jim931
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 117
|
Post by jim931 on Apr 18, 2020 12:27:25 GMT -5
Good morning! I tried searching old articles for the answer to my question but could not find anything, but if it is out there I apologize for the repeat.
My question is how often do you replace your oil in the saw. I have a Covington trim saw that I make small slabs with too. Reason I’m asking is I finally popped the top off and took a look in there and more than half of my oil reservoir was the heaviest and thickest mud. I cleaned it all out and replaced the oil. But it had me wondering if there was something that triggers y’all to check the oil. It’s pretty inconvenient to pop my top off just to check it all the time without some reason to believe it needs changed.
Also some of the previous articles talked about filtering old oil through paper bags. To anyone who has recommended that, thank you!!! It worked incredibly! After filtering it I compared it to the fresh oil and saw no difference!
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Apr 18, 2020 12:41:38 GMT -5
When the oil on the surfaces of the saw changes color and begins to resemble pudding it usually means you're needing a clean out. The smaller trim/slab saws have a limited volume of cooling liquid so if you're cutting a lot of slabs you should change often, as the coolant will get hot faster and cause more rapid blade wear.
|
|
|
Post by rmf on Apr 18, 2020 15:22:11 GMT -5
Well I have always liked a big reservoir because I hate changing oil. On the trim saw I let it go a long while. On the slab saw once it starts leavin muck on the top of the vice it is time to clean it out. I put all my muck in Brown paper grocery bags and set then is a rubbermaid tub with holes in it. this drains to a metal drum that collects the oil. This oil is then reused. I only toss what does not drain out of the muck. The paper grocery bags are set on in side the other so two bags and they absorb some oil but they act like a cheap oil filter. I have had some concerns that someone might complain about me dumping the muck into the trash, so I have been adding diesel to the paper bags of muck and burning them in a pan. this burns off all the oil and then I just dump the dust in the trash.
|
|
agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
|
Post by agatemaggot on Apr 18, 2020 15:46:47 GMT -5
People throw a lot worse things than a couple pounds of oily muck in their trash, but thanks for the extra effort !
|
|
|
Post by taylor on Apr 19, 2020 0:34:08 GMT -5
Also recommend the oil sucker to make the job a little quicker and a little less messy.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
|
Post by Fossilman on Apr 19, 2020 10:41:53 GMT -5
I use to do the filters, bags and etc... Not anymore. I just drain it all into a six gallon steel bucket, put a lid on it, put it out of the way in a corner.. Fill my saw with new fresh oil.. Every week I would go syphon the oil that rises to the top of the goop and put it in gallon jugs... After a few weeks, it's just mud and etc, so I dig a hole and bury it, clean the bucket up and off I go, cutting till the next go around... I use the used oil for my fill ups as the saw is cutting rocks (till its time to change oil again).
|
|
Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
|
Post by Benathema on Apr 19, 2020 12:53:46 GMT -5
Ooohhhhhh a saw... Not a car... I was gonna say some folks just change the filter.
|
|
|
Post by arghvark on Apr 20, 2020 8:49:53 GMT -5
I've basically waited until the sludge gets so thick in the sump that the blade stirs it up. Advantage here is that once the saw is drained (after poking a hole in the sludge barrier!) the sludge can be sliced like brownies with a wide putty knife and removed in big chunks. Filter in paper bags and save for next time. Refill. I dont even really bother with cleaning everything because the first cut after refill rinses all the gunk off everything. Wait a day and it all settles, restarting the brownie-making process.
|
|
jim931
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 117
|
Post by jim931 on Apr 20, 2020 11:58:59 GMT -5
I appreciate everyone advice. Seems like the common answer was once you notice the blade kicking up the sludge instead of clean oil so I can definitely work with that. Thanks again!
|
|