blackout5783
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 248
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Post by blackout5783 on Dec 9, 2014 0:23:13 GMT -5
My Raytech 10" has been a thorn in my side recently. I replaced my BD-303C blade with a 301 because I accidentally dished it cutting way too big of a rock and it was giving me some ugly saw marks. At the same time the split nut started slipping and I really didn't feel like shelling out $75 for a new one. (Side note: how does it make sense to have a $75 nut "protecting" a blade that costs not much more, if not less than that?) So I decided to convert it to a weight feed. A couple S hooks, pulleys, and a wire rope later and we're ready to roll! Or so I thought. The saw cut great for about 3 cuts. Agates and jaspers, nothing oversized. Then the feed starts to slow down (same weight). And keeps slowing down to the point where it takes over 2 hours to cut a 2.5" agate. So I dress the blade and it cuts OK again. Once. Then slower again (like twice as long to finish the cut). And the same thing happens over and over. Is this the way the 301 is? Because to me a blade that is supposed to be superior to the 303 (at about 1.5x the cost) should cut better and not need dressing after almost every cut. I checked the blade for bends/dishing/alignment and it is definitely running truer than the 303 was and is still nice and flat. Or does it have to do with the weight feed? I'm kind of guessing at the correct weight, which is right now about 6 lb. But I don't understand it coming from that side because it will cut OK at first after dressing, then slow down with the same weight. I'm probably missing something obvious here. Any help would be great! Thanks!
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 9, 2014 0:47:48 GMT -5
I would say the change from auto feed to weight feed is the problem. Never owned a weight feed saw that didn't act like yours is.
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blackout5783
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 248
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Post by blackout5783 on Dec 9, 2014 3:45:11 GMT -5
I would say the change from auto feed to weight feed is the problem. Never owned a weight feed saw that didn't act like yours is. Well... Damn. I had a feeling that was the issue, just didn't want to believe it. OK, plan B - figure out a way around the $75 split nut.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 9, 2014 19:25:36 GMT -5
Sometimes the split nut can be nothing more than the correct sized nut cut in two and welded to respective jaws of a utility clamp. While OEM is great, there are times when a bit of "old world craftsmanship" can save a dollar. It seems like Shotgunner posted a quick fix split nut design a few months ago. Maybe others will guide us. As to your gravity feed, you are seeing the diff between a brand new blade burning through the rocks, and one that is less aggressive, needing more weight. It should still be capable of churning through that agate but it will take a bit more weight to make it go as almost as fast as before. If not, something is wrong. New 301 or 303 blades do not need to be cleaned after a few uses unless you are cutting asphalt shingles. I'm a guy who almost never intentionally dresses a blade, I presume this is because I cut such a variety of rocks that the blade is self cleaning from diversity. Yes diversity is nice and one of the benefits of being a rock hound instead of fixated on a single type of lapidary stone. Cheers. Tom A quick search produced this thread which is the one by Shotgunner that I recalled: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/67580/never-mess-worn-split-again
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