charlierainbow
off to a rocking start
With all of the rocks in my head, one might think I have enough!
Member since August 2010
Posts: 13
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Post by charlierainbow on Sept 18, 2017 15:57:35 GMT -5
Greetings all fellow rock addicts.
Time to change the blade on my 18" GW & my (?) is, does the vice carriage need to be removed to change blades, anyone know?
And if so, how is the carriage removed? Are there any pitfalls anyone could help me steer clear of?
Also are there any special tricks to removing the hydraulic cylinder ? I think mine needs to be rebored & then, I guess, refitted with piston head & diaphragm?
Thanks in advance for your help as it is greatly appreciated!!!
charlie
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Post by rockpickerforever on Sept 18, 2017 16:37:20 GMT -5
Here is a link to a website with information about that saw. www.threeriversgemandjewelry.com/greatwesternlapidaryequipmentco
This is a Great Western Lapidary Equipment Co. 24 inch Saw with hydraulic feed. Photo from the web site.
Don't know if the info you seek is on there, but it's a start! I have a smaller one, built based on the Great Western. We picked it up at a silent auction. It is ready to be refurbished, someone just hasn't found the time yet. Currently have a 10" Lortone to use, so not in a big hurry.
Many people over the years have been asking for a user manual for this saw, so the above website offers more information than had been available previously. Don't know when they started it, but since the last time I went looking for info.
Hope this helps! Jean |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2017 21:44:30 GMT -5
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charlierainbow
off to a rocking start
With all of the rocks in my head, one might think I have enough!
Member since August 2010
Posts: 13
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Post by charlierainbow on Sept 22, 2017 22:31:34 GMT -5
Thank you very much rockpickerforever & John Snow. Unfortunately, the GW site has not answered & I can't seem to get a message out to AzRockGeek from my mailbox here. No one else can help a brother out?  I've been off of slabbing for a while & I guess no hurry back to it, though it WOULD be nice!! I just don't want to screw it up worse by trying blind!!!! I guess they're a rare saw & not too many folks familiar with them??? I'll just continue hitting them(rocks) with a BFH!!!! Thanks for your time, effort & patience!! My doggley gal is SO MUCH smarter than me!! But she's gracious in not rubbing it in too many times a day!! |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2017 22:42:15 GMT -5
Thank you very much rockpickerforever & John Snow. Unfortunately, the GW site has not answered & I can't seem to get a message out to AzRockGeek from my mailbox here. No one else can help a brother out? I've been off of slabbing for a while & I guess no hurry back to it, though it WOULD be nice!! I just don't want to screw it up worse by trying blind!!!! I guess they're a rare saw & not too many folks familiar with them??? I'll just continue hitting them(rocks) with a BFH!!!! Thanks for your time, effort & patience!! My doggley gal is SO MUCH smarter than me!! But she's gracious in not rubbing it in too many times a day!! Azrockgeek username is Heber My username is Shotgunner Hope that helps |
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Post by catmandewe on Sept 23, 2017 9:25:57 GMT -5
You do not need to remove anything to change blades, it is just kind of tight and you need to pop the blade out over the end of the arbor and then roll it to the front of the saw, the new blade is installed in reverse, just make sure when you roll it in that the blade goes inside the oil catcher.
The trick to this saw is not to add too much weight, if you add too much weight you will quickly glaze your blade. On the 18" about 5 or 6 lbs is optimal for weight, 8-9 lbs for very large rough but try to refrain from using the larger weights.
Tony
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AzRockGeek
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2016
Posts: 703
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Post by AzRockGeek on Sept 26, 2017 20:31:53 GMT -5
Sorry, a little late to the party...  Is the splash guard for the blade limiting the blade from easily sliding out? If so, remove the splash guard or pull it to the side to get the blade to slide out. Tim  |
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 25, 2017 12:49:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip, Tony! catmandewe I've found that it is easy to use too much weight; I'll have to weigh what I'm currently using. Some rough is very slow/difficult to cut, but most goes through easily with a BD 303 segmented blade. I have the same saw and have taken it apart for a thorough cleaning and tried to plug leaks in the sump. It's very easy to maintain, but I haven't had to do anything with the hydraulics, so I can't speak to that. |
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 31, 2017 13:01:16 GMT -5
To answer your question regarding removing the vise carriage, there are two L-shaped brackets under the carriage that keep it from lifting off the rails. Each bracket is held in place by 2 bolts, 7/16". The only thing to watch out for is that you don't drop the bolts and washers into the sludge in the sump. Otherwise, it's easy to do. Remember to remove the weight first.
