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Hi All

As some of you know I am the new owner of an old Lortone 14" drop saw. I am trying to increase its slab saw potential. Has anyone put a smaller blade on it? It looks to me an 8" blade would fit with enough clearance. The next question that I have is has anyone seen or know a way to counter balance the weight?

The reason I ask this is I dont have a trim saw that is not hand operate for the material for rough above a 2-3 inch range. This Lortone is made for much bigger rough than I have. I do think that if I can come up with a counter balance system then I could make this machine do things that it was not made for.

Thoughts please

Bless
Shawn

[jakesrocks]

Will it drop far enough for an 8" blade to penetrate a small rock ? It may have a stop on it that prevents the 14" blade from cutting into the table.

Counterbalance is going to be a trial & error process. You'll have to play with weight until you find that happy medium.

[PhilNM]

You can use that drop saw as a trim saw if you still have all the parts. To operate it as a trim, you need the bottom trim plate that the blade fits into. I would keep the 14 inch blade, you'll throw off the balance and etc otherwise.  Go here and download the operators manual http://www.lortone.com/pdf/LS14_Instructions.pdf   and check out the part about using it as a trim saw.
The carriage arm also has a lock screw on it that you use when operating as a trim saw so it doesn't move on you and hurt you. Even one small bounce would be dangerous.
Post a pic, and I can see if you have all the parts needed to operate it as a trim saw. I've refurbed many of these, and are fairly familiar with them.

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Hi Guys

Thanks for the input.

Phill sorry you were misled. I did modify my post. I am trying to make it a better slab saw.

Jake I took some measurements and a 8" wont work but a 10" will.

Most of my stones can be cut by a 10 inch saw. I am looking to counter balance it so that I can cut smaller slabs and not loose as much material as I would if I used the 14" blade.

So my first attempt will be to hang a couple of pullies and use weights.

Bless
Shawn

[PhilNM]

Back, I wasn't mislead, please re-read my post. I tell you where to find the manual on how to set it up and use it as a either a slab or trim saw.

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Hi Phil

Thanks for the link. Yes that is the saw I have. Pics at link. http://lapidaryforum.net/group/index.php?topic=2085.30

I had not really thought about using this saw as a trim saw. If you have the parts that would be a game changer. Also if you have a front splash guard that would be nice.

Thanks and Bless
Shawn