southforkmining
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2006
Posts: 275
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Post by southforkmining on Apr 18, 2009 12:25:40 GMT -5
Has anyone built a drop saw...I am thinking about building a 24 or 36 inch drop saw...just for cutting big rocks down to size...has anyone done this...and do you have any photo's.........thanks..Rich
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rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 760
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Post by rockhound97058 on Apr 19, 2009 0:43:02 GMT -5
Afraid I don't have any photo's, however an old timer I knew (passed away several years ago) had a 36" drop "chop" saw he built and used. The thing worked fantastic! He used it often for slabbing petrified logs. He design was built at ground level with a tank in the ground for coolant. It was then pumped with hard copper lines and squirted into the saw kerf. Being built at ground level meant you could "roll" the stone right into the vise. The vist was also built to adapt to any size stone and he has a series of wedges used to create a fairly flat clamping area.
good luck with your venture!
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southforkmining
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2006
Posts: 275
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Post by southforkmining on Apr 19, 2009 1:07:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply..I also considered a ground level design...but now I am leaning towards a more conventional design......just looking for some more ideas or pictures to help along the way..thanks again,.......Rich
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Apr 20, 2009 14:07:23 GMT -5
An old timer in the Santa Cruz club had a 36" drop saw. He plumbed it with copper fittings and attached a garden hose for lubrication. I think it used an old Schwinn style bicycle fender as a splash guard and the water was plumbed into the top of the blade/fender. I used it with him once about 10 years ago.
Very simple design for the swinging arm but I can't recall details about the vice. Perhaps start with an auto engine hoist for the base. Replace the extending arm with a swinging arm. Use a pipe/chain vice to clamp the stone onto the base-legs, offset just a little from the blade/swinging arm.
These are just a couple of quick thoughts off the top of my head.
Dean
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southforkmining
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2006
Posts: 275
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Post by southforkmining on Apr 20, 2009 18:56:04 GMT -5
Dean..Thanks...I was considering the same idea for the vice, a chain clamp.....but..I just found someone with an old 24" drop saw...so I may be going in that direction now...thanks..guys...Rich
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 21, 2009 8:36:09 GMT -5
Always cheaper and faster to find a used one and repair/modify as needed.
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southforkmining
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2006
Posts: 275
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Post by southforkmining on Apr 21, 2009 12:23:20 GMT -5
Hi John....yes...I got a good deal on it..and the blade is supposed to be almost 90%.....I will know for sure when i see it.....thanks..Rich
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Apr 21, 2009 13:28:38 GMT -5
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southforkmining
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2006
Posts: 275
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Post by southforkmining on Apr 21, 2009 23:40:27 GMT -5
I was going to go the same way..I was looking for an old cut off saw from a shop.....and modify it from there....but then I found a 24 inch lapidary drop saw...I should have it in a few weeks...Rich
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