dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
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Post by dtcmor on Dec 3, 2006 0:23:17 GMT -5
I have been coming to this section a little more often now that I have my saw. I see that almost all of the cabs that everyone cuts are domed or rounded over the top. Since I don't have a grinder or polish machine, I was wondering how to achieve this look with just the saw itself and if the cut stones could then be smoothed (domed) through the different stages in the tumbler? Most of what I am cutting are just flat slabs which I free-form shape on the saw, and are still relatively flat and blocky when done in the tumbler. Its getting kind of boring and I was looking to see if there was some other ways to do it. Any advice would be helpful.
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Post by parfive on Dec 3, 2006 1:07:27 GMT -5
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dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Dec 3, 2006 1:21:49 GMT -5
Thanks Rich for the link to your post. That is kind of the idea that I had - using the side edge of the blade to help shape the cuts. I was worried that it might ruin the blade, but I guess it is no different than making the normal cuts. I'll give it a try. The more I use the saw - the more comfortable and confident I am becoming and will just have to practice and have some patients.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Dec 3, 2006 2:53:57 GMT -5
Hi Dctmor,
Ever thought of picking up a cheap grinder from the local hardware store ? there is plenty of cheap grinders about .
You can add a water drip with a plastic bottle and a bit of plastic pipe, use the original wheel or buy a lapidary grinding wheel
Or use it dry ( With safty mask please) dont over heat the stone and watch your fingers or you will end up with a disese called "Lapidary finger"
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Dec 3, 2006 9:45:53 GMT -5
Hi Jack, I do have a metal grinder in the garage that my dad gave me a few years ago. I had thought about trying to rig it up for this purpose many times but I still use it for metal also. I have tried to use it dry as you have suggested but the results are not too favorable as it produces alot of chips and the wheels are very coarse for grinding metal. I have been looking at some wheels on e-bay and trying to find something that will work. Thanks for the tips, and I will be careful of that dreaded disease - you can also contract it from the saw too  . |
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Post by rocklicker on Dec 3, 2006 19:36:52 GMT -5
Have you thought about getting two or three blades (maybe more) and mounting them all on a saw at once so you end up with more or less a larger surface? Might be messy if you use oil with your saw. It also depends on what type of saw you use.
Steve
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dtcmor
freely admits to licking rocks
Back to lickin' rocks again!
Member since May 2006
Posts: 898
|
Post by dtcmor on Dec 5, 2006 12:49:28 GMT -5
Steve - That's another good idea. I have a bunch of old masonary blades that I use for cutting bricks and scoring stones for my landscaping work and might be able to use them for this purpose in one of my old saws that I want to resurect. I'll keep it mind!
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