donmahan
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 3
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Post by donmahan on Feb 5, 2022 18:27:37 GMT -5
My name is Donald Mahan and I am a retired engineer that is 86 years old. I am currently building a 24 inch rock saw from a kit which I bought over 40 years ago. I purchased the saw kit from Mohave Industries in Kingman, Arizona. The firm is no longer in business and the instructions I received were very lacking in details. Anyone having information about these saw kits would be greatly appreciated. Progress to date: 1. Built bottom box of 3/4 inch exterior plywood. Fiberglassed/epoxy all seams and interior of box 2. Built top box of 1/4 inch exterior plywood 3. Installed steel frame with round rails for mounting 16 inch vise in bottom box. 4. Installed vise on rails in bottom box. 4. Drilled 2 3/4 inch hole in bottom box for saw arbor. 5. Mounted arbor on frame support and mounted 24 inch blade in saw
Note: saw blade has been dropped and small dent occurred. Can this be repaired and how? 6. Planning to use steel angle iron for legs and metal castors.
My other saw uses a weights to apply constant pressure to the saw blade. This saw kit uses a small electric motor/gearbox to drive the rock into the blade. Which system is better and why?
Any information or details should be appreciated.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 5, 2022 20:28:43 GMT -5
Welcome from Virginia!
I'm going to move this post where it might get more pertinent views for you.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 5, 2022 21:01:01 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona!
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
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Post by vwfence on Feb 6, 2022 1:07:06 GMT -5
I have 3 of these saws that i use at this time if i can help
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
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Post by vwfence on Feb 6, 2022 8:30:52 GMT -5
I can try and get some pictures if there is anything you want to see . One of mine is a kit saw in a wooden cabinet and not my build , and i wouldnt do wood knowing what i know now. As for feeds i have different set up's that i can try to get pictures of it i can figure out how to make my camera work on my new comp
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donmahan
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 3
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Post by donmahan on Feb 6, 2022 16:36:05 GMT -5
To VWFENCE From Donmahan Thank for the reply!
I have two problems with the screw feed. 1. Don’t know how it works. 2. I think the motor and gear box is defective. I put electric power to it and it did not turn over. Not surprising since it spent 50 years in my garage wanting to be used
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donmahan
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 3
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Post by donmahan on Feb 6, 2022 16:44:41 GMT -5
To Virgina From don mahan
Thanks for putting my post were it will get seen. I am brand new to this blog. Could you tell me the location of the post, so I could go directly to it.
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Post by catmandewe on Feb 6, 2022 23:42:12 GMT -5
The electric motor not turning over is probably due to the grease in the gear box having set up, if you take it apart and clean it up and then put new white lithium grease in there it will most likely work.
Welcome.............Tony
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 7, 2022 9:11:25 GMT -5
To Virgina From don mahan Thanks for putting my post were it will get seen. I am brand new to this blog. Could you tell me the location of the post, so I could go directly to it. I'm not rockjunquie (who lives in Virginia), but your post is in the Lapidary Equipment section of the forum. You can find it by clicking on the Forum link at the top of the page and scroll down to the third large category Additional Rock Related Topics. Lapidary Equipment is the 4th category down under that heading.
Just a helpful hint: If you use the Quote button at the top right of a post to reply (like I did here), it will appear at the top of the reply and then you don't have to type the To and From in your reply.
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jasonshort
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2019
Posts: 113
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Post by jasonshort on Feb 7, 2022 9:15:45 GMT -5
Email me at jesclist@ gmail.com I have the same saw. I can email you photos.
Jason
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 7, 2022 9:16:48 GMT -5
donmahan Sorry about that. I thought I sent you a message.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 7, 2022 9:35:57 GMT -5
donmahan I have the old instructions with photos for a Mojave style saw on my computer in a zipped file that can be emailed. I offered to do that years ago and some user who I don't think is with us anymore sent me a cease and desist and claimed copywright to it, they were still selling the plans and claimed ownership of what originally was an article in a lapidary journal magazine. Anyway I can share it if you think it might help, it's really for building a saw from scratch without a kit but might have info you can use. I agree with vwfence about the plywood cabinet. I have passed on free ones because the labor to take it home and part it out wasn't worth the value of the parts inside. If you can build a steel tub you will be much happier.
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
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Post by vwfence on Feb 7, 2022 10:00:54 GMT -5
Rockoonz : might i buy a copy of the prints from you ? my 3 saws are all made somewhat different and the only weak point i have found is the drive nut and i would like to make some new ones to the correct specs
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
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Post by vwfence on Feb 7, 2022 10:04:50 GMT -5
darn i hit the wrong button . The wood cabinet on mine would be changed to steel if i was going to keep it and use it . It weighs far more than steel saw with all the oil soaked into the wood and the legs arent the best do to all the weight . If i get the cancer under control i will make a cabinet like the one i have from steel .
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 7, 2022 14:09:00 GMT -5
Rockoonz : might i buy a copy of the prints from you ? my 3 saws are all made somewhat different and the only weak point i have found is the drive nut and i would like to make some new ones to the correct specs It's not for sale, but if you PM me an email address I'll send you the folder. The pics show the layout of the feed clamp pretty good, I think I would make the part with the threads out of brass or bronze, but since the feed shaft is allthread and cheap to replace when it wears the steel is fine.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 7, 2022 15:56:55 GMT -5
After building my own 16" saw I will toss in another vote to skip the wood cabinet if possible.
If not, I highly recommend testing the box with water first to check for leaks before you add cutting oil. I would've bet a paycheck the box I built was leak free just based on how I reinforced the corners with extra fiberglass cloth and way overdid it with the resin. Lesson learned.
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