rocknrob
starting to spend too much on rocks
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No matter what AI thinks, I do not in any way resemble John Malkovich
Member since May 2024
Posts: 140
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Post by rocknrob on Jun 5, 2024 18:00:54 GMT -5
I've got a HP SS 10" Trim saw right now. This saw works wonderfully as a trim saw with the agate eater blade that comes with it but when I try and slab with it... I can only use it on softer materials. If I try and slab anything around 7 on the Moh's scale, it takes an eternity for me to slowly feed it into the rock. I'm not sure if putting a notched blade in there would help speed up the cutting. The vice is great for small samples (I think at it's widest is maybe 3 inches or so) but without a power feed I need to figure out how to have it slowly grind away with water cooling while I work on an adjacent machine. Gravity feed will only work if it's in the vise of course.
Upon looking at our finances, I think I'm going to have to make some pretty stuff out of the slabs I already have. Sell them and then I can afford an actual 14" slab saw.... so I can make MORE pretty stuff to sell.
I have recently acquired a 3D printer but thinking about printing the parts for a slab saw makes my head hurt but... is it possible? I've got zero metalworking experience.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
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Member since September 2022
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Post by khara on Jun 5, 2024 19:49:00 GMT -5
I think we are getting to where anything is possible with a 3D printer. They are printing concrete walls, houses, it's crazy. Definitely something I'd like to get some day but I don't even know where to start as far as a machine goes. For lapidary, I've seen some 3D printed tumblers. It's basically just making the various components you need. Realistically with the amount of time and materials you'd spend designing and building one, you could probably just buy a saw, so the making of one would really be a hobby in itself. Could be fun. Does your 3D printer print just plastic or metal too?
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rocknrob
starting to spend too much on rocks
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No matter what AI thinks, I do not in any way resemble John Malkovich
Member since May 2024
Posts: 140
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Post by rocknrob on Jun 5, 2024 23:14:25 GMT -5
Ahh I wish it could print metal but no. It's an Ender 5 that I inherited from a generous friend. I haven't even tried using it yet but I kind of figure if I printed a saw it would be like legos ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since November 2019
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Post by neural on Jun 21, 2024 13:35:01 GMT -5
The primary issue is the rigidity needed to handle someone dropping in a 10lb or so stone into the machine, and a vise strong enough to hold it in place.
That said, you only need rigidity in one primary part: You need the sawblade (and it's arbor) and the vise the rock is in to move together, and not a smidgeon separately.
Outside of that, blade guards, covers, clips and other accessories to hold lubricant delivery tubes etc. could all likely be printed.
There are probably parts that, if not affected by oil, the PLA stuff would be great for when it comes to the lubricant delivery system. I know on my 14" drop saw that it's missing a T piece that, if I understand right, was originally brass. Sits on top of the blade guard and acts as a T junction for the mineral oil. 1 tube comes in and then splits so that each side of the blade gets lubricated/cooled while the machine is cutting.
Again, I don't know if the printing material like PLA will fall apart if doused with mineral oil for hours on end, but 3D printed replacement parts for such things *might* be worth looking into.
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