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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 24, 2011 23:46:10 GMT -5
The Vices found on older slab saws, HighlandP, Lortone and several others have a serious design flaw. The vice jaw tends to get turned and won't grip the rock tightly no matter how much you tighten it, in fact the vice on my 14 inch HP has been broken and rewelded from someone overtightening it. ![](http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/122amazonlee/IMG_1087.jpg) ![](http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/122amazonlee/IMG_1089.jpg) I have used other rocks about the same size, pieces of wood, anything I can find to hold the other side of the jaw open, till I had our local rock saw guru over. He showed me a simple solution. Heres where I add the disclaimer... Wear Safety Glasses! Be Safe! ![](http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/122amazonlee/IMG_1091.jpg) First, take the moving part of the vice off the saw and drill, thread a hole at the point opposite the blade. ![](http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/122amazonlee/IMG_1090.jpg) ![](http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/122amazonlee/IMG_1092.jpg) Then install a piece of allthread with some sort of handle. now you can use it as a "jack" to keep the jaws parallel when clamping rocks onto the vice. ![](http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/122amazonlee/IMG_1094.jpg) ![](http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/122amazonlee/IMG_1093.jpg) I used 3/8-16 coarse threaded rod in my 14" saw, for an 18" or larger saw I suggest 1/2-13 rod if you have access to a drill press large enough. Lee
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amyk
fully equipped rock polisher
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I'm a slabber, I'm a cabber, I'm a midnight wrapper.
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Post by amyk on Apr 25, 2011 0:21:10 GMT -5
Great idea. I know exactly what you mean. I have a similar Highland Parkk saw. saw. Thanks for the idea.
Amy
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Post by sandsman1 on Apr 25, 2011 0:48:31 GMT -5
man thats a great idea to level out the bite on the vise,, im bettin you will get alot less rocks that jump out with that
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 25, 2011 8:16:09 GMT -5
Mine has been already modified by the guy I purchased it from in that very way! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 25, 2011 8:38:28 GMT -5
What do I do with the box of oily wood blocks I keep by my saw?
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 25, 2011 8:54:47 GMT -5
Cool idea! I'm like John. Someone told me to use the wooden blocks to make sure the vice jaws don't twist but rather close evenly. Blocks work well but you do need that pile of messy wood hunks....Mel
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
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Post by pebblepup on Apr 27, 2011 12:11:24 GMT -5
I will have to do this to my saw if I ever get back to using it. What a great idea.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 27, 2011 14:00:47 GMT -5
That's so pratical, the saw manufacturers (or the vice manufacturers) should be incorprating that into the vice from the beginning.
Darryl.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 27, 2011 17:18:22 GMT -5
That's a great idea. Thanks for posting! That works a lot like the jaws on 10" and smaller saws.
This vise is really similar to the one on my Great Western 18". So far I haven't had the problem, but I've been cutting fairly large rocks on it...
Chuck
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jimrbto
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Post by jimrbto on May 31, 2011 18:59:43 GMT -5
Fantastic idea. I have an 14" HP exactly like that that I was given as a basket case. All parts disassembled and lying in the "tub". I have managed to rebuild it sans instruction manual or anything else. Replaced all bearings, hardware all ss, Unfortunately there is no hood and I don't have a manual or instructions on the care and feeding of the unit. What type oil/grease is used in the gears of the saw feed? the worm gear on mine is just about completely gone If anyone has any photos, diagrams or inst. info they could share I would very much appreciate it. Would have asked this sooner but have been in the *&^**$ hospital. TIA Jim
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Post by jakesrocks on May 31, 2011 19:12:08 GMT -5
Jim, Diamond Pacific used to have a stockpile of parts for the larger HP saws. You might want to contact them, to see if they have that worm gear. Since Covington saws use the same type of vise, I'll make that mod., the next time it's down for cleaning.
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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on May 31, 2011 23:19:20 GMT -5
I have not a saw yet. But when I started reading this thread, and the first 2 photos, I thought for a few seconds and thought of this exactly! LMAO! To scroll down and see what is done, it did not surprise me that I thought of it right before.
~Colt
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jimrbto
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Post by jimrbto on Jun 1, 2011 15:40:07 GMT -5
Already made the vise mod.. Need all the other info, You would not believe how much DP wants for parts! ! Jim
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Post by jakesrocks on Jun 1, 2011 15:54:06 GMT -5
DP seems to think everything they have is made of pure gold. Maybe you could get a machine shop to cut a new worm gear for you. If I still had access to the machines, I'd do it for you for material + shipping.
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Post by cpdad on Jun 1, 2011 19:19:00 GMT -5
nice fix on the vise ;D...sweet.
Jim i make odd worm gears...and normal worm gears for company's gear boxes quite often...the normal ones when they cant get for 6 to 12 weeks.
since you may need one in the future keep me in mind....but it would mean i would have to have to have your old gear in hand...as you may know i would have to figure pitch and stuff...other little things also...such as keyways in the shaft.
it will be really cheap for a worm gear my friend ;D...kev.
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jimrbto
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Post by jimrbto on Jun 2, 2011 13:44:05 GMT -5
Kev, send me your snail mail addy and cost and I will forward my worm to you. Now is as good a time as any to replace it.
I still need any additional information or pics that anyone may have. TIA Jim
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Post by cpdad on Jun 2, 2011 20:24:07 GMT -5
rockoonz.....sorry to jack your thread ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) ...just seen a member i may be able to help ;D...jim sending PM...kev
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 2, 2011 20:54:34 GMT -5
No problem, in fact I may be interested in a gear set as well. I have 2 HP 14 inchers, one in pieces but complete. I will be putting an auto shut off on the one I'm using this weekend and I'll have to pup open the gear boxes. Since I fixed the vice the HP has become a keeper.
Lee
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spicer m
spending too much on rocks
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Post by spicer m on Jun 2, 2011 22:24:15 GMT -5
You will not be sorry if Kev makes it for You. He is the best. Mike
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