RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Post by RockyBlue on Mar 18, 2008 1:20:36 GMT -5
Hi Rockers!
I have a slab of pet wood that is about 5/16 thick on one end and goes to about 1/2.How is the best way to even it up to where it`s 5/16s all the way ?It`s about 4x4 inches surface area.
All help is greatly appreciated..............Rocky
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Mar 18, 2008 15:50:18 GMT -5
Rocky,
I would either super glue or epoxy the slab to a square cut 2x4 end about 4" long. Then mount the 2x4 into the saw vice being sure to get it as square to the blade as possible and have the thicker part toward the blade. Set up your cut to just trim the thick end off tapering off toward the end where the blade will just be touching the 5/16 area. Then crank the blade in to cut the 2x4 block off the slab. You will probably end up with some glue and wood on the slab. You can ether grind or sand it off or soak it in acetone if it's super glue or Attack if it is epoxy.
Cutting through the wood does no harm to the blade. I do it all the time to get the last few slabs out of a heel or when cutting small stones. CA Special T is my preferred adhesive. I have an ice cream bucket with about 2" of acetone in it where I soak the slabs to get the glue and last bit of wood off.
Rick
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 18, 2008 16:23:14 GMT -5
It depends what the pattern looks like and where you layout your cab designs. I would typically design some cabs on the thinner side and cut them using a trim saw. Assuming I wanted to cab the thicker remainder. I could either split it with the trim saw or if the material and pattern were agreeable, grind it down to the desired height.
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Post by parfive on Mar 18, 2008 16:38:22 GMT -5
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Post by RockyBlue on Mar 18, 2008 22:29:35 GMT -5
Thanks everybody! My saw is a trim saw so i can`t use the grabber method so i`ll have to just grind it down until it`s even i goess.........Rocky
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Post by stonesthatrock on Mar 19, 2008 0:42:43 GMT -5
i do the same with glueing the piece of wood to the rock, works great !!!!!!!!!!!!! and fairly cheap.
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 19, 2008 11:14:22 GMT -5
I recommend not grinding it down until you have the cabs layed out. To split a thick cab, rough cut it to size and mark the sides with a pencil where you want to cut. Rotate the material following the line and you should get a decent split. Make sure the good side isn't cut to thin. You might end up with a domed cab and a buff top. It's easier to take off the material with the saw than grinding.
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
|
Post by RockyBlue on Mar 19, 2008 18:01:11 GMT -5
The slab that i want to even up will be for 2 knife handles,it has a nice pattern thruout,i can get 2 matching handles that way..........Rocky
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Post by bobby1 on Mar 19, 2008 22:20:09 GMT -5
Here is the slab/rock gripper that I designed and built.  I notch the slab/rock on a dry diamond blade.   Clamp the rock in the gripper.  Clamp the gripper/slab/rock in the saw.  The total time to notch, grip and place in the saw is at most a minute. The added advantage is that I can orient any rock in any position to get the most yield and the optimum direction for the slabs.   I use this device for 90% of my slabbing on my 12" and 14" saws. Bob |
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 20, 2008 19:42:04 GMT -5
I have a lortone slab grabber that looks very much like yours. I used it in my 8" HP slab saw, but the saw was such a pain. I'll probably use it with my Covington when I get it set up. Nice Bruneau.
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Post by bobby1 on Mar 20, 2008 21:45:26 GMT -5
The basic design isn't mine. I just fabricated it out of more durable material and with a larger capacity. I have variations of it for even larger rocks and slabs.
Bob
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Maybe you can post some pictures here