dellis326
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2012
Posts: 10
|
Post by dellis326 on Feb 13, 2012 23:05:23 GMT -5
First post here but I've been lurking for a while.
I would like to know how people here clamp their pieces onto a sliding saw table. I'm using a 10" MK tile saw with a sliding table but there isn't anything to hold the pieces down and while I guess for tiles you may not need anything but for something 2 or 3 inches thick it would make things a lot easier. I'm working with glass not stone so I need ideas that won't scratch it up.
Thanks a lot! Pictures would be a great help.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 13, 2012 23:31:35 GMT -5
You might want to check these out. They would be fairly easy to adapt to your sliding table. www.justclamps.com/toggle_clamps_list.htmThere are several companies who produce clamps like these in various configurations. Just google toggle clamps and look around.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 14, 2012 0:43:04 GMT -5
Barranca has an available bolt on rock vise for the BD version of the MK101. You can look at Barranca Diamond website at the BD2014 saw vise. It is pretty simple. One thing I've learned cutting rock with my MK101 is to lay a piece of thin styrofoam sheet on the sliding table and hold the rock on top. It keeps the rock from, well, rocking. I save the sheets of packing from orders I receive so no cost and recycling too.
|
|
dellis326
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2012
Posts: 10
|
Post by dellis326 on Feb 15, 2012 9:51:17 GMT -5
Thanks, I was hoping for something home made but this is a good start. I've already found on a wood workers website, how to make home made toggle clamps. lumberjocks.com/projects/16919Maybe some sort of variation of a hand screw can work as well.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 15, 2012 10:03:55 GMT -5
Something like that would probably work if you use a good hardwood like maple.
One thing you should know about toggle clamps. Don't tighten them too tight if you're clamping slabs. You'll break the slab if you do. This type of clamp can exert extreme pressure if tightened down. I've used them quite a bit in my sheet metal working days, and they do a good job.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 15, 2012 18:46:11 GMT -5
One big difference between rock vises and just about any type of clamps is the need for a cross feed. If you cut 1/4" slabs you need to hold rock and be able to advance it for each slab so they come out straight. Otherwise you have to line up every cut. The BD rock vise is pretty simple. I thought if you were handy you could make something similar.
|
|
dellis326
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2012
Posts: 10
|
Post by dellis326 on Feb 15, 2012 22:26:02 GMT -5
I did find pictures of those BD Rock Vise' and they're like a hand screw laid on their side which would be an easy thing to make.
I was thinking of using a canvas bag packed with old sand blasting grit as a base to set the pieces on. it should conform to the shape and once it's wet won't move around easily. has anyone tried that or something like it?
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 16, 2012 9:46:46 GMT -5
Someone else told me about using the styrofoam. When I got my saw I tried it. It worked so well I never tried anything else. The bag should work too unless you cut through it. The foam doesn't care. It gets smaller every cut but I've accumulated enough not to worry.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 16, 2012 10:37:53 GMT -5
I've heard of people using sand bags to display oversized or oddly shaped mineral specimens. Don't see why it wouldn't work for your type of saw. But as John says, be careful not to cut through the bag.
|
|