onewomanarmy
has rocks in the head
Carpe Silicis!
Member since January 2007
Posts: 645
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Post by onewomanarmy on Jun 22, 2009 9:28:21 GMT -5
...but I'm green enough on this saw stuff that I don't know what questions to ask. I have been interested in getting a bigger saw (bigger than my workforce) and posted on craigslist. I received a note back from someone less than an hour away from me (whoohoo!) who has a 24" (!!!!!) saw for sale. The saw was built by his father and hasn't been used for a few years. I'm not really concerned about it being homemade (other than finding parts that fit it) - I've seen lots of really cool, nice stuff on here that's been homemade. But I don't know what questions to ask about the shape of the saw. Does anyone have any guidance for me? I'd assume a saw of that size would have some sort of autofeed system? But I also know about making assumptions...I also know what I mean by autofeed system but not sure it's what everyone else means... :blush: I wouldn't assume with the price that he's asking that it has a blade or much of one so I'll ask about that for sure. I've seen people mention that a saw is well "sealed" - in my head I always thought that meant the motor housing was watertight - is that correct? If so, I'd guess that's a fairly serious concern? I really don't know what I should be concerned with - I just want something that will cut a rock bigger than a golf ball. And if I can cut rocks as big as I can carry - even better! If anyone can offer any guidance I'd really appreciate it! Also - for a saw that is made to use a 24" saw blade - is it possible to use a smaller blade instead of the full size 24"? My thinking is - for cutting rock that doesn't require a 24" blade it might be more economical to use a smaller blade for those routine cuts...? Don't know that it's worth the trouble in the end but thought I'd ask given I don't have many rocks that would warrant a 24" blade. thanks!
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 22, 2009 10:56:43 GMT -5
The 1st thing is to be sure you want a 24" saw. For most people cutting slabs to further trim into small bits to cab, a 12" to 18" is plenty. A saw this size is often used for making large display slabs, bookends, and reducing large rocks to sizes that can be cut on smaller saws. They will have quite a thick blade and eat a lot of material. The baldes will be comparably expensive compared to even 18" blades.
Since the blade has to dip down into the oil, you cannot really run a smaller blade unless you have some sort of pump delivery to squrit oil onto the blade. ALso the useful area of a smaller blade would be disproportinately diminished by the larger flanges meant to hald the larger blade.
You will also need a dinner table sized space to put it.
Having said all that, if I found a 24" saw at a bargin basement price I would buy it. BUt that is ma an dmy obsession. You will still need a smaller slab saw.
As for "sealed" I would say that refers to the bearings on the arbor. If the blade runs quietly and spins for a long time after power is shut off, that is evidence that there is no gunk in the bearings. YOu also want to look for the blade being perpindicular to the bed of the vice, and the vice to move back and forth smoothly and without changing distance from the blade - i.e., everything seems true.
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Post by akansan on Jun 22, 2009 11:09:35 GMT -5
One other description of sealed - make sure the oil can't leak out! My 16" homemade saw leaks like a sieve. The fiberglass in the seams needs to be redone. I've seen other people talk about raising the bed of the saw to make a larger saw work with a smaller blade by putting a layer of brick or something similar in the oil resevoir to raise the oil level. It's really going to depend on the saw it it'll step down any. I'd be hesitant to go too much lower in blade size, though - maybe a 20" blade at the lowest.
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Post by texaswoodie on Jun 22, 2009 11:49:49 GMT -5
I only have one warning for you. As Deb said, make sure you want a saw that size. If it's a bargain, buy it but be prepared to buy a smaller one in the future. Sawing a fist sized rock on a 24" saw is a PITB.
Curt
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JEFFD
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2004
Posts: 242
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Post by JEFFD on Jun 22, 2009 12:58:02 GMT -5
Go with the big saw. You won't be sorry. Yes blades are expensive but they last a long long time. Sealed means doesn't leak a lot of oil out. Ask him to cut a rock while you watch and listen. After you get the saw, if the rock is on the small side or weird shape that the vise won't grip...mix up a batch of plaster of paris and put your rock in a milk jug and let it set up. Vise will always snug up to a 1/2 gallon milk jug sized chunk of plaster of paris.
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onewomanarmy
has rocks in the head
Carpe Silicis!
Member since January 2007
Posts: 645
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Post by onewomanarmy on Jun 22, 2009 13:01:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the thoughts and info - I was wondering if a 24" might be too big for me given the size of rock I have and the lack of much lapidary material around me. I know if I was in an area where I could hound my own stuff I may have more of a need for something this size but was afraid for what I have (stuff that fits in a flat rate box!) it may be overkill. I think it probably is a real bargain but that's without knowing the shape it's in and what kind of work it may need. I still want it but afraid my eyes might be bigger than my ...rock collection...? I think that want is partly fueled by the desire to find a saw paired with the notion of "if a little is good...". That one's gotten me in trouble before though. Thanks again for the input! Jeff posted while I was posting - a reasoning that fits with my wanting of a big saw! I'm going to have to do some thinking on this but given space, amount of work for smaller rocks, and overall cost...I may have to see if I can find something a step down from this one. Decisions, decisions.
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JEFFD
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2004
Posts: 242
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Post by JEFFD on Jun 22, 2009 13:59:47 GMT -5
Hey if the 24 is more than you want/need, look around for a 10" like raytech with auto feed. I have one and use it more than the big saw.
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Post by catmandewe on Jun 22, 2009 16:15:51 GMT -5
I used smaller blades on my old 30" saw all the time. I just rigged up a boat bilge pump to feed oil to the blade while I was using smaller blades. If it is a good deal I would buy it. You can always use it later in a trade for a different saw if you find it is more saw than you want. One other thing, you may want to set up a gravity feed system if you are going to be changing out blades on it. A 24" feed system will be waaaaay slow on a small rock with a 16" blade, and with a gravity feed it will feed at the rate that it cuts, not the rate that it feeds at.
If it was me I would buy it, but then again, that is why I have too many saws right now. Let us know, inquiring minds want to know!
Tony
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 23, 2009 13:45:46 GMT -5
A 24 inch saw is BIG!! I have a 16 inch saw, but still ended up getting a 10 inch saw. I use the 10 inch saw more than anything. Like the others said, if it's a bargain, then go for it!! Honestly though, for a "hobbiest" like me, a 10 inch saw is the best investment. Now I use my 16 inch saw to cut the rocks down so they are manageable on the 10 inch saw. (just a few thoughts for ya)
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jun 23, 2009 18:21:30 GMT -5
For a homemade saw of that size, I would pay particular attention to a few items- how well the main housing is constructed- when people talk about the sealing it isn't water, water just doesn't move enough heat for use on big saws- so you need to use oil and if that isn't kept contained, you will have some serious mess to deal with. Also how the blade is aligned with the feed mechanism, you need to be sure that the saw will cut straight, that the blade isn't on a bent axle or out of true itself, and that the feed mechanism, whether gear/screw driven or "gravity" is along tracks that are nearly perfectly parallel with the blade. Finally you need to consider the space you have for it, a 24" saw is a BIG appliance, but if shed space is not an issue, then its not an issue. The practicality question is worth considering, and after a while with a big saw like this you probably will come to appreciate the benefits of smaller saws, but in the end remember- you can't cut a rock that is too big on a saw that is too small, but you can cut a smaller rock with a saw that is "too big". As Tony mentioned, a smaller blade can be used, but it will require some sort of pump to get oil up and onto the blade. If you can afford it and have the place for it, and it isn't damaged- I'd say to buy it, worst comes to worse you can always go to re-sell it down the road, but if it is a good price its probably a good opportunity that might not come around again for a while.
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