Wet saw is supposedly going too fast.

leisa
off to a rocking start

Member since January 2015
Posts: 22

Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 2, 2024 9:29:52 GMT -5

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Post by leisa on Nov 2, 2024 9:29:52 GMT -5

I have a Harbor Freight 7" wet saw. Unfortunately, I had two MK 303 blades become not usable in a very short amount of time. (Wouldn't cut - primarily jasper, agate, beach rocks). I wrote the company from which the blades were purchased. After looking at pictures of the blades that I had sent them, they kindly took the time to call MK Diamond Products to get their opinion. This is the message they sent me:

They said:

1.) The blade shaft RPM of 3400 on the 7" Chicago Electric is too high for this blade.

The recommended rpm for the 303 series is (2460 to 3270). This higher speed can cause the blade to overheat, thus the black scaring on the steel core.

2.) Cutting Jasper, Agate and Beach Rock (items that are higher on the Mohs scale) may require the use of lubricants other than water.

3.) Cutting without fresh lubricant/water and circulating the lubricant with recycled lubricant can also adversely affect the blade.

a) My brother is trying to help and wondered if something like a Harbor Freight Router Variable Speed Controller would help. (Sorry - I don't understand how this works with regards to the wet saw. My brother is not currently home, so I cannot ask him).

b) They mention buying a better wet saw. Do you have recommendations? I have no idea what a "better" one would cost.

c) Does anyone use a "lubricant" other than water when using a wet saw? I do keep the tray that came with the wet saw full of water, but it does use "recycled" water.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this. I apologize for asking so many questions.

Leisa

Rockoonz
misunderstood rock expert

Member since August 2009
Posts: 11,465

Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 2, 2024 10:39:17 GMT -5 Starguy likes this

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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 2, 2024 10:39:17 GMT -5

Unfortunately the speed controller won't work well with the type of motor on your saw, it will also drop the power enough to make the saw stall when attempting to cut, and it will heat up your motor, shortening it's life expectancy.

The good news is that MK/Barranca offered a blade called the agate eater, intended for use in a tile saw with water. It's a relabeled Hot Dog tile saw blade, and will cost you less money if you buy it as a tile saw blade. Cheapo concrete or porcelain blades also perform fairly well in tile saws, but they are pretty thick so you lose a lot of rock cutting with them.

What surprises me is the response from MK/Barranca, whoever bought the name and took them over after they went out of business is already communicating. This is really good news.

“You preachers of equality, the tyrannomania of impotence clamors thus out of you for equality: your most secret ambitions to be tyrants thus shroud themselves in words of virtue. Aggrieved conceit, repressed envy—perhaps the conceit and envy of your fathers—erupt from you as a flame and as the frenzy of revenge.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche

Rockoonz misunderstood rock expert Member since August 2009 Posts: 11,465	Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 2, 2024 10:43:32 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Rockoonz on Nov 2, 2024 10:43:32 GMT -5 As far as lubricants, I hear that a little borax in the water can help with cooling and lubrication. I use a regular lapidary saw additive in my trim saw, and it is a lot better than straight water.
	“You preachers of equality, the tyrannomania of impotence clamors thus out of you for equality: your most secret ambitions to be tyrants thus shroud themselves in words of virtue. Aggrieved conceit, repressed envy—perhaps the conceit and envy of your fathers—erupt from you as a flame and as the frenzy of revenge.” —Friedrich Nietzsche

Mark K Cave Dweller Member since April 2012 Posts: 2,818	Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 2, 2024 12:16:59 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Mark K on Nov 2, 2024 12:16:59 GMT -5 When/if you can afford it, you should consider upgrading to a real lapidary saw. It is a whole new world.

leisa
off to a rocking start

Member since January 2015
Posts: 22

Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 2, 2024 12:28:23 GMT -5 whalecottagedesigns likes this

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Post by leisa on Nov 2, 2024 12:28:23 GMT -5

Thanks for the information.

Is this the blade? That was the lowest price I found. It lists for $101 on Amazon (7"). I also found the AgateKutter blade which I used to buy, but I didn't think was still available.
This is the online site where I purchased the other MK blades. (Ruff N Tuff tools)

I never tried sharpening my blades. Is there something you recommend for that?

This is the list of lubricants that Ruff N Tools sent me. Is there one you would recommend for my Harbor Freight wet tile saw (and one of the above mentioned blades)?

Apologies again for all the questions.

Recommend Cutting Oils for Barranca Slab Saw

Shell Diala AX

Electrical transformer cooling oil. A highly refined petroleum product available at oil distributors that carry

Shell products. Purchased mostly by the electrical utility companies for transformers and usually available in

5 gallon drums (one gallon jugs are not available). Has a slight odor but is excellent for slab sawing. Excellent lubricating properties for blades and saw parts. Flushes sludge from rock easily, degreases easily, and

sludge settles in saw tank well.

Chevron Texaco Bright-Cut

A chlorine-free cutting oil with reduced sulfur and fat content. Light in color and low in odor.

Hyvolt II

Electrical transformer cooling oil. A highly refined petroleum product, available from some non-Shell oil distributors, typically only in 55 gallon drums. Same properties and performance as Shell Diala AX.

.

Chevron Superla #5

Food grade mineral oil. Non-hazardous lubricating oil for bakeries, breweries and food processing machinery. Good

lubricating properties, degreases and settles sludge well. Can go rancid over time (1 year or less).

