TOOL SCHOOL

A guide to equipment trouble-shooting, basic service and maintenance information

Flat Sawing With Optimum Efficiency and Safety

Successful flat sawing is a combination of blade selection, blade speed and common sense. Diamond Products offers tips for flat-saw operators so they can achieve the desired results efficiently and safely.

• The saw does not follow the cut by itself; the operator must guide it. Pay attention and stay with the controls.

• Water is the blade's life and death. Don't be sparing with it. When road sawing, keep the hose out of the traffic lane. Never gravity-feed the water to the cut.

• Always step-cut. Make a 1-inch cut as your guide cut, and never cut to full depth on the first pass.

• Always match the saw's rpm to the blade's diameter. Running a blade at higher than recommended speed is dangerous and can result in inefficient cutting or even having the blade fly apart. A blade's maximum cutting efficiency is approximately 12,000 surface feet per minute. Increasing blade speed never increases productivity.

• Listen to the engine. It can tell you when a blade is bouncing, the belts are loose, or the blade is lifting itself out of the cut.

Recommended Blade RPM and Maximum Depth of CutBlade Diameter (inches) Operating rpm Blade Collar (inches) Maximum Depth of Cut (inches) 14 2,900 4 1/2 4 3/4 16 2,600 " 5 3/4 18 " " 6 3/4 20 2,450 " 7 3/4 24 1,950 " 9 3/4 26 " " 10 3/4 30 1,650 6 12 36 1,400 " 15 42 1,050 " 18 48 850 8 20 54 775 " 23

Safety Tips for Drill Rig, Drill Tool Maintenance

Every drill crew should have a designated safety supervisor. The National Drilling Association also advises drill operators and technicians to take the following precautions during drill rig and drill tool maintenance.

• Wear safety glasses.

• Shut down the drill rig engine to repair or adjust the rig or to lubricate fittings (except for those that require the engine to be running).

• Block the wheels or tracks and set the parking brake before working under a drill rig.

• Before performing maintenance, release all pressure on the hydraulic systems, the drilling fluid system and air pressure systems.

• Never climb the mast (derrick) to do maintenance or make repairs.

• Do not replace a hose with one of lesser strength or capacity.

• When testing fan speed, make sure the guard is in place.

• Relieve all pressure in the receiver tank and lines before working on the compressor system.

Submissions? Suggestions? [email protected] or Call 800/543-4116, ext. 154