goldfinder
Cave Dweller 
Member since December 2020
Posts: 273
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Post by goldfinder on Dec 12, 2020 1:04:26 GMT -5
Hello all, I'm just getting into lapidary and just picked up an older Lortone LU6 combo unit with the 6" blade.
I'm mostly just going to be cutting gold in quartz specimens that I collect while gold mining and metal detecting. It's currently running some sort of oil and I'd like to run water eventually. The saw cuts very nicely but the oil just makes quite a mess and I'd prefer to run water even if I need to drain it after every run.
I know quartz is very hard, is it possible to run water on a small saw like that for quartz or is a oil based coolant a must? If so what type of blade would work best with water and quartz, I was thinking of trying sintered with water but I'm open to all suggestions and any experience people have. Figured it'd be worthwhile to ask first if that route is feasible.
Thanks!!
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Post by pauls on Dec 12, 2020 2:37:37 GMT -5
Yes it's possible to use water on a small saw like that, try some soluble cutting oil in the water. It's not recommended to use water on larger blades because it is hard on the blades, a 6" blade costs peanuts to replace a large blade can run into the hundreds so it makes sense to look after them.
In the scheme of things Quartz like you will be cutting is relatively easy to cut so you shouldn't have any problems.
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rocket
spending too much on rocks
Quality slabs for quality cabs in 2022
Member since September 2020
Posts: 292
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Post by rocket on Dec 12, 2020 7:46:52 GMT -5
Welcome from Maryland...I hope you decide to post some pictures of your gold in quartz...I may run my water cooled 7 inch blade today as weather is going to be high 50’s
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Post by rmf on Dec 12, 2020 10:06:38 GMT -5
goldfinder Though it is possible it is not recommended. The Lortone unit is designed for oil. on the other end it is for water but to keep the rust down you need to clean it out after each use. using water may damage the saw tank over time and you should use a stainless diamond blade. I would use oil in the Lortone and there are other manufacturers that make plastic or aluminum saw housings that would be better suited for water. keep in mind your mileage may vary.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 12, 2020 10:07:22 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
Please post pics of the gold in quartz. I love that stuff.
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Post by woodman on Dec 12, 2020 22:08:27 GMT -5
Hello all, I'm just getting into lapidary and just picked up an older Lortone LU6 combo unit with the 6" blade. I'm mostly just going to be cutting gold in quartz specimens that I collect while gold mining and metal detecting. It's currently running some sort of oil and I'd like to run water eventually. The saw cuts very nicely but the oil just makes quite a mess and I'd prefer to run water even if I need to drain it after every run. I know quartz is very hard, is it possible to run water on a small saw like that for quartz or is a oil based coolant a must? If so what type of blade would work best with water and quartz, I was thinking of trying sintered with water but I'm open to all suggestions and any experience people have. Figured it'd be worthwhile to ask first if that route is feasible. Thanks!! I got curious and went out and opened up my LU6, If the felt seal is good, it MAY keep water out of the bearing, but I run oil in mine. I don't use it very often and I would find it a pain to have to clean out the water after every use. It is easier for me to clean the oil off the rock. Sometime I soak it in some degreaser then put it in a toaster oven to cook out the oil. Heat will change some materials tho. I have never used water soluble oil in a saw but have heard conflicting results. If Iwere to use water, I would install some kind of drain so that I would not have to take it apart to get the water out. |
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goldfinder
Cave Dweller
Member since December 2020
Posts: 273
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Post by goldfinder on Dec 14, 2020 16:31:45 GMT -5
Thank you all for the replies and very helpful information! I think I'm just going to drain out whatever nasty oil is currently in there, clean it out and try running mineral oil. It seems to be a good compromise of mostly non-toxic while still providing rust protection and lubrication for the bearings. I've had great success using mineral oil on gold in quartz specimens that got dull after acid treatments, so I know it won't harm them at all. In the future when I have to replace the bearings I think I'll try and get some good sealed bearings so I can try water eventually. I'm not sure if the bearings in it are currently sealed and would hate to have them rust out from water. For those that asked for some pictures, here is the first slice I made with this saw. I chose some quartz specimens that gave a small signal on the metal detector as I didn't want to mess up valuable ones while I'm learning. I was extremely happy that the first slice intersected a little chunk of gold! I know it's not impressive or huge but definitely lets me know I'm on the right track.  Later I tried this one but need to try a couple more cuts to intersect the gold. I think the iron veining in a lot of the rocks from this claim will look beautiful with gold intermixed with it.  Looks like this blade is due for a new one. Any suggestions on what type would work good with mineral oil? I was thinking the MK-303 but possibly a cheaper one might be better while I'm still learning and don't really have much clue as what I'm doing lol. Any recommendations would be great! Thanks again! |
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Post by woodman on Dec 14, 2020 17:37:47 GMT -5
I don't know the type of blade I have on mine but it is a real thin one. when you clean out your saw you will find that there are no bearings on the saw end of the unit. There is a felt type of seal around shaft that keeps the oil from the bearings, at least on mine. I have mineral oil in mine. good looking speciums of gold Ore.
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Post by mohs on Dec 14, 2020 17:41:41 GMT -5
those are great & u know exactly what your doing your finding gold.. geez plus I would pan your slurry from the cuttings  keep on Ed |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 14, 2020 17:44:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the pictures! It's awesome you can actually see the gold in there.  |
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Post by stardiamond on Dec 14, 2020 19:42:54 GMT -5
Blade life using water even with an additive is shorter than using oil. I have a Genie trim saw attachment that has an 8 inch mk303 blade. Except for the arbor it is all plastic. For many years I used it for small slabbing and that eats blades a lot faster than trimming. If a person doesn't mind buying a lot of blades slabbing in water is fine. Diamond pacific makes a stand alone trim saw and tile saws are a cheaper alternative.
I imagine your saw is hand feed. I saw newer versions with a power feed and a plexiglass cover for the saw. Is the mess from oil spray?
Have you thought about ways to reduce the spray? My genie attachment doesn't spray water, but it slops it off the deck and is messy in that regard. Lapidary is messy.
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Post by greig on Dec 15, 2020 12:57:17 GMT -5
VG in your rock is wonderful.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 19, 2020 19:54:24 GMT -5
I run MK 303's in my 14"... So that I would try the 6" with a MK, I really like the blade...
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Post by aDave on Dec 20, 2020 13:05:07 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum. Chuck Drummond Island Rocks uses an LU6, I believe, and he's used it extensively for a few years after doing a restoration. I don't think he's using oil. Perhaps he'll jump in here and offer up some pointers and his experiences with the machine. |
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