birdseed
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 167
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Post by birdseed on Sept 20, 2004 2:15:37 GMT -5
I am sooo tired of paying $40-$50 for diamond blades..I go through one per month..I use Advantage(smart cut) blades-I think they give longer life--I may be wrong--anybody got ideas??
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Sept 20, 2004 8:16:34 GMT -5
BE and I have the same problem. Saturday we went to the San Antonio Gem and Mineral Club picnic. While there we asked how long everybody's blades lasted them and what they did to make them last. One guy said he had been using the same blade for TWENTY years! Others said they had never bought a new blade. So, apparently those of us that are having to replace our blades frequently are doing something wrong.
They said there are several things that will ruin a blade. Not enough water/oil to cool the blade and stone while cutting. Forcing the stone. The blade is rusting. Dressing the blade every 6 to 8 cuts.
One guy said after he finishes using the saw, he allows the blade to spin until it is dry and then sprays it good with WD40. Said that prevents it from rusting.
I just put a new blade on the 10" yesterday and did or didn't do all the things these guys mentioned, so we shall see if it helped. I know I that I force the stone at times and I tried really hard not to do that yesterday. Also dressed the blade more often that I used to. Made sure the blade stayed cool. And let the blade dry really good after I finished and really gave it a good spraying of WD40.
llana
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Post by sandsman1 on Sept 20, 2004 8:29:35 GMT -5
birdseed try this guy ron told me about him and i havent had a prob with his diamond blades or drills
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Sept 20, 2004 11:42:53 GMT -5
Hello Birdseed,
There is a post somewhere in the board that covers quite a bit about this exact subject ... but, I can't remember if it was in the "General" or "Photo" area. It might be worth looking back through and see if you can find it.
I have a 6",10" and a 14" lapidary saw. I know for a fact that I have slabbed well over 1,500 pounds of rock with my 14" and I have never had to change the blade or dress the blade. I very seldomly ever dress my lapidary blades.
My 6" and 8" saws have the Pro-Slicer blade on them. Both are approximately 2 years old and they cut as well today, as the day I purchased them.
My blades are Raytech, MK and Pro-Slicers and they have all proved to be quality blades.
Have a great day,
John
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Sept 20, 2004 13:52:44 GMT -5
hi all bird i just use the chepiest i find and dont have mutch trouble with them one will last me about six months i use just watter with it and i do use it. i cut about ten pounds every to days and have no trouble with them my last blade was 10 inch and it cost me twenty buckes so it was chep. hahaha hade it on for three months and still goning strong shorty
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Sept 20, 2004 14:17:06 GMT -5
I am still using my first blade on my 10 inch saw, which is a MK Hot Dog blade. I've cut a lot of very hard rock, such as Quartz and Agate, and I have seen no drop in performance or any indication of wear that will stop me from getting years of use from it. I am very careful to fixture my rocks well. Movement of the rock and the ensuing binding of the blade can easily cause premature failure. I am carefull not to get over anxious and feed the blade to fast. I cool with just water with borax added and I flush at maximum capacity. I also use a 10 gallon coolant system to prevent rock grit from being pumped back onto the blade. The large resevoir also keeps the temperature of the coolant from going too high. I have never dressed my blade. If you are cutting hard rock like Quartz or Agate, you should never have to dress. The purpose of cutting a grinding wheel to dress your blade, is to remove steel to expose the diamonds. Materials such as Quartz and Agate are hard enough that they already remove the steel.
The bottom line really, is pay attention to how warm your blade is getting, and when you are done for the day, spray some WD40 on your blade.
Ron
ps. Now get back to sawing those rocks! ;D
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birdseed
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2004
Posts: 167
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Post by birdseed on Sept 21, 2004 2:50:13 GMT -5
20 years on one blade(WOW)-I have had some wear out in 5 days...Most of the time after an hour on the saw I get to forsing a little-I have a 6" model J rock rascal-I only cut small rock(I do not slab)-I use tool-cool with the water--WD40-aqnd still--too much money on diamond blades..
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