AVATEC 80

Food grade mineral oil, excellent for slab sawing in all our slab saws.

Texaco ALMAG

Pure petroleum based machining cutting oil. Good for slab sawing but very strong odor. Often the cheapest

priced oil available but odor is tough to eliminate.

Roc Cut

Roc Cut from Diamond Pacific is a new synthetic water soluble cutting addictive with rust inhibitors. Mix 30 to

1 (water to Roc Cut).

Roc-Oil

Roc-Oil from Diamond Pacific is a oil coolant for heavy duty cutting. Provides excellent blade protection and

will not cause rust to your blade or saw.

Stellar Lubricant

Orange scented mineral oil for use in Lapidary Saws and equipment. This oil is non-toxic, environmentally

conscious and has excellent heat dispersion properties. Flash Point 305°F.

Smokey’s EZ Cut

Synthetic water based cutting agent (mix ratio: 3 ounces per gallon)

Water

Water is not recommended as a cutting fluid as it is a coolant only and does not promote good cutting performance. Water can shorten blade life and often frequent blade sharpening may be required. However, it can

be used if a water soluble synthetic agent/additive such as Smokey’s EZ Cut or Diamond Pacific Roc Cut is

used to extend blade life and promote improved sawing. Even with additives, frequent blade sharpening may

be required. These additives have rust inhibiting properties but oxidation can still result over time as mist and

heat can cover the blade arbor threaded shaft and jam nut with water during and after sawing. For this reason, if water with or without an additive is used as a cutting fluid, the user is advised to use water displacing

WD-40 sprayed on the blade core and shaft/nut after every cutting session to inhibit rust formation.

Last Edit: Nov 3, 2024 13:42:03 GMT -5 by leisa

Rockoonz
misunderstood rock expert

Member since August 2009
Posts: 11,465

Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 2, 2024 21:42:51 GMT -5

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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 2, 2024 21:42:51 GMT -5

That's the blade, the 225 and 305 are the same blade.
I have used the Johnson bros additive, but if I can find it I plan to switch to smokeys for a water additive.
Here's a video on blade sharpening, I remove the blade from the saw to sharpen personally, but the rest is the same more or less.

“You preachers of equality, the tyrannomania of impotence clamors thus out of you for equality: your most secret ambitions to be tyrants thus shroud themselves in words of virtue. Aggrieved conceit, repressed envy—perhaps the conceit and envy of your fathers—erupt from you as a flame and as the frenzy of revenge.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche

leisa off to a rocking start Member since January 2015 Posts: 22	Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 3, 2024 13:48:43 GMT -5 Rockoonz likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by leisa on Nov 3, 2024 13:48:43 GMT -5 Thanks for the sharpening video. I will look into trying that. (Well, I ask my brother...he's the mechanical one, not moi).

leisa
off to a rocking start

Member since January 2015
Posts: 22

Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 3, 2024 13:50:46 GMT -5

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Post by leisa on Nov 3, 2024 13:50:46 GMT -5

Nov 2, 2024 12:16:59 GMT -5 Mark K said:

When/if you can afford it, you should consider upgrading to a real lapidary saw. It is a whole new world.

Do you have any suggestions for a "real" lapidary saw? I really don't know what brand/size, etc. to look for. I got the Harbor Freight one years ago, because I didn't know if I would stick with using it - but, I did.

Thanks

hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks

Member since July 2021
Posts: 478

Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 3, 2024 14:29:59 GMT -5 whalecottagedesigns likes this

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Post by hypodactylus on Nov 3, 2024 14:29:59 GMT -5

I know I am late to the party, but I too use a high-speed tile/masonry saw to cut agate/jasper/etc.

I personally don't use any special lubes, additives, nor oils with my saw.
I simply use water and have settled on the QEP Black Widow as my preferred blade (cost/performance): www.qep.com/products/8110716/
They can be found on Amazon for around $30.

I have never tried the 303 blade, but I did buy and use an Agate Kutter blade for a while.
Honestly, I didn't feel like the Agate Kutter was any better than the Black Widow.
Both blades were around the same thickness, cut pretty much the same, and lasted just about as long (maybe a slight edge to the Agate Kutter).
However, the Agate Kutter was significantly more expensive.

Keep in mind that any blade will wear out more quickly when cutting hard rocks.

I just keep mine 'sharpened' with a sharpening stone or by peening when/if necessary.

Once the kerf is spent, I throw it away and use a new one.

Last Edit: Nov 3, 2024 14:32:49 GMT -5 by hypodactylus

Rockoonz
misunderstood rock expert

Member since August 2009
Posts: 11,465

Wet saw is supposedly going too fast. Nov 3, 2024 17:01:20 GMT -5

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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 3, 2024 17:01:20 GMT -5

Nov 3, 2024 13:48:43 GMT -5 leisa said:

Thanks for the sharpening video. I will look into trying that. (Well, I ask my brother...he's the mechanical one, not moi).

Most important part is to swing the hammer or file straight into the blade, I do it flat on a table. Light taps and look for when it is just hard enough to flatten the rounded edge.

“You preachers of equality, the tyrannomania of impotence clamors thus out of you for equality: your most secret ambitions to be tyrants thus shroud themselves in words of virtue. Aggrieved conceit, repressed envy—perhaps the conceit and envy of your fathers—erupt from you as a flame and as the frenzy of revenge.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche