SJPatrick
starting to spend too much on rocks
2 1/2 years into rock hounding and I'm still a newbie!
Member since September 2013
Posts: 124
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Post by SJPatrick on Dec 4, 2013 14:24:48 GMT -5
I've got another couple newbie questions regarding evaluation of slab saws. I was at an estate sale and there was an old Hillquist 18" slab saw being auctioned. It had been drained of oil. In order to test it they put a bar of soap in the vise, fired up the saw, and cut the soap bar. The bar of soap ended up having some saw marks on the resulting slabs.
My questions: It this a viable test? And does running the saw with no oil in it harm it in any way? Thanks!
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 15:16:47 GMT -5
No harm to the saw running it dry on a bar of soap; rock would be another story as it would damage the blade.
The saw marks may reflect either a dished or warped blade, or a problem with the vise. It would be best if you could manually handle the vise and determine whether it is tight.
Chuck
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SJPatrick
starting to spend too much on rocks
2 1/2 years into rock hounding and I'm still a newbie!
Member since September 2013
Posts: 124
|
Post by SJPatrick on Dec 4, 2013 16:27:18 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck. The sale was a few weeks ago and I didn't know much if anything about evaluating slabs saws. I didn't stick around for the auction so I don't if it got sold. Now with the help of the guys here I have a list of things to check, including those you mentioned. I was concerned about test running the saw with no oil. I didn't think there would be a problem. But I'm new to this so I thought I should ask. And if the bar of soap is a good substitute for a rock, it seems like a good way to test a saw that has been drained of oil. Thanks.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 4, 2013 17:13:12 GMT -5
By all means, Patrick, ask away! We all learn something in the process.
I'm an advocate for buying used equipment because most of the older stuff is very well made. Provided parts aren't worn out, you can save a lot of money. On the other hand, replacement parts can be very difficult to find.
If you do see saw marks in the soap, try to sight down the blade and turn it. That should tell you whether it's the blade or the vise carriage that's the problem. Usually it's the blade.
Chuck
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 4, 2013 21:44:48 GMT -5
I would not recommend a Hilquist for a first saw. They can probably be upgraded to a pretty decent saw with some work, but they're not the greatest saw out there.
Lee
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Post by catmandewe on Dec 4, 2013 23:36:57 GMT -5
Only thing I would worry about is if the bearings are not sealed and have dried out. Some older saws have bearings that need an oil bath to keep them lubed up, most saws have sealed bearings nowadays.
I often put soapy water in a saw to test cut it but I usually cut obsidian when I do a test cut. Helps to see if the tank leaks also. Never tried a bar of soap but I would think it would be so soft that some of the saw marks you are seeing are not really saw marks as harder material will help keep the blade straighter.
Tony
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 5, 2013 15:03:23 GMT -5
Good advice from Tony. He likely has the most saw experience on the board.
Chuck
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SJPatrick
starting to spend too much on rocks
2 1/2 years into rock hounding and I'm still a newbie!
Member since September 2013
Posts: 124
|
Post by SJPatrick on Dec 5, 2013 20:52:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice everybody. Tony, I've only seen a few large slab saws up close in my short time doing this. I couldn't remember any that bathed a moving part in the oil except for the saw blade. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll keep my eyes open for this should I ever attempt this test. But it sounds like a bar of soap test, if needed or possible, is just one other thing to add to my list of things to check when evaluating a saw. Thanks.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 5, 2013 21:18:35 GMT -5
The bar of soap would only tell you if the feed is working. They could have run it with the vise away from the blade. Maybe they liked the drama of "slabs" falling. I would lock down the vise and check for any slop. Also the main bearings. You can also check for motor shaft movement and "strange noises" when you start the saw. You can watch the blade as it starts and when coasting to a stop to see if blade is straight. If you know what new blades look like evaluate how much rim is left. All of these things will tell you more than how the soap looked. And if a seller won't let you check these things exit quickly unless price is really low.
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SJPatrick
starting to spend too much on rocks
2 1/2 years into rock hounding and I'm still a newbie!
Member since September 2013
Posts: 124
|
Post by SJPatrick on Dec 6, 2013 18:19:12 GMT -5
Thanks John. The person doing the bar of soap cutting test was a person looking to buy the saw at an auction. After seeing the saw marks in the soap he decided against bidding on it. I don't know if he made any other checks to evaluate the saw. From you and other helpful posters here I have a list of checks to perform when evaluating a saw's condition.
You mentioned locking down the vise and checking for any slop. I assume that to mean the vise should be tight on the carriage and the carriage shouldn't be loose on the feed. Is that correct? I'm lucky to have available to me for a couple hours a week a Lortone LS18 while I look for a used saw of my own. I checked for the slop on this saw today. The vise was tight on the carriage. The carriage had a little movement, no more than 1/8". The saw cuts wonderfully. If I were buying this saw (I'm not, it's not for sale), would that be considered too much slop? Thanks again for your inputs.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 7, 2013 14:50:31 GMT -5
If it is making smooth cuts it must be OK. I don't recall any movement on my old HP with clutch engaged but I could be wrong. Some hard, dense pet woods came off that saw lookging like they were pre polished. No saw marks until I dished the blade.
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