CallMeShane
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2010
Posts: 112
|
Post by CallMeShane on Mar 6, 2011 23:40:12 GMT -5
|
|
sleuthgal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 46
|
Post by sleuthgal on Mar 6, 2011 23:54:41 GMT -5
The fact that you can use multiple size blades sounds like a plus, you may also want to check some of the older threads in the saw section, looks like many members are fond of the inexpensive QEP from Home Depot, they also mention a reliable blade from there as well, just in case you change your mind on the ebay saw. Good luck, I just won my bid on a vintage highland park 10" autofeed saw, can't wait to recieve it
|
|
|
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 7, 2011 0:23:35 GMT -5
Just my opinion, but I've gone the Home Depot 7" Workforce saw, broke it, then got a nice Ryobi moving-table 7" tile saw. Like it better, but in my opinion, I'd rather have the one you pointed to on eBay than either of mine. Why? (a) separate motor; (b) larger diameter blade possible, allowing for some slabbing of maybe fist-sized rocks; (c) it looks like using it will be less messy than either of mine. I'd say go for it.
Just MHO!
Tom
|
|
Tigger
freely admits to licking rocks
The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers is I'm the Only One!
Member since January 2008
Posts: 896
|
Post by Tigger on Mar 7, 2011 0:48:21 GMT -5
It says in the listing the coolant returns back into the reservoir. I am curious as to what the coolant is. I know the home depot saws run with water. I have used two of them to their death and I am saving to get another. In my opinion water is great for a small trim saw. I feel oil is to messy for just trimming, but great for the larger saws and doing slabs.
|
|
|
Post by Roller on Mar 7, 2011 0:48:25 GMT -5
at that price wooohwey ...but that will change ... let the pros jump in here and comment ... i say bid now though
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Mar 7, 2011 8:43:24 GMT -5
That's a good Lapidary saw, you know, what 'professionals' use. You hand feed, can adjust blade speed (change pulleys) and use very thin blades for expensive rough (the felker is thick). You may be able to use/modify a rock vise like www.gravescompany.com/sawacc.htm (second one down) or one of these www.dadsrockshop.com/trimsaw1.html . I like oil for cutting, (mineral oil included) not trans fluid or other things... but I cut Opal. Tigger, the table is raised and slightly smaller than the sump so the oil drains all round the sides and back to the sump. Good price for the saw, but people will drive the price up to almost new probably, good for the seller, but no so good for the buyer Dr Joe .
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Mar 7, 2011 9:07:57 GMT -5
Haven't heard of the brand, but at least that one was built for lapidary work. Looks like the pulleys will run the blade too slow, but that's easy to change. Should be a good one if you can get it for the right price. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble cleaning the cast aluminum tank and table.
|
|
chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
|
Post by chassroc on Mar 7, 2011 11:17:39 GMT -5
Looks like a good solid unit..great price so far Charlie
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Mar 7, 2011 11:45:57 GMT -5
Yep, looks like a fine trim saw.
Tigger: coolant can be water, water soluble oil, or mineral oil. If it were me, I would use either water or water soluble oil so that I didn't have to be worried about oil mist. I do use oil in my bigger saws.
Chuck
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Mar 7, 2011 14:27:34 GMT -5
Tom, if you get that saw, check the rotation of the motor. Most turn clockwise from the shaft end. It looks like that setup may turn the blade backwards. That can be cured by mounting the motor behind the saw, with the arbor on the same side as the saw arbor. Use the same size pulleys on the motor and saw to get the proper blade speed. After looking at the pics several times and reading everything, it looks like a nice setup. Don
|
|
oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
|
Post by oldgrouchy on Mar 8, 2011 11:09:58 GMT -5
The saw IS a very good unit, but that motor is ANCIENT!! You could probably do better getting a fan duty used motor from a heating service person. The saw will work best with 8" blades, but cheap tile blades are great for cheaper rough. I use water in my trim saws and drain it out after each use cycle using a similar drain valve system. If you can get it for less than $150. go for it. I usually wait until the last 20 seconds of an auction before bidding, but that is just from experience.
|
|
CallMeShane
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2010
Posts: 112
|
Post by CallMeShane on Mar 8, 2011 11:33:34 GMT -5
Yeah,that's what I would do too. I thought I had an auction won for a cabber and there were 3 bids in the last 10 seconds that did mine in.
I like this one cause it can take a bigger blade than most.
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Mar 8, 2011 12:37:05 GMT -5
Here is a picture of Donna's. It can take up to a 10" blade and the top and table is removable just by picking up and you can cut 90 degrees up to 3". These are super built saws. Nothing as good on the market today.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Mar 8, 2011 14:36:25 GMT -5
Yes. More flexible than a tile saw (larger blade, changeable pulleys, less splashy) and less than a 10" saw with a vise and possibly a gravity or motor feed.
Expect the price to settle somewhere between a well built tile saw and a good used 10" trim/slab saw. I guess somewhere between $180 and $230 for the final bid.
It is not clear how much life the blade has, and it has already been pointed out that the motor may be iffy. It is also noted that GemLap saws were well built.
In bang for buck right now I am thinking that anyone who is prepared to find a new motor and possibly get a new blade should consider the 10" trim saw kit from Covington. If you can build a tank, they sell the table and arbor and blade guard for about $145. You can get a really good BD 303 10" blade for $55.
Available separately (translation, when you are ready to spend more) they sell a vise with cross-feed for another $150, and it looks easy to rig a gravity feed on it.
Seems to me you could sneak up on a pretty good saw for a small initial outlay - but you have to be handy enough to build a tank.
|
|
|
Post by rocklicker on Mar 8, 2011 18:46:05 GMT -5
Rockmanken, I got one of those like Donna's. It's a great machine. I like it because of the lift off-top. Easy to clean. Nice to know it can take a 10 inch blade. Steve
|
|