How to cut Biggs Jasper on an 18” Highland Park Slab Saw

[@coldpond]

Interesting tour of the slab saw. Like the '12345678 Schlemiel Schlemazel' cab size count. Amazing machine. Look forward to the cab episode.

[@spwinaustin]

Thanks John, and I’m glad you recognized the jingle 😁.

[@jerrybynum4143]

Great information. Really enjoyed this one and look forward to more videos.

[@spwinaustin]

Thanks for watching Jerry, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@ibcnu2987]

Thanks Scott. Love your videos. That good-looking Biggs area Jasper specimen is specifically called Beers Mountain from the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge near Rufus. Its 'gorge'ous. It's known to fracture though, in fact, I have a 140 pound piece that broke in half when I unloaded it at my shop. I feel that if it's going to break, I'd rather have it split where it wants to 'before' I start cutting it.

[@spwinaustin]

That’s so interesting, thanks so much for the information, and thanks for watching!

[@bigguy2683]

When counting turns of the crossfeed arrange for the handle to be at 6:00 instead of 12:00 as you are now doing. Since there is no set screw to hold the crossfeed handle from moving it can creep downward as the cut it made. The ever clean system, or any system in which the blade is not in the oil but rather depends on a continuous pumped flow of oil to the blade, if the oil supply ever should fail and be interrupted, the result would be catastrophic and very fast. That is why I don't use systems like this. Better that the everclean system would be set up to circulate oil in the saw box itself with the blade in the oil, then a failure of the pump would not result in prompt destruction of the blade in the event of interrupted oil flow etc. One of the good things about a 16" saw vs 18 is that it is so much smaller and lighter. The 18" provides only one additional inch of blade height though the crossfeed distance is greater than on the 16.

[@spwinaustin]

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it, and thank you for watching!

[@spetkovsek57]

I also have the 18" HP saw. However, mine does not have to tabs you show on your lid. Those must be a newer design because mine drips oil all over the belt guard. It's very annoying. I agree, 7 1/2 to 8 turns give you a 1/4 inch thick slab to make cabochons from. I was wondering if the EverClean system was worth the money. I'm glad you showed how it works and how well it works. Now I want one! Hmm. Thanks for a very informative video.

[@spwinaustin]

Thanks Stephen, I’m glad you found it informative. Thanks for watching!

[@fiensiferum]

Thanks for the video. I really enjoyed it. It answered a lot of questions. For some reason I thought it used water and not oil. What type of oil does it use? That is a really nice saw.

[@spwinaustin]

Thanks Doug! I use Lubricool from Kingsley North but there are lots of other oils that work just fine.

[@darrengillesdarrengilles8336]

This is a good lesson for all you wannabe cabbers out there. When purchasing your rough material, fracture lines matter and if you ignore them they will cost you money.

[@spwinaustin]

Good advice Darren, thanks for watching!

[@ronaldhoppus9015]

Hi Scott, I see the MK301 comes in a .080 or .065 kerf. Which one do run and why? Thanks

[@spwinaustin]

Hi Ronald. Honestly I don’t remember which one I got but I would think the .08 should last a little longer than the .065. Considering the price I would lean that direction.

[@Poppysrocks]

Scott I’m looking at the 24” hp saw. Do you ever wish you went bigger than the 18”? Now it’s 2 years later would you buy the highland park again?

[@spwinaustin]

It’s funny you should ask! I was just thinking I could use a bigger saw for a couple of the rocks I found in West Texas. But for 99% of what I have an 18” blade works just fine.

[@Poppysrocks]

@@spwinaustin thanks Scott

[@askyagerz]

Great video. I have a 16" with everclean coming today. Do you always run the everclean when you're cutting? Thanks

[@spwinaustin]

Hi. I always run the EverClean when I’m cutting, and also for some time afterwards to continue the filtering process. I’ve even been known to stir up the sediment at the bottom and run it, just for additional cleaning. I recommend having a second canister handy for a quick swap when needed. I’m sure you will enjoy your new saw. Thanks for watching!

[@askyagerz]

Gotcha. Thanks!

[@johnnynephrite6147]

Nice saw. But that piece should be cut by hand on a 10" wet saw.

[@spwinaustin]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately my next size down is an 8” trim saw which wouldn’t be appropriate. Thanks for watching!

[@devendrajain9786]

Waste of time

[@spwinaustin]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m always trying to make my videos more interesting.