rickfl
starting to shine!
Member since January 2022
Posts: 28
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Post by rickfl on Sept 19, 2023 22:54:06 GMT -5
I have a hi-tech 10 inch slab saw that I've used to cut agates and petrified wood. I've used it maybe 6-7 times and have already gone through two blades. One was a blade that came with it, and another was a MK blade (301?). After 2-3 cutting sessions, I realized that the section that holds the diamonds was almost nonexistent.
I am using water and not letting it run dry.
Am I trying to cut too fast? What am I doing wrong?
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 19, 2023 23:50:28 GMT -5
Water does not lubricate as well as oil for one.
Also pushing the rocks through too fast can heat up a blade a lot more ruining it.
And you should dress the bade once in a while.
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Post by pauls on Sept 20, 2023 0:17:51 GMT -5
What feeds the rock through the saw, push by hand? mechanical feed? or weight feed?
For that size blade you should be using oil for cooling/lubrication. I use cheap generic baby oil, others use feed store mineral oil (same stuff as baby oil)
A diamond saw doesn't cut like a wood saw, it grinds its way through, you have to let the diamonds grind the rock away, if you force it the rock will start peeeling diamonds off. If you are feeding by hand back right off and just let the saw remove material you only push lightly to take up the slack.
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125 
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Sept 20, 2023 6:11:10 GMT -5
It does not matter what I try to cut, I constantly remind myself to let the saw do the work and use just enough pressure to keep the material against the blade.
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rickfl
starting to shine!
Member since January 2022
Posts: 28
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Post by rickfl on Sept 20, 2023 7:53:32 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the replies. I am pushing by hand as this saw does not have a mechanical way to feed it. I
I understand that oil would be a better lubricant but this is an open saw and it would get everywhere.
What's kind of funny is that I watch some guys on Youtube cutting with the same saw, but they have to speed up the video because it takes too long. So, as a couple have said - my problem is probably that I'm going too fast. I'm trying to push it through instead of letting the blade/rock dictate the speed.
I'll buy another blade and try to go a lot slower.
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Post by vegasjames on Sept 20, 2023 8:00:42 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the replies. I am pushing by hand as this saw does not have a mechanical way to feed it. I I understand that oil would be a better lubricant but this is an open saw and it would get everywhere. What's kind of funny is that I watch some guys on Youtube cutting with the same saw, but they have to speed up the video because it takes too long. So, as a couple have said - my problem is probably that I'm going too fast. I'm trying to push it through instead of letting the blade/rock dictate the speed. I'll buy another blade and try to go a lot slower. Maybe put an additive in to the water such as the gel from freezer packs to help the water stick to the blade some and keep it cooler. The gel is not toxic to humans or pets. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2023 8:40:06 GMT -5
It sounds like a number of things are contributing to the excessive blade wear.
You might be cutting things that are a bit too big for the saw as well as pressing too hard. You should be using light pressure and letting the blade do the work.
You likely do not have to buy a new blade as they can be 'sharpened' with a file.
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Sept 20, 2023 16:02:33 GMT -5
I don't want to discourage you from what can be a very rewarding hobby, but allow me to offer a few suggestions. Success in this activity is in large part dependent on the quality of equipment you use. If you intend to do any serious volume, size, or quality of material, you will never be able to do that with a manual-feed slab saw. Spring for the largest screw-feed oil bath saw you can afford. Believe me, I spent years trying to produce quality specimens on the cheap. Unless you only intend to cut small pieces for tumbling stock, you are going to waste a lot of time, material and blades trying to feed by hand.
Did you ever go to a rock show and notice all the tubs of slabs in water? It isn't just to show off the color. Just as often it is to hide the lousy cut. Take a slab you are interested in purchasing from the tub, dry it off, and drag you fingernail across it. If you can feel any saw marks, don't buy it. You will most likely never get those marks to sand/polish out, and so will never get a good polish on it. They have been cut with a dull or cheap blade, or a saw that is not properly set up. A quality saw, adjusted properly, with a quality dressed blade running at the proper feed speed should produce a smooth cut. I have seen some larger slabs of pricey material rendered totally beyond saving by sloppy cutting.
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Post by stardiamond on Sept 20, 2023 17:18:31 GMT -5
I have an 8 inch Genie trim saw attachment. It is designed to use water with an additive and is hand feed. I use mk303 or equivalent and go through a lot of blades particularly when I hand slab. I bought a 10 inch HP high tone saw that has the same kerf .032, auto feed and cuts with oil. The blade in that saw lasts very much longer. All I recommend is using a water additive like lube-cool, kool-lube or DP water aid. I am using DP water aid now. It is less expensive and uses a lower concentration than the others. I also buy generic mk303 blades. Less expensive and works just as well.
If you are doing a lot of slabbing, get a small slab saw that uses oil or continue to keep buying blades. I used my trim saw for slabbing for many years.
