using it!
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Jul 15, 2012 17:39:41 GMT -5
Not to be contrary, but WD40 is a cleaner not a lubricant. It can ruin bearings, bushings etc because dirt sticks to it and that can cause abrasion.
I don't know what the best lube is for a motor, I am not that mechanical, I use 3 in one oil - but I DO know not to use WD40 to lubricate (that's an old Fishing Reel faux pas)
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Jul 15, 2012 20:55:31 GMT -5
Congrats on the saw and have fun with that Blue Ice Polka Dot!!! Seriously sweet stone! :-)
Enjoy!
PS, Great Turtle!!!!
|
|
deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by deedolce on Jul 15, 2012 23:19:10 GMT -5
Super bday gift!!! Now you know what to ask your family when they ask what you want for bday, Christmas, etc....rough to slab!
|
|
|
Post by tntmom on Jul 15, 2012 23:53:52 GMT -5
Lol! Love the responses! Almost as good as the saw ;D Did some cutting today. Started with some drab OB that cut like a charm. Switched to the polka dot and the vise quit running smoothly. At least that's what I think is happening. I cleaned everything off, WD-40'd the vice rail. Switched rocks back to ob and it seemed to be working. I then added a new rock to the vice, a Wonderstone that I have wanted slabbed forever! I thought it was a soft Wonderstone, but it took an hour to slab. MUCH longer than my OB. Curious if I have this mislabeled? Here's the video of my saw and my new keeper slab! Just one, not perfect and has a fracture but gosh it's a killer!!!!! I've been holding onto this rock for awhile, I'm happy that I finally got to take a slice out of it!!!! More soon! Hoping the time thing is just the rocks I'm choosing....... Video (the video is with the blue ice polka dot that I stopped cutting shortly after this video) : (My actual first lapidary slab...no tile saw....not perfect.... not the polka dot that I started with....but.....) What I am wondering is if this is actually a wonderstone? Front and back: Thanks for helping!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jul 16, 2012 0:08:32 GMT -5
Hey girl, bout time you got that saw dirty. lol
You may have to play with the weight on your weight feed a little bit. One divers weight is probably heavy enough for something as soft as OB, but you may need to add some weight for harder rocks. Add it a little bit at a time, until you find what works.
|
|
|
Post by 3rdrockfromthefun on Jul 16, 2012 0:28:31 GMT -5
Krystee, do you remember that 'candy rock rhyolite' post I put up of all that wonderstone I sliced? Same deal - that stuff, even the parts that grind like chalk on a lap, is about the hardest material I have ever cut. And I pushed mine through by hand! Ha ha - yes I was sore the next day!
WD-40 - great stuff for cleaning and in some instances lubing (door hinges, for example) and even as a thinner for some oil/grease applications but for what you're doing I would recommend 3-in-1 oil. If that's too thin try a grease suitable for dremel flex shafts - I use a grease that has these codes on it [NLGI] and [GC-LB] with the words "Automotive Wheel Bearing & Chassis Lubricant" by them. I also use that same grease on and old (antique old) small drill press (made for a hand drill - works perfect for my dremel) I have; on the shaft and on the gears - it moves just enough to work perfectly. Would probably give the same results on your vice rail.
Greases and oils like this are pretty safe even if you get them wrong - wipe off and try another or just thin one out with another. I tried getting all scientific with this stuff and after a few months that was the conclusion I came to and it's worked for me for years. The only thing to remember is never use organic oils on mechanical things unless specifically instructed by the manufacturer (organic oils tend to go rancid - mineral/petro/synthetic oils do not) and use cleaners for cleaning and oils/greases for lubing (even if they all feel oily).
