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Post by Starguy on Apr 24, 2016 9:53:05 GMT -5
I was sawing some tiger eye yesterday.
When I was cleaning up, I noticed that some of the slabs were thin for the first inch or so. As I started a new cut, the saw didn't sound right so I stopped it and removed the rock to get a better look. When I turned the saw on without the rock, it continued to sound funny.
I slid a door shim from the vice to the blade and there is a definite wobble to the blade. I unplugged the saw and manually turned the blade but can't see any damage.
I also noticed that the blade is slightly more difficult to turn by hand through about 180 degrees of its rotation.
The blade is a 16" 301. Am I going to need to replace it?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I don't have any idea what caused the wobble.
thanks
Brent
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 24, 2016 10:25:40 GMT -5
The blade could have warped.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 24, 2016 10:58:15 GMT -5
Thanks vegasjames. I'm guessing the only thing to do is to replace it. |
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller 
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910 
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Post by Intheswamp on Apr 24, 2016 11:27:20 GMT -5
I slid a door shim from the vice to the blade and there is a definite wobble to the blade. I unplugged the saw and manually turned the blade but can't see any damage. I also noticed that the blade is slightly more difficult to turn by hand through about 180 degrees of its rotation. Have you got another blade of some type that you could put on the saw to see if it spins true? Just to be sure there's no bearing issues going on.... Hey, I'm a rank newb, I'm stabbing in the dark.  |
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Post by Starguy on Apr 24, 2016 11:42:51 GMT -5
I slid a door shim from the vice to the blade and there is a definite wobble to the blade. I unplugged the saw and manually turned the blade but can't see any damage. I also noticed that the blade is slightly more difficult to turn by hand through about 180 degrees of its rotation. Have you got another blade of some type that you could put on the saw to see if it spins true? Just to be sure there's no bearing issues going on.... Hey, I'm a rank newb, I'm stabbing in the dark. I'm kind of a newb too. It's my first bigger saw. It's only a year old so I'm hoping it's not a bearing issue. I'm going to look it over a little closer today. I'll definitely be checking the bearings. Hopefully I won't need to replace the blade. They're pretty spendy. |
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Apr 24, 2016 12:04:37 GMT -5
Yeah, being a year old I wouldn't think it would be the bearings. Had any questionable cuts lately? Seems if the blade warped that most likely you might remember something. Have you tried simply removing the blade, wiping the arbor and blade down and reinstalling?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 12:22:17 GMT -5
Have you got another blade of some type that you could put on the saw to see if it spins true? Just to be sure there's no bearing issues going on.... Hey, I'm a rank newb, I'm stabbing in the dark. I'm kind of a newb too. It's my first bigger saw. It's only a year old so I'm hoping it's not a bearing issue. I'm going to look it over a little closer today. I'll definitely be checking the bearings. Hopefully I won't need to replace the blade. They're pretty spendy. It's not a highland park is it? Rockoonz |
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Post by Starguy on Apr 24, 2016 12:29:51 GMT -5
Ed
I had some funky slabs yesterday. The first inch or so was considerably thinner than the rest of the slab. I think the wobble caused the kerf to widen until the cut got deep enough that the rock stabilized the core of the saw.
I'll probably take the blade off today and lay it on something flat to see if it looks warped.
I'm afraid the rock shifted at some point. It still seemed tight when I took the rock out to try to figure out what was going on.
If I need to change the blade I guess it will be a good time to do a thorough cleanout. I have to find something positive about this.
Thanks for the ideas.
Brent
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Post by Starguy on Apr 24, 2016 12:33:21 GMT -5
@shotgunner
It's a Covington. I'm checking on new blades. Do you know if there is a difference between MK 301 and BD 301 blades?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 12:43:31 GMT -5
@shotgunner It's a Covington. I'm checking on new blades. Do you know if there is a difference between MK 301 and BD 301 blades? No. johnjsgems can u help? |
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Post by Starguy on Apr 24, 2016 16:16:18 GMT -5
I got the blade off this afternoon. There was no visible warping or other damage. I took the brass bushing out and re-bushed the blade then set it on top of a 5 gallon bucket. I put a steel straight edge on it. The blade was very slightly dished, maybe 1/64th over a foot. Would this be enough to cause a wobble?
The bearings felt tight. I adjusted the belt a little then put the blade back on. It still wobbles. When I push a shim against the inner smooth metal of the blade, the wobble stops.
Any Ideas?
Brent
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rxscram
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 519
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Post by rxscram on Apr 25, 2016 16:31:53 GMT -5
@shotgunner It's a Covington. I'm checking on new blades. Do you know if there is a difference between MK 301 and BD 301 blades? BD is the lapidary division of Mk diamond. Blades are the same except label. The part number is the same, too. |
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 25, 2016 20:58:39 GMT -5
Yes blades are the same. BD started changing numbers in Dec but blades still same. Pretty hard to warp a blade that thick but I guess if a rock shifted or blade heated enough to lose tension. Covington used to under size blade flanges. If you change blade measure flange diameters. They need to be at least 1/6 blade diameter per MK/BD.
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Post by victor1941 on Apr 25, 2016 21:00:56 GMT -5
Starguy, I would make sure that the blade is sharp and the rock guide is presenting the rock parallel for the full length of the blade cut. If the bearings are good I would make sure the blade is not dished and the edge runs true. I am assuming the motor pulley section is in good shape. I have a 14" Covington and have had a lot of wear on the depth guide(aluminum) and movement of the rock while being cut that gives an uneven slice in hard material.
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