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Post by RocksInNJ on Sept 20, 2019 16:18:57 GMT -5
Hello all. Been reading this forum for quite a while, while saving up the money for a Lortone QT-66 from The Rock Shed, along with a bunch of grit and media.
In the meantime I’ve been collecting a ton of Rocks from along the Delaware river, beaches, creeks and streams and around my home which used to have a lot of old glass factories back in the 1900,s, with some big chunks of colored glass. Now that I’ve amassed a huge laundry basket of rocks, I’ve come to decide that I need a tile saw to trim and slice them in order to make the 1st round of tumbling go quicker, but don’t want to spend more than $300 on one. I’ve watched a lot of videos on YouTube and really like the one MeMiner uses, which is an overhead Rigid 7” tile saw. I do like the idea of a sliding table. I know the cheap under $100 ones are suitable as well.
So my question is which of these saws listed below would you recommend? I’ve narrowed my search down to these, but would like some opinions on the pros and cons and which one might suit me the best.
MK-170 - Goes for about $255 Rigid R4030S - 7” with stand - Goes for about $297 (This is the one I’m really leaning towards) Rigid R4021Sn - 7” with stand - Goes for about $239 QEP 700XT - 7” - Goes for about $109 QEP Power Pro 22900Q - 7” - Goes for about $210 Skil 7” Tabletop 3540-01 - Goes for about $109
Or any others I may have missed. I’m looking to buy new, as I’ve already looked on Craigslist and local pawn shops with no success.
Many thanks in advance. I’m really looking forward to this new hobby.
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Post by manofglass on Sept 20, 2019 16:55:57 GMT -5
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,621
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 20, 2019 17:50:17 GMT -5
IMHO you would be better off getting a Rock Rascal model "T". The unit without the motor is $298 at Johnson Bros Lapidary. And then find a used 1/3 hp 1725rpm continuous duty, general purpose motor. Those are very common motors and fairly easy to find used for around $25 unless you live in an extremely rural area with few people and businesses around. With the Rock Rascal model "T" you can saw your stone to size and then pre-form it on the grinding wheel. And then when you can get a 6" x 1.5" 60 grit or 80 grit diamond plated wheel to replace the SC wheel that comes on the model "T". The diamond wheel will remove material faster than the SC wheel. www.johnsonbrotherslapidary.com/Rock_Rascal_Combination_Unit_Basic.htmlLarry C.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Sept 20, 2019 18:07:46 GMT -5
I would go with a 10" tile saw. 6 or 7" is OK, but you'll want something bigger right away. Check out that $300 Harbor Freight saw link above.
Try Facebook sale groups. There are usually several in each town. The groups have names such as Your Town Garage sale, Deals, Blog, etc. I'm in a pretty small town & there are several selling groups to choose from. Right now there are several tile saws listed in my town, & a couple more 50 miles away. Good luck! Lynn
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Post by RocksInNJ on Sept 20, 2019 20:21:49 GMT -5
A 10” saw would indeed be a wonderful start, but I’ve heard a lot of bad things about Harbor Freight and the Chicago brand equipment. The things on that 10” saw that concern me are the wobble of the table, the water pump failing or not spraying on the blades on both sides or on the blade at all, as later down the line I may want to use it to do some tile work in the kitchen and bathroom as well and all the other brand 10 inch saws are way to expensive.
Those Rock Rascals look really nice, but by time I got a motor and a water pump supply, blade and new grinding wheel, I’d be over my wanted budget. Plus a 7” would give me a little more room for my bigger rocks.
I’d love to hear from some people that own or have used that 10” saw from Harbor Freight and what their experiences with it are like or if they had any problems. The only other problem I see with that saw is maybe the cost of the 10” blades as opposed to the 7” blades. Is there much of a price difference and wouldn’t I have to use oil or something for it instead of water. I’m not sure how much that stuff cost, but that could up the price considerably as well.
Many thanks for the replies and the help. I really appreciate it. I’ve been through this forum and YouTube researching a lot, but thought it was finally time to ask for some help now that I have a better idea of the hobby and what’s needed. I’m just looking to possibly slab some rocks and trim some up for tumbling. Much later down the line, I already plan on investing in a Lot-O tumbler as well. Im not really into making cabs or jewelry or anything. Im just hoping to get and enjoy the beauty of some really nicely polished rocks.
Thanks again and keep those replies coming. Im really itching to get some equipment and get started.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Sept 20, 2019 20:54:53 GMT -5
I had that Harbor Freight 10" tile saw. It was a good saw. No problems. I bought it used, used it for a while & then flipped it. I found that I wasn't using it much & needed to make room in my garage. Lynn
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Post by RocksInNJ on Sept 21, 2019 11:51:26 GMT -5
Just got back from the Harbor Freight store to check out that 10” CE Tile saw and saw a 10” Diamondback there as well that I really liked. Has anyone had any experience with the Diamondback 10” and what are your thoughts? It’s more than I was hoping to spend, but is a bit higher, has a really smooth sliding tray, holds more water and has a lot of trays for the water spray. Looks really nice, but would hate to spend that much money if it’s a dud.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 21, 2019 12:24:11 GMT -5
I own quite a few saws now. Mostly smaller saws. I started with that cheapy 7" Skilsaw. I went through 2. I used it exclusively for a long time before I got any others. You can't slab anything too big, but it's a real workhorse. Someone showed me how to turn it around and work it backwards. Keeps you from getting too soaked and keeps the rocks from hitting you should one slip. They are cheap enough to easily replace. I get the Dewalt porcelain blade for it on Amazon. I think it's a good saw to start with and will teach you what you really want in a saw should you decide to move up.
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Post by MsAli on Sept 21, 2019 20:14:26 GMT -5
I have used the HF and it does a really good job IMO.
