docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Oct 19, 2008 22:21:48 GMT -5
I am a neophyte and need a small capacity slab saw. I was wondering if anybody had one of the Inland band saws, and what their opinion was of it? I'm not confident it would be satisfactory for cutting anything of any size, just for use as a trim saw. If anyone has experience with tile saws, or other (fairly inexpensive) saws for trimm sawing or slabbing of small pieces of material I'd love to hear from you. Mark H.
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 20, 2008 2:04:13 GMT -5
not for slabbing.
you can maybe do upto 1/2" if you go super super slow. But likely you will still cause the back of the blade to wear into the plastic guide.
none of the band saws really do slabbing. just trim.
you can get OK 3" slabs with a cheap 10" tile saw and a steady hand. A little more any you can get a used 10" lapidary saw.
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Post by frane on Oct 20, 2008 6:23:54 GMT -5
I have an inland 3 in 1 swap top...The trim saw will cut up to an inch and a quarter. It can take up to 7 minutes to work a 1 inch stone through without ruining the blade, depending on how hard the stone is. I was trying to push it I guess and have gone through 3 blades already. I am thinking I will need a better saw if I want to do anything with a reasonable size. Fran
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Oct 20, 2008 7:33:25 GMT -5
I was considering Inland myself a couple of years ago. I decided against having read other peoples experiences, apparently they're very good for working glass. I now have two 8" grinders with 8" trim saws. A 10" saw an 18" saw. And not enough time Simon
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Oct 20, 2008 14:04:45 GMT -5
Thanks to all. The price on the Inland equioipment is sure attractive but maybe it just isn't the quality I want. I'm a sometime woodworker, too, and have been shocked at whatr a rock saw can cost compared to a very similar woodworking saw, and they're expensive enough. Limited production runs and all that I guess. I think a 10" saw would serve my purposes but those can run almost a grand, and most of the used equipment I've seen on line (eBay) is pretty gross looking, though it might be very serviceable. Somwwhere out there is a saw and cabbing unit in a garage sale for $50 with my name ion it (well, I can dream). Mark H.
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Post by akansan on Oct 20, 2008 14:19:46 GMT -5
One of the price differences between wood and rock is caused by sealed bearings and the ability to work in water/oil. We get threads on fairly frequently about converting wood equipment to work with rock, and there's just too great of changes required in doing so.
If you're wanting an inexpensive alternative, I'd look at a wet tile saw. A lot of us on here have the 7" WorkForce saw from Home Depot and use that as are small trim/slab saw. It runs faster than lapidary grade equipment, but it works quite well for what most of us do. It's not a true slab saw in that everything is hand-fed. But it runs forever, it handles rocks quite well, and the blades are standard sizes - all good points that aren't there for Inland's saws. And I believe it actually costs less than Inland's saws...
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Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
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Post by Simon on Oct 20, 2008 15:01:34 GMT -5
I'll be buying a tile saw myself next year so I can work in the yard. You can get bargains off ebay just keep an eye out for them. Over the last 2 to 3 years I've got all my equipment from there for about the same cost as a new 18" slab saw.
As well as the list above I have a faceter, a flat lap, a vibro lap, a bench polisher a mini press drill etc, and enough rock to last me a couple of lifetimes weeks.
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Post by kap on Oct 20, 2008 15:09:00 GMT -5
Dont forget to check out the pawn shops people often buy the tile saws for one job and dont need them anymore. I have bought 3 workforce saws for $25.00 or less at pawn shops that are like new. They often have the bigger saws with the slideing board also. Keith
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Oct 22, 2008 16:11:29 GMT -5
The point is well mage that the difference btween wood and rock saws is the need to protect the device from stone dust, but wood working equipment doesn't run wet and airborne dust can really accumulate fast on the working parts. The saws in my shop do have sealed bearings. Why can a tile saw be made for so much less when it works in the same sort of environment? I guess good lapidary equipment cost as much as it does because it can. I'm going to check out the pawn shops,as i have seen plenty of tile saws there. i wasn't sure if thee would be suitable for lapidary work I would seldom have to sliceand dice anything bigger than 2"" thick anyway. I think i can make a sled/vice that will serve, too. Thanks for your input. I'm confident now thqat a tile saw might just do the job for me.
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 23, 2008 1:50:19 GMT -5
Except for being more messy, and 7" sometimes limiting, the tile saw is a great choice. BUT, big big BUT, you need a good blade. Many have blades with like 3 diamonds and can only cut terra cotta. Get a Husky form Home Depot, or even a 7" MK 225 Hot DOg blade.
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