|
Post by Tonyterner on Jan 28, 2010 15:24:31 GMT -5
Back around Thanksgiving I got my birthday/Christmas present early from Amber. Well I took my time putting it together and building a stand but I finally cut my first rock last night. I'll be posting my slab bucket pictures later. There is still some work to do on the stand. I want to build a small shelf for the weight bucket to rest on and a limit switch that will turn off the saw as soon as the cut is done. The sucker is messy, oil everywhere, but I love being able to cut big rocks and get a nice even slab. The machine is blue but its actually a Highland Park. Here are some pics.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jan 28, 2010 15:41:03 GMT -5
So what was the 1st rock you cut?
Are you happy with the Hot Dog blade? I love them. You can even overdrive the saw a bit because they will handle much higher RPM.
|
|
|
Post by Tonyterner on Jan 28, 2010 15:57:26 GMT -5
Well since the saw came from Catmandew the first two rocks I cut were from him, a small pink limb cast and a big hunk of mahogany obsidian. Sliced more after that, I'll post pics once I fish them out of the kitty litter.
|
|
Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
|
Post by Mudshark on Jan 28, 2010 17:49:24 GMT -5
Nice saw Tony!Good job on the stand too,looks great.I bet Amber is gathering all the rocks she needs to be slabbed,you are gonna be busy!What kind of oil are you using?I was using food grade mineral oil but I just switched to baby oil,it's a lot thinner and doesn't gunk up as fast as mineral oil.I found that Walmart or Target brands are the cheapest.The baby smell goes away quickly.Cant wait to see your first slabs.
Mike
|
|
NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
|
Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Jan 28, 2010 18:18:29 GMT -5
Sweet saw Tony! Looking forward to your slab pics.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jan 28, 2010 19:04:21 GMT -5
Tony, if you have "oil all over the place" you may have it over filled. You only need to cover the blade rim about 1/4". Only oil spray would be if rock height keeps blade guard too high.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2010 0:08:07 GMT -5
Nice Tony!
Dennis just got our 10" going too. He has literally been cutting NON STOP ever since LOL. Ours is an auto feed though. Next, we are getting the 20" going.
Have fun!
Shannon
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Jan 29, 2010 8:05:02 GMT -5
Nice. Can't wait to see the slabs...
|
|
|
Post by Tonyterner on Jan 29, 2010 10:11:22 GMT -5
Thanks all, I'm having a really fun time with it. Mike, I've been using thin mineral oil that I get a the local farm store. Nothing like cutting rocks with a horse laxative. lol John, thanks for the tip. Its hard to tell how much oil is in the saw since the top is bolted down. I probably do have too much in there. The oil all over the room is from me turning on the saw for the first time and not realizing it should have a hood. That oil on the blade came around and hit the rock then went everywhere. lol Oh well live and learn.
I'll get pics of the slabs posted this weekend. Maybe I need to do a contest to give away a few of the slabs. I'll have to come up with something.
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Jan 29, 2010 10:56:08 GMT -5
Good for you Tony. Looking forward to lots of slab bucket pics! Jo
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jan 29, 2010 11:02:50 GMT -5
Tony, with the old Frantoms I've had I filled the oil with table removed initially. By observing the drip rate at blade guard you can tell when you need to add. I added by pouring small amounts around the blade until initial drip rate restored. It only took two oil showers to master this technique. I used mine with hand feed and no hood and only had a mess when I tried to cut too tall of rocks. I've heard people say they install an elbow and tubing on drain to use as an oil level gauge but the drip rate always worked for me.
|
|
|
Post by Tonyterner on Jan 29, 2010 11:51:55 GMT -5
Thanks John. I can't imagine using this saw without a hood but maybe that's because I have too much oil in it. Maybe I'll pull the lid and check it out. The only real problem I have with the saw is the blade guard. It tends to block the rock from moving. I usually reach in and lift it by hand but I'm going to have to figure something else out.
|
|
|
Post by Bejewelme on Jan 29, 2010 13:17:22 GMT -5
WOW hun, I know this was a work in progress, but I am glad you finally got it put together and are enjoying cutting with it! baby oil sounds better, at least it smells better, LOL, keep working you will figure it out.
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 29, 2010 13:27:31 GMT -5
Congrats!
I agree with John, it sounds like you might have a little too much oil. I also fill mine with the table off and refill by pouring oil into the drain holes or around the blade.
If you get a lot of misting, try adding an ounce or so of Bardahl "No Smoke" (available at Wally World). I use the same oil you do and it really cuts down on the mist.
As for the blade guard, mine has a thumb screw at the back that is perpendicular to the table at the rear of the guard (near the hinge). This allows me to set the angle, and thus the height at the front of the guard.
Chuck
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 29, 2010 13:54:29 GMT -5
Awesome saw Tony! I also can't wait to see what you've been cuting. Is that a 10" saw? I keep thinking about investing in one, but wonder what size I'd want.
Nate
|
|
|
Post by Tonyterner on Jan 29, 2010 14:07:16 GMT -5
Chuck, thanks for the tip. I did notice a fair amount of mist. I don't know if I have the hinge on the blade guard together properly. I'll have to try and find some pics of another saw to see. I didn't have directions when I put the saw together and I did have a few left over pieces. lol
Nate, yup its a 10"er alright. This will let me cut 99% of all the rocks I have.
|
|
|
Post by beefjello on Jan 30, 2010 10:22:14 GMT -5
Right on Tony, that looks like a good 'un! Can't wait to see some slabs. Congrats!
|
|
SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
|
Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 30, 2010 10:38:05 GMT -5
Alright Tony! Congratz and I'm excited for You. Nothing funner than cutting. I wish I could use my 6" inside...but i'd have water or oil everywhere. It sucks in the wintertime to get it out and cut with water than clean everything up again. I can't wait to see what you've been cutting. BTW...don't use baby oil as Amber would like....only for thos special occasions. I don't consider cutting rocks one of those special occasions unless of course your by yourself and cutting a very nice rock....hmmmmmm.....did I say THAT?!?! Sounds like I've done that a time or 2....NOT!!! :^) ;^) Steve
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Jan 30, 2010 13:09:52 GMT -5
If you will be slabbing larger rocks (over about 3 inches on a 10 inch saw) be careful how low the oil level gets. Since the oil reservoir is small the oil will heat up more if you use less oil, shortening the life of the blade. One thing to try is a blade wiper at the back of the blade guard, a piece of yogurt tub lid with a slit cut in it under the back of the blade guard so it will fling a little less oil, make sure the slit is a little wider than the blade and about an inch long, then use the back of the blade guard to hold it down. Make sure it still has a steady drip from the front of the blade guard when running.
Lee
|
|
|
Post by frane on Jan 31, 2010 9:18:59 GMT -5
Looks like you are in business now Tony! I don't think I will be doing any cutting until it warms up around here! You have the perfect set up there in the basement! I know you have plenty of rock to slab and if you run short, Amber will have some for you to do! Have fun!!! Fran
|
|