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Post by stardiamond on May 28, 2008 14:57:32 GMT -5
I don't have a wf. I got the Genie trim saw attachment for $35 when I got my Genie. The Genie seems to handle saw binding ok, so it comes down to blade issues.
I have ruined some blades before and I wonder what slabbing does to the blade life. Generally, there are two methods; straight cut for real small slabs and the rotating for larger ones. Rotating seems to be the most potentially harmful to the blade. I just ordered a couple 8" MK303 blades, because if I ruin the blade slabbing, I better have a backup for trimming.
How many slabs can you get out of your wf without needing a new blade?
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on May 28, 2008 16:17:59 GMT -5
That's a hard one to answer because of the different sizes of the slabs as well as the material cut. I'd be more afraid of blade damage using a lapidary blade. That said, if you looked at my post where I changed blades and saw my WF blade..I've been using it for a couple years cutting obsidian and jasper slabs as well as pre-forming stone points and cabs. I'm tempted to mount that old blade on a wall as a tribute to the abuse I've put it through. "My first saw blade - you served me well" kind of thing, maybe glue a few arrowheads and cabs on it.
Anyway, I think straight slabbing won't wear or damage the blade as fast as trimming agate for tumbling as long as you go slow and don't let it run dry. I'll bet you any amount of money that I don't have that once you go over 1/4" with a small saw, you'll run into a lot of DRY. My technique is to push a couple seconds and hold in place a couple seconds before pushing again, repeat. I routinely cut rock over 3.5 - 4" thick - generally I flip the rock over to finish cutting it instead of rotating it. Then again, when I cut rock that size, it is for flint knapping and I don't have to worry about the cuts meeting.
Have fun and don't buy expensive blades.
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Post by deb193redux on May 28, 2008 22:53:18 GMT -5
I ger 40 to 80 hours of mixed cutting from MK 225.
If you get the 303, order the thicker one. I think it comes in .032, .040, and .050 - go thick for slabbing
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