Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2013 22:44:05 GMT -5
how thick is the steel for the enclosure of a slab saw?
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Post by catmandewe on Apr 21, 2013 23:05:11 GMT -5
depends on the brand
The lightest is pretty thin sheet metal The heaviest I have seen is about 1/4" plate
Normal is 1/16 to 1/8
Tony
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Post by jakesrocks on Apr 21, 2013 23:20:26 GMT -5
10 gage steel for 20" or larger. 14 gage for 18" and under.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 22, 2013 9:11:49 GMT -5
Scott, we made a new "box" for Barclay's R&M saw last September. He was refurbishing (an old) one he had just purchased, and the lower box was totally rusted out - looked like Swiss cheese full of holes!! We used 14 guage to fabricate a new one. I can post some pictures of it being made, if you are interested. (Photos are already taken, just have to upload to Photobucket.) Jean
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2013 13:41:43 GMT -5
Thanks Jean. I'd love to see then. You guys are a sheet metal shop? I thought Bob was a machinist. John - thanks for the lead on 10 gauge. I don't really know if I wanna make a saw or just keep looking for a good used one. Maybe John will have one when the money comes in.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 22, 2013 20:27:27 GMT -5
Sheet metal shop? No, not a shop, but with all the machines we have, we can pretty much do anything! Machining, welding, grinding rocks...
I'll start a new thread in this same topic for the job on Barclay's saw. Jean
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Apr 25, 2013 9:17:09 GMT -5
I have a tendency to overbuild, of course if you do it yourself you can afford to do that. I like 10ga.
As far as building vs. buying you will be shocked at how much $ it will cost you to build one esp if you can't weld. The other problem is will it actually work? Without a basic design and dimensions it will be a lengthy project.
Look for used and make sure it's worth buying. You can wrap up $1000 in a homemade saw fast. I just seen a 24" HP go for that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 11:08:25 GMT -5
Thanks Rob. I can weld. Tons of sheet metal shops nearby. Motors, pulleys, belts are cheap. Gotta get a blade and have an arbor turned. The only thing that scares me is the vice. I can weld, but for some reason cannot wrap my head around the vice.
24" saws seem to be $1500 out here. Demand is high for used saws.
Haven;t decided what to do. I am hoping that the decision will be made for me with a cheap used saw!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 26, 2013 13:40:03 GMT -5
Scott, I'll keep my ears open for one becoming available. 24 inch, huh? Agree with Rob, making your own can still cost you, especially if you are a perfectionist! Jean
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 13:57:56 GMT -5
yeah 24" because I make spheres I start with large rocks. 24" cuts up to 11'ish inch thick material.
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