|
Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 16, 2014 13:47:18 GMT -5
I think it's time to clean out my Lortone ST-10 saw for the first time. I have two questions. 1. I've read all the stuff about making a sludge sucking device by hooking up a shop vac to a five gallon bucket to make the job easier. I have a shop vac and I think I could make this fairly easily, but I was wondering if a Home Depot bucket vac would be an easier and possibly cheaper solution. I don't know if it would have enough power to suck sludge. Have any of you tried one for this purpose? 2. I'm not sure what type of oil is in the saw. The guy that I bought it from said something about Kingsley North, but he bought it used and I'm not sure that he even knew. I'd like to use mineral oil because it seems like a popular choice among the members here and it will be easy to pick up locally. Here's the question: Can I mix mineral oil with another type of oil? The oil I have might not be enough to fill up the saw after cleaning, so I'd like to add to it. Is this a problem? Thanks for any help you can give me.
|
|
The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
|
Post by The Dad_Ohs on Jul 16, 2014 14:08:01 GMT -5
The Home Depot bucket vacuum will not last because the material will pass through the vac and clog/destroy it. The reason for the 5 gallon bucket as described in this forum is to allow the liquid/sludge/rock snot somewhere to go before entering the vacuums motor thus saving the device. The bucket is placed between the vacuum and the saw and acts like a grease trap to collect what you suck out of the saw.
As far as mixing oils in the saw.... My opinion is that unless you for sure what is in it, I would not mix oils. better to clean it out and start fresh with a new batch of mineral oil. And after filtering oil, you will not have as much as you started with as oil sticks to the slabs and is lost slowly as you use the saw. I usually have to add up to 1 gallon everytime I clean out my saw, but I keep a couple extra gallons under my aw so I always have enough to refill as needed. Hope this helps.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jul 16, 2014 14:17:21 GMT -5
How much oil does it hold? I think the old Lortone 10's had a fairly large sump but maybe not worth worrying about. On my old Frantom saws I always unbolted the saw and removed table. Then I could dump/scrape the sludge into a bucket. A little solvent of some sort to rinse the residue down. Then wash the tank in a good degreaser like Simple Green. Dry and refill with new oil. I think the Frantoms held 1/2 gallon or less even. The little bit of oil removed and filtered from the sludge was not worth the effort to me (oil cost less then too). If you knew what oil was in it you could save the sludge and pour the oil off as it rises to the top and filter it through paper bags.
|
|
gerard
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2011
Posts: 218
|
Post by gerard on Jul 16, 2014 14:32:39 GMT -5
While jugglerguy has you alls attention on this topic, I have a question about saw oil and cleanout. What is the harm from just leaving the sludge and adding a little extra oil every once and a while - the sludge takes up room that I can use less oil - my saw takes 5 gallons and i'm cheap.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
|
Post by Fossilman on Jul 16, 2014 14:54:20 GMT -5
I just drain my oil,screen it,than scrub my saw up with water(water hose),add the recycled mineral oil,add whatever more it needs,than run the saw with a few rocks to lubricate all the parts again..... Its ready to go again for a few months.....
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 16, 2014 19:35:39 GMT -5
Thanks for your help everyone.
John, I think it holds a little over a gallon of oil. Maybe it's not worth cleaning, but I'm not sure how to dispose of the oil if I didn't filter and reuse it. The saw is supposed to be cleaned by removing the entire saw part and leaving the oil in the shallow pan below. The pan is only a little over an inch deep. The problem is, my garage is pretty clean and I'd like to keep it that way. So far, I think I've kept oil off of my floor. I'm not sure how I'd remove the heavy saw and motor without dripping oil everywhere. Everyone with the sludge suckers seemed so excited about them, I thought I should have one. Otherwise, I'm not really sure how to tackle this job and not make a huge mess. I guess I'll be using some plastic on the floor.
|
|
blackout5783
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 248
|
Post by blackout5783 on Jul 16, 2014 22:20:31 GMT -5
FWIW, I use one of those bucket heads as a sludge sucker on my 10" raytech. It cuts the cleaning time in half with a lot less mess. I have only used it a handful of times so I can't comment on long-term durability, but for the $30 or whatever it was it doesn't need to last forever.
If I had a good shop vac then I would have looked a lot harder at making an oil trap type to hook it up to, but this was a quick and dirty (and cheap) solution.
