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[MineralSpirit]

Howdy folks,

I've historically been rich in rock and poor in equipment, so I was thrilled to find the following 20 inch 'frankensaw'. It appears to have originally been a commercial saw, which was placed in a new wooden housing, which I must say appears to have been built with some care all things considered. You can see there is an auto shutoff and the autofeed motor turns as it should. I like that the old rockhound even included an oil level indicator on the oil drain plug.

I am sure someone can tell me from looking at the clamp/carriage what make this saw started life as.

Seems to work fine. The only thing I had to replace was the about pulley, which was bent to the point where the belt kept skipping off. It was an odd sized pulley but I managed to track one down and it just came today.

I bought the saw together with a brand new (but old) 20" Raytech "black blazer" blade for a grand total of $350.

How'd I do?

[irockhound]

I am sure you have seen them with being a rock junkie like most of us but back in the 60's and 70's and maybe even 80's they sold rock saw kits.  Full setups with rails, vise, feed, pulleys, the whole enchilada minus the box it went in and people would build the plywood box and seal the inside to complete their saw.  This is much more likely than it being a production saw that was modified and the boxes never go bad on commercially made units.   Fancy saws don't cut any better than a well made hand built unit fortunately.

[peruano]

You have all the components so you should enjoy it. Most home assembled saws lack a functional top but you got one and with a window. You may need a strong shop light to peer through it.  I'd strongly suggest a belt guard. I've seen too many missing appendages on Illinois farmers caused by V-belts left uncovered.  Of course, you will find other enhancements needed as you use it. 

[JKFoam]

I have this very same saw.  I bought it from a kit in 1969-1970 that was advertised in the Lapidary Journal.  I paid $110.00 and it came without the blade or the motor.  It did include the small feed motor and it came with instructions for building a wooden box.  After about 8 years of use I replaced the wooden box with a sheet metal box I had fabricated.  If I remember correctly that kit came from somewhere in Arizona (I could be having a senior moment).  I have loved that saw, it has provided me great pleasure over the years and cut open many a rock.

Good luck with yours.

Jim