QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jul 6, 2015 13:39:57 GMT -5
I had been on the lookout locally for a good deal on a used Lortone LS-14 drop saw now for three or four years and have finally scored one. I've not used this model before and am trying to decide where I want to set it up and how best to use it.
I've got a very old Farrara Industries Slik brand 12" inch drop saw that I only use outdoors with water for cutting softer and more porous materials. The Slik model is a different design than the Lortone and is too messy to use indoors with oil. So I was wondering what some of the folks here that have used the Lortone LS-14 Drop Saws with oil have experienced? Are they really messy? Should I build a plexiglass hood? Also what are the best applications for the LS-14 drop saws?
The saw came with a slab trimming table insert accessory but I don't relish the idea of getting an oil shower and breathing the mist while trimming slabs if this is the case. And I was also wondering if there is more or less chance of rounded agate nodules slipping in the vice and damaging a blade in this type of drop saw than in a traditional power-fed saw design? Any experiences anyone could share would be appreciated!
Larry C.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 6, 2015 15:58:16 GMT -5
I used to have one of the dang things till I got pissed at it, took it out in the driveway and beat it to death with a hammer. Blade weight is not heavy enough to cut most hard stuff so you have to add weights to the arm. This results in shorter blade life and more dishing of course. Pump supplied with the unit was not enough to cool the blade properly unless oil was brand new with no sediment and cleaning was a booger as the dang unit has to be lifted from the base. Oil must drench both sides or the bade will bind and chatter in the cuts. Unit throws oil all over the place and is horribly messy. Wear a good oil mask as if you are in the room with it the vapor is outrageous. I built a hood for mine but it still was super messy. That type of saw is good for cutting nodules as the dropped blade aligns perpendicular to the stone pretty well, especially of you hand start it. I like the little screw leg thingee for the cut off. You get drenched in oil no matter what though. I much prefer a water cooled tile saw for trimming. Faster, more accurate and better for your health. Had my Lortone for about ten years and as you see from how it died, I grew to hate that cranky mo fo, so, for my mental health, it had to be killed *L*.....Mel
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Post by captbob on Jul 6, 2015 16:17:45 GMT -5
*snort*
Any more questions?
Hope someone comes along for ya Larry that had a rosier relationship!
Still, wish there was a video of the final minutes of Mel's saw. That was funny as hell.
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showet
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2015
Posts: 65 
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Post by showet on Jul 6, 2015 21:48:29 GMT -5
I have a 14 but it is the only slab saw I have ever had so I can't compare to anything else I can just tell you how it works for me.
Mine is not messy as in throwing oil all over. I run it outside without a cover but I don't appear to have any oil mess and I can stand right in front of it running without getting oil thrown on me. It is VERY difficult to drain and clean as the saw needs to be physically picked up out of the base which is the pan that holds the oil. It is heavy and awkward to lift and there is no easy way to do this. Also, as mentioned, use a tile saw for trimming, it is very difficult to see well enough to trim well with the Lortone because of the design of the saw. The good news is mine cuts well as long as I add a little weight to the arm. The vise has held everything I have tried surprisingly well even some things I had my doubt about.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jul 6, 2015 23:14:39 GMT -5
I used to have one of the dang things till I got pissed at it, took it out in the driveway and beat it to death with a hammer. Blade weight is not heavy enough to cut most hard stuff so you have to add weights to the arm. This results in shorter blade life and more dishing of course. Pump supplied with the unit was not enough to cool the blade properly unless oil was brand new with no sediment and cleaning was a booger as the dang unit has to be lifted from the base. Oil must drench both sides or the bade will bind and chatter in the cuts. Unit throws oil all over the place and is horribly messy. Wear a good oil mask as if you are in the room with it the vapor is outrageous. I built a hood for mine but it still was super messy. That type of saw is good for cutting nodules as the dropped blade aligns perpendicular to the stone pretty well, especially of you hand start it. I like the little screw leg thingee for the cut off. You get drenched in oil no matter what though. I much prefer a water cooled tile saw for trimming. Faster, more accurate and better for your health. Had my Lortone for about ten years and as you see from how it died, I grew to hate that cranky mo fo, so, for my mental health, it had to be killed *L*.....Mel LOL! Ooooookay. Anybody looking for a good deal on a Lortone LS-14 Drop Saw? This one hasn't been beat with a hammer...yet. I've been walking around spontaneously chuckling ever since I read yours and captbob's posts! I think this tells me what I needed to know. Outdoor use only and don't wear my best T-shirt when using! I think I'll coat all of the unpainted parts of this Lortone with a water resistant grease and try using this as a water saw with a fountain pump like the one I use with my Slik drop saw. I've been wanting to try the MK-62Q blades anyhow. The MK-62Q blades are made for cutting quartz and volcanic rock with water and I've seen a couple of lapidary supply companies have started stocking them so I've been curious. I guess now I have an excuse to order one. Thank you very much for the detailed response. You probably saved me an afternoon or two of frustration and maybe saved my best T-shirt too! Larry C. |
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jul 6, 2015 23:15:54 GMT -5
*snort* Any more questions? Hope someone comes along for ya Larry that had a rosier relationship! Still, wish there was a video of the final minutes of Mel's saw. That was funny as hell. LOL! Nah, I think that Mel Touched all of the bases! If you enjoy the mental picture of the last couple of minutes of Mel delving out the final death blows to his drop saw then you probably would have enjoyed the look on my wife's face as I read Mel's post to her aloud...priceless! Larry C. |
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jul 6, 2015 23:32:32 GMT -5
