catman1121
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2010
Posts: 3
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Post by catman1121 on Apr 27, 2010 16:32:17 GMT -5
I am newbie that has been lurking for some time. I bought my first tumler (Lortone 33) recently and I have already ordered a twelve pounder to go with it as well as about 100 lbs of rough from various sources. This is a very addictive hobby so now I want to use a saw to trim and reduce some of my rough for tumbling.
I am having trouble deciding between the QEP Workforce replacement or the MK-170 saw. Do any of you have experience with both of these or either one for that matter. Opinions or other saws are welcome as well.
I just don't know if the MK is worth the extra money and the reviews on Amazon are mixed.
Thanks.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 27, 2010 17:03:06 GMT -5
I have the original WF. If you're just cutting rough for tumbling, either saw will do fine. John (JSGems) is very fond of the MK 170 and if you get it from John, Barranca, or the Rock Shed, you can get it with a lapidary blade (but I think you have to order before the end of the month).
The tile blade on the WF (and maybe the MK) takes a lot of abuse, so you can cut down rough quickly. But you're limited to rocks about 1.25" high, or maybe a little more, until you learn the rolling technique.
Hope this helps, Chuck
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 27, 2010 18:23:05 GMT -5
The MK 170 seems to have a little larger cut depth. The price is 50% to 90% higher.
The big difference I see is where the rock meets the blade. With the blade centered on the table, the work meets at 90-deg. If you want to trim a shape out of a slab, this angle is desirable.
If you are going to cut a slab or rock all the way through, the angle matters less, but I think the downward curve of the blade can trap the work and bind up more easily.
Get the QEP, put the difference into a couple of quality replacement blades, possibly MK-225.
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Post by Roller on Apr 27, 2010 18:44:44 GMT -5
I have the qep ... and theres one thing I hate about it ... The base of it where you put the rock is not level ...I returned my first one because of this problem ..It was way offff ... chercked the display models in the store and they were a little off as well .... The new one I have now is just a tiny bit off also ... but this makes such a huge difference when you start getting into trying to make perfect slabs and really good angles on your cabs .. Its a slight bothersome but when you get more technical like I am it gets really annoying ... I will say I beat on the motor ... and it just keeps going ... Its built very nicely and for the price...theres no comparison to start off with ... But eventually I will be upgrading .... depending on your addiction ... its up to you ..$77 bucks at home depot ... with a very nice return policy which I used ...Oh yeah and when I returned mine and got a new blade I saw the difference immediately with the new blade ...It did not stay like that for long though ,,,my next step is upgraded blades ...
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 27, 2010 20:13:39 GMT -5
For a few more dollars, check out the Husky at Home Depot. It has a better reservoir and is a little more solid than the Workforce. I am gradually wearing through the aluminium top from abrasion, but have made thousands of cuts with dozens of bades and it ain't dead yet!
I have stalled the motor several times from binding a cut and it hasn't burned out. I have pushed way too hard on the shaft and bearing, but it still runs true. If I'm not careful, the saw will win.
Darryl.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 29, 2010 1:23:37 GMT -5
Watch craigslist for a real lapidary saw if you plan to make cabochons. It takes too long to clean up the saw marks from tile saws, and the thick blades waste a lot of rock. If you only plan to use it to rough out stuff to tumble a tile saw is probably OK.
Lee
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catman1121
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2010
Posts: 3
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Post by catman1121 on Apr 29, 2010 19:25:13 GMT -5
I'd like to thank all of you for your input on this. I went ahead and ordered the MK-170 and a HotDog blade. I had a couple of birthday gift cards so the saw and blade wound up costing me only about $30 more than the QEP.
Again thanks.
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