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Post by ashleeannajones on Mar 13, 2024 20:23:27 GMT -5
I finally got a tile saw just to start small before I get expensive big ones, I just wondered if anyone has ANY tips for a first timer cutting rocks, may it be safety, tips for machinery or cutting the rocks themselves! I got a diamond blade and it’s a 7inch blade. Should I steer away from smaller rocks or bigger rocks or is it safe as long as I’m not doing big rocks?
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Mar 13, 2024 23:06:54 GMT -5
It's a good idea to wear a respirator. A lot of folks say you don't need to because of the water cooling. You'll inhale wet rock dust. Plug it into a GFI. If you don't have one available on receptacle you can buy one pretty inexpensively. It will be like a short extension cord, plug it in and plug your saw into it. It's going to be pretty small rocks with a 7" saw, like 2 inches or so. You can do larger ones if you roll them but it takes a little practice to not bind the blade. Use a non-segmented blade, the kind with the solid rim around the edge. You can stick your finger on it when it's running and it won't hurt you. A segmented blade (the ones with the slot) will hurt you! I use a 7" tile saw to trim slabs. I turn it backwards. The water goes away from you, and if a rock catches it goes away from you. Keep the path in line with the blade clear. If you catch a rock it throws it about the speed of sound! Make sure you know how to get to your switch if your saw is backwards. If you use the GFI cord I mentioned above you can turn it off there too, but I'd only use that for emergencies. They aren't really made to be switches. Have fun and show us what you cut!
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Mar 13, 2024 23:09:59 GMT -5
Also, you may want to post this in the saw sub forum. You posted it in carving and there's not a lot of action here.
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Post by 1dave on Mar 14, 2024 9:22:07 GMT -5
Make some kind of Rock clamp That will ride along an edge. your hands will wiggle, making waves in your cuts, very difficult to grind out.
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 14, 2024 11:43:34 GMT -5
Looks like they pretty much covered it all.
The Hot Dog tile blade is a good choice for cutting rocks, it's kinda segmented, but the gaps are so thin that it is safe to use. Standing behind it and pulling the rock through does seem to be the best practice, and of course full PPE, if I used one I would use my full face shield along with a vapor mask.
Apron or rainwear too.
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Post by Pat on Mar 14, 2024 12:13:23 GMT -5
Probably already mentioned, but always use water when sawing. Your blade will cut rocks up to about a third of the blade diameter. Masks, ear protection and safety glasses good. Wear a full apron.
Clean and dry the machine at the end of the day/sawing session.
Enjoy!
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Mar 14, 2024 17:54:43 GMT -5
Lots of good advice already. Be careful of your hands. While the blades themselves are often not sharp to the touch, the force of the blade can suddenly shoot the rock away and then a sharp edge on the rock can cut you. So be careful how you are holding the rock or wear a glove but also be careful about glove fit and ensuring it can’t easily be grabbed by the blade as well. Looking forward to seeing what you cut!
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 14, 2024 23:25:13 GMT -5
Lots of good advice already. Be careful of your hands. While the blades themselves are often not sharp to the touch, the force of the blade can suddenly shoot the rock away and then a sharp edge on the rock can cut you. So be careful how you are holding the rock or wear a glove but also be careful about glove fit and ensuring it can’t easily be grabbed by the blade as well. Looking forward to seeing what you cut! After almost losing half a finger from the saw grabbing the rock...and the rock slicing my finger...this is great advice! I do wear a cut-resistant glove now when I'm holding a rock being sawed.  |
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Post by ashleeannajones on Mar 15, 2024 5:13:34 GMT -5
Thank you everyone that is all amazing, I have turned the saw around and I have plenty of water with extra nearby if need be, and a clamp, with full PPE, at tips on how to know you’re cutting the rock in the correct direction? I have a lot of Little Rock’s that I think are agates and my dream is to cut a rock and have the coolest agate pattern inside so I am trying to study the outside but I still don’t know which way would be best. And also what kind of blades are thin? The one I got is fairly thick but that could be just the kind of saw I got? It’s a 7inch blade I believe Bauer
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Post by ashleeannajones on Mar 16, 2024 2:09:29 GMT -5
Also, you may want to post this in the saw sub forum. You posted it in carving and there's not a lot of action here. Thank you for telling me! I’m still figuring out this site, it’s so awesome and I love the community. I wish I had more people locally that were interested in this stuff, it makes me so happy |
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Post by 1dave on Mar 16, 2024 6:07:26 GMT -5
As for which way is best to cut a rock, That is a crap shoot! Cut one way and all you see is a black line. With luck you get a picture of a fish, bird, etc. Really all you can do is cut and hope for the best.
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