snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Feb 21, 2016 11:39:57 GMT -5
I have always ran my 16 and 18 HP saws at the slowest speed,using the large pulley,ever since I got them.My 16 was stopping the cutting midrock on larger hard agates.Had to replace the belt and got home and it wouldn't fit on the largest pulley.I put it on the smaller middle pulley and that sped the saw up.Talk about a cutting rascal now!!
My question is,how will the increase in speed affect blade life,if any?
Thanks,
snuffy
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Feb 21, 2016 15:14:14 GMT -5
Blade life will decrease theoretically. Depends on blade and cutting material. If your saw can handle it and the rock isn't getting too hot, cut away I say.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 21, 2016 17:32:35 GMT -5
Your saws don't have a movable tensioner pulley on an arm? If not it should, and then you can use all the speeds if you wish. If I'm cutting hard agates and jaspers, which is just about all I cut, I always run the slowest setting. On my 14" HP it's still pretty fast. A slower cut definitely increases blade life and can also make a better cut surface that's easier to grind, sand, and polish, especially if you polish a lot of flats like geode halves and pet wood.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Feb 21, 2016 17:49:14 GMT -5
Your saws don't have a movable tensioner pulley on an arm? If not it should, and then you can use all the speeds if you wish. If I'm cutting hard agates and jaspers, which is just about all I cut, I always run the slowest setting. On my 14" HP it's still pretty fast. A slower cut definitely increases blade life and can also make a better cut surface that's easier to grind, sand, and polish, especially if you polish a lot of flats like geode halves and pet wood. Yeah,it has the tensioner pulley on it.The auto parts store only had belts an inch shorter,or larger.Thought the shorter one would work,but shoulda got the larger one.Will get one the next trip to town.But it is cutting so much better,would leave it like this if there wasn't concern on blade life. snuffy
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minerken
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2013
Posts: 466
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Post by minerken on Feb 21, 2016 17:54:46 GMT -5
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