kokosnood
starting to shine!
Member since April 2020
Posts: 37
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Post by kokosnood on Apr 11, 2024 14:46:19 GMT -5
Hi, I have a tile saw with a diamond blade that a relative gave me for cutting rocks. IT SUCKS! I see these videos on YouTube that show these nice saws that you just put the rock in a jig, turn it on, and it slices it clean. But when I shop for these they are SOOO EXPENSIVE. There has got to be some middle ground that doesn't kill my shoulders and arms everytime I have some rocks to cut. I just spent half an hour slicing some rocks I've been putting aside to cut, and my arms are like spaghetti! Any suggestions?  I cut under a roof, but outside. So I am looking for something that can be stored outdoors (but not in the direct sun/rain) or is light weight enough to move out when I have rocks to cut. THANKS! Stefan |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,536
Member is Online
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Post by realrockhound on Apr 11, 2024 14:47:21 GMT -5
Buy a used one if you can locate a slab saw. They still aren’t cheap though
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kokosnood
starting to shine!
Member since April 2020
Posts: 37
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Post by kokosnood on Apr 11, 2024 15:29:05 GMT -5
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,198
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Post by rockbrain on Apr 11, 2024 16:28:47 GMT -5
You would have to install some kind of clamp to "lock the rock in place". The little backstop on the sliding table holds tile from moving but that will only work for a rock if it's shaped like a tile. I have the second saw you showed that I use for trimming slabs. I also have a 10" with the sliding table. I don't think the sliding table is whole lot easier.
You could always rent a different tile saw to see how it worked for you.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 11, 2024 21:48:08 GMT -5
kokosnood - I have the 10" version of the Harbor Freight Tile Saw you have linked. I do NOT have a vice or clamp to hold the rock. I handhold it against the back edge of the table, and against the fence. As long as I let the saw do the work, my arms don't get worn out too quickly... However...a more expensive "set it and forget it" type of lapidary saw is definitely more desirable for me, this one gets the job done...
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Post by Pat on Apr 11, 2024 22:06:02 GMT -5
I use a handy little 4” tile saw. It’s perfect. I just hold the rock with both hands. .
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Post by liveoak on Apr 12, 2024 10:58:28 GMT -5
In my opinion, a 7" saw is pretty small, depending on what you want to cut.
I have a 10" MK tile saw that we got used & rebuilt.
But Harbor Freight also has a 10" saw, which would be an upgrade from the basic crappy 7" tile saw. I think a 10" saw would be a minimum to do useful work, especially if you ever hope to make slabs for cabbing.
You'll still have to make or adapt some kind of vise to one of these saws. They do sell some. I have a sliding vise on my 7" saw & one that my husband made for the 10" saw out of an old woodworking vise.
So if you're not looking to throw $ at it, you have to be creative. 
Patty
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mirkee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Started tumbling a couple of months ago but now have four tumblers. Very interested in the hobby.
Member since March 2024
Posts: 128
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Post by mirkee on Apr 12, 2024 23:31:21 GMT -5
In my opinion, a 7" saw is pretty small, depending on what you want to cut.
I have a 10" MK tile saw that we got used & rebuilt.
But Harbor Freight also has a 10" saw, which would be an upgrade from the basic crappy 7" tile saw. I think a 10" saw would be a minimum to do useful work, especially if you ever hope to make slabs for cabbing.
You'll still have to make or adapt some kind of vise to one of these saws. They do sell some. I have a sliding vise on my 7" saw & one that my husband made for the 10" saw out of an old woodworking vise.
So if you're not looking to throw $ at it, you have to be creative.
Patty
I'm struggling with the same thing. Wanting a trim saw to slice some of the rocks I find at the beach, seldom thicker than 4" or so. Lapidary trim saws are so expensive. Tile saws seem to run too fast from what I read and there are some safety concerns? But I don't want to spend $600+ Is anyone using a cheaper saw on a regular basis and satisfied?
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mirkee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Started tumbling a couple of months ago but now have four tumblers. Very interested in the hobby.
Member since March 2024
Posts: 128
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Post by mirkee on Apr 12, 2024 23:33:54 GMT -5
I'm struggling with the same thing. Wanting a trim saw to slice some of the rocks I find at the beach, seldom thicker than 4" or so. Lapidary trim saws are so expensive. Tile saws seem to run too fast from what I read and there are some safety concerns? But I don't want to spend $600+ Is anyone using a cheaper saw on a regular basis and satisfied?
I'm old and have too much crap. Don't want a humungous saw to take up even more space. Some of the smallish lapidary saws look neat and tidy, almost cute. That's more of my speed, really.
I want something I can keep in my gardening tool shed and take out every once in a while and use it outside. I could even store it inside if necessary. The idea of these lapidary saws lasting "a life time" doesn't mean much to me.
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Post by manofglass on Apr 12, 2024 23:44:38 GMT -5
Go to covington-engineering.com buy a arbor
And build your own saw
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Apr 15, 2024 11:59:25 GMT -5
There isn't a alternative to a saw designed for lapidary. Yes, a tile saw will cut rock, but anything that requires hand-holding will leave such a terrible cut you will never be able to polish it out. Bite the bullet and get at least an 18" saw. Even if you use a vise to hand feed a rock into the blade, do you want to spend an hour manually feeding a 6" rock? Without a decent saw, you will get sick of this aspect of the hobby real fast.
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Post by manofglass on Apr 15, 2024 12:58:33 GMT -5
Buy the 10" harbor freight tile saw I put a vice on my slid table cuts everything I need to cut I build my own saw to cut cabs on I have no trouble polishing stone
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choochoorocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rock hounding
Member since April 2020
Posts: 181
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Post by choochoorocks on May 11, 2024 0:11:12 GMT -5
I checked Craigslist everyday for like a year before I finally scored a 6" trim saw for $100. I had to assemble it, but it works great.
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,092
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Post by wargrafix on May 11, 2024 8:08:46 GMT -5
There isn't a alternative to a saw designed for lapidary. Yes, a tile saw will cut rock, but anything that requires hand-holding will leave such a terrible cut you will never be able to polish it out. Bite the bullet and get at least an 18" saw. Even if you use a vise to hand feed a rock into the blade, do you want to spend an hour manually feeding a 6" rock? Without a decent saw, you will get sick of this aspect of the hobby real fast. You not wrong about that for sure. I have a penchant for punishment so don't follow my example. I have the skil 7 inch tile saw and the "large" geodes are as far as I can go. My limited access to rocks and budget constraints mean I cut 24 geodes maybe twice a year so it's pretty ok. I have steady hands and once no one is distracting, my cuts are normally fine. Will a vise properly griping the rock make my life easier? Hell yes. |
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Post by Rockoonz on May 11, 2024 10:25:04 GMT -5
Go to covington-engineering.com buy a arbor And build your own saw I do have a file for saw plans, will email to anyone for free, still about $1k in materials alone without motor or blade. For someone who hasn't assembled the tools for metal fabrication or is paying someone to do welding and machining, a lot more. As far as tile saws go, I really dislike the overhead blade style. I used one when I volunteered to cut for the rice museum at their easter thunderegg hunt event, and what a total PITA. |
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I cut under a roof, but outside. So I am looking for something that can be stored outdoors (but not in the direct sun/rain) or is light weight enough to move out when I have rocks to cut.
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