I am currently looking for one of my own now and am leaning towards a Dewalt
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Bucknutty
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2017
Posts: 171
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Post by Bucknutty on Sept 21, 2019 22:34:04 GMT -5
I've got the HF 10", it works great. The issue with the spray directing away from the blade is true, I just clamps some curved plastic scraps to the hood to redirect it.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Sept 24, 2019 22:20:58 GMT -5
Just wanted to thank all of you for all of the helpful replies. It’s very much appreciated. I came home with another 3 gallon bucket full of more rocks today. For all the money this hobby is going to cost me, I’m really hoping I’ll get some exciting results. It’s really tough to find anything here in South New Jersey though and not knowing much about rocks makes it even more difficult.
So while out on the river today, I grabbed a 3 pound bucket mostly of what I am calling breakers. A huge variety of everything that I’ve been seeing and bringing home previously. Especially larger rocks. Most I’m going to break open with a Hammer and chisel for now just to get an idea of what’s inside all the different types of rocks that I’m finding. I figured this would be a good start to learn more and help me deduce on what to keep and what to leave behind and to also get a feel for the hardness of the different types of rocks.
I’ve also started going through all of my rocks and am trying to sort them by type the best that I can just by feeling them and eyeing them up, along with some scratch test here and there. Then once I get started tumbling I’ll have an even better idea of what’s good to keep and what’s not.
Now I just gotta figure out what the hell I’m gonna do with all those polished rocks. Hmmmm..... I do have a huge brick wall with a fireplace and I HATE bricks. Maybe I’ll plaster all the rocks over the bricks and hope it doesn’t turn out to look like a hippy hangout disco joint with all the different colors lol. Oh wait never mind it’s to late. I forgot I do have a disco ball that I hang up occasionally for the cats to chase all the dots around lol.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2019 12:43:00 GMT -5
Maybe I’ll plaster all the rocks over the bricks and hope it doesn’t turn out to look like a hippy hangout disco joint with all the different colors lol. Sure, why not - if you don't like the wall anyway I've also seen polished stones set into sidewalks, tabletops and counters - which can be very attractive (certainly more attractive than just concrete).
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Post by RocksInNJ on Sept 25, 2019 21:52:48 GMT -5
Maybe I’ll plaster all the rocks over the bricks and hope it doesn’t turn out to look like a hippy hangout disco joint with all the different colors lol. Sure, why not - if you don't like the wall anyway I've also seen polished stones set into sidewalks, tabletops and counters - which can be very attractive (certainly more attractive than just concrete). Hmmm, more great ideas. Wonderful, now I’ll be like the 3rd little pig and have an entire house made out of stone and we don’t even have any wolves in New Jersey lol.
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Sept 25, 2019 22:37:30 GMT -5
Just got back from the Harbor Freight store to check out that 10” CE Tile saw and saw a 10” Diamondback there as well that I really liked. Has anyone had any experience with the Diamondback 10” and what are your thoughts? It’s more than I was hoping to spend, but is a bit higher, has a really smooth sliding tray, holds more water and has a lot of trays for the water spray. Looks really nice, but would hate to spend that much money if it’s a dud. I got the diamondback 7”. I love it. Much better than the old CE I had from HF. Buy the warranty for like $50. It replaces the same pretty much in perpetuity if needed.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 26, 2019 9:18:46 GMT -5
I have a 10" Barranca Diamond Saw Modified to the Hilt and is on oil with a Highland Park Everclean system. I use that saw to cut the slabs to around 1/4" thick, then I use a Harbor Freight 69230 4 1/2" $58.00 on water that I converted to take a BD 5" Blade and that lil guy kicks arse! I use it to trim preforms. It all depends what your trying to do with it. You need a 10"+ Plus size to cut the slabs and then to trim you can use most anything. Turning a 7" Blade to cut 1/4" thick slabs is a waste I would think. I wish my 10" was 16" but I just buy what I can Cut. And Shawn at TRS cuts Larger slabs down to size for me so my 10" can handle them.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 26, 2019 9:31:10 GMT -5
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Post by RocksInNJ on Sept 26, 2019 22:20:04 GMT -5
Thanks for all the helpful info and the offer on the tile saw, but I’m still saving up for everything. I should hopefully have enough soon to order the tumbler and supplies to get started with if nothing else in my life goes sideways, but with my luck it’s probably wishful thinking. First it was the brakes on the car, then the wheel bearings and now today one of my cats has been getting sick all day and night and Im worried about him and hoping he’s ok. I have to make sure he’s ok first, before I go spending the money. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 27, 2019 6:35:57 GMT -5
Thanks for all the helpful info and the offer on the tile saw, but I’m still saving up for everything. I should hopefully have enough soon to order the tumbler and supplies to get started with if nothing else in my life goes sideways, but with my luck it’s probably wishful thinking. First it was the brakes on the car, then the wheel bearings and now today one of my cats has been getting sick all day and night and Im worried about him and hoping he’s ok. I have to make sure he’s ok first, before I go spending the money. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him. Yeah, Been there done that. Seems like every time I have the Ends Met, someone moves The Ends on me. Last month it was all the tie rod ends on the Jeep This and next month it's the 2001 Fourwinds RV in prep for the Arizona Trip. Id buy a new one but this thing is clean as a Pin Inside and the thing only has 16,000 miles on it, and lately has developed a Ping or knock and my Mechanic Guy says its prolly a bad Coil it has a Coil on each Cylinder. It has a GM BIG BLOCK BOASTING AN 8.1L VORTEC L18 V8 Engine and has 340 HP and is Powerful But Sucks Gas and gets about 11MPG. Anyways Has 3/4 Tank of gas in it now that may be soured cause it doesn't get driven enough.
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