garock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,168
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Post by garock on Jul 11, 2020 15:06:42 GMT -5
I have learned something about my ST-10 rock saw. I have had it for 10 years or so. I have occasionally slabbed rocks that my wife and have collected over the years. Last year I started cutting rocks almost everyday. I noticed recently that the motor was trying to slow down and stop. I would shut off at once. I "ciphered", the blade must be getting dull. I put a piece of brick against the blade while running and this should fix it. It did not. I have now totally cleaned out the saw in about 5 years. The mineral oil is dark dark brown. I started looking for a new blade too. Then I decided I would just change the oil out and clean out all the build up in the bottom. Well I was surprised that there was over an inch of mud and grit in the bottom. What a mess. Got it cleaned out. Took me a few hours. The wife almost did not let me back in the house or I was to get "naked" before coming inside the house. I enclosed my carport. One side is mind and the other belongs to hers. Could not blame her. I made up my deal to recover the oil but found out it did not work so well. "Shucks" ! There was so much dirt and silt suspended in the oil I may have recovered only about a quart. Took the notched rim blade and cleaned it with a wire bush just for the heck of it. I have a sinter diamond blade but it is very thick I found out. I loose a slab after two cuts. Absolutely two thick but works great. I used it first after putting oil in the saw and it cut very good ! Just for the heck of it I put the notched rim blade back in and watched the motor to be sure it did not stall again. It has not stalled or slowed for two days now. Been a cutting fool again. Blade cuts the chert from Savannah River area and the Withlahoochee River chert and corral very good. Cuts faster too. I never would have dreamed that the oil would have so much suspended grit in it to slow down the blade motor. One thing I learned for sure: Don't be so lazy and thoroughly clean the saw out at least once a year. I reckon you just have to experience it.
garock
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garock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,168
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ST-10
Jul 11, 2020 15:07:50 GMT -5
Post by garock on Jul 11, 2020 15:07:50 GMT -5
Oh my ! I finally got it upload ! Been too long since I uploaded anything !
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oldschoolrocker
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,578
Member is Online
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ST-10
Jul 11, 2020 23:22:51 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by oldschoolrocker on Jul 11, 2020 23:22:51 GMT -5
let's see some pics of what you have been cutting!
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jul 12, 2020 8:11:47 GMT -5
I have an ST-10 too. I don't cut that many rocks, but I clean it out two or three times a year. I don't take the top part off the bottom tray the way it is designed to be cleaned because the top part is too heavy and that seems like a really messy way to do it. Here is my cleaning method. It takes about half an hour.
My saw is on a rolling base that I made. I start by laying out a piece of plastic on the floor to catch any drips or spills. I roll the saw onto the plastic.
I use a square Olivio (margarine) container to scoop out the old oil. The oil goes directly into a paper bag inside a bucket with holes that's inside another bucket. This is my oil filter setup.
Then I use an old, broken ice scraper to sort of squeegee the bottom. I just scrape all the oil to the front and continue to scoop it out. At some point, I also scoop the oil out of the left side of the saw.
I don't do a super good job of cleaning because it's just going to get dirty again, but I do scrap the entire bottom down to metal and it really doesn't take very long to do.
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garock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,168
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Post by garock on Jul 12, 2020 15:28:21 GMT -5
Jugglerguy, I cleaned the whole thing out, both sides just as you did. I will keep in mind about the sheet of plastic. Thank you ! There is not an easy way to kept from getting messy ! I reckon because it is messy ! I had thought of using a sponge. I too cleaned as much as possible all the grit. I was really surprised how much better the cut was and so much faster too. Take Care ! Thanks !
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 12, 2020 15:42:02 GMT -5
I learned the same thing. I used a stainless steel wok ladle to scoop out the muck at the bottom of the saw and then added some fresh oil to balance what had been removed. I put a plastic bag in a cardboard box and scooped the muck into it. It required very little effort and my saw was very happy. The oil was very clear but there was a lot of muck.
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