Crap - let me know if you need that in English, lol...
|
|
|
Post by 3rdrockfromthefun on Jul 16, 2012 0:39:38 GMT -5
Oh - I misread - YES - that's rhyolite.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jul 16, 2012 8:28:46 GMT -5
Krystee, from my experience with a similar vice / rail weight feed, don't use lubricant on the vice rail. The little bit of saw oil that reaches it is all you need. Grease or a heavier oil will collect grit from cutting, and bind the vice on the rail. Check the rail for any sharp burrs or bumps. If you find any, carefully file or sand them off. You want at least the top edge of the rail to be very slightly rounded at the edges. The old Star Diamond 10" saws had basically the same feed system, but on the left side of the saw.
|
|
|
Post by tntmom on Jul 16, 2012 13:16:05 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great advice!!!
I cleaned off the WD-40. We also added a brick to the weight. I am not using oil with this saw, I am using water with Crystal Cut additive. The previous owner used oil though as I can still smell it even though it's been cleaned.
Don, you mentioned that you only use oil. What is the benefit of oil over water and additives? Is it a better cut or just that you don't have to empty and clean it every time? I know that oil stains some materials.
John said that my Star Diamond is the earlier version of yours with the vice on the opposite side.
I have one more question? For trying to figure out the weights, what should I be aiming for? For instance 1" per 10 minutes, 30 minutes? It was taking about an hour per slab last night on the hard rocks. I have no clue whatsoever how slow I should be running it! Also, my slabs have saw marks on them. I'm guessing that's because of the older blade?
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jul 16, 2012 13:25:17 GMT -5
Best to cut by hand and learn to listen to the saw. You will be able to tell if you push too hard/fast. Covington supplies a fish scale to determine how much weight is needed. By sound just add weight/reduce weight until it sounds like it does when you hand feed correctly. By the way, BD power feed rate is 1" in 5 minutes.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jul 16, 2012 15:20:24 GMT -5
Ditto on judging weight by sound.
I think my LS10 is a little faster than 1"/5 min, but my LS12 is a bit slower.
In theory, if you got a soft rock, like a butterjade or dolomite, the gravity feed should wiz through the rock. if not, the vise is not sliding smoothly, or the cut is not being flushed well enough, or something. same for cutting a piece of fire brick.
for really hard rock, where the powerfeeds may even have pushed to hard, the gravity should be slower, and properly so.
you just need to get it tuned so that it is not too slow on everything - even when it does not need to be.
IMO oil will often cut better because it lubricates better tan water and it cools a little better (even with additives in the water) - although the cooling may be more important for blade life than quality of cut.
an advantage of water - especially in a saw that is brought out for use, and then put away (and drained) - is that you can overfill with water and really flush the cut. if you did this with oil, too much oil all over the place.
I also prefer the MK-225 hot-dog with water and the MK 303c with oil. The slits on the HotDog carry more water into the cut.
as for saw marks on the slab, I think it is worth waiting to see if those go away with the new blade.
|
|
jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
|
Post by jspencer on Jul 17, 2012 11:05:57 GMT -5
I agree that you should listen to the saw and let it tell you when you have enough weight. That looks like a 3 lb. weight you are using. I use the exact same diving weight on my 14" saw with soft stones and will sometimes add another pound or more for really hard stones. Remember also the feed ratio is per square inch not a lineal measurement. I attached a paint can with handle to my feed cable so I can add and take away weight easily. Remember to be careful at the end of the cut. I made a landing pad of foam rubber for mine to sit down on and slow the feed at the end.
|
|
juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
|
Post by juzwuz on Jul 17, 2012 15:21:24 GMT -5
I'm glad you were able to buy the saw and get it working. I think I remember hearing about people putting a bucket of water under the weight so that the feed rate slows down near the end of the cut. Not sure if that works but you might give it a try to minimize the little breakage/nub at the end of the cut. It seems like you might have to attach some styrofoam to the weight for this water bucket trick to work.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jul 17, 2012 15:46:25 GMT -5
Krystee, if you can, hand feed the last 1/4" of the cut. You'll get less end nub, and greatly reduce the risk of breakout and possibly tweaking a blade.
|
|