One quick note that is probably obvious, if you go with the home depot bucket vac don't use the filter that comes with it. And if you don't have one yet, get a cheap squeegee too (I use the type for cleaning a shower). Makes cleaning even easier.
|
|
rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428
|
Post by rykk on Jul 16, 2014 22:25:59 GMT -5
gerard - Using sludged up oil can lessen the life of your blade, I think, and also slow your cuts. You need to have a clean blade edge to make a good cut and the extra fine grit in the sludge adds more wear and heat build up. C-ya, Rick
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Jul 17, 2014 7:35:42 GMT -5
Gerard, I agree with Rick. Oil laden with sludge is not as effective, is dirtier to remove from slabs, and is constantly being stirred up into a suspension. If it laid harmlessly on the bottom that would be tolerable to a degree. If you want to reduce the oil needed to raise your oil level to the proper degree use a brick or milkbottle filled with sand like the old toilet tank trick. JMHO> Tom
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,688
|
Post by Fossilman on Jul 17, 2014 8:54:37 GMT -5
Thanks for your help everyone. John, I think it holds a little over a gallon of oil. Maybe it's not worth cleaning, but I'm not sure how to dispose of the oil if I didn't filter and reuse it. The saw is supposed to be cleaned by removing the entire saw part and leaving the oil in the shallow pan below. The pan is only a little over an inch deep. The problem is, my garage is pretty clean and I'd like to keep it that way. So far, I think I've kept oil off of my floor. I'm not sure how I'd remove the heavy saw and motor without dripping oil everywhere. Everyone with the sludge suckers seemed so excited about them, I thought I should have one. Otherwise, I'm not really sure how to tackle this job and not make a huge mess. I guess I'll be using some plastic on the floor. I bought a remnants piece of carpet and use under my saw when changing the oil,as I do with my car and trk...When finished with it,I just roll it back up and stick it in the corner till it's needed again...
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jul 17, 2014 9:40:17 GMT -5
I too use bucket head. I put just over 2 gallons in my LS 10, and that is right at the limit of what the vacuum can handle (motor takes up about 3 gal of bucket). I did get a 7gal bucket to avoid the issue, but it is heavier. I just use two stage now.
I suck mostly clear oil off of top, open vacuum and pour into one paper bag filter. Then I go after the sludge, sometimes even spraying a little oil in to loosen it. This I pour into a 2nd paper bag filter that takes much longer to filter.
I have enough oil that I can refill w/o waiting for the filtering to finish.
having a spare bucket to set the head on when you open up the vacuum helps a lot.
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 17, 2014 10:08:17 GMT -5
The bucket head has held up ok?
|
|
jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
|
Post by jerrys on Jul 17, 2014 11:09:47 GMT -5
I've used the same shop vac bucket head for 3 to 4 years now and haven't had any problems. I run 7 saws and try to do more than a 1000 cuts a year. The shop vac bucket head has kept up with my needs. It saves a lot of time.
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,472
|
Post by Sabre52 on Jul 17, 2014 11:44:14 GMT -5
*L* In Gerard's defense, I've been using his technique for years on my ten inch saws. Big saws have to have cleaner oil as the blade will lug down with dirty oil. Won't work with a drop saw either where the oil has to be piped and squirted on the blade but for me, it seems to work just fine till the oil turns to pretty much jello pudding. The sludge does settle to the tank bottom so the oil is usually still light enough to cool the 10 inch blade and I just keep adding a bit more oil to the sump over time. I can usually cut a long time with no blade issues using this system and I freaking hate cleaning this dang Covington saw as it's a real pain.....Mel
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jul 17, 2014 14:50:43 GMT -5
I've used the same shop vac bucket head for 3 to 4 years now and haven't had any problems. I run 7 saws and try to do more than a 1000 cuts a year. The shop vac bucket head has kept up with my needs. It saves a lot of time. jerry has heavier/longer use than I have used mine. But, I am at over 2 years, with LS10 and LS12 and maybe 3-4 cleanings a year. Also, at $20 it does not have to last forever. You could get a $80 shop vac, tubbing, fittings, .. etc construct some device. It might even work better and last longer, but it will not be ready to use from HomeDepot at $20.
|
|
|
Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 17, 2014 17:14:40 GMT -5
Ok, I'm going to go for the cheap and easy Home Depot plan.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jul 17, 2014 17:58:23 GMT -5
If the sump pulls out it seems like it would be easy to clean. Does it have a drain too? If so, drain the oil, remove the sump pan and clean outside your clean garage. Daniels multiple buckets and back up oil supply would be great ideas. Maybe find an outdoor location for the operation.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jul 17, 2014 21:20:34 GMT -5
yes, it is a bit different if there is a drain. I was talking about my LS10 and LS12, which have pans - but no drain. the boxes are a bit heavy to lift off the pans, and then they drip - so really best not lifted.
getting a pump up bottle for spraying in a bit of oil is another good HD purchase.
|
|
jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
|
Post by jerrys on Jul 18, 2014 10:34:58 GMT -5
Use a thick wall bucket for the shop vac bucket head. The cheap buckets from Lowes, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware will collapse.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jul 18, 2014 13:45:15 GMT -5
Daniel, that sounds like the "removeable sump" on the BD 14" saw. It bolts on but there is a 200 lb. saw on top of it. It does have a drain and most people put a block under the opposite corner, scrape out around all the obstructions, and a lot of cursing I imagine. The old Star Diamond saw had a slide out sump that you could actually remove.
|
|