Nothing Can Stop The “Terminator” Chop Saw FARM SHOP Miscellaneous Thirteen years after John Rutherford designed and built the “Terminator” 20-in abrasive cut-off saw it continues to cut steel up to 4 in thick for an Ontario manufacturer Now retired FARM SHOW reader Rutherford says building it took plenty of planning and many hours to build using quality heavy-duty materials The fabricating plant he worked for cut a lot of steel and had burned out smaller chop saws when attempting to cut large diameter manganese shafting As the maintenance department manager known for building things to solve problems they asked Rutherford to build the metal chop saw He made sure to build it to endure daily use cutting the hardest manganese steel and to include important safety features A 10 000-lb rated wagon spindle supports the saw head and a machined round steel plate on the spindle serves as a rotor with a brake caliper to lock the head in position A master brake controls it with an air cylinder operated with a valve handle Another valve handle locks the vise on the tabletop that holds the steel “The vise is mounted on linear ball bearing pillow blocks so it can be lined up and moved sideways to allow for miter cuts ” Rutherford says Everything including the 10 hp motor and 3-phase 600-volt electrical box is mounted on a sturdy 1/4-in wall 2 by 4 structural tubing frame The arm made of 3 by 6 in square tubing holds the saw and shield and swivels 60 degrees in both directions to make miter cuts The chop saw uses 3/16-in thick 20-in dia abrasive blades The handle on the head has the start switch on the side “The saw is equipped with safety switches so the saw motor can’t start until the brake and vise are locked ” Rutherford says The saw shield also comes down to protect the operator from hot sparks The Terminator has been fairly maintenance-free despite constant use he adds He changed the bearings on the spindle shaft about 6 years ago and the four V-belt drives were changed to timing belt drives to prevent slippage Rutherford 71 says he has been designing and building things since he was 14 He’s pleased how one of his biggest creations turned out and to know that it will work for many years to come Contact: FARM SHOW Followup John Rutherford 2 Grey Owl Drive Elmira Ontario Canada N3B 1S3 ph 519 669-1877; greyowl8@hotmail com

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