usaret
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2012
Posts: 52
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Post by usaret on Oct 18, 2012 3:20:31 GMT -5
I'm new to all of this. What is a decent slab saw to start out with ? Also I'm on a budget. Oil/coolant,can motor oil be used ? Thanks
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Oct 18, 2012 5:19:21 GMT -5
Size matters. I started out with a 10" I got off of Craigs List...but then I wanted to cut bigger rocks. I now have a 10-14-16" saws, not including the 2 trims saws for cutting preforms. Patience will payoff by watching Craigs List, local auctions, ebay and estate sales. There are forum members that restore and sell equipment.
Motor oil is probably too heavy. I use mineral oil.
Others will be along with help shortly.
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Charles
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2012
Posts: 161
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Post by Charles on Oct 18, 2012 7:29:59 GMT -5
I have a 14 in overhead slab saw. The manufacture recommends 10 weight non-detergent motor oil. That's what I've been using for a long time. It is about the same viscosity of mineral oil. Either would be OK.
Charles
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 18, 2012 7:53:23 GMT -5
I have a 8 inch trim saw & 18 inch slab saw, both from Lortone, both use Mineral Oil for cutting.... Motor oil is not recommended due to it's thickness and the fact that it is flammable when heated. Cutting slabs generates heat and sparks, so any thin, non flammable oil is ok..... Mineral Oil is about the best and most used oil around. I got both of my saws from a lady whose husband no longer does rocks and just wanted to get them out of her garage. Got a great deal on them too !!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 18, 2012 7:58:39 GMT -5
I could not find mineral oil in gallons locally so I have been using hydraulic oil from the auto parts store for $14 a gallon and its working great. I have a 14" and its a good size but I would still like an 18"-20" someday.
Chuck
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 18, 2012 8:43:44 GMT -5
If there will be only 1 saw, a 16" might be the best of both worlds. You can cut a lot of rocks that are still easy to handle with an 18". Larger than that and the rocks get a bit heavy to be handling and clamping up.
The 10" slab/trim saw is the workhorse of the lapidary shop. You don't need big slabs to cut them up into little pieces for making cabs. Cutting fist and double fist sized rock gives slabs plenty large enough.
You can also buy slabs and cut them up on a tile saw if the goal is not to cut rock you find, and only to make jewelry.
If you goal is to have display slabs, polished up, then a larger saw does make sense - as well as special equipment to polish the slabs. So, decide what you want to do first/most and tool up accordingly.
As for motor oil, would you rather breath mist form motor oil or food-grade orderless mineral oil. Because you will breath some mist. Saving $10 or $20 on oil for a small/med saw that may only need topping off once or twice a year is not something to elevate above you health.
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Oct 18, 2012 13:25:46 GMT -5
I've got a 10, 14 an 20 inch saws. The main ones are my 10 an 14. The 20 is fer bigger stuff. Sometimes the fist size rocks have the best color. I use mineral oil in alla mine. Found a source fer oil at 4.00 a gallon. I have a friend that just has an 18. Said it handles everthing he finds. Later Clyde
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Charles
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2012
Posts: 161
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Post by Charles on Oct 18, 2012 14:17:47 GMT -5
Daniel, Just a note, It doesn't matter if the oil is food grade or not, it is still not safe to breath it. That's why a dust type mask is important. Motor oil or mineral oil it's all the same if it gets into your lungs.
Charles
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 18, 2012 15:03:43 GMT -5
this is from the MSDS info on AW32 hydraulic oil which is $45 for 5 gallons at our auto parts store here. sorry for the caps but it was a copy paste.
INGESTION: SWALLOWING SMALL AMOUNTS OF THIS MATERIAL DURING NORMAL HANDLING IS NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE HARMFUL EFFECTS. SWALLOWING LARGE AMOUNTS MAY BE HARMFUL.
INHALATION: IT IS POSSIBLE TO BREATHE THIS MATERIAL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF HANDLING AND USE (FOR EXAMPLE, DURING HEATING, SPRAYING, OR STIRRING). BREATHING SMALL AMOUNTS OF THIS MATERIAL DURING NORMAL HANDLING IS NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE HARMFUL EFFECTS. BREATHING LARGE AMOUNTS MAY BE HARMFUL. SYMPTOMS ARE NOT EXPECTED AT AIR CONCENTRATIONS BELOW THE RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LIMITS, IF APPLICABLE (SEE SECTION 8.).
