Rapidor 6" saw - work in progress

[NickyG]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply!

I have watched the pulley on the end of the motor and that still moves.
Pointing to the drive belt perhaps?

Nicky

 

[Robotstar5]

It does sound like the belt is slipping, belts will be available from places that supply industrial transmissions, example Bearingboys

 

[NickyG]

Thank you!
Its good to have a second opinion and also someone backing up what I thought it may have been.
What a fab forum!

Nicky

 

[edd]

I would also check the new blade has the same teeth per inch as the old one.
Too coarse a blade will jam when cutting thin wall materials.

It just strikes me that this occurred after a blade change, maybe refit the old blade and see what happens before ordering belts.

Ed

 

[Fazerruss]

Let us know how that goes, so I know which way to go with the pins.




Likely a lot less mess too? Never used a TCT myself, but I know I always see a shower of sparks/filings when anyone else is using one.

I dug out a bit of scrap 6mm thick x 50mm at one end to try.

And as you can see it cut nice and square so it looks like the bolt and sleeve idea was a success.
I love this machine, no more picking shrapnel out of my face

 

[MattF]

Sweet. Cheers for the update/verdict.

 

[wheresmejumper]

these castors/feet would be an idea for these heavier rapidors?
my lighter model was handier to drag around id imagine,so ott for me

 

[MattF]

Those would likely work quite well for the Major. Wouldn't like to try them on the big one though.

Personally, I've gone back to using my favourite method of wooden skids. Distributes the weight nicely, easier to level and it's not too bad to get stuff moving when they're on skids. Not as easy to move as castored/wheeled stuff mind, but not too bad.

 

[MattF]

Trying to decide what to do with the Major, (the dark blue one), as to whether to keep it or sell it on. Wondering whether I'd be better off letting it go, hence giving me some space and just concentrating on getting the large green one finished off. Much as I'm a great believer in you can never have too many of something, I honestly can't think how I'd ever manage to wear the big green one out once I've finished her, no matter how much work I might throw at her.

So, opinions. The blue one needs minor finishing off in that the motor and intermediate pulley need refitting, new belts, needs wiring back up and the vice and belt cover need cleaning up and repainting. Keep or sell? Honestly can't make my mind up.

 

[edd]

After doing all that work it might be hard to let it go.
But in my opinion these things were meant for work, it would be a shame to have it gathering dust.

 

[brightspark]

as u allready have one and u have re built it it will last u forever . sell the other one on ,ive had mine over 30 years and its done a lot of work after i re built it .its got a lot of sentimental value and i realy wouldnt want to part with it ulnless i have 2

 

[MattF]

Cheers chaps. That's generally what I was thinking. Not really attached to it sentimentally or the like yet, (I hate parting with owt though Edd, not just things I've worked on ), but it does seem excessive keeping it now that I've got the big one mostly done. The big one was the later of the two in coming here, so I might just have stuck with that one if it had been the first. The little lad ain't impressed at my thoughts of getting rid of it though.

If I do let it go, would it be best to finish it off and sell it as full working condition, or sell it as is and let the new owner finish it off?

 

[brightspark]

Cheers chaps. That's generally what I was thinking. Not really attached to it sentimentally or the like yet, (I hate parting with owt though Edd, not just things I've worked on ), but it does seem excessive keeping it now that I've got the big one mostly done. The big one was the later of the two in coming here, so I might just have stuck with that one if it had been the first. The little lad ain't impressed at my thoughts of getting rid of it though.

If I do let it go, would it be best to finish it off and sell it as full working condition, or sell it as is and let the new owner finish it off?

if u can comand the price for it it would be better finished rather than part built .most folks just want it as a ready usable tool in good condition not a project

 

[MattF]

Aye, there is that point. Cheers.

 

[edd]

I hate parting with owt though

Ha ha, i hear ya brother!

 

[MattF]

Glad I ain't alone in that.

What type of asking price is sensible for these, btw? Unless there's some Southerner who wants a Rapidor and fancies a straight trade for transporting a bit of kit up here with them when they come to collect it, I ain't got the foggiest what type of price I ought ask for it, (I'm still trying to get to grips with the thought of parting with it ).

 

[brewdexta]

Did you sell if Matt?
There's a similar one in Snibston museum from their 1880s workshop display, here's a pic. Not yours is it?

Cheers
Andy

 

[Fazerruss]

Rapidors are awesome!

 

[MattF]

Did you sell if Matt?

The two little ones have gone. Much as I disliked parting with them, I had to accept the fact that I don't have a Tardis like shed. The blue Major went to a good home and I sold the small one as one complete pile of spares, barring the legs. I've just kept the large one and decided to put my energies into sorting that one instead of spreading myself thin on three.

Ironically, cutting a part for the Ehrlich lathe the other day, (I've finally decided how to work around that abortion of a long Tee nut which a local 'engineering' firm made, by cutting it into three parts and using two pieces just as large washer type clamps instead of Tee nut tyle clamps instead, to work around their abysmal workmanship), I'd have killed to have the saw up and running, as I had to cut 20mm thick plate 100mm or so wide by hand. The ironic part is that the main reason for me getting the Ehrlich is so that I can do some work on the saw which is too large for my current lathe, so each was/is needed for the other.

There's a similar one in Snibston museum from their 1880s workshop display, here's a pic. Not yours is it?

That's a nice one. Think they're being a bit optimistic on the age though, else trying to sneak a bit of newer kit in hoping no-one will notice. Those saws were probably 1920's onwards, from what I can gather.

Rapidors are awesome!

Still not used mine yet.

 

[Fazerruss]

That was from today, it's been going non stop cutting 100x50x5mm box.
Set it going then put the kettle on.

I've drunk a lot of tea today!