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Post by mohs on Apr 10, 2011 23:03:43 GMT -5
Hi Guys! Want to show some pictures of the refurbished FranToM 10” Saw. We just got it operational tonight and had chance to cut some rock It cut sweet! First Cuts Long View I just concentrated on getting saw side operational & its a Barranca blade We mounted the motor from behind There is a 1” pulley on the motor spindle and we have the belt set on the 2” step pulley on the arbor side. I think the speed is too fast But were cutting by hand and so it might be best ? I’ll take advice Its ¾ horse 1727 rpm motor so plenty of power. I’m really excited about this there will be bugs to work out but were cutting rock! and thanks again BEEF for the MACHINE! vice assembly and grinding wheels will be near future additions, hopefully Thanks for advice, questions and looking ! Ed
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Post by catmandewe on Apr 11, 2011 0:16:59 GMT -5
Hey Ed, I looked today and I have some vise systems for a saw your size. PM me your table measurements and I will see if one of them will fit.
Lookin good! Tony
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Post by mohs on Apr 11, 2011 0:27:01 GMT -5
Rock'n Tony ! I'll get the measurement off to ya at first light Thanks!!!
Ed
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 11, 2011 7:13:00 GMT -5
ED, I found the vise rod and bronze bushings for my first Frantom saw at Ace hardware. You will need the bracket in front (I don't see it in picture). The vise slides on a rod between the brackets. Mine had bushings in the vise that were so worn the rod was out of round. Mine was a $25 saw so I expected a little tinkering. They are great saws. I found arbor bearings at a bearing house (had to order by numbers on bearings).
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bushmanbilly
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 11, 2011 17:37:05 GMT -5
Nice work Ed. Does the cab unit turn while the saw is cutting? Try to find stainless steal bushings for the vice. I had some made up when i rebuilt the two I have. They last longer than brass. Also check the hole that the vice adjustment rod slides through. Mine was egged and would not hold sometimes. I had my machinist mill it out and inserted a SS bushing in it to.
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 11, 2011 18:30:45 GMT -5
Sweet!!!!
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 11, 2011 19:46:28 GMT -5
Harder bushings will wear out the rod instead. The bronze bushing are soft and sacrificial. Cheap too. I found exact replacements in the pull out hardware drawers at Ace.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 11, 2011 19:49:30 GMT -5
And yes, one motor, one shaft so wheels turn with saw. I had one of those too. I used it with oil and didn't like the oil mist that always coated the cab section hood.
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bushmanbilly
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 11, 2011 22:10:26 GMT -5
John I have been using my SS steel bushings for over 2 years now. Over 2000 slabs and still tight as the first day. The rod is just 1\2 cold roll steel. About $5 at any metal or machine shop. Trick is to clean you guide rod often with steel wool. This also adds a nice polished surface to it. Also I drilled 3- 5\16 drain holes on the vice under the rod. Lots of crud builds up there.
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Post by mohs on Apr 11, 2011 23:48:53 GMT -5
Good addVice Guys! Would anyone have a picture of their vice assembly ? I’ll admit I’m a bit mystified about the subject. Haven’t done anything with the saw today I’m a little rockeD out by the weekend UUUGHH!! did I just say that? Rock On !
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bushmanbilly
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 12, 2011 0:12:53 GMT -5
Will do Ed.
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bushmanbilly
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 12, 2011 0:29:58 GMT -5
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Post by mohs on Apr 12, 2011 11:03:57 GMT -5
That's a serious built vice set up, Bushman ! Whos' the manufacturer ? Certainly its not gravity feed... Ed
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 12, 2011 14:12:39 GMT -5
I sold both of mine but I think the picture is the Frantom vise. To make it gravity feed you only need to install a pulley at back of table and a cable to vise. Mine (with 303C blades) always cut fast enough I cut manually. Vise helps to get straight slabs.
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bushmanbilly
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 12, 2011 17:22:54 GMT -5
Yes Ed the vice is solid. And is gravity feed. The main reason I will not buy a new 10 inch is because I have not seen a GOOD vice on them. Like the Lortone 10" the vice looks like it was designed by a 6 year old. The rest of the saw is good but cheaped out on the vice. Covington a little more thought but not much more.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 12, 2011 17:50:15 GMT -5
Ed, probably won't help you but in an old lapidary book I have somewhere at home they pictured your FranTom unit and mentioned the saw was made for Frantom by Felker. I don't know if researching Felker would lead to anymore than Frantom in the way of archives. I also remember Frantom was bought by Contempo Lapidary that in turn sold to Diamond Pacific. You could contact DP and see if they have any info.
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meta99
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Post by meta99 on Apr 12, 2011 18:27:58 GMT -5
Ed: I am using a Frantom that my husband is refurbishing...it was essentially 'intact' when we bought it (from a 91 yr old lapidarist!), but it has SiC wheels and I wanted diamond... Here is a pic of my vise...if you want closeups, let me know. The only difference I see is the underside of my vise has a slot routed in it that rides along a removable rod on the saw table... Oh and mine had a built in 'splash guard'.... As John mentioned, you seem to be missing the front bracket. Unlike John, I paid significantly more than $25! I use water (tried oil and also didn't like the constant spray when I was cabbing) And I use a gravity feed...that cord goes in back to a hole in the work bench and there is a bucket of rocks underneath. I'm definitely going to start using steel wool on the guide rod to see if that helps my slabbing...thanks for that tip! Sue
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bushmanbilly
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 12, 2011 19:41:26 GMT -5
I like the jaws on your vice. They must really grip good. They sure played with the vice and guide rod mounts, through the years. Your vice jaws are milled and the set screw for the rod is on top. My jaws are flat on both saws. The set screws on one saw is on the side and the other has 1 on each side. Would be good to know what years they were made. Ed they also come with a fence. And to cut down on the mist you could build a cover like this.
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meta99
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Ohio Flint Ridge flint
Member since October 2010
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Post by meta99 on Apr 12, 2011 20:02:26 GMT -5
bushmanbilly:
I'm assuming that you are showing the Frantom saw as opposed to the combo unit...or did you take your saw off your combo? I have some old Lapidary Journals from the same gentleman with ads for Frantoms...I'll have to go through them and see if I can find pictures...
One question...what is the set screw on the vise that would tighten it to the guide rod for? Seems to me that tightening that would lock the vise on the guide rod...seems it would interfere with the gravity feed...or is it just a 'lock down' of some sort? Sue
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bushmanbilly
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 12, 2011 22:05:51 GMT -5
The set screws that hold the guide rod in place. Until Ed posted a picture I did not know a cab unit came with it. When your cutting and cabbing at the same time does your motor keep up? Those old adds would fun to checkout.
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