Renovating/servicing a Rapidor hacksaw

[brewdexta]

I had a closer look at the pulley tonight and I think your right BS, I'll finish filing it and leave it.

She is completely stripped now apart from odds and sods where the casting is rough. I've started to paint some components, the paint is like cream cheese because of the temp but is not getting a bloom on it. Painting by hand, I wouldn't attempt spraying in this temp and my fan parafin heater only takes the edge off. I take the paint into the house to warm up between sessions which seems to help.

Here she is stripped off, I noticed some more cracking now the paint is off, you can see below and to the right of the vice on the egge of the main casting.

Here's a close up of the crack, it doesn't extend to inside the casting where it contains any suds and doesn't seem to move when flexes so I'm going to leave it well alone.

Most of the bushes etc. seem to be OK, not bad enough to strip down considering the use I'm going to be putting it through except the spindle for the intermediate pulleys between the motor and the hacksaw. This is well worn, Except for that I only need to mend the handle that operates the clutch and the suds pump.

Cheers
Andy

 

[brewdexta]

Got time to do a bit more on the hacksaw now SWMBOs 25mmbox section sewing table is nearly completed.

the spindle for the bottom pulley is a bit worn, the first photo shows the spindle, its drilled with a grease nipple and the grease exits through a groove in the spindle, where it hasn't worn away. I'm toying with turning down the spindle and putting a roller bearing in the pulley. Or I could just build it up with weld and machine it back down again, however the pulley hole is bound to be worn so probably need to bore it oversize.

Any better ideas?

Cheers
Andy

 

[brewdexta]

Looking at roller bearing sizes, HK2220. 22 x 28 x 20 sounds good, one in each end of the pulley.

The shaft is just under 24mm at its thinnest point so machined down to 22mm seems OK. The hole is a gnats over 26mm so drilled out to 28mm should do it.

Thoughts?

Cheers
Andy

 

[brightspark]

depends on how much work u want to do . u could turn the spindle down till paralel bore the pulley out and sleeve it to fit

 

[brewdexta]

I've been looking at Oilite bearings, could do as you suggest and fit them easily enough. One at either end of the shaft, may used flanged to make a job of it.

 

[brightspark]

I've been looking at Oilite bearings, could do as you suggest and fit them easily enough. One at either end of the shaft, may used flanged to make a job of it.

make them a slighly loose fit and locktite them in they wont go anywhere

 

[brewdexta]

Pulley bored out with oilite bearings and machined spindle, I can start reassembling it now.

Cheers
Andy

 

[brightspark]

nice one. dont forget to put the slit back in the shaft for the grease to the bearings

 

[brewdexta]

Will do BS, couldn't find my end mill tonight and run out of workshop time. Must have a sort out, crud everywhere! I got my mate to machine it at his work in the end, my lathe is too far out at the mo, another job....

 

[brightspark]

Will do BS, couldn't find my end mill tonight and run out of workshop time. Must have a sort out, crud everywhere! I got my mate to machine it at his work in the end, my lathe is too far out at the mo, another job....

thats posh milling it. i was more thinking of a slitting disk in an angle grinder

 

[brewdexta]

I thought about a grinder BS but I know what damage I can do with one of those so thought I would do it with something I can control more easily Also can't get right up to the shoulder with a grinder.

Found my little end mills and millled a slot in the spindle and took off the sharp edges. Pulley reassembled, tested that grease was reaching where it should and bolted it back onto the saw and put a new V belt on. Should have the motor back on the saw later today if I get an eveing pass, just got to make a couple of brackets for the new motor then I can test the saw without the reciprocating bits fitted.

Cheers
Andy

 

[Shox Dr]

Nice work. I know of one in the same state as yours. With the same missing handle on the clutch. I was offered it a few yrs ago FOC, and turned it down. He now wants coin for it, might offer him a few beers for it.

 

[brewdexta]

Nice work. I know of one in the same state as yours. With the same missing handle on the clutch. I was offered it a few yrs ago FOC, and turned it down. He now wants coin for it, might offer him a few beers for it.

Cheers SD. Sounds about right if its as worn as mine, I've turned one down that was offered to me for a tenner, lots of bits missing and looked worse than mine, its under a tarp at a local stone quarry.

Started re-assembling now, made the motor brackets and they're getting a coat of paint. Its still sat on the workmate but will lift it down and put wheels on it once the stuff under the top is complete. The wood is an oak floorbaord offcut that I'll make the new shelf for the suds tank from.

I used Bridgeport grey and Alfa red. The suds/filings tray had been red before but I also decided to paint the pulley red, thought it would stand out more when spinning round and may stop kids from pocking fingers through the guard. The grey is a bit lighter than the original but these were sold in many colours.

You cans see the new clutch handle on this one, not as shapely as the missing one but does the same.

I'll power it up tomorrow after giving all the spindles a good oil before assembling the rest. I also need to get an NVR switch for it, only cost about 10 quid and I intend to stick it in the old starret metal switch box that came with it.

Cheers
Andy

 

[graffian]

Makes me want to paint my saw;-)

 

[Shox Dr]

Offered him 20quid today, declined, said he could get 50 all day long, which I guess is true, but we both know he'll never get his finger out to sell it, so it can sit a little longer, besides he offered me 2 Listers for so might see if I can get the saw thrown in the deal


Yours is looking smart

 

[brewdexta]

Cheers

Got it running tonight, goes like a swiss watch but I haven't put the saw arm on yet, probably do that tomorrow.

I've got 3 days off to prepare for upcoming June wedding reception, so far I've fitted 3 x 16 amp commando sockets for welder/plasma, plumbed in the compressor a bit better, tidied bits of the workshop, took the hacksaw pulley guard to the blaster's and fitted the motor on the saw. I guess I may have to do some wedding stuff tomorrow

On Wednesday I'm brewing the first batch of beer for the reception, rather predictably called Wedding Tackle, what should I call the second brew?

Cheers
Andy

 

[wheresmejumper]

Brewers droop?

 

[brewdexta]

Brewers droop?

Got to have a wedding theme - I hope this isn't one I experience on t'wedding nght!!

 

[ronan]

Are there any spare parts available for the rapidor saws ? I know where there is one for sale for small money and i'd rather use a saw than the grinder for cutting metal, i hate the noise and mess they make.

 

[brewdexta]

They are so simple that most bits that wear can be machined and replaced or welded but no official stockist of spares as such. If something fundamental breaks then scavenging from another machine is the best bet. There's loads about, until I bought one I had never really thought about them, now I see them everywhere. You can still get blades though.