Rapidor Power Hacksaw in need of tlc!

[MattF]

the lever on the left unlocks the blade to drop down, what do the ones on the right do?

If you figure that out before I get mine up and running, let me know. Not sure of the exact purpose as yet. The top rod is a measure to tell you what you have it set at, (it has graduations upto around 10 along its length), the lower of the two being the adjuster screw, (it uses the same handle as used for the vice). They connect, via a spring, to the arm/mechanism used for raising/lowering the blade via that handle. This is a photo of that setup from below.

Just on a tangent, does yours have a motor cut-off switch at the rear of the unit, operated by an adjustable screw on the slide assembly? If so, any chance you could take a photo of that setup? You can see the adjuster in this photo. It's the downwards curved arm bolted to the lower rear of the slide assembly, with the two brass nuts directly above it, slightly hidden behind the rear pulley assembly. I'm just curious as to what the original switch may have looked like. Not managed to find a photo of one as yet.

 

[candor]

Yea, I must have a good look at it and figure it out.

I'll have a look, she does have a cutoff switch, I'll have a look and try get some decent photos for you.

 

[MattF]

Yea, I must have a good look at it and figure it out.

Let us know how it goes. The only thing I can think it's likely for is adjusting downwards pressure, as the further you wind that screw outwards, the more pressure from the spring in trying to pull the bow downwards.

I'll have a look, she does have a cutoff switch, I'll have a look and try get some decent photos for you.

Cheers. Mine never had a cut-off switch, just working from the stop/start control manually. I'd like to try and implement something as original as possible, but as yet I've no idea what that was.

 

[candor]

Sorry been busy of late but will get a few pics for you!

 

[graffian]

Mine has a cutout, I think one of the ones pictured in this thread has the same cutout. The bit that presses the switch down is mounted on the end of the shaft the whole lot rotates about, the end is visible from the side of the saw and there is a limit switch bolted to the bed of the saw for the pressie thing to press against. Electrically, I guess the microswitch just completes the contactor coil circuit. Here's a pic of a saw like same as mine, but cleaner, from Google.

 

[MattF]

There's no mad rush Candor. Simply when you have chance is fine. This beast is a ways from being usable as yet.

Did you get a suds system up and running on yours btw Graffian? Were those photo's of any use? I've got the bed out in the open at the moment, rather than hidden away under a bench, so I can take a better photo of how that arm's arranged on there if you'd like?

This one uses a slightly different method to the Minor and Major. There's a cupped top, adjustable bolt at the rear, but as far as I can make out, the only place the switch can have been attached is the, (in that photo of the green beast above ), upper left arm of that pulley bracket. Those two bolt holes are unspoken for, so I assume that's where the switch was originally. Can't think of any switch I have to hand which wouldn't look a bit of a tit on there though. One of the Minor/Major switches could be used on a bracket so that it's pointing downwards rather than upwards, but it would likely look a bit weird.

Just on a tangent regarding the Minor/Major, It seems the whole top half of those two is interchangeable, plus the damper unit too. Not done any exact measurements as yet, (the Major is acked up with grease at the moment), but it seems the slide assemblies as a whole are the same, hence the bows should be able to be swapped between units too. Again, just one of those pointless bits of info incase anyone is stuck for spares for a damaged unit. The difference between those two models appears to be just the base/legs, bed, coolant system and bow design.

 

[candor]

Some pics for ya.

 

[graffian]

Did you get a suds system up and running on yours btw Graffian? Were those photo's of any use? I've got the bed out in the open at the moment, rather than hidden away under a bench, so I can take a better photo of how that arm's arranged on there if you'd like?

This one uses a slightly different method to the Minor and Major. There's a cupped top, adjustable bolt at the rear, but as far as I can make out, the only place the switch can have been attached is the, (in that photo of the green beast above ),

Mines under a pile of stuff and I haven't bothered putting coolant on it yet, I used it to chop some ali billets last week, after spending half an hour getting at it I realised it didn't have the coolant pump on it[holley fuel pump] so I gravity feed it.

 

[MattF]

Cheers for those photo's. I can sort something remotely resembling original from those.

 

[candor]

Cheers for those photo's. I can sort something remotely resembling original from those.

No problem at all, if you need anythIng else feel free to ask

 

[MattF]

Cheers. It's very much appreciated.

 

[candor]

Sorry to bring up an older thread but it's very much related.

Can anyone post some pics of the swivel vice setup on the bigger rapidors?

I've got the striaght vice but would like to be able to cut 45 degree angles on the saw.

 

[MattF]

I can only ever recall seeing one with that type of vice Candor, and that one used exactly the same design of jaws as used on the Minor and most of the Majors. The photo in Graffians post above is pretty much what the vice looked like. I'll see if I still have the photo knocking about.

Edit: This is a photo of one.

They're just a beefed up version of the Major vice. I'd assume they're liable to suffer the same type of slippage problem some have mentioned with the Minor jaws, once you try hitting 45 degrees though. All of the other ones I've seen photo's of have generally used angle pieces placed between the jaws of the standard vice.

 

[candor]

Cheers Matt, I was thinking of making up a angle piece that bolts to the left face of the vice, it seems the best way forward as I'm only looking to cut the odd 45 degree cut. Other angles I can cut with the plasma.

 

[monkeymark]

I so have saw envy now!

 

[candor]

I so have saw envy now!

If you really want one I'll sell it to you

 

[monkeymark]

If you really want one I'll sell it to you

Hmmm, what you wanting for it?

 

[candor]

Hmmm, what you wanting for it?

Not sure tbh, I have in mind to change it out for a bandsaw at some stage. Everything works bar the coolant feed. What's the going rate for them?

I'm in Ireland which may put you off though.