rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 613
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 14, 2024 21:26:50 GMT -5
I was able to ask HP about this and they suggested using oil to cut this material. I'm hesitant just because of the mess but they do sell coolant oil for a good price (cheaper with shipping than if I went to TSC to get their mineral oil). I just would need to level up my cooling system to make it work too. Has anyone had any notable experience with using water vs oil and speed of cutting. It doesn't have to be a drop saw like mine but there's got to be something behind this. I tried dressing my blade before cutting and it didn't really speed it up too much. Maybe I gotta whack the saw blade harder. - Rob Once you ruin a blade or two from using water you might change your mind. I know I did. Getting messy is just part of lapidary. Wear gloves and a plastic smock and the mess won’t be too much on you. Yeah it's definitely not for folks who like to keep clean. I'll be heading out to get some mineral oil this week now that I have the stronger pump installed |
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lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 293
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Post by lapidary1234 on Jul 19, 2024 19:37:49 GMT -5
While there are alot of folks who won't cut with oil on any saws over 10" and just as many folks who only use mk blades (expensive).
I will say in my 14" frantom slab saw I've been using "gem lube" from kingsleynorth. This is a water soluble coolant/lube that you mix 1 part with 10 parts water.
I've also been using the cheap kingsley north Chinese notched "house" blades. When you buy 3 of these they cost around 15$ each.
Now will these blades last as long as an mk blade. Not sure...I've had one on my saw for over 6 months tho and its still cutting just fine. On the other hand, if I wear it out or it gets jammed I'm only out 15$.
As far as cutting speed goes, I believe my saw cuts around 1/6"/ min or 6 minutes an inch. Or how I look at it is a 3" rock will take around 20 minutes.
I got my saw used around 2002 from an old timer who had it since the 60's or 70's. This saw cuts really smooth even with the cheap blades and water based coolant!
Just food for thought ")
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 613
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Post by rocknrob on Jul 21, 2024 0:13:38 GMT -5
While there are alot of folks who won't cut with oil on any saws over 10" and just as many folks who only use mk blades (expensive). I will say in my 14" frantom slab saw I've been using "gem lube" from kingsleynorth. This is a water soluble coolant/lube that you mix 1 part with 10 parts water. I've also been using the cheap kingsley north Chinese notched "house" blades. When you buy 3 of these they cost around 15$ each. Now will these blades last as long as an mk blade. Not sure...I've had one on my saw for over 6 months tho and its still cutting just fine. On the other hand, if I wear it out or it gets jammed I'm only out 15$. As far as cutting speed goes, I believe my saw cuts around 1/6"/ min or 6 minutes an inch. Or how I look at it is a 3" rock will take around 20 minutes. I got my saw used around 2002 from an old timer who had it since the 60's or 70's. This saw cuts really smooth even with the cheap blades and water based coolant! Just food for thought ") I just ordered a couple gallons of NF 70 Mineral Oil to give it a go on this saw, it's coming tomorrow and should be a fun time to be had. I was thinking of trying a different blade as well, the "Agate Eater" blade that comes with the HP 14 drop saw is pretty beefy on the kerf... maybe a little too beefy. Now to come up with a solution for the end of the cut where the weight of the blade chassis is too much for the rock and causes it to break at the end instead of cut. Gravity feed has it's ups and downs for sure. Currently I'm thinking of finding a spring to attach at the end of the saw stop (basically a long threaded bolt that stops the saw from gouging the metal plate at the bottom). Something that can reduce the strain on the rock at the end of the cut. Either that or a high density sponge but that could get really gamey once enough slurry gets created. I'm sure I've got something around the house I can use  . - Rob |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 22, 2024 17:34:23 GMT -5
In my experience, cutting marcasite in agate is often problematic as metallic inclusions do seem to create more drag on the blade. So, oil is usually the best bet for lubrication. The downside is, some pieces of this material when slabbed in oil seem to absorb a lot of the oil requiring much more washing and drying after the cuts and after drying some pieces, actually rust, while oddly, many do not. Very pretty material though.
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