christianswest
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 67
|
Post by christianswest on Aug 26, 2023 16:30:36 GMT -5
I recently purchased a used MK 101 saw. After fixing the switch and buying a water pump, I’m ready to go. I would like some suggestions for an inexpensive rock vise. The ones I see are over $100 and I would like something more reasonable. I also could pick something off Craigslist or Marketplace if I knew what to look for. I am a very much of a newbie and would appreciate suggestions on specific vises or what to look for in a vise. Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Aug 26, 2023 17:20:41 GMT -5
Cheapest solution I can think of would be a piece of 2x4 and a C clamp. Make a facing cut freehand and then glue the flat surface to the board with wood glue or water glass.
I have a Genie trim saw attachment and tried cutting some slots in the deck and attached a piece of angled aluminum to the deck with bolts and wing nuts. It didn't work because the aluminum was to flexible.
|
|
rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,172
|
Post by rockbrain on Aug 26, 2023 19:27:53 GMT -5
I've seen someone use a wood hand screw clamp. If you do an online search they'll show up. Two wooden clamp jaws with 2 long threaded rods running through them that you turn by hand to tighten the clamp. They clamped the rock in it and then clamped it to the table. I've even seen where they set one up on a saw table with a side adjust. I think it was DIY lapidary equipment on Face book. I couldn't find it now but I did just run across one where the guy used plumbers tape and screws to secure the rock to the board. I've talked to someone in a nearby town that uses tile saws exclusively. He cuts and sells lots of slabs and he says a vice gets in the way and slows him down. He just uses a fence and holds the rock against that. I think jasoninsd hand holds with a tile saw and he gets great results. |
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Aug 26, 2023 20:54:19 GMT -5
I've seen someone use a wood hand screw clamp. If you do an online search they'll show up. Two wooden clamp jaws with 2 long threaded rods running through them that you turn by hand to tighten the clamp. They clamped the rock in it and then clamped it to the table. I've even seen where they set one up on a saw table with a side adjust. I think it was DIY lapidary equipment on Face book. I couldn't find it now but I did just run across one where the guy used plumbers tape and screws to secure the rock to the board. I've talked to someone in a nearby town that uses tile saws exclusively. He cuts and sells lots of slabs and he says a vice gets in the way and slows him down. He just uses a fence and holds the rock against that. I think jasoninsd hand holds with a tile saw and he gets great results. I do handhold my rough against the fence. I've figured out the rock HAS to be very stable though. When I first started cutting rough like this, I wouldn't have the rough stable...which would bind the blade. I know I completely jacked up the arbor or the bearings in my first 10" slab saw. Now, I make sure the rock doesn't wiggle around before I take the blade to it. I will use wooden shims to make sure it doesn't wiggle. I'm with the guy you know...clamping really takes a LOT of time! LOL |
|
christianswest
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 67
|
Post by christianswest on Aug 27, 2023 7:13:05 GMT -5
I saw an online solution. They purchase an 4” Irvin Drill Press vise for around $30 from Amazon and attach it to sliding table with bolts. There is one protrusion that is in the way and you grind that off. Then raise the saw blade so it’s just above the metal vise. Rock locks in and you’re off to the races. The only problem I see with that is that it is a good solution for slabs but the vise would get in the way of freehand trimming rocks for tumbling.
1. Do you see anything wrong or dangerous with this solution?
2. Am I correct in assuming the vise would get in the way of trimming?
of course, you could remove the vise for freehand trimming? I’m just trying to get some input before I take the plunge!
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Aug 27, 2023 7:34:14 GMT -5
I saw an online solution. They purchase an 4” Irvin Drill Press vise for around $30 from Amazon and attach it to sliding table with bolts. There is one protrusion that is in the way and you grind that off. Then raise the saw blade so it’s just above the metal vise. Rock locks in and you’re off to the races. The only problem I see with that is that it is a good solution for slabs but the vise would get in the way of freehand trimming rocks for tumbling. 1. Do you see anything wrong or dangerous with this solution? 2. Am I correct in assuming the vise would get in the way of trimming? of course, you could remove the vise for freehand trimming? I’m just trying to get some input before I take the plunge! If you are ok drilling holes in the sliding table, you could just drill four holes...insert four carriage bolts aimed upward...and have them go through a rectangular piece of plywood...then just use nuts on top of the board to cinch the board down onto the rock. It's a very simple "vise" that works. I've seen it done...but I haven't done it. The main reason I don't worry about a vise on a wet tile saw is because the slide tables aren't usually precise enough. There's been enough sideways "play" on the tables I've had, it's not going to give a precise cut. When I handhold the rock against the fence, and feed the slide table through the saw, I'm actually applying enough pressure on the rock against the fence to control the "play" in the table. My new saw doesn't have as much play as the old saw. The old one had a good 3/16" sideways wiggle when sliding the table. Just something to be aware of... |
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Aug 27, 2023 9:01:55 GMT -5
Congratulations on your new saw- I adore my MK !
