Joe
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 274 
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Post by Joe on May 9, 2015 0:20:35 GMT -5
Im getting a couple saws and ive been looking for dealers for spare parts if needed. One is highland pacific so im sure some parts may need modified but it is possible. The other saw is a star diamond and I have tried looking for old spare parts or shoot any parts that would work. I know that there is alot of knowledgable people on here and am hoping for some feedback. As soon as I get them I can start to look through them and figure out what infact does need fixed. Thanks in advance for any help in guiding me in the right direction! Have a good weekend as well!  |
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Joe
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 274
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Post by Joe on May 9, 2015 0:22:00 GMT -5
Ahhh yes, the star diamond is a 24"
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Post by orrum on May 9, 2015 8:20:59 GMT -5
Saws are usually bearings, that would be Motion Industry. Or other similar place. Belts at auto shop. Blades at Jsgems. Motors and pulleys at Grainger. The various feed systems are sorta be your own engineer. Conversion to gravity feed is always a option. Saw carriage rails can be worn or if moving on wheels with bearings you are back to Motion Industry. The only real factor is that it seems the lids get destroyed and cracked up. You can fabricate replacement out plywood, plexiglass, lexan, metal. I don't have a lot of experience with lapidary saws but I am a cowboy. Most horse trailers might of had a company logo and name but they are built one at a time in a local style shop or old warehouse. Very nice builds mind you but they are sorta unique when it comes to dimensions and sizes. Saws seem to be the same. Hope that helps.
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Post by Peruano on May 9, 2015 8:49:20 GMT -5
Barranca Diamond took over Star Diamond, so they are the first stop for that one.
I'm assuming you have a Highland Park Saw, not a Highland Pacific. Orrum was right on in advising generic parts when needed, good maintenance when possible, and improvisation when absolutely necessary. I have less experience with gravity fed saws than my power fed, but I'd have a hard time envisioning a permanent switchover. I use my slab saw to cut even small rocks the size of a golf ball. Smoother, more likely to be parallel, and just plain easier on my hands than using my smaller trim saw vice (pushed by hand or pulled by gravity). Enjoy those saws. Fixing them is part of the fun and the best way to learn how they work. Tom
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Joe
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 274
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Post by Joe on May 9, 2015 9:49:16 GMT -5
Alrighty, thanks fellas. Im definately down with innovation and making stuff work just didnt know if there was a spot to get parts that were already machined, specs on bearings, owners manual that kind of stuff. Ill have to rip into it i guess to get bearing numbers. Id imagine the drive end bearing in the pillow block is a roller bearing and in the housing maybe a duplex thrust to control movement? Trying to make good conversation then and gain more knowledge I reckon. Yes a highland park is correct, guess for some reason i was thinking diamond at the time  ? Thanks for the tips though I sure cant wait to get into them! |
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Post by orrum on May 9, 2015 10:00:46 GMT -5
Go for it Joe the feeling of running a saw you remodeled is a great one!
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Post by catmandewe on May 9, 2015 11:24:05 GMT -5
I bet those saws don't need too much work, just some cleaning up.
That Star Diamond 24 is a great saw, take care of her.
Tony
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Post by Rockoonz on May 9, 2015 11:49:45 GMT -5
The HP 14 is a real workhorse, I just got a 2nd one that I will be rebuilding. The only thing I don't care for about mine is the fact that the blade is so close to the bottom of the tub that it only uses about 2 gallons of oil, so it needs frequent oil changes. I have a 12 inch blade that I plan to try when the 14 wears out just to see if I like it better. I don't remember if I already said this in your other thread but if it needs arbor bearings don't use cheap chinese ones, the ones in mine are starting getting noisy after about a year and a half. Watch ebay and Amazon for Sealmaster bearings, I got several sets to keep in inventory for under $30 each shipped. NP12 is the part number, or search 3/4 shaft size. Also these saws run a pretty fast feed rate, always keep the belt on the largest pulley step for the slowest feed and it will still be pretty fast.
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Joe
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 274
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Post by Joe on May 9, 2015 12:43:17 GMT -5
I hope that 24" doesnt need much other than cleaning and lubricating! I am definately gonna baby it. Thanks catmandewe! As for the bearings on the hp14 thanks a ton rockoons! Thats some great info that I was looking for! Definately gonna do all I can to get great products not from china! Especially bearings! Is there room to upsize to a bigger pulley then stock on the feed end? If too fast isnt that hard on the blade when cutting hard rock?
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Post by Rockoonz on May 9, 2015 16:14:38 GMT -5
You could remove the step pulley from the front of the saw and replace with any size you like, in the auction photo it looks like it may already have a larger step pulley, The ones on mine are 3"/4"/5".
Mine cuts fine in stock configuration and I have cut plenty of hard agates with it, at least 100# of Brazil agates and some pretty large pieces of polka dot agate.
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Joe
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 274
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Post by Joe on May 9, 2015 17:06:59 GMT -5
Thats great to know! Theyll be here tomorrow so im gonna have to look at em. I guess its little things like that that ya learn over time, trial and error. That sweet overhaul you posted on the other thread inspired me to maybe do the same if I have the time to!
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edgrds
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2019
Posts: 1
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Post by edgrds on Jul 7, 2019 20:14:00 GMT -5
Anyone familiar with the Star Industries Rock Saw Model 10 Power Feed?
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jul 8, 2019 8:04:04 GMT -5
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? Thanks for the tips though I sure cant wait to get into them!
