docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Feb 8, 2009 17:12:57 GMT -5
I did it again and ruined a new blade. This time it was my brand new MK 225 Hot Dog on my WF- $45 plus tax worth! WHat am I doing to ruin these blades? I got through making slabbetrtes of only about 6 fist size pieces- my second slabbing session with this blade- before I ran out of diamond. i'm getting sparks a lot but only as the saw runs out of diamond, and I end up with a wiore edge even though I don't think I'm using much pressure on the rocks. they cut like slicing a piece of cheese and I have fvery little vigration when the blade is cutting well. It isn't dishing, I don't think. i just bought a sintered trim saw blade from Rock Lady and don't want to ruin it, too. HELP!!! Mark H.
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Post by cpdad on Feb 8, 2009 18:37:06 GMT -5
could you post a pic of your blade?......it may be something as simple as cutting a brick or soft stone to bring it back to life.
i use the 225 on my workforce for nice items....and it has cut probably 50 to 60 slabs of agate and such......still a LOT of life left in that monster.
i do use a husky blade for hard quick roughing for the tumbler though....kev.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 8, 2009 19:40:32 GMT -5
Main reason why those blades get ruined is we greatly abuse them. Despite what we all do, that size saw is just not meant to cut fist sized rocks. It "can" cut fist sized rocks but that don't make it right *L*. Secondly, impatience is a problem. Because it's a tile saw we wanna cut fast but the blade is meant to slowly grind it's way through the rock with gentle pressure letting the diamond do the work of rock removal. When you go too fast it's the rock that does the work of removing the diamond from the steel blade *S*....Mel
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Feb 9, 2009 10:44:14 GMT -5
And those are tile saws - meant to cut through a piece of tile that is only fractions of an inch thick. Cutting slabs off a 3-4 inch chunk needs more time.
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Feb 9, 2009 17:00:37 GMT -5
From my limited experience in slabbing I would say the 2 things that will ruin a blade are too much pressure and too little coolant.The hardness of the rock also means something.When I cut hard stuff like brazilian agate and Pet wood I make sure the coolant is clean and use as little pressure as possible. Mike
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on Feb 10, 2009 14:35:04 GMT -5
When I first started cutting rocks freehand on a 10 inch saw I found two things that I did to ruined my blades. 1) I would get impatient and put too much pressure on the rock to speed up cutting. 2) I would not keep the rock straight which would cause the blade to bind. After a couple of months of this the diamond would be badly damaged and the blade would be dished. Cutting on an old grinding wheel would help with the diamond issue for a short time but once the blade was dished it was time for a new one.
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
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Post by mossyrockhound on Feb 10, 2009 15:53:27 GMT -5
I'm assuming you have a 10" diameter blade and you are hand-cutting: I agree with what others have posted. You either don't have enough coolant or you're using too much pressure. Seeing sparks while cutting are like a red flag to me.
A rockhound friend came over one day and saw me hand-cutting some small agate nodules on my 10" Frantom trim saw with a fairly new blade, so he asked me if he could come over with some of his condor nodules and do the same. I said "Sure!". Well, he came over with six or seven nodules of condor agate and hand-cut them. I didn't think any more about it until I went to use my saw again - the diamond was wiped clean from the blade! I learned a couple of things from this experience 1) If there's going to be any hand-cutting I better be the one to do it, because others just don't know how much pressure to use, 2) Even a fairly new saw blade can be ruined in a hurry. Based on my experience, you are using too much pressure for the blade you have. If you have an electroplated blade, they are more susceptible to "wiping" off the diamond than a sintered or a notched blade. Good luck on your next blade!
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Feb 10, 2009 23:40:16 GMT -5
I guess the only cure for my PTSD (post-traumatic sawing disorder) is to try again with a few precautions. First, I'm going to smash my fingers with a cracking hammer so it will be too painful to force the rocks, and secondly, bash my head repeatedly until I'm a drooling Democrat and slobbering on everything like Bill Clinton at a GIrl Scout camporee. That way I'm sure to keep the blade lubed.
Actually, I'm going to lighten up all I can and I've bought a submersible pump at Harbor Freight ($9) and some vinyl tubing to run a constant stream of clean water onto the blade while cutting. I just used the link in another thread to Work Force to buy a new blade- At $30 and change with shipping it's a good deal. You guys can start a pool on how long this blade will last. The last one went about 3 hours.
Mark H.
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Feb 11, 2009 11:02:50 GMT -5
... drooling and slobbering ... That way I'm sure to keep the blade lubed. Mule Drool TM - my new product name for saw oil thanks Mark! ;D
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Post by akansan on Feb 11, 2009 12:16:54 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity, did you remove the blade guard on your WF? That's one of the changes I made to mine that I deeply regret. The blade guard helps direct the water back onto the blade...
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Feb 11, 2009 13:12:42 GMT -5
Yes- I read another thread when I was shopping for my saw from an experienced member who took everything off the top and cut freehand. I didn't think i was brave enough or could seim well enough to do that and left the guard on. It definitely pours the water back on the blade. Others have placed Scotch Brite or other materials over the blade slot in back to minimize the spray, but I would ratjher keep it wet. My problem is that when I get all excited I sometimes let the water get too low. I'm keeping a big bucket of clean water handy to top off the tray when needed now. Freehand cutting makes me a little nervous and I like to use the guard, cqnting a bit away from the blade in back to prevent binding. I get cleaner cuts that way. My problem iss when I get thicker material and have to cut it by rolling it over. that's when I think I'm getting into trouble. I hope to set up the pump this weekend and see how it works, if my new blade arrives in time. Thanks to all again. Only one response to my comedic efforts here- tough crowd!
Mark H.
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Post by cpdad on Feb 11, 2009 20:22:06 GMT -5
i still wanna see the blade ;D
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Feb 12, 2009 23:53:01 GMT -5
I wish I could oblige- but I haven't figured out how to post pics. The sides of the blade where it used to bite a bit (on the diamond edge) doesn't bit any more. it's polished , almost. By the way, see Bikerrandy's post. The same place has terrific deals on other size Hot Dog blades, too- I just got 3 7" blades for $82!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mark H.
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