bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Oct 29, 2013 17:48:22 GMT -5
Help - I have a problem... Last week I ordered a replacement 1/2 nut assembly for the autofeed on my Raytech 10" saw from Lyman Products. I called on it today since it had not yet arrived. With an edgy attitude they told me it hadnt shipped and likely wouldnt ship until maybe next week. They are in the middle of inventory (wtf? ). Dont they know I just mowed the lawn for the last time this year and I have rocks that NEED to be cut. So the issue is that my existing brass 1/2 nut is just worn out and wont get a good bite on the threaded rod. Does anyone have any tricks that might get me by until next week? I need a slab fix baaaaaaaaaaaaad.......
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kaldorlon
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2013
Posts: 413
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Post by kaldorlon on Oct 29, 2013 17:58:30 GMT -5
plumbers tape?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2013 18:02:54 GMT -5
visualize this. Get a small metal jawed spring clamp - like these with the rubber cushions removed It must be little enough so the jaws stay open a bit when placed on the screw. Then clamp it on the feed screw threads close to and behind the rock-vice/sled. That is, on your side of the vice. Then when the autofeed screw turns, the clamp is pushed forward against the rock-vice. This pushing it forward, away from you. The pushing is not very hard and does not effect the clamp. Not my idea. It's what drives my 24". Or did I completely mis-read your query? edited to add: you must remove the clamp to slide the rock-vice back for manipulation. I clamp mine on the screw all the way forward next to the say body. That way it's always there when it's time to start cutting.
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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 29, 2013 18:09:24 GMT -5
You can take the Half-nut assembly off and re-thread it with a threading tap the same size and thread count as the feed rod. This has worked for me but it is kind of a pain to go through the process of taking the power feed assembly apart and then reassembling. Or you could check with RNB Rock Shop and see if they have the part in stock (they carry parts for the 10" Raytech Saw). If they have it you can order from them and cancel the order with Raytech. www.rnbrockshop.com/raytech_10_inch_saw_replacement.htm1-800-820-3612
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Oct 29, 2013 21:29:31 GMT -5
thank all - appreciate the input Scott - not sure i fully follow but i have clamps and will go mess with it Quail - i thought about tapping but didnt thin it would work tapping the same size, but worth a try. I called RNB's non-800 # today and it didnt go thru. I will try the 800 # manana. Many thanks. Cheers Andy
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2013 22:34:22 GMT -5
bsky4463 - the clamp must be small enough that it is gripping the screw thread. That way the jaws of the clamp will "ride" in the threads as it turns. It acts as a hand held, spring loaded, "half-nut". The turning will push the clamp up against the vice and subsequently push the vice forward.
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Oct 30, 2013 8:22:21 GMT -5
Perfect explanation - thanks for the adder. I tried it out last night and it works! Great suggestion. Unfortunately due to the layout of the saw and the clamp I have on hand, the cover will not fit with the clamp on the threaded rod. Off to the store to look for an alternate style clamp. Again many thanks. Cheers Andy
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2013 11:23:34 GMT -5
Once you buy a tiny enogh clamp, you will forget about the half nut assembly entirely. Just as easy to use and far cheaper/easier to replace.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 30, 2013 21:15:37 GMT -5
I have got to try this. I switched over to gravity feed when my split nut got too worn out to grip awhile ago. Thanks Scott!
Chuck
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Nov 3, 2013 14:18:34 GMT -5
So.... Lyman didnt even answer their phones end of last week. Must take all fingers and toes to handle inventory. Scott's suggestion on the clamp was great and it works. Just not a permanent solution on the Raytech 10" - conflicts with cover and pushing rather than pulling limits stone size. QuailRvr suggestion on RNB led me to a phone # that didnt get answered and VM wasnt setup. Leads me to think they might not be in business anymore. But QR's other suggestion re-thread got me thinking. So I lined the 1/2 nut hole which clamps around the threaded rod with JB weld yesterday. Didnt fill the hole, no need, just lined the opening. I am on my way to the shop to drill it out and tap it (re-thread it). Fingers crossed, will let you know how it works or didnt work... If it works, much cheaper than $75 for a new half-nut assembly.
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Nov 3, 2013 18:49:48 GMT -5
Well.... The JB Weld sleeve didnt hold when I went to re-thread the 1/2nut. So I ended up milling about 10/1000ths off each half of the 1/2nut, redrilled the hole and re-threaded the opening. Mounted everything back up and it works GREAT. So lesson learned is when the 1/2 nut wears out DO NOT BUY A NEW one. Even if you dont have machining skills and tools, likely someone close to you does. This would be a 15 min job (more like 5) for the right person and should cost you very little - and free if you can do it yourself. Thanks for the earlier suggestions and hope this helps someone searching the archives later. Cheers Andy
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2013 14:51:24 GMT -5
Once you buy a tiny enogh clamp, you will forget about the half nut assembly entirely. Just as easy to use and far cheaper/easier to replace. The clamp in my saw has like 3" handles. The engineer who made this fix noticed that was short enough to simply spin on the screw. It needs to catch on something to start traveling down the threads. He/she(?) added some 20d nails to the handles by a little tack weld. Now the nails catch on the vice when the screw turns.
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