Workforce Saw

Well, it can last a long time, but it can also go quick. I get 20-35 hours of cutting from a good blade. If I am cutting fist sized nodules and rolling the stone or cutting irregular pieces w/o a flat bottom, the blade does not last as long.

I cut about 15 pounds (10-20 chunks) of cpdad's Savannah agate, and 9lbs of Brandt red Bog agate one day and after the 8hour stint the blade was toast. But, I knew I was abusing the blade, and both are really hard material. I even jammed it up a few times and had to quickly turn off the saw and pry the rock off the blade. If I had to do it again, I would get a medium-quality $15 blade and maybe cut a little slower with a little more waste.

Also, the more water, the longer the blade lasts. It is cooler, less likely to bind, and there is less grit making friction/drag. When I work outside with the hose running the whole time, the blade lasts longer. It is twice as wet however.

If I only do MOHS 5-6.5, and do as many cuts on slabs as I do to make slabbetts, the blade lasts longer.

Also, I had to learn not to push too hard. I get more hours now than I did at first. And, if you bind up the blade and bend it, the life is either over, or considerably shorter.

The ebay generic blades are hit and miss. Definitely DO NOT buy the WORK FORCE brand blade on ebay. It has nothing to do with the WF saw. They are thick, dull, and frustrating. Ask Mel, but he gave them thumbs down.

I did get a 5-pack that worked out well. I paid $30 for 5 blades, and they are about 80% as good as the HotDog. Cut a little slower. Wear a little faster - but only 1/6 the price. I tried to get more but it was a wholesale closeout. No manufacturer or model number on the blade. Alas.

I love the MK-225 HotDog - especially if I only pay $25-$30 on ebay. (I likely would not pay the $52 at HomeDepot). A few folks don't like the slits on the HotDog because they have bent one of them. has not happened to me.

Several folks recommend the Husky at HomeDepot, which is about $19. It is thicker and does waste more material, but if it is $2/lb (or even self-collected) agate who cares.

If you are doing softer material (e.g., sodalite, petroskey stone, travertine onyx ... etc) you can do OK with the MK-99. Sears sometimes puts them on sale for $12, but usually $19. Still cuts slower. Might just be better to get a Husky.

Right now, I am using the Korean blades (till they run out) to do rough blocking, and more abusive stuff. I am using a HotDog for making thinner slabs and nicer cuts (e.g., dendritic opal, Montana agate)

Switching blades to suite the job can be a good idea if you are cutting a alot, and the stuff you cut varies.

For now, just try not to ruin the blade in the 1st 4 hours ... and have fun. I swear, I can get lost in the sensation of cutting small rough.

You might also want to start with something that cuts easy and does not fracture. So do not startwith Arizona pet wood. Maybe something like dalmation stone.

HA!

I used up my first blade in 10 hours. Second blade, a Husky, only lasted about 5 hours but I was slabbing BIG pieces of Woodward agate. If you only use it as a trim saw it'll last much longer.

:PS

I cut 1" thick slabs of Rose Quartz on my 10" saw, and then cut 3-4" long x 3/16 slabbetts on my WF, then cut 1.5x1" pendants. Some did fracture. A lot did not. A few that did not, fracured later in the tumbler, but many did not.