stoneblue
starting to shine!
Rockin' & Rollin' Across America
Member since September 2007
Posts: 43
|
MK-303
Feb 15, 2008 2:07:12 GMT -5
Post by stoneblue on Feb 15, 2008 2:07:12 GMT -5
In my quest for a better blade, I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the MK-303 or the MK-305? Since I have been cutting agates for about the past month & a half, I eaten more hot dogs than a scout cookout. I've still not talked myself into a big saw yet, so I'm looking for input on blades. I know about the brand Barranca, but don't have any first-hand knowledge. So, once again I cast my net out over the waters to see what I can dredge up....  (I moved this from Lap Tips...I didn't realize a new category was here) I like the new look, BTW. |
|
|
|
MK-303
Feb 15, 2008 10:31:48 GMT -5
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 15, 2008 10:31:48 GMT -5
MK and Barranca are the same blades. The 303 blades are great. If you are using a tile saw the 303P (porcelain) is the best blade for high speed cutting of hard lapidary rough. 303 lapidary blades work but dull quickly on high speed saws and require dressing frequently which leads to shorter life. Sometimes people with belt-driven saws change pulleys to slow down tile saws to help this. Max speed for 10" lapidary blades is about 2200 rpm. The owner of MK bought Star Diamond in 1998 and his son took over Star Diamond as "Barranca Diamond". They remerged into MK about 2 years go as a lapidary division of MK. The old blade factory was discontinued last summer and they will only have Korean made 303 blades and new 301 blades (also Korean made). Barranca was the only American lapidary blade manufacturer of notched rim blades and supplied blades to all the major saw manufacturers with the MK or Barranca labels. MK still has various tile/concrete blades available but they are designed for soft mterials like tile, marble, concrete etc. All the tile saws they market to lapidary have the 303P blades. I have the priviledge this week to be selling in Tucson in the Barranca tent with the owner of MK and his son.
|
|
stoneblue
starting to shine!
Rockin' & Rollin' Across America
Member since September 2007
Posts: 43
|
MK-303
Feb 16, 2008 0:30:12 GMT -5
Post by stoneblue on Feb 16, 2008 0:30:12 GMT -5
Thanx John. Hmmm....In the same tent as the owner of MK & son, eh? Maybe in yer spare time you could price a 7" 303P for me?
|
|
lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
|
MK-303
Feb 16, 2008 11:57:09 GMT -5
Post by lsmike on Feb 16, 2008 11:57:09 GMT -5
Stoneblue:what John says.My 10" 303 has been great.Mike.
|
|
|
|
MK-303
Feb 16, 2008 18:18:17 GMT -5
Post by krazydiamond on Feb 16, 2008 18:18:17 GMT -5
i use the MK-303 6" with water and rust inhibitor on my Lortone trim saw, they are great. i like the thicker ones as i try and do more with it (cut bigger rocks) than just preform cabs from already slabbed rock.
KD
|
|
|
|
MK-303
Feb 16, 2008 23:52:41 GMT -5
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 16, 2008 23:52:41 GMT -5
Stoneblue- The 7" 303P lists for $84. If you knew someone that worked with Barranca/MK in Tucson you could probably get one for $59 plus shipping.
|
|
stoneblue
starting to shine!
Rockin' & Rollin' Across America
Member since September 2007
Posts: 43
|
MK-303
Feb 17, 2008 0:17:49 GMT -5
Post by stoneblue on Feb 17, 2008 0:17:49 GMT -5
John, I see them on the net for $66 + shipping. I just thought they might offer a deal since they are at a rock event.
|
|
|
|
MK-303
Feb 17, 2008 10:07:22 GMT -5
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 17, 2008 10:07:22 GMT -5
Stoneblue, they had their 303 and 303P blades at 25% off. That made the 7" 303P $63.00. $63 is less than $66 but more than $59 right?
|
|
|
|
MK-303
Feb 17, 2008 10:33:26 GMT -5
Post by akansan on Feb 17, 2008 10:33:26 GMT -5
John - how long are you going to have them at $59? This is a case of "I don't need one right now, but...".  |
|
|
|
MK-303
Feb 17, 2008 23:42:23 GMT -5
Post by johnjsgems on Feb 17, 2008 23:42:23 GMT -5
Ronda- through the end of March anyway.
|
|
... to the New Guys from The ChatBox V.2 Crew