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 18, 2012 15:06:54 GMT -5
and this is from an MSDS sheet on mineral oil. I think any form of oil that is producing a mist is not going to be good to breath in over a long period of time.
mineral oil
Potential Health Effects: Non irritating to eyes and skin. Relatively non toxic via ingestion. This product has a low vapor pressure and is not expected to present an inhalation exposure at ambient conditions. Upon heating to high temperatures, or mechanical actions which may produce vapors, mists or fumes, inhalation of product may cause irritation of the breathing passages.
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usaret
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2012
Posts: 52
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Post by usaret on Oct 18, 2012 15:23:59 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info. Never thought of mineral oil ? Been looking at the Covington 1508 ts 8" trim/slab saw ? Dealer selling them for $825 it's within my budget.
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 18, 2012 15:56:18 GMT -5
The feed system on covington saws has presented problems for several members on this board. If you want that style of saw and don't want to shop for a better deal on a used saw then Barranca or even Lortone will get you a better saw. With an 8 inch blade you will be able to cut a rock smaller than about 2 1/2 inches, 10 incher get's you to about 3 inches. I do all my slabbing on enclosed saws. I have 2 trim saws, 4" and 6" that I trim with, occasionally hand cutting small geodes on the 6. Enclosed saws are much less messy and hold enough coolant oil to allow non-stop cutting. With a trim/slam saw you need to allow the oil to cool between cuts.
Lee
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 18, 2012 22:52:03 GMT -5
on an 8" saw use water and RV anti freeze mix. Charles: I agree all oil mist is not good to breath. I take precautions. but for the trace amounts that get past precautions, I would rather white mineral oil than motor oil.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Oct 19, 2012 2:09:14 GMT -5
8" is pretty small for a slab saw. I think you would soon be unhappy with it's limitations. I would recommend 10" minimum for slabbing. If you are willing to entertain the idea of a used saw the $825 the dealer wants for the new 8" Covington would go a very long way towards a larger used saw of better quality. Good clean used 10" Lortone Saws and 10" Raytech Saws with automatic powerfeed can be found in the $400-$600 range on eBay from time to time. I currently have a 10" Raytech, a 12" Lortone, a 12" drop saw, a 14" Lortone Panther, a 14" Frantom, and two 18" Lortones. I bought all of these saws used except the 12" and 14" Lortones. And I am getting better service out of the older used saws than I am from the two saws I bought new. For me the older used saws I have have been a much better value. I use Food Grade Mineral oil for coolant. We just had a good discussion thread about saw oils a few weeks ago that you may want to read. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=sawingb&action=display&thread=55145
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 19, 2012 5:24:13 GMT -5
I agree with quailriver, I was at an estate sale a couple weeks ago that had a brand new never used lortone 12" with blade for $700 and there was a used lortone 12" there for $475 that looked great.
I bought my 14" beacon star for $400 on craigslist, its old but was taken care of and very well built. (Diamond pacific still makes the same model tc-14 for $2,500 new)
Chuck
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 19, 2012 10:10:14 GMT -5
I agree with Lee on the new Covington power feed. However, if you can find an older Covington, they were built much better. I've been using a 10" Covington that I bought second hand in the 80's that has given me no problems. Covington's power feed motor and clutch are the problem with the newer saws. Plus they removed the left side rail, which allows oil to pour out while cutting.
If you can find a saw that was built in the 80's or earlier, and the bearings are still good, that's the way I'd go. A little time spent cleaning up an older saw is a small price to pay for a piece of equipment that will probably outlive you.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 19, 2012 10:31:06 GMT -5
Agree on springing for 10" instead of 8". extra inch of cutting height is well worth the price difference.
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utdigger
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since January 2012
Posts: 84
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Post by utdigger on Oct 20, 2012 20:28:28 GMT -5
Love my 12" Lortone. Use it a lot more than my 18" or 6" trim saw. jeff
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 20, 2012 20:52:04 GMT -5
I like my LS12 too.
BTW, Covington 10" is not so much more, and Hi-Tech 10" is even less than Covington 8"
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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 Oct 25, 2012 17:33:46 GMT -5
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