chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 10, 2011 11:48:04 GMT -5
Anyone have any experience on this saw? I need a decent trim saw that I can also use to cut some smaller slabs from fist size stones. I know, I really don't like to buy from Harbor Freight as my experience with them has been that everything I purchased was cheap, cheap, cheap.... not just price either... also no good experiences with Chicago Electric, but willing to give it a try for the right price.
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Post by Roller on Feb 10, 2011 11:59:33 GMT -5
holy crap 2.5 horsepower ..thats some strong motor ... i am concerened about the rpms! Also I noticed you said you might go to home depot for the gfci ...why not just buy a qep when your over there or you could get the new skilsaw which looks sweet ,,,
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Post by rockmanken on Feb 10, 2011 12:03:50 GMT -5
Robin, I bought one and modified it to work. Drilled a hole in the toggle on/off switch adn hooked a wire thru it to s roller on the back of the sliding carriage to turn it off when it gets to the end. Also drilled new holes for the main saw frame and moved it forward about 6". I added a second line from the pump (which I replaced) to the blade housing. built a vise out of 2" angle iron to clamp to the sliding carriage. Lot of work, but it does work. Caught it on sale for $149.99 Blade seemed to work very good. Ended up selling it for $150. Ken
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 10, 2011 12:20:24 GMT -5
Wow, Ken you are always full of great ideas.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 10, 2011 13:32:18 GMT -5
Ken: Did it throw a lot of water?
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Post by rockmanken on Feb 10, 2011 14:57:54 GMT -5
No it didn't throw water. It has a plastic tray under the whole thing that is removable for cleaning. By the way, if you get it Robin, replace the rubber stopper with a washer, bolt and nut and rubber inner tube type washers. That is, if you use oil. It corroded mine so that it started leaking. The pump that comes with it is OK for water, but it doesn't cut good with water. I changed to mineral oil and had to add a larger pump and a 'y' splitter to supply enough oil to the blade. The cooling system is set up like the old Lortone drop saws, only the blade don't drop.
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Feb 10, 2011 15:18:59 GMT -5
Hopefully you can use the 20% off coupon that is available from Harbor Freight?
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 10, 2011 18:14:13 GMT -5
Things available from HF for $199 with coupon. Going to Lowe's and HD tomorrow to investigate buying used from their rental sites. Both have a rental agency on site, they have 4 in stock each, so I'm gonna go schmooze the ladies who run the joint and see if I can talk my way into a good price.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Feb 11, 2011 23:49:23 GMT -5
I found one on craigslist in Las Vegas & am having a friend who works down there pick it up for me. I should have it by tomorrow.
The reviews are very favorable. For $200 new, it does a lot better than many of the higher priced American made saws. Since the sale price is via a coupon, you can't combine it with the 20% off coupon. The blade & stand aren't included at that price.
I'm buying mine to cut Indian Blanket Jasper which really mucks up the oil in my 14" HP saw. I use mineral oil & I can't recover much of it when the mud soaks it up. I'll use it with water outdoors & just hose it down when I'm done. Lynn
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 12, 2011 9:25:44 GMT -5
I have one of the Lowes' version of the MK101. With a BD/MK301 blade it cuts everything. I'm guessing the "2.5 hp motor" is a "develops 2.5 hp" rather than an actual 2.5 hp. The HF is a copy of the MK 101. I found out after buying mine the Lowes version has a beefier frame than the standard MK 101 (or BD2014 if you prefer blue). With the 301 blade they work great but require blade dressing every 5-6 cuts if shoving 4" agates through. The MK/BD version "plunge cuts" (head can be lifted like a drop saw) so large rocks can be cut. From the blade washer forward it is 5" tall. I plunge cut soft rock as large as 7". I was impressed enough to sell a 14" and 8"drop saw I had at Quartzsite as the MK101 was just plain better.
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colliel82
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 664
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Post by colliel82 on Feb 12, 2011 21:52:56 GMT -5
John,
Were you cutting with water, or did you switch to oil like Ken?
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 12, 2011 23:08:03 GMT -5
Plain water. Cut really well with the 301 blade. Blade does dull fairly quickly on large agates due to high speed, heavy hands, etc. I kept thinking of Tim the Tool Man while using it.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 12, 2011 23:11:28 GMT -5
John do you carry those blades?
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 13, 2011 10:08:52 GMT -5
Yes, I do. $99 with discount. I'm going to try a 303C when I wear the 301 out. They cost about half that. 301 has a taller rim and notch like segments on rim that clears itself as it cuts. 301 lists for $134.
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