blizzofoz
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2006
Posts: 22
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Post by blizzofoz on Jan 30, 2007 19:14:52 GMT -5
I'm still in my first phase, of my first batch ever. I did not do much in the way of shaping and I'm finding that I should have pre-shaped.
Would a Workforce help with this? If I wanted to do some basic round shapes, would the saw be helpful?
My wife has mentioned that we need to re-tile the bathroom... well, I need a tile saw, right??? Well, now I have an excuse to get the saw. Plus, I have a $40 Home Depot gift card...
What type of blades are required to what I need to do?
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Post by deb193 on Jan 30, 2007 19:51:54 GMT -5
The reason the WF is popular is that the blade on it is suitable for jasper and agate - which is unusual for a tile saw blade. When you replace it, come back an ask again when you can tell us how many hours you got out of the original and what type of shaping you ended up mostly doing.
Straight cuts are easier. You can rough out circles or ovals from flat slabs by making a bunch of straight cuts and then laying the preform on the table and rotating it into the blade. This takes a little practice and you might ruin a few pieces. BlarneyStone has become quite adroit at shaping outlines and rounding edges on his saw blade.
To get perfect circular edges, or to do much more than round edges a bit, you will also need a grinder.
At $40 off of the $88 price, I say get the saw, and see how much you can do before use up (or ruin) the blade it comes with.
BTW, when you do redo the bath and are cutting tile, get a cheap $12 blade. For future lapidary work, you may need a $20 to $40 blade - depending on your style, material, and cuts.
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blizzofoz
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2006
Posts: 22
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Post by blizzofoz on Jan 31, 2007 9:24:08 GMT -5
A grinder? I guess that would make more sense. Why say go with a saw? You are voicing my concers... how the heck do you attempt to make semi-round shapes with a saw???
What type of grinder(s) should I look at?
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blizzofoz
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2006
Posts: 22
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Post by blizzofoz on Jan 31, 2007 9:54:04 GMT -5
No need to reply... I did a search, which I should have done to begin with, and found the reason... price!
I'll get a Workforce!!!
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flatumbler
starting to spend too much on rocks
Now totally addicted!!!
Member since January 2007
Posts: 191
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Post by flatumbler on Jan 31, 2007 21:32:38 GMT -5
I personally am considering trying shaping a bit with the workforce I just bought, but I have also found a wet/dry grinder. I was thinking of maybe just getting that and possibly replacing the wet wheel with something more suitable for grinding down the stones, then letting the tumbler do the rest. Just an idea since at the moment a wet/dry grinder for $60 is better than spending $1150 on a true cabbing grinder.
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Maybe you can post some pictures here