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General Category => Welcome! => Topic started by: geartech on May 15, 2023, 06:26:30 AM

Title: Questions about a new to me saw.
Post by: geartech on May 15, 2023, 06:26:30 AM

So I've been looking for a saw for awhile and finally pulled the trigger on one. Its a custom saw made by Wheeler in S.D. and came out of their production shop.

Guess my question is, It has a counter weight system with hydraulic cylinder and valve to control the feed. Should I convert it to a lead screw and stepper motor for my feed?
and second where can I find mineral oil for a decent price. The nice thing on the saw is it has a pressure oil feed system not and oil bath so 2 to 5 gall should work

Thanks

Title: Re: Questions about a new to me saw.
Post by: Phishisgroovin on June 05, 2023, 05:01:18 AM

not sure how many farm supply stores are aroun you. but feed stores have horse laxative by the gallon.
Usually around $28 here in Seattle area.
Horse laxative is just light mineral oil. I use it in my saw but at $28 a gallon my saw just sits idle with no oil in it.

Title: Re: Questions about a new to me saw.
Post by: Ryaly2dogs on July 06, 2023, 12:39:48 PM

I use Stellar Lubricant saw oil; it is an orange scented mineral oil.  The dealer is in Joshua Tree, CA; I see it at most all the larger rock shows.  It costs me $60 for a 5 gallon bucket, and the empty buckets gets filled back up with rocks.

His e-mail is stellarlubricants@gmail.com

Title: Re: Questions about a new to me saw.
Post by: irockhound on July 07, 2023, 11:00:18 PM

17.49 a gallon free shipping UltraCruz Mineral Oil Light for horses.   

There have been many posts about this and I have posted several.  Phishisgroovin said he pays 28 a gallon from the feed store but you can buy this direct from San Juan Ranch Veterinary supply online at 17.49 a gallon and get free shipping.  I bought 16 gallons last order and I placed it and I got it next day at my door with free shipping although I think that was a fluke that it was that fast and would expect 2 to 3 days.  Its called UltraCruz Mineral Oil Light for horses.  No reason to pay the inflated feed store costs and also your gas to get there.

Steve

Title: Re: Questions about a new to me saw.
Post by: peruano on July 08, 2023, 04:27:59 AM

The oil issue aside, converting to power feed is strictly a personal call.  If you can learn to use the gravity feed effectively, why convert.  Power feed is probably easier but a bit of a chore to accomplish and would need to be mastered as well.  If what you have works, I'd avoid disrupting with converting.  Oil is best in slab saws.  Period. 

Title: Re: Questions about a new to me saw.
Post by: gunsil on July 08, 2023, 07:02:42 PM

Some folks don't like this, but I run used ATF in my 14" original HP saw. I was a dealership auto mechanic and was able to get slightly used ATF from warranty work on newer cars. Really old ATF is dirty and stinky but if you know any dealership mechanics perhaps they could get you lightly used ATF for free. This wasn't my idea, I learned it from a 90 year old lapidary twenty years ago, he used it since the late 60s.