paddington
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 2
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Post by paddington on May 19, 2017 18:32:58 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I'm Paddy from New Zealand. Semi retired but busier than ever! My daughter and I do a bit of jade (and wood) carving and I'm looking for a lapidary drop saw. Ideally I'd like to get one that will cut through a stone that takes a 24" blade or so. Then getting it to New Zealand might be a mission. Alternatively can anyone suggest some good plans so I can go to an engineer and get one made? Thanks.
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Post by johnjsgems on May 19, 2017 19:50:43 GMT -5
Hi, welcome to the forum. You would do better posting this in the saw section or home made equipment. DRop saws are fairly simple compared to "conventional" slab saws. You could check used market and also large masonry saws. With lapidary saws they do well. Something like a block saw will cut 8". 24" lapidary saws cut around 9".
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paddington
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 2
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Post by paddington on May 19, 2017 23:56:35 GMT -5
Thanks John. I've got a block 12x10x6" I'm hoping to take 12x10 slices off but I suppose it doesn't matter if I have to trim it up a bit first to fit it in or under a saw. Most of the blocks I buy have been cut, so really that's what I should be aiming for mainly - one to cut up blocks, but I do buy the odd bit of raw stone as well. Do you think I should be going for a block saw or drop saw? Most people in NZ that have them tend to have the latter. I've been carving for a few years now, but am very green about slicing up blocks or cobbles. Someone else has always done that for me, but one mate's disappeared, and the other's sold his gear. I've been trying to find a drop saw, new or used, with about a 24" blade, for months now, but they seem like hen's teeth.
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Post by manofglass on May 20, 2017 8:14:03 GMT -5
My first saw was a 10" drop saw I built There not that hard to build I build mine out of wood
Walt
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,648
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Post by Tommy on May 20, 2017 9:49:47 GMT -5
Hi Paddy welcome from northern CA. Hope your search for knowledge is fruitful - lot of smart folks here.
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rebeccaink
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2017
Posts: 190
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Drop saw
May 28, 2017 21:05:31 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by rebeccaink on May 28, 2017 21:05:31 GMT -5
Hi Paddy! Welcome from sunny Florida!
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Post by johnjsgems on May 29, 2017 15:08:47 GMT -5
Block saws are generally drop saws (chop saws) for cutting 8" x 8" cinder blocks and such. If cutting hard rock a lapidary blade would be needed instead of a masonry blade. Your issues are the 230V 50 Hz electric supply is the same as a lot of the world but not US, Canada, Mexico, and shipping would be extremely expensive as well. I would continue searching for something locally used.
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Post by Rockoonz on May 29, 2017 16:25:17 GMT -5
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,680
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Post by Fossilman on Jun 6, 2017 8:46:51 GMT -5
Welcome Paddy and enjoy the forum....
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Jun 6, 2017 12:34:15 GMT -5
Howdy Paddington and welcome- I'm sure I speak for others beside me- we'd LOVE to see pics of some of your work!
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frostedoddity
off to a rocking start
Hello from Tampa Bay, Florida!
Member since May 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by frostedoddity on Jun 9, 2017 12:25:14 GMT -5
Welcome! Did you start out with wood? I'd been thinking about doing that since most wood is JUST a bit softer and more expendable than stone, lol. I can't help you with the saw, but good luck!
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 9, 2017 13:50:26 GMT -5
Actually steel is also much softer than most stone and provides the solid rigidity you need in a rock saw. Wood is fine in some parts of a shop, but not in a saw.
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