rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428
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Post by rykk on Jan 10, 2013 2:20:01 GMT -5
Hi, all - I'm in the (long) process of building a large slab saw (14-18in) from sratch and scrap and am building the oil sump. I have a very large 3/16" aluminum box around 24" wide, 60" long and about 22" deep that it's all going into. I've built a slanted bottom to channel all of the debris to a single area out of plywood and fiberglass but don't want to have to cut and coat a bunch of other pieces for the sides. Anybody have an idea as to how well fiberglass resin bonds to aluminum if you rough up the aluminum real good with a sander? I had splashed some onto a smooth piece of aluminum bar and it seemed to stick ok, though I *was* able to chip it off with the end of a large file so I'm a little leery as to how well it might hold up with 10gal of oil in the thing plus rolling it around on its wheels might cause a small bit of flexing.
It would save me a lot of time and heartache if I could just seal the false bottom to the sides of the chassis and I could get to the more fun parts like installing the crossfeed vise I just finished and the arbor/blade/motor assembly. Thanks, Rick
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 10, 2013 12:29:25 GMT -5
Even with roughing, fiberglass will over time peel away from aluminum. Add to this normal vibration, twisting while moving the saw, and oil infiltration around the joints, I think you're looking at disaster in the making.
If you have enough money to play with, you'd be better off having an aluminum tray TIG welded in place. It won't leak or peel off over time. It would have the added benefit of adding strength to your tank.
Just the 2 cents from a retired metal worker.
Another thought. You might want to add an additional 1/4" piece of aluminum welded in at the points where your vice rails attach, and arbor comes through the side of the tank. These will be high stress areas. Normal use will eventually cause stress cracks to develope in that 3/16" aluminum.
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rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428
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Post by rykk on Jan 10, 2013 19:33:19 GMT -5
Thanks, jake. I'll be doing that. So, how about using something like Permatex to seal the gaps between the false bottom and the sides of the chassis? Rick
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rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428
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Post by rykk on Jan 17, 2013 1:57:12 GMT -5
Ok, I did a search on this forum for Permatex and found a thread that recommended "Black" Permatex to seal saw oil sumps. So I got a big tube and it LOOKS like it will do the trick just fine. I'll be covering that with fiberglass cloth and resin. If the resin ever leaks, the Permatex will provide a backup that's even better. So - Sound like a plan to y'all? C-ya, Rick
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