stoneblue
starting to shine!
Rockin' & Rollin' Across America
Member since September 2007
Posts: 43
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Post by stoneblue on Feb 3, 2008 1:11:20 GMT -5
I was thinking about making a slab saw & instead of going into a feed system and whatnot, I was wondering if anyone has ever seen or heard of anyone trying it with something like a 14" chop saw. If you remove the return spring from the arm, you could weight it so it would have pressure to cut through the rock. Of course, rigging a rock clamp would require some thought. The trigger could be either wired to bypass the switch and controlled by an external switch, or just use something like a hose clamp to keep it depressed. I was thinking of using a spray system on the blade guard and maybe enclosing the whole thing in a couple of Rubbermaid tubs.
Thoughts?
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 3, 2008 3:09:35 GMT -5
Hi Stone Blue,
Yes Adrian made a good one with a lap attached a real good combined unit I will try to find it for you
Jack
Yorkshire UK
Oh welcome to the board.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 3, 2008 10:03:05 GMT -5
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stoneblue
starting to shine!
Rockin' & Rollin' Across America
Member since September 2007
Posts: 43
|
Post by stoneblue on Feb 3, 2008 17:21:50 GMT -5
Thanks Jack. I saw (see what I did there?  ) what Adrian built & thats a bit more than I was thinking about. A great machine to be sure, but I don't weld & space is very limited for me. |
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Post by docone31 on Feb 3, 2008 22:35:53 GMT -5
Here is the difficulty with using a chop saw.
Too much tolerance.
The water issue can be overcome, but, the saw in general has too much tolerance using a large width kerf blade to provide for blade longevity. With cutting steel, or wood, the blade is not in the material that long. With cutting stone, other than tile, you want to minimize the wander.
As far as welding, any muffler shop can TIG a weld for you. I get welding done on my steel at my local muffler hangout. Sometimes, for a bunch of welds I flip them 20$.
Essentially, Ace Hardware, and a variety of other hardware stores carry good steel angle iron. I make my patterns, drill and tap 8/32 using a #29 drill bit. I take 8/32 allen head bolts. They are grade 8. I square, drill and tap, and bolt together. I bring this to my muffler shop and they tack the edges I need welded. I remove the allen bolts and they fill the holes. That both fills the holes and welds the two materials.
Why build one?
Essentially, I believe the heavier material makes for less vibration. Long run, it is probably less expensive to just get one, but I like my cutting machines heavy. I do not transport them so weight is just an item. I believe it makes for smoother grinding, cutting, and polishing.
The larger cutting blades are a bit pricey. Good equipment makes the blades last longer.
I prefer to cut down, rather than float up. As far as feeding, I prefer to hand feed. A gravity feed is simple to make, using pulleys and sash weights. I have seen them done. Once again, stability is an issue. A wobbly stone vise makes for bent blades and wasted material.
I have one now, that uses 10" .018 blades and has two 1" rods for a vise guide. Hand feed. It is a Covington. I got lucky. It was given to me by a customer that I did some work for. She had no one to will it to and liked my shop. It is heavy, old, and cuts like a razor! It even came with three gallons of oil. I got lucky and then did some work for nothing.
Welding is not an issue, if you bring the welding needed simple for them to zip up.
You can do it.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Feb 4, 2008 4:37:01 GMT -5
Hi Stone Blue,
No Problem,
Doc above gives some excelent advice ,
I have a little MIG welder which is very usefull on making stuff,
Always remember Use heavy steel as Doc says it pays for itself time and time again.
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by akansan on Feb 4, 2008 12:20:38 GMT -5
Someone on here did convert a chop saw a couple years ago, and the results weren't as great as she was hoping. I can't remember who, though! Have you checked out this site: tomaszewski.net/Kreigh/Minerals/Homemade.shtmlThey have a nice WOOD based rock saw that would be a great start. I have plans in the back of my head for either a larger slab saw or a trim saw based on these plans... |
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 4, 2008 21:18:00 GMT -5
Try to find a used drop saw. They usually are cheap. I think I paid $100 for my 14" saw with a blade almost worn out. They are much cheaper than typical used slab saws. Trying to adapt something not made for lapidary could be more expensive (especially if it doesn't work).
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stoneblue
starting to shine!
Rockin' & Rollin' Across America
Member since September 2007
Posts: 43
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Post by stoneblue on Feb 8, 2008 23:16:40 GMT -5
That's a good point John...
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) what Adrian built & thats a bit more than I was thinking about. A great machine to be sure, but I don't weld & space is very limited for me.
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