I have a 14 but it is the only slab saw I have ever had so I can't compare to anything else I can just tell you how it works for me. Mine is not messy as in throwing oil all over. I run it outside without a cover but I don't appear to have any oil mess and I can stand right in front of it running without getting oil thrown on me. It is VERY difficult to drain and clean as the saw needs to be physically picked up out of the base which is the pan that holds the oil. It is heavy and awkward to lift and there is no easy way to do this. Also, as mentioned, use a tile saw for trimming, it is very difficult to see well enough to trim well with the Lortone because of the design of the saw. The good news is mine cuts well as long as I add a little weight to the arm. The vise has held everything I have tried surprisingly well even some things I had my doubt about. Thank you for the response showet. I have been wanting to try one of these saws for a long time now but hadn't seen one for sale in my area until recently. Back in May I overheard a dealer at the Franklin, NC show speaking positively about these and he had three with him at the show to use, but wasn't using them while I was near by. Then week before last I found this one locally along with some other lapidary equipment all priced together so I pounced. I wonder if there are some design, or speed operation differences between yours and Mel's that made the difference or if maybe it's a difference in the viscosity of oil you are using? The building I use my saws in also has my kiln and furniture hardwood stored in it so I have to try to keep down on oil mist as much as possible. So it sounds like from both posts that indoors is definitely a no-no in my case. Thank you very much again for sharing your experiences! Larry C. |
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Post by phil on Jul 21, 2015 18:26:35 GMT -5
I've used one for years. Love it! Cuts 5 slabs to every 1 compared to an autofeed saw. Works best and throws the least oil if you spend the $$ on a good sintered blade. Ours lasted for several years, cutting 4 hours a day, 4x a week. All kinds of materials. I built an oversized lipped tray to set ours in an then built a plexi cabinet with double doors for loading and unloading. Oh.... ours is inside too. No problems if it's used this way. Wouldn't trade it for any other similar sized saw. matter of fact, while mine was apart for refurb, I bought a 16 inch Gemstone manuf drop saw.... Now there's a beast! Also run inside, and I also extended the sides (cardboard) to contain any errant oil spray coming off the rocks being cut.. now that my 14 is back in operation, I'll be selling the 16.
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Post by phil on Jul 21, 2015 18:29:27 GMT -5
Forgot.. for cleaning? I mod'd the unit by drilling a hole in the front of the oil sump attaching an evap cooler drain assy, attached a hose to that, and then the oil drains into a 5 gallon bucket with the overflow set at 3 gallons which allows most of the crud to settle before the oil flows into a second 3 gallon bucket where the pump lives. easy to clean up, piece of cake to use. And it's in the garage, not outside.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Jul 22, 2015 4:55:12 GMT -5
Forgot.. for cleaning? I mod'd the unit by drilling a hole in the front of the oil sump attaching an evap cooler drain assy, attached a hose to that, and then the oil drains into a 5 gallon bucket with the overflow set at 3 gallons which allows most of the crud to settle before the oil flows into a second 3 gallon bucket where the pump lives. easy to clean up, piece of cake to use. And it's in the garage, not outside. Thank you for the info Phil! I had been thinking about doing something like that to help keep the oil clean. The LS-14 I just bought a couple of weeks ago had a bad switch which I haven't gotten around to replacing yet but hope to get done later this week and then give it a try. After reading Mel's review I'm still wondering if I should keep a priest on speed dial just encase this thing needs an exorcism down the road!  Larry C. |
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Post by phil on Jul 22, 2015 20:50:38 GMT -5
Not to worry. They're good saws once you learn how to use them. My friends keep pestering me to buy mine, so I'm making 5 of them to sell with all my mods. Convertible blade, natural oil drain, larger pan, and much more etc etc so I exceed the 10% change rule and avoid any possible patent infringement, even tho Lortone said knock yourself out.
I forgot to add, put the rear 1/2 inch higher than the front so all the dirty oil naturally flows to the front drain.
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Post by dehavillanddave on Nov 9, 2021 12:22:42 GMT -5
I have solved the dilemma regarding the oil change hassle on this saw. Block and tackle and chains. I’ve installed a couple of Clevis hooks into the saw and leave the block and tackle set installed up above. Sling the chains out of the way. Easy peazy. I don’t see a way to post a photograph here unfortunately
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 9, 2021 21:20:42 GMT -5
I have solved the dilemma regarding the oil change hassle on this saw. Block and tackle and chains. I’ve installed a couple of Clevis hooks into the saw and leave the block and tackle set installed up above. Sling the chains out of the way. Easy peazy. I don’t see a way to post a photograph here unfortunately Most of us use Cloudinary to post pictures. You can also use any photo hosting site you belong to. If you post from your phone, people use the Tapatalk app to post pics.
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nvtinman
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2024
Posts: 3
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Post by nvtinman on Jun 1, 2024 21:19:20 GMT -5
Reading some of the posts about drop saws and decided to add my 2 cents worth. I bought my first one about 40 years ago. Paid $50 for the 12 inch saw and $50 for a new blade. Had 2 kids to feed and money was tight.
Fast forward 40 years I bought a 14 inch at a yard sale for $80. That's the one I'm using now.
Yes these saws are messy. Yes you have to add weights especially with jasper and agates. Yes it affects the blade life. But and this is the kicker.
I can't justify the price for a "good" type saw anymore than I can justify a thousand bucks plus for a good set of golf clubs,especially the way I play.
Pros: I can buy a lot of blades for the money I have in this saw.
I have box after box of slabs I have cut with my saws.
Cos
Biggest con I see is I have to be there when the saw is cutting. Usually it leaves a bit of rock when it breaks through and it does not have a cutoff switch.
Maybe this helps and maybe it doesn't
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