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Post by Starguy on Apr 27, 2015 19:56:13 GMT -5
I got my Covington 16" slab saw today. A little bit of a PITA to put the leg stand together, but I only bled a little bit. I wasn't too happy with the oil draining system so I added my own. I will probably put some kind of flexible hose on the end of it in the future. The oil drain is now all 3/8" galvanized. I used the factory plug as a clean out on top of the tee. If the valve gets plugged up, I will be able to clean it with a piece of wire. Here's my oil drain. The vice opens pretty wide. Made in USA. Here is me trying to keep my feet dry,(and other sensitive parts) on our recent Utah tripl. My feet got wet but only to the knee. My favorite picture from our Utah trip. Note the people in the bottom left. Later Brent
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,982
Member is Online
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Post by victor1941 on Apr 27, 2015 20:37:35 GMT -5
Your last picture is great.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 27, 2015 21:00:16 GMT -5
victor1941The last photo is Jacob Hamblin arch in Coyote gulch. The arch is in the background. The photo was taken in an alcove undercut by the stream just upstream of the arch. My daughter took the photo. It's hard to describe how big that spot is. The photo doesn't do it justice. later Brent
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Post by gingerkid on Apr 28, 2015 0:14:28 GMT -5
Looks great, Starguy, and I hope you'll share a report with us on your new saw's performance. Awesome trip photos, and wish you would post all of your pics.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 28, 2015 0:49:09 GMT -5
Thanks Jan.
I'll keep posting photos as the new saw work evolves. It's my first slab saw so I want to get it set up right before I start slabbing. I'm really excited to start using it. Hopefully by this weekend I'll be ready to start sawing. It took a couple hours to assemble it today but it was mostly wrench work.
We're still trying to get the photos together from our trip. I'll post more when I can.
You can't collect rocks in the national monument. I saw some huge pieces of purple shelf agate there that were really cool. Even if you could collect, they would be too heavy to pack out. Fun to see though. GSENM is an amazing place.
Later
Brent
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Post by MrP on Apr 28, 2015 4:27:48 GMT -5
Just a suggestion. I would step up from the 3/8 outlet to a 1/2" or 3/4" Tee and valve because then if a rock sliver, or other junk, made it into the drain it has a greater chance of not plugging anything. I would also put a pipe extension on the top of the Tee to get it above the oil level. If you had to open it to unplug and the oil level is above the top of the Tee the oil will flow out once it is unplugged..................MrP
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,179
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Post by jamesp on Apr 28, 2015 4:38:16 GMT -5
Great saw. Got a Covington too. Like the carriage, screw system and great slip clutch. Reliable saw. 1/2 HP motor on an 18" saw, keep it aligned and that little motor will push that blade through some big rocks. I have been in some caves with large rooms. Not that big. That would be mind blowing in real time. NW Georgia cave has the deepest shaft in N America at 572 feet, it is a big void but treacherous to get to the top of the shaft alone.
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Post by captbob on Apr 28, 2015 8:44:16 GMT -5
Good suggestion about getting the clean out above the oil level MrP. Sweet saw! Awesome Utah pictures.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,687
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 28, 2015 9:37:10 GMT -5
Great looking saw and thanks for sharing the photos too...........Can't wait to see some of the cuts it will be doing-Thumbs up!
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Post by broseph82 on Apr 28, 2015 10:08:22 GMT -5
StarguyTake the brown sticky paper off the top window. Take a pic of it for me. I'd love to see if you even have a gap between the plexiglass and the metal. Mine has a huge gap all the wAy around.
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rockpowell
having dreams about rocks
Have been rock hunting most of my life, love cutting rocks, have tons of slabs, just haven't posted
Member since February 2013
Posts: 73
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Post by rockpowell on Apr 28, 2015 11:25:54 GMT -5
Boy are you going to have fun with that drain system and when the slug builds up in the bottom and act like concrete. Even with my modification of the sump and a 1" and 1/4 valve straight down, Ive had problems, just letting the slug get to deep had to run a rod down the hole to get it to drain. so now I drain it off when it looks like the bottom is just getting covered. But I save a lot of oil by dropping it sooner, also using the vet grade mineral oil. So be choosey on the type of oil you get.
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Post by Peruano on Apr 28, 2015 14:58:06 GMT -5
When Rockpowell says "fun", he means "big problems". Based on the slivers, grit, small fractures, and pieces of wood that accumulate in my 12" saw, I'd never be able to drain through that ball valve. Or, it might work fine until you try to close that valve and find it leaks due to grit in the orifice. I have a 1" drain and use a pipe cap to plug it when the saw is filled. I still end up using my finger, wires and other instruments of destruction to keep the 90 degree angle clear of the all the detritus. Great saw, watch the feed mechanism and learn what things cause the sled to crawl higher on the blade (too hard, too big, or to tight adjustment on the clutch. Enjoy. Tom
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Post by paulshiroma on Apr 28, 2015 21:53:28 GMT -5
Congratulations on the purchase!!! That's a beautiful saw! Hope you have a lot of fun with it!
Looking forward to seeing the slabs. Paul
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2015 22:00:38 GMT -5
Congratulations on the purchase!!! That's a beautiful saw! Hope you have a lot of fun with it! Looking forward to seeing the slabs. Paul Yay, paul is back!
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 28, 2015 22:03:19 GMT -5
I use a ball valve on a saw but I also use a plug below it just to be safe. The key I have found to relatively easy draining is not waiting for the oil in the saw to have the consistency of pudding before changing the oil. Doesn't always work out that way though.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 28, 2015 23:48:55 GMT -5
Just a suggestion. I would step up from the 3/8 outlet to a 1/2" or 3/4" Tee and valve because then if a rock sliver, or other junk, made it into the drain it has a greater chance of not plugging anything. I would also put a pipe extension on the top of the Tee to get it above the oil level. If you had to open it to unplug and the oil level is above the top of the Tee the oil will flow out once it is unplugged..................MrP @ MrP great idea. I'll add the extension at the first oil change. The oil level is definitely above the top of the tee. 3/8" is what I have for a drain plug so that's what I went with. I need to put a brick or something near the drain hole in the saw tub. Might keep the sediment from building up near the drain hole. I cut 12 smallish Montana moss slabs with it today. It didn't even seem like it was working hard. Hope to try some larger material this weekend.. Pretty happy so far. Later Brent
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Post by captbob on Apr 28, 2015 23:53:40 GMT -5
How large is the drain hole on the inside - could a cork or something similar be used to plug it before it gets sediment in it?
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Post by Starguy on Apr 29, 2015 0:00:35 GMT -5
How large is the drain hole on the inside - could a cork or something similar be used to plug it before it gets sediment in it? captbob. Awesome idea. What a simple way to solve a problem. I'll definitely try it. I put the cleanout in the drain but as MrP pointed out the cleanout/tee is probably below the oil level. I love this forum. I don't have to learn everything the hard way thanks to all of you guys. There's a ton of good experience to be found here. Later Brent
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Post by Starguy on Apr 29, 2015 0:22:24 GMT -5
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Post by snowmom on Apr 29, 2015 5:15:20 GMT -5
making it pay from the beginning! nice agate. Can't wait to see all the pictures of your cuts...
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