mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
|
Post by mikeinsjc on Feb 28, 2016 16:30:18 GMT -5
About a year ago I acquired a 36" Frantom saw (one of four made). I didn't really need it, but the price was right. It required an automobile trailer to transport. Plus, it doesn't have any casters on the legs.
This thing is a beast. The top, though it has a spring assist to help lift it, is still quite heavy. The carriage is screw fed, and can be very difficult to pull back. I'm not getting any younger, so I need ideas to make these two functions a bit easier.
Diamond Pacific uses a hydraulic system to feed and retract the carriage on their 36" saw, but they are built to order and so don't have one in the showroom I could look at. I'm confident I could do the mechanical work of adapting their system to my saw if I could see how it is hooked up. I hesitate trying to come up with my own system, as I haven't any experience in designing that stuff.
The other issue, helping lift the top, seems more do-able. I was thinking of using some of those tailgate lift pistons (like on Suburbans, etc.). But it would be cool to have an all-electric system where I could raise and lower the lid with a single switch.
Does anyone know of any 36" Diamond Pacific saws in the Southern California area that I might look at?
This saw uses a 5hp 21 amp Baldor motor!
Any ideas would be appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by DirtCleaner on Feb 28, 2016 17:45:36 GMT -5
First, congrats on the big saw. Second, we need to see a few pics! Third. I have read others have added the pistons but have not seen them work in person. I would not worry at all about trying it out. Just a couple of small holes in a big chunk of steel I have a Covington 30" saw and the lid is a beast on that one. I would guess it is lighter than yours.A well placed weight on the back may help too. Hundred pounds? Maybe just a 45 lb. barbell weight?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2016 21:25:46 GMT -5
About a year ago I acquired a 36" Frantom saw (one of four made). I didn't really need it, but the price was right. It required an automobile trailer to transport. Plus, it doesn't have any casters on the legs. This thing is a beast. The top, though it has a spring assist to help lift it, is still quite heavy. The carriage is screw fed, and can be very difficult to pull back. I'm not getting any younger, so I need ideas to make these two functions a bit easier. Diamond Pacific uses a hydraulic system to feed and retract the carriage on their 36" saw, but they are built to order and so don't have one in the showroom I could look at. I'm confident I could do the mechanical work of adapting their system to my saw if I could see how it is hooked up. I hesitate trying to come up with my own system, as I haven't any experience in designing that stuff. The other issue, helping lift the top, seems more do-able. I was thinking of using some of those tailgate lift pistons (like on Suburbans, etc.). But it would be cool to have an all-electric system where I could raise and lower the lid with a single switch. Does anyone know of any 36" Diamond Pacific saws in the Southern California area that I might look at? This saw uses a 5hp 21 amp Baldor motor! Any ideas would be appreciated. No, but i do know where there are a pair of hydraulic drive 24". Its the hydraulics you seek. Saw size is less important. It will cost you a $10 donation to the club for access to the workshop. PM me if you want to pursue this. They are in Pomona California.
|
|
jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
|
Post by jerrys on Feb 29, 2016 11:34:58 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 29, 2016 20:19:54 GMT -5
I think if you call Diamond Pacific they would either send you a saw manual or maybe a PDF version. They had a 36" in their warehouse for a long time but I think they finally sold it. You might want to give the carriage and rails a really good cleaning and coat with grease.
|
|
jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
|
Post by jerrys on Mar 1, 2016 11:51:28 GMT -5
I think if you call Diamond Pacific they would either send you a saw manual or maybe a PDF version. They had a 36" in their warehouse for a long time but I think they finally sold it. You might want to give the carriage and rails a really good cleaning and coat with grease. Wouldn't grease would impede the carriage movement? I keep the carriage and rails clean and coat them with clean rock saw oil. I set up my saws so it only takes a very light pressure to move the carriage.
|
|