kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Mar 27, 2012 19:30:55 GMT -5
so I thought I purchased a used 6" saw, turns out it's 10", the blade is damaged and can't be used so I need a new one, this is my first real rock saw, been using a tile saw. what would be a good beginner blade? there is no vise or feeding type system with this saw but I can just do it by hand right? yeah I'm a noob so thanks for all your patience. :help:
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Mar 27, 2012 19:35:12 GMT -5
With no vise or feed system, its purty much a hand trimmer for slabs. Kingsley North has purty good prices on blades. Just be cautious. Diamond wont cut per se, but will burn ya purty good. Later Clyde
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 28, 2012 12:40:25 GMT -5
I would start trimming slabs and get used to the feel/sound of the saw. With a steady hand and a light touch, it is not too hard to make small slabs on a 10" saw while hand-feeding. Having/making a flat spot on the bottom of the rock helps a lot towards getting even cuts.
Will you be using water and draining after use? Actually whether water or oil, I would recommend a MK 225 blade. it cuts almost as smooth as the MK 303, and the slots help move water into the cut. IT is also thick enough that an inexperienced hand is not going to bend it too easily.
I think it is important to check your motor speed, and pulley sizes. I have bought several used saws. My bad luck that the 1st two I got had been altered with odd pulleys so that they were running way slower than they were supposed to. Maybe the former owner had a faster motor, or maybe they cut softer material.
If the motor RPM is about 1725 or 1750 and the two pulley's are the same size than no problem. Anything else, and you need to use a pulley calculator to figure out what you have. Otherwise you might trash a good blade.
good luck
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Mar 28, 2012 13:23:12 GMT -5
thanks for the posts, yes I'd be using water and draining. At this point I can't and don't want to buy an expensive blade until I get a good feel for it. I'll have to check the motor but it looks originial.
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 28, 2012 13:33:34 GMT -5
Until you get a feel for hand cutting, I'd go with a thicker kerf blade. It's awfully easy to warp the thinner blades. Practice cutting on the more common agates until you get a feel for what you're doing. No use wasting the better material.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 28, 2012 14:52:12 GMT -5
I used the Green Chinese blades on my first saw. They worked OK. Pretty thick and noisier than the 303C blade. I think the 303C cuts smoother too. If you use the 303C get a .040" not the .032". I hand slabbed many rocks with my old 10" saws but a vise makes it easier to make straight cuts. The Green blades cost approximately half the 303C.
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 28, 2012 14:55:49 GMT -5
Even if the motor is original, the pulleys may not be. Best to check when setting out to use a new to you saw.
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