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[heavensheros]

Ok, So i have been given quite the collection and i have just started to dabble in this wonderful hobby but i have no idea what im doing to a certain degree, I got this old Rock cutter back to working but there are some questions i have that hopefully you guys can help me out with.

1st ... is it good? 2nd: who made it and whats the history behind it ie. time era it was made etc, 3rd: Do i have it set up right or am i missing other pulleys or clutches ? and lastly i dont have a picture of it right now but underneath the blade housing there is this small tube that screws into bottom where the main saw shaft is located. what is that for? below are the pictures ... ill take any info you can throw at me.

The only name i can pick out on the machine is Hillquist

I have it hooked up to a GE 1/6HP 2700 RPM motor, I will have LOTS of other questions about more tools and how to use them but i will start with this one. Thank you all so much for the help and information.







The entire collection i was given on a 16ft trailer

[heavensheros]

https://youtu.be/hFSJbjzkSJQ

[Phishisgroovin]

thats just like my old saw, i used mineral oil in mine, made a shield with an old towel lol!

I have no clue who made mine, but mine was made into a gravity fed saw. whoever had it before me removed the auto feeder.
Good little saw though.
You scored, seriously.
that is a heck of a gift.

[rocks2dust]

That's an old brand - it looks a bit familiar, and thanks for the video showing it running. I see a reference to the "Lapidary Equipment Co., Inc." from the late 1940s that says they were located in Seattle, Washington: Link (use the search), which looks like a company name match to that on your label. They were advertising in 1953 using the shortened "Lapidary Equipment Co." (Link, see pg 37). At some point, I think they moved to or had a retailer in Fall City, Washington, but since their trademark on the word "Hillquist" expired in the early 1990s (Link) I'm unsure whether the company is related to the current Hillquist, Inc. in Colorado. They first used the "Hillquist" brand name in 1945. Perhaps someone here will know more about the history.

[heavensheros]

Sure looks like the 5th one on the top on page 37! WOW good find thank you!

[hummingbirdstones]

First off, welcome to the forum, from Northern Arizona!

Secondly, what a fabulous score!  Wish I could help you out with the saw, but I am mechanically challenged.      There are lots of folks on the board that know saws, so they will be around making comments.  Lots of people are going the the Pow-Wow at Quartzsite this week or are already down there, so they may take a while to see your post.  Internet down there is almost non-existent.

[heavensheros]

Thank you. It's about 10k pounds of everything from raw stones slabs, core samples and an entire rack of already cut and polished stones. As well as everything needed for making jewelry,

Will post more pictures as I get them taken. Was given this collection from a family friend on the wife's side as she just finished school for geology but it turns out she just loves studying them and I've found a liking to turning them into something.

[peruano]

First off its a great saw and a real project to renew and understand.  The vice looks like a quality construction reflecting its being worthy of any effort.   Its interesting that they designed the feed mechanism to work on the ratchet rather than just gearing down off of the same pulley. The only problem might be if you don't have a long enough shaft to put two pulleys there.  It could easily be shifted to such a design if you have problems with the ratchet.  The right angle gearing (name unknown to me) probably should be covered with a plate and lubed rather than run dry (grease would probably stay forever if covered and protected from grit.  I'm have trouble envisioning the tube you say is underneath the saw housing (is it a missing grease fitting or something related to oil to be pumped toward the blade;.  I'd think strongly about building a case / cover for it and saw away. Old time lapidary journal showed the design of feed mechanisms involving ratchets like yours so I'm sure it was more common than we might envision. 

[heavensheros]

Thank you for the info, I will be getting a picture of the tube underneath today, I do plan on building a cover for the saw as i am getting lots of spray outside of the saw, I agree that some of those moving parts should get covered and greased as well.

Will get some more pictures today and again thank you for the information.

[peruano]

I'd be really curious as to how fast the forward feed rate is for your vice (power feed).  Ideally if it is slow enough relative to blade cutting rate, the ratchet should work fine, but it is moving the vice in spurts (clicks) and hence might cause slight saw marks every time the engagement was increased.  In constrast a continuous forward movement of a belt feed might be expected to be smoother and exert a constant pressure.  I try for about 1" in 7 minutes on my 12" slab saw, but of course ideal feed or sled speed really hinges on size and hardness of rock, quality of blade, and other factors.  Experience will provide the answers.  When in doubt cut small rocks first.  Mistakes are easier to tolerate, correct, or learn from. 

[heavensheros]

Here is the said tube under the  saw



Goes up and leads to under this housing

[ToTheSummit]

Thats tube is for greasing the shaft/arbor.  The little nipple on the end is called a "grease zerk".  It is designed to couple with the tip of a grease gun and you can pump grease up the tube to the arbor.

[ToTheSummit]

Oh, and I don't think I said "Hello".  Welcome to the forum from Las Vegas.  Lots of great folk here so you're always bound to find help with any questions you have.

[heavensheros]

thank you ! i think i might pump some grease up there this weekend before i finish cutting my coasters. no telling the last time it was used

[peruano]

Yes, a bit of grease in there would be good.  Depending on how strong your grease gun is, you might consider a couple or three pumps on the first time, (since you have no idea of whether it has been service recently or not) but by all means stop if you see grease coming out around the bearings of the arbor (which would mean its got lube throughout).  Forcing too much grease can create a mess and potentially damage seals.  One pump once a month will work unless you are sawing 24 hrs per day 7 days a week.  Enjoy the saw.