neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 20, 2021 18:55:44 GMT -5
The shutoff switch is a nice touch but . . . I usually cut four or five slabs before I shut the saw off. I clamp the rock with that in mind and wind the arm back to where I want the first cut. When the first one’s done, I lift the arm with the saw still running, crank the arm four turns for the usual 0.200” slab and ease the blade into the next cut. And same again till done. This machine has a "rest" that the switch comes down on, which is adjustable as height goes. I can simply drop it an inch and place a c-clamp on the arm and do that also. |
|
neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 22, 2021 19:03:46 GMT -5
Finished a mobile platform for the saw today. Now that I don't have to be too concerned about moving it due to it's assembled weight, I can get to work on putting it all back together. So close to being able to use it!  |
|
neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 24, 2021 16:01:58 GMT -5
guess this is a rebuild progress thread also... Finished the oil delivery tubes. The original setup was held on by a clamp. I modified the existing bracket to let me reposition the tubes further away from the blade area, and added a hole big enough for a zip tie to secure the T connector to the mount.  Currently I'm re-assembling the whole machine to get it running. Once it's all tested and working, I'm hoping to re-visit the oil delivery system to replace the majority of it with metal piping that can be more easily secured to the side of the machine with less need for ring clamps, etc. I'd really like to know what options are available for replacing the pump completely. It's the one segment of wiring that I'm not able to replace, as I don't want to risk breaking the pump completely by taking it apart without having a functioning backup on hand. That or I suppose I could get a 10 gallon reservoir for oil below the saw, and put a 5 gallon jug of oil on a shelf above it as a last resort, but I like that the pump is currently working. side note: The reddish metal on the left is a piece of aluminum that I cut to temporarily cover up a hole in the side panel. Around 7" across and tall, there is a metal frame that goes there which as a nice piece of plexi in it for a window. I have the frame and plexi nice and clean, but am looking for a good glue to put the two back together with. Once that's finished it will get put back in place. However, since it's not essential, it's on the back burner. |
|
neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 24, 2021 19:01:52 GMT -5
So close to being done. Motor has been rewired (main wire had small issue, but the electrical tape had started to come off). All the main components are back on the machine, and many of the sharp edges/corners on some of the custom parts have been filed down and smoothed out. A lot of it is superfluous but I had the parts off the machine and I like to remove sharp edges where I can. Saw has a 14" blade, it doesn't need to do other cutting. Tomorrow (maybe tonight) I'll get to finishing the wiring and test the motor and the pump. Then, once that's done, I'll put the belt on, test the motor with the blade load... then I just need to buy some oil. Then everyone will be happy because I'll stop posting boring restoration stuff in this thread   |
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 24, 2021 22:13:05 GMT -5
Restorations are never boring. I like seeing old equipment being brought back better than before.  |
|
neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 24, 2021 23:42:32 GMT -5
"Epic Rock Snot" video uploaded to youtube. Yes, I recorded the cleanout of the pan. No, I don't recommend watching this if you're easily grossed out. |
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Apr 25, 2021 7:52:45 GMT -5
If you are worried about replacements for your pump, a standard swamp cooler (evaporative cooler) pump will work fine. Any hardware store in the sw carries several different pumps with varying ratings.
I was told by an electronics guy once that mineral oil is a definite non-conductor so not to worry if switches got oily.
|
|
neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 25, 2021 16:58:06 GMT -5
If you are worried about replacements for your pump, a standard swamp cooler (evaporative cooler) pump will work fine. Any hardware store in the sw carries several different pumps with varying ratings. I was told by an electronics guy once that mineral oil is a definite non-conductor so not to worry if switches got oily. LOL. Well look at that. It's amazing how much easier it is to find things when you know the proper name for the item you are looking for. I've searched for all kinds of pumps and never found anything close to what I have, but I search for "evaporative cooler pump" and it's a gold mine. Thank you! Any idea/info on if there is a specific flow rate or other function of the pumps that I need to be aware of? |
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Apr 25, 2021 18:18:04 GMT -5
I suspect that any would do the job but from the design I would also suspect that flow constricted by a valve if it needed to be reduced would not overwork the pump. You are spliting the flow to both sides of the blade and ideally directing it down so volume should not increase mess. ( as opposed to saws where the oil is hurled up by blade rotation). I'd go for the midsized one. When the oil gets so grunge that the pump is slow it's time to clean the saw. Just thinking out load.
|
|
neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 25, 2021 20:49:03 GMT -5
Obligatory Anakin Skywalker "it's working! It's working!"
...sort of.
Electrical is all done, motor starts up and runs, and the pump runs. Now I need to get more oil to fully test the pump, then put the sawblade on and test it all on a rock.
|
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Apr 25, 2021 21:46:34 GMT -5
|
|
neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
|
Post by neural on Apr 27, 2021 21:20:01 GMT -5
Reassembly is now complete!   First cuts (I chose obsidian because it's softer):  The sides are perfectly straight, and there are hardly any marks. Quite different from the first slab saw I had back in 2010. Quite a lot of spray coming off the saw depending on where in the rock it's cutting, but I also haven't put the custom top cover that the previous owner had. I'm also going to see about making an insert that will sit between the pump system side of the saw and the rock vise, to minimize spray going that direction, etc. Could be that I'm pumping too much oil onto the blade, but that's something else I need to learn the balance of still. |
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Apr 27, 2021 22:29:53 GMT -5
In addition to adjusting the oil flow, get a pint of Bardahl NoSmoke at an auto parts store. Try about four ounces in the oil for starters, it’ll reduce the oil mist.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Apr 28, 2021 0:29:44 GMT -5
Kudos for movin’ that home without leaving a superfund trail.  Brings to mind a story about taking home a "mostly drained" LS10 in the back of my old mini SUV. |
|
