Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Apr 29, 2012 11:34:09 GMT -5
|
|
QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
|
Post by QuailRiver on Apr 29, 2012 17:01:09 GMT -5
I bought some 6", 10" and 12" blades from that supplier over one year ago and paid with Pay Pal. They price the blades low then make their profit by ultra-jacking up the shipping charges. I received the blades with several having rusty areas, but still usable. All of the blades required bushings to fit on 1/2" or 5/8" arbors. They sent the bushings separate, not mounted in the blades. When I tried to attach the bushings they sent me, none of the 1/2" arbor size bushings fit properly in the hole in the blades, and some of the 5/8" size didn't either. The outer dimensions were too small so the bushings would just fall through. It was impossible to use them. I contacted the company and they wanted me to send pictures with a caliper showing the differences between the saw hole size and the outer bushing size in order to prove my claim. I took pictures and emailed them. They agreed to send me replacements right out. It took several reminders but six weeks later I received the replacement bushings. Only about half of the replacements they sent me fit. And most of the replacement bushings were rusty. The overall quality of the 12" blades I received was decent. The 10" blades are not flat and true so they have a little wobble in them when they run. The 6" blades are okay for softer materials like turquoise, or for trimming faceting rough but won't last long trimming agates slabs. my recommendation is if you buy from them, pay with Pay Pal so if you have problems you can have chance at reasonable recourse.
|
|
stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
|
Post by stillalive on Apr 29, 2012 17:19:23 GMT -5
Great reply,and top advice,thanks.
|
|
ulstergeki
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2012
Posts: 111
|
Post by ulstergeki on Apr 29, 2012 19:11:34 GMT -5
5 dollars a blade? even if they arent the best im in, i could buy 5 or so and burn them up and not feel too bad.
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Apr 30, 2012 0:48:03 GMT -5
quailriver what the heck did you do with 300 blades!?!? Or did you get them to sell smaller quantities?
I would not bother with the spacers for the blades though just order the smallest hole they sell and make it the size you want with a step drill. Works great.
|
|
|
Post by stoner on May 1, 2012 10:14:51 GMT -5
You can always stack them 5 or 6 at a time and make a super grinder.
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on May 2, 2012 20:25:46 GMT -5
They would make a poor super grinder as they are crimped edge blades. You need sintered blades to make a good super grinder.
Lee
|
|
QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
|
Post by QuailRiver on May 2, 2012 20:37:53 GMT -5
I ordered 10 each of the 10" and 12" blades and 100 of the 6" blades. That manufacturer only makes one size hole in the blade (approximately 1"). So any arbor smaller than 1" has to use a bushing. I took one of them down to a local machine shop to see what they would charge to make proper bushings but it was going to cost more than I payed for the blades. Lord willing I'll live long enough to use them all!
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on May 2, 2012 21:02:03 GMT -5
They must have changed the 1" only arbor size. The site shows they are available in 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" and 1" now.
Bushings are fairly easy to accurately make yourself if you have a drill press. Just take a washer that fits snugly on a bolt and tighten it between the bolt head and a nut. Then put the bolt in your drill press and use a file on the washer while it is spinning. Once its down to the OD you need use a step drill to make the ID what you want. Calipers will make getting the right sizes a lot easier too.
I sent them a email asking if they would sell smaller amounts and they told me 100 minimum on any of them now. No way I need that many. Guess I should have been there earlier, I would have considered 10 of the 8" for hand cutting.
|
|
QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
|
Post by QuailRiver on May 4, 2012 4:00:35 GMT -5
Yeah the site showed those optional arbor sizes when I ordered too but they were all bushed. Their communications skills aren't that great, they're just asking which bushing size you want. I just looked and you're right that they only sell in lots of 100 now. Can you imagine how much a box of 100 10" steel blades would weigh? But I guess it wouldn't matter...cause I think my local mail man and UPS delivery guys already hate me! LOL
|
|