navyvet8192
starting to shine!
"Trying to see a gem through a mountain of rocks!"
Member since July 2014
Posts: 36 
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Post by navyvet8192 on Oct 2, 2014 22:36:16 GMT -5
Ok friends, I need some help. I bought a 2nd slab saw, a older Lortone 10" with the plexiglas half front door. I know, what does a guy need with 2 10" slab saws??? I'm just the kind of guy that when a bargain pops up, I grab it. Now, here is my issue. I need to replace the door, but can't seem to be able to find a supplier. The saw runs great, and the blade is new. I plan on making this my primary slab saw, and using the gravity feed one as a back-up. Any help would be most appreciated. I've attached a photo of what the saw looks like, but it is not the exact saw I have. Mine has the light blue base. Thanks All!  |
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Oct 2, 2014 23:01:15 GMT -5
I just picked up the same saw, haven't touched it yet. What's the issue with the door? Are the hinges still good? You could get a piece of plexiglass, cut it to size and make the bend with a heat gun or hot knife. I could take measurements from my saw if your door is MIA. Mike.
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Post by catmandewe on Oct 2, 2014 23:15:16 GMT -5
Call Lortone
Tony
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navyvet8192
starting to shine!
"Trying to see a gem through a mountain of rocks!"
Member since July 2014
Posts: 36
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Post by navyvet8192 on Oct 3, 2014 0:23:16 GMT -5
If you could give me the door measurements that would be great! I'm thinking that I can cut a piece of plexi, lay it over an 1 1/2 or 2" piece of pipe to get the right bend radius and warm up with a heat gun until it folds to a 90 degree angle. That way it will look semi decent and not cost me as much as an OEM door. The original door was busted, and it as a cobbed up door on it now that allows oil to blow out onto the exterior drive assembly when it runs. Thanks!
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Oct 3, 2014 11:20:08 GMT -5
As you look at the front of the saw, the door measures 17-3/4" wide. From the hinge, measured from the outside the Total plexi length is 14". Measured from the inside total is 13-1/2" 9-1/4" to apex of bend on top, 4-1/2 from apex down the front. The radius of the bend is 1", so a 1" o.d. dowel or pipe will work the make the bend around. I hope this helps, and don't hesitate to ask questions. FYI- the hinge is riveted to the plexiglass.
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Post by parfive on Oct 3, 2014 12:41:58 GMT -5
1” radius = 2” o.d.
Picture looks smaller than 1” radius.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Oct 3, 2014 14:15:08 GMT -5
I used a 1" core bit to match up the curvature, maybe I'm using the word radius incorrectly; A 1" O.D. as mentioned earlier will make the bend you're looking for.
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navyvet8192
starting to shine!
"Trying to see a gem through a mountain of rocks!"
Member since July 2014
Posts: 36
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Post by navyvet8192 on Oct 3, 2014 14:38:52 GMT -5
Thanks all, it's a big help!
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,993
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Post by Tommy on Oct 3, 2014 14:59:15 GMT -5
Good thread thanks! I have the same saw and I love it - what a work horse of a saw.
My plexi cover is also badly cracked beyond repair. I'm not sure I can make a new one - I can't seem to bend heated plexi very good - every time I try I heat it too much and it stretches and distorts like a piece of bubble gum. I was thinking about taking it off before it breaks completely off and bringing it down to my local Tap Plastics and see if they can fashion a new one for me.
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navyvet8192
starting to shine!
"Trying to see a gem through a mountain of rocks!"
Member since July 2014
Posts: 36
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Post by navyvet8192 on Oct 3, 2014 16:04:12 GMT -5
I've bent plexi years ago with a heat gun and pipe, and the key was using low heat and moving the gun ALOT! If you sit in one spot for just a minute, you start to bubble and distort it. I'll take pics of it after it's done just to show the finished product. I made a cut or 2 on it with a towel draped over the existing cover just to control the leakage and it cuts GREAT! The thing only cost me $300, and it came with a new brand new blade! I had to get a belt for the drive, but it was only $6.00 at Autozone.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,993
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Post by Tommy on Oct 3, 2014 16:34:20 GMT -5
I've bent plexi years ago with a heat gun and pipe, and the key was using low heat and moving the gun ALOT! If you sit in one spot for just a minute, you start to bubble and distort it. I'll take pics of it after it's done just to show the finished product. Can't wait to see some pictures - maybe I'll hire you to make me one  Even when my lid was perfect I've always kept a towel over it because it doesn't do a very good job of keeping the oil mist inside. Mine is the older model with gold case and I think I paid $250 with a so-so blade. I see these saws for sale all the time and have to resist the urge to start buying and hoarding them haha.I've replaced the bearings once and the blade twice and she purrs like a kitten. |
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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 3, 2014 23:28:26 GMT -5
The last time I looked into buying a piece of Plexiglas for making a part vs. buying the replacement part from the manufacturer, figuring in labor, there really wasn't much difference in the price. If you want to check with Lortone for a price. The part number for the Plexiglas hood for the 10" slab saw is # 052-23. Their contact info is shown below. If they are too high and you have trouble bending a piece of Plexiglas to get a good seal I have seen a couple of those saws where the owner made a hood out of sheet aluminum. Can't see through it but frankly once the oil gets dirty it's hard to see through the Plexiglas ones anyway.
LORTONE, inc
12130 Cyrus Way
Mukilteo, WA 98275-5700
USA
Phone: (425) 493-1600 or (800) 426-6773
Fax: (425) 493-9494
Email: equipment@lortone.com
Larry C.
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navyvet8192
starting to shine!
"Trying to see a gem through a mountain of rocks!"
Member since July 2014
Posts: 36
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Post by navyvet8192 on Oct 3, 2014 23:45:14 GMT -5
Thanks Mike, Tommy, and Larry for the great info. I googled the part # and was actually able to find the original owners manual for the saw, which was pretty cool. I may try to make one 1st just because I'm a glutton for punishment, but if it fails I'll definitely buy one.
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