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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 13, 2011 10:43:44 GMT -5
I'm looking for end user experience with the Raytech 10" saw. Likes, dislikes, size of cut capacity. I remember some time ago someone had bought one but don't remember who. Thanks.
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Post by snowdog on Jan 13, 2011 15:55:21 GMT -5
Hi John, I've got two of them -- one with auto feed and the other don't -- the hand fed one I've had for about 30 years -- guess I liked it well enough that when I had a chance to get another this last summer I did ;D -- I used it more as a trim saw than slabbing tho -- the new one (used) I plan on using for smaller brazilians, etc. , that are too small for my 18" -----//-- I use water in it so I can hand hold the slabs to trim . the only thing I've ever had to do was change blades, when I get to pushing to fast  otherwise it has been a good saw and is still in good shape |
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 13, 2011 16:11:32 GMT -5
What is the vise capacity? Raytech says 4.5" tall by 5" long. That's a mighty big cut for a 10" saw.
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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
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Post by Mudshark on Jan 13, 2011 17:08:37 GMT -5
Hi John,I have an older L 10S that I bought used last year.The only other ten inch saw I can compare it to is my Covington that I bought new a few years ago.The Raytech is much easier to clean and service.The vise can hold a rock 5 inches long but the blade is 3 1/4 inch above the table so that would be the maximum height for any rock.You can cut a taller rock but you would have to finish the cut by either breaking the slab off or take it out of the vise and cut it by hand.The table is hinged and held down with a wing nut so it is very easy to clean and change blades.I like the removable plastic liner too.I don't think I've used the Covington at all since I bought the Raytech.Here is a pic of a large Brazilian that was about four inches tall.  Mike |
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Post by Roller on Jan 14, 2011 1:32:16 GMT -5
Hey Mudshark ... What about the crossfeed??
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isellwood
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2006
Posts: 119 
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Post by isellwood on Jan 14, 2011 8:08:07 GMT -5
I have a 10" Raytech and its a great saw. Replacement parts are not a problem, they are still made. The vise cross feed is asy to use and accurate, 1 turn = 1/16", 4 turns=1/4". I had to replace the power feed motor about 5 years ago, but it works great. Good saw
Pat
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Post by Roller on Jan 14, 2011 12:10:38 GMT -5
Sorry I should have been more specific ! Do you guys know How many inches wide the crossfeed does before you need to reposition . ?
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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
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Post by Mudshark on Jan 14, 2011 15:52:45 GMT -5
The vise has 2 inches of travel.
Mike
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jan 15, 2011 22:01:52 GMT -5
I had one for 6 months, abused the heck out of it for production sake, 6 blades in that time and the machine never hiccuped. I had a few rocks pop out of the vise but I hadn't trimmed them to fit the vise either. Rolled several soccer ball size rocks in it too (just put a wedge in it to crack the center piece). Always used Rio oil in it. Use No-Smoke to help with mist (yea, it does throw oil with the cover off and yea, hand feeding will get you soaked). Easy enough to clean.
Dr Joe
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 17, 2011 21:26:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the input everyone.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jun 21, 2016 11:36:24 GMT -5
RTH is so useful! I just purchased a used RayTech L 10S and this thread is really handy! Thank you to those who post and share their knowledge. Anyone have any good tips or tricks for this saw?
All the best,
Michael
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 21, 2016 18:35:18 GMT -5
Somebody told me they leak coolant everywhere so they drilled additional holes in table to provide more drain back.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jun 21, 2016 20:19:24 GMT -5
Somebody told me they leak coolant everywhere so they drilled additional holes in table to provide more drain back. Yes, they do. Extra holes help, and so does making sure the table truly is sitting level. Also they tend to leak coolant around the rubber seal where the underneath side of the top joins the top edge of the coolant reservoir and also around were the arbor hole in the side of the base is. I think the newer models come with a baffle that mounts underneath the table top to help deflect coolant away from the arbor hole. Other than the coolant leaking issues they are pretty good saws. The vise design will grip smaller rocks more securely than most 10" slab saw vise designs that I've used seem to. Because of the easy clean-up design I use my Raytech 10" saw for rocks I want to slab with water like turquoise, Lapis, etc.. And occasionally with oil on small agates like Queensland, Botswana, and any other smaller rocks that fit better in the Raytech vise than they do in the Lortone 10" vise. The Raytech 10" saws are also good for trimming slabs. IMO the dual use as a slab saw and as a trim saw make it a good choice for a first saw for someone just getting started in lapidary. Larry C. |
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jun 21, 2016 20:27:37 GMT -5
I also forgot to mention that Rick Scott of Scott Manufacturing now has the rights to making and selling the Raytech 10" saws. And Rick is MUCH better to deal with than Lyman Industries were. Rick has been producing the Raytech-Shaw Faceting machines for several years now and just a year or two ago acquired the rights to the Raytech Saws, and several other Raytech products. I believe that Lyman has retained the rights to the Raytech Vibe Tumblers for their shooting/reloading product customers.
Larry C.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 21, 2016 22:04:40 GMT -5
That's interesting. The vibe tumblers are the only raytech product I don't recommend.
Thumler UV10 is so much better.
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jun 22, 2016 10:57:31 GMT -5
I agree the oil does seem to leak out in spots and drainage is an issue.
Unfortunately, I really screwed up this morning while cutting. The rock got loose and now I have a bent blade. I don't know if anything else is damaged. I'll get it taken apart this afternoon.
Any recommendations on a new blade?
Thank you,
Michael
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mjflinty
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 358
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Post by mjflinty on Jun 22, 2016 12:03:39 GMT -5
I'm having a heck of a time getting the bent blade off the arbor. Any advice on getting the nut loose?   Thank you, Michael |
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jun 22, 2016 13:12:45 GMT -5
If that brown incrustation is rust instead of rock sludge then take stiff wire brush and scuff off all of the rust that you can. Then dry it thoroughly with a hair dyer and soak down the nut threads and seams around the nut/washer and washer/blade with Kroil or some other type of penetrating oil that helps loosen parts. You may have to add more Kroil several times over several hours for it to finally loosen but if there is still water trapped those areas the Kroil will not be able to penetrate and do it's job.
As a last resort, clean all of the oil off of the saw and take it outdoors and use a propane torch to heat up the nut. The expansion caused by the heat will usually break loose rusted on nuts. But in doing this there is a danger of warping the arbor.
Larry C.
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Post by catmandewe on Jun 22, 2016 15:31:44 GMT -5
Put a wrench on it and rotate the blade until the wrench runs into something stout enough to make it stop, usually breaks them free within just a hit or two.
Tony
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 22, 2016 15:41:59 GMT -5
I don't remember what side the nut is on on Raytech. If left side of blade it will be left hand thread. I hear from many customers that don't know that.
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otherwise it has been a good saw and is still in good shape 
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