Since I believe using a saw is downright dangerous hand holding, my husband retrofitted a harbor freight woodworking vise to the fence on mine.
He somewhat discouraged me posting the photo, as he said no one is going to go through what he did to make that work (I think he used a metal cutting band saw & grinder to cut it to fit). BUT I thought just the idea of a vise that you can bolt (with a piece of angle) onto the fence was worth showing - might get you started anyway.
If I wanted to free hand trim ( which I don't) you can just take the fence off & the vise comes with it.
Patty
|
|
christianswest
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 67
|
Post by christianswest on Aug 27, 2023 14:16:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the information Jason. I never thought of the “play” on the table. I have noticed a bit of play on my sliding table. I will give your suggestion a try using the guard and some hand held pressure. I also saw in the archives that someone suggested a piece of styrofoam to lay the rock on to steady it.
|
|
christianswest
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 67
|
Post by christianswest on Aug 27, 2023 19:00:18 GMT -5
Thanks Patty. I appreciate your input. I have an older model with a hard plastic sliding table while your’s look like metal. Do you have an issue with wobble in your slide table and if so, does the vise help?
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Aug 27, 2023 19:59:24 GMT -5
Thanks Patty. I appreciate your input. I have an older model with a hard plastic sliding table while your’s look like metal. Do you have an issue with wobble in your slide table and if so, does the vise help? The table (yes it's metal - aluminum) is pretty solid & runs on rails on the left side & the vise is very effective. Keeping the rail oiled seems important for smoother travel.
I do know that the table has an adjustment - the little rollers can be adjusted underneath. I use some wood wedges to seat the rocks better in the vise & cut slabs regularly.
Mine is actually an older model and was pretty rough when we got it- my husband did a complete resto on it.
He painted it the blue color that the older Baranca Diamond version was painted.
Somehow I bet the plastic table version is newer.
Patty
|
|
christianswest
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 67
|
Post by christianswest on Aug 27, 2023 20:41:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Mine is pretty beat up, but seems to have good bones. And pass along to your husband that he did an excellent job. I though it was new!
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Aug 27, 2023 21:01:20 GMT -5
I'm sure it isn't any rougher than this :
But it'll be worth your effort to get it tuned up.
I do know that one thing my husband had to work on was the water spray. It really works great now & sprays on both sides of the blade when it's running.
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Aug 27, 2023 22:06:50 GMT -5
My first trim saw was a blade, arbor and motor bolted to a piece of wood. The instructions were to use a wet sponge to cool the blade.
|
|
christianswest
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2023
Posts: 67
|
Post by christianswest on Aug 29, 2023 7:21:34 GMT -5
I'm sure it isn't any rougher than this :
But it'll be worth your effort to get it tuned up.
I do know that one thing my husband had to work on was the water spray. It really works great now & sprays on both sides of the blade when it's running.
Patty
Mine was similar but not as bad. Water tray has a crack in it, on/off switch didn’t work, no water pump and very dirty. But for $100, what can you expect. I’ve cleaned it up and took care of all the issues. Ran it for the first time and practiced on an ordinary piece of pet wood. It sure beats my 7 inch saw and cuts like “butter.” Now I’m trying to set up a place outdoors to keep it and cover it in the winter. |
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Aug 29, 2023 8:00:48 GMT -5
Mine was similar but not as bad. Water tray has a crack in it, on/off switch didn’t work, no water pump and very dirty. But for $100, what can you expect. I’ve cleaned it up and took care of all the issues. Ran it for the first time and practiced on an ordinary piece of pet wood. It sure beats my 7 inch saw and cuts like “butter.” Now I’m trying to set up a place outdoors to keep it and cover it in the winter. I paid $ 150 for mine & it also had issues - so I think you got a bargain.
A couple of tips we did: I found an under bed "sweater box" can be cut to fit.
Basically you just need to lower the profile by cutting the top rim down.
We added a bulkhead fitting in the bottom of the tray and ran the drain into a bucket under the table, with a pump in it.
Works perfectly, and nice that the motor had an outlet on it to turn on the pump with the main switch. We had an old aquarium pump - but they can be had cheap & the water system on the MK with it spraying on both sides of the blade is very effective. We also added a valve on the water line so you can control how much water.
I put an MK-225 Hot Dog blade on it & run Gem Lube ( from Kingsley North).
Mine is stored on the back deck under a tarp & it's been a couple of years & the Gem lube is keeping it rust free.
Enjoy it ! Look forward to see what you're cutting.
Patty
|
|
