|
Post by phil on Dec 10, 2012 21:30:41 GMT -5
Hi. Does anyone know if cutting when the blade and oil, etc are cold cold cold? We've got our saws in an unheated shed, and temps range from 17F to maybe 40F. Will this cause undue wear on the diamond/metal bond etc? Do I need an immersion heater in the oil to be able to use them? Thanks! Phil
|
|
The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
|
Post by The Dad_Ohs on Dec 10, 2012 21:40:21 GMT -5
When ti gets colder here, down to as cold as 40's since I got my saw, I noticed that the oil is not picked up by the blade as well and the saw is a little slower moving at first. After running for a bit the oil will loosen up some as the blade stirs it. but for colder temps in an unheated area, i would recommend either a 12vdc block heater, or a heater with fan that would heat the tank gradually. give it 10 minutes to warm up the oil and you should be good. If you're using a heater, I would run the saw with the vice all the way to the rear of the cabinet & no rock in it. This would allow the oil to loosen up quicker because it will circulate with the motor/blade spinning. just my :2cents: The Eskimos here from up north will probably have better input!!
|
|
|
Post by geoff on Dec 10, 2012 21:55:57 GMT -5
My shop is heated
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Dec 10, 2012 22:00:52 GMT -5
Once it's too cold to cut outside, my saw gets parked until it warms up again. Minus 16 this morning, so my cutting is probably done until spring thaw.
|
|
herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
|
Post by herchenx on Dec 10, 2012 22:11:52 GMT -5
I don't even want to think about going into the garage right now... I *am* thinking about getting a little wet tile saw I can use in the basement though....
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 11, 2012 7:12:32 GMT -5
getting too cold here too and I hate the thought of not being able to get any slabs for 3 months. I was thinking this might be a simple solution to at least get the saw usable. You can just stick it on the outside of the tank and plug it in. www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-23996?gclid=CMfHj-OokrQCFeZDMgodYA0AMgMoroso external heating pads are excellent for the pre-heating of oil pans, tanks, and automatic transmission pans. They bring your oil up to operating temperature before each race for more consistent times, and are available with self-adhesive or hook/spring attachment methods. They have an etched foil design that distributes heat evenly, and a silicone outer shell that resists oil and dirt. Each heating pad includes an 8 in., 18 AWG electrical cord with a plug for 110 V AC outlets. Chuck
|
|
Charles
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2012
Posts: 161
|
Post by Charles on Dec 11, 2012 8:48:12 GMT -5
You might think about using an aquarium heater like they use to keep the water warm. They are 110v and work good.
Charles
|
|
vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 557
|
Post by vwfence on Feb 7, 2013 9:12:17 GMT -5
If you have a metal tank , you can go to tractor supply and they carry a magnetic engine block heater that will warm the tank to thin out the oil . if your store doesnt stock it , they have them in the system and can order them in .
|
|
|
Post by phil on Feb 7, 2013 17:08:42 GMT -5
thanks. I'm thinking of using a modified heat tape that's made for wrapping the pipes and such on a manufactured home.
But will the cold cause the diamonds to loosen and pop free?
Phil
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Feb 7, 2013 20:45:43 GMT -5
I can't speak to longevity of blades etc., but I often start my saw up in an unheated shop with ambient temps of 40 degrees. I definitely can tell the oil heats a bit with the running of the saw, although on cold mornings, I start the wood stove to bump things to 60 or so. Of course by the time the temp is 60, I have cut 4 or 6 slabs in colder oil. My saw has not objected yet.
Since the main function of the oil is to cool the blade at the point of contact, cool oil should work better as long as its not so thick that it is not carried to that point (i.e. jello). Yes the oil is a lub of all working parts, but that should work as well at cold temps as long as the oil is thin enough to splash around and penetrate crevices.
I do keep a pan of water on the wood stove to add to the fill tank for my cab machine. Ah, luxury of warm water cascading down the diamond wheel on an otherwise cold morning. Cut on and stay warm. Tom (sunny New Mexico, but getting colder in 2 days).
|
|
hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477
|
Post by hope on Feb 24, 2013 21:59:10 GMT -5
No one has mentioned the very, very cold rocks you are cutting. Depending on the rocks you cut, they could tend to break in ways you do not want.
Folks in my part of the country will not sandblast dates on grave stones in the winter time because the stones are more prone to break off pieces they don't want to break off due to their very cold state.
Just another thought.
Hope
|
|