Chuck
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nicheboxrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2014
Posts: 6 
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Post by nicheboxrocks on Jun 13, 2022 0:04:15 GMT -5
Here is a link to a website with information about that saw. www.threeriversgemandjewelry.com/greatwesternlapidaryequipmentco
This is a Great Western Lapidary Equipment Co. 24 inch Saw with hydraulic feed. Photo from the web site.
Don't know if the info you seek is on there, but it's a start! I have a smaller one, built based on the Great Western. We picked it up at a silent auction. It is ready to be refurbished, someone just hasn't found the time yet. Currently have a 10" Lortone to use, so not in a big hurry.
Many people over the years have been asking for a user manual for this saw, so the above website offers more information than had been available previously. Don't know when they started it, but since the last time I went looking for info.
Hope this helps! Jean |
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nicheboxrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2014
Posts: 6
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Post by nicheboxrocks on Jun 13, 2022 0:06:51 GMT -5
Hi rockpickerforever. Thank you for sharing the link. I clicked on it and it says I need a password to get this information...How do I get the password for the link to the information about the Great Western Lapidary Equipment Co 24 inch Saw?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 13, 2022 0:45:49 GMT -5
Hi rockpickerforever. Thank you for sharing the link. I clicked on it and it says I need a password to get this information...How do I get the password for the link to the information about the Great Western Lapidary Equipment Co 24 inch Saw? Hey nicheboxrocks , you realize that thread was posted in 2017, right? I found the link to that information years ago. At the time, the site did not require a password. I suggest you try contacting Three Rivers via their website - www.threeriversgemandjewelry.com/ You should be able to get the password from them. I have not done any more searching for info on the Great Western Lapidary saws, ours was actually a saw someone built based on the GW machine. We haven't had it for years. We never did get it running, ended up giving it away. I hope Three Rivers can help you out. I wish you luck. |
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nicheboxrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2014
Posts: 6
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Post by nicheboxrocks on Jun 15, 2022 16:27:53 GMT -5
rockpickerforever, thanks. Yes, I apologize. Being almost older than dirt, I forgot that time doesn't stand still when I find a link to a possible end to a problem... I want to thank everyone out here for letting me join this forum as I have learned a lot from your pages and look forward to learning more. I like to have more than 1 teacher, lol, so I can learn from different viewpoints. I work at a rock shop and we recently sold a 24" GW saw that I wish I had more information on. Information about the company and their saws. Because the one we sold had been in someone's garage for over 50 years and it was almost brand new. Used very little. We tried it out before we sold it, and it was years ahead of the current competitors. It cut big rocks fast, like butter and we used water for cooling. We kept it clean so there was no rust. My boss has been in the lapidary business for over 33 years. There's not much he doesn't know about saws, rocks, and cutting. If anyone out there on this forum has any questions about cutting, polishing (including tumbling), or crushing, they can always shoot us an email, or come on by our store if they're in the Phoenix, AZ area. Natural Expressions, Inc.® Rock Shop 13802 E Williams Field Road Gilbert, AZ 85295 Phone (480)963-6552 Email: fredbthiele@gmail.com We are 1 block East of Gilbert Road on the North Side of Williams Field Road Our hours are Monday - Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Closed on Sundays We welcome everyone, and we have tons of slabs and rough, including many hard-to-find items. We've got Jet and Red Pipestone, Shungite, Old stock thundereggs from the Richardson Ranch, and Priday Thunderegg Beds. Moss Agate, A few slabs left of Ocean Jasper.
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Post by mohs on Jun 15, 2022 19:52:08 GMT -5
. Being almost older than dirt, I forgot that time doesn't stand st My boss has been in the lapidary business for over 33 years. There's not much he doesn't know about saws, rocks, and cutting. If anyone out there on this forum has any questions about cutting, polishing (including tumbling), or crushing, they can always shoot us an email, or come on by our store if they're in the Phoenix, AZ area. Natural Expressions, Inc.® Rock Shop 13802 E Williams Field Road Gilbert, AZ 85295 Phone (480)963-6552 Email: fredbthiele@gmail.com We are 1 block East of Gilbert Road on the North Side of Williams Field Road Our hours are Monday - Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Closed on Sundays We welcome everyone, and we have tons of slabs and rough, including many hard-to-find items. We've got Jet and Red Pipestone, Shungite, Old stock thundereggs from the Richardson Ranch, and Priday Thunderegg Beds. Moss Agate, A few slabs left of Ocean Jasper. Welcome to RTH It’s about time ha Now maybe w/ the internet It will be easier to get you name around For Natural Expression is one the best kept rock treasures ha I been to the yard a few times Its really fabulous large open area With great rock stock. And your show room is twice as cool I really like the machinery. Espically that huge mechanical rock cracker So you guys have been around long time Butte we prefer to say were Stronger Than Dirt  Ed |
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