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 20, 2023 17:48:25 GMT -5
I have a hi-tech 10 inch slab saw that I've used to cut agates and petrified wood. I've used it maybe 6-7 times and have already gone through two blades. One was a blade that came with it, and another was a MK blade (301?). After 2-3 cutting sessions, I realized that the section that holds the diamonds was almost nonexistent. I am using water and not letting it run dry. Am I trying to cut too fast? What am I doing wrong? A lot of good information has been posted... That being said... I have a 10" wet tile saw (water cooled) which I use to cut slabs. My saw is a hand feed. When I first started cutting slabs, I was REALLY bad about pushing far too hard. I went through blades like crazy! In fact, I unknowingly misused the saw to the point it wrecked the bearings. So...I got a second wet tile saw. Since I didn't want to jack this one up, I have been extremely careful about making sure the rocks are stable...and I make a conscious effort to let the blade do the work...not me! I don't run through blades like I used to...not even close. |
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rickfl
starting to shine!
Member since January 2022
Posts: 28
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Post by rickfl on Sept 21, 2023 16:53:28 GMT -5
I don't want to discourage you from what can be a very rewarding hobby, but allow me to offer a few suggestions. Success in this activity is in large part dependent on the quality of equipment you use. If you intend to do any serious volume, size, or quality of material, you will never be able to do that with a manual-feed slab saw. Spring for the largest screw-feed oil bath saw you can afford. Believe me, I spent years trying to produce quality specimens on the cheap. Unless you only intend to cut small pieces for tumbling stock, you are going to waste a lot of time, material and blades trying to feed by hand. Did you ever go to a rock show and notice all the tubs of slabs in water? It isn't just to show off the color. Just as often it is to hide the lousy cut. Take a slab you are interested in purchasing from the tub, dry it off, and drag you fingernail across it. If you can feel any saw marks, don't buy it. You will most likely never get those marks to sand/polish out, and so will never get a good polish on it. They have been cut with a dull or cheap blade, or a saw that is not properly set up. A quality saw, adjusted properly, with a quality dressed blade running at the proper feed speed should produce a smooth cut. I have seen some larger slabs of pricey material rendered totally beyond saving by sloppy cutting. Thank you, (and everyone else) for responding. I have a larger saw that fits the bill you described, and I use the 10 inch saw for hand cutting smaller rocks that aren't easily held in the larger saw - even with a slab grabber. I should have included that information in my original post. I'm new to this, so I know I'm making quite a few mistakes |
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Sept 21, 2023 20:45:29 GMT -5
I don't want to discourage you from what can be a very rewarding hobby, but allow me to offer a few suggestions. Success in this activity is in large part dependent on the quality of equipment you use. If you intend to do any serious volume, size, or quality of material, you will never be able to do that with a manual-feed slab saw. Spring for the largest screw-feed oil bath saw you can afford. Believe me, I spent years trying to produce quality specimens on the cheap. Unless you only intend to cut small pieces for tumbling stock, you are going to waste a lot of time, material and blades trying to feed by hand. Did you ever go to a rock show and notice all the tubs of slabs in water? It isn't just to show off the color. Just as often it is to hide the lousy cut. Take a slab you are interested in purchasing from the tub, dry it off, and drag you fingernail across it. If you can feel any saw marks, don't buy it. You will most likely never get those marks to sand/polish out, and so will never get a good polish on it. They have been cut with a dull or cheap blade, or a saw that is not properly set up. A quality saw, adjusted properly, with a quality dressed blade running at the proper feed speed should produce a smooth cut. I have seen some larger slabs of pricey material rendered totally beyond saving by sloppy cutting. Thank you, (and everyone else) for responding. I have a larger saw that fits the bill you described, and I use the 10 inch saw for hand cutting smaller rocks that aren't easily held in the larger saw - even with a slab grabber. I should have included that information in my original post. I'm new to this, so I know I'm making quite a few mistakes At least you are not burning through motors like me!  I bought a 6" Hi-Tech and cut a bunch of geodes and T-eggs with it - not the best idea on my part, so now I'm gonna save up for a bigger saw. If I can stop buying rough that is . . . |
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,633
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Post by RWA3006 on Sept 21, 2023 22:12:20 GMT -5
You've gotten some good advise so far. I use water to lube my blades 8" and under. Oil for 12" and larger. 10" blades are kind of in the gray area where you can get away with using water if you're careful and go slow.
You mentioned you wore out the blades in short order and did that mean you dulled them, or wore the diamond bearing section away? If you only dulled them you can freshen them up by peening them with a bastard file and that's something I often do to my blades.
Agate and pet wood can be fairly tough to cut so I would advise going slower and not pushing the stone too much.
Good luck.
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I bought a 6" Hi-Tech and cut a bunch of geodes and T-eggs with it - not the best idea on my part, so now I'm gonna save up for a bigger saw. If I can stop buying rough that is . . .
