dscratch
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 214
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Post by dscratch on Mar 11, 2009 22:51:30 GMT -5
I finally got around to mounting my $40 yard sale find. Now I have a working trim saw. YEA! All I need now is a sharp blade. Where should I get a reasonably priced diamond blade? I'd prefer one that is not really thin. I like the thicker ones better.
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Post by mohs on Mar 11, 2009 23:08:37 GMT -5
nice job have you got the motor wired?
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Mar 12, 2009 0:00:46 GMT -5
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dscratch
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 214
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Post by dscratch on Mar 12, 2009 10:15:19 GMT -5
I've got it all wired up. I added a on/off switch mounted to the board. It seem to work pretty good. I might move the switch to a different place if it becomes a problem when cutting. I also added a piece of rubber to the side and stapled it on. I am thinking this piece of rubber might keep oil off the board and give me a place to set my rocks.
Thanks for the blade reference. I might just try one of these. I had a 6" from rocklady1 and it cut pretty good, but was really thin. I think I'll go that route unless I see something better.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 12, 2009 11:15:56 GMT -5
I buy the cheap tile saw blades from Home Depot. A 7-1/4" continuous rim balde, made by QP, is about $22 CDN, or about $18 US. I have also bought other generic blades from the local hardwars store for under $25 CDN, or about $22 US. These blades are thicker than a true lapidary quality blade, but I have an endless supply of cheap rock, so wasting a little rock is not an issue.
From my experience, once you go beyong the 7-1/4" diameter, or demand a thin blade, you are going to pay much more from a lapidary supplier.
I'm not sure if diamond life is any better on the more expensive blades. Maybe someone else can offer information on that one.
If a 7-1/4" blade is big enough for you, I'd suggest to go cheap, ang go often. You can but 2, or 3 cheap blades, for about the stating price of an 8" blade from a lapidary supplier.
Cut some slabs and post some reults. Have fun and get dirty!
150fromfundy
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Post by mohs on Mar 12, 2009 11:47:36 GMT -5
That's great that you added an on/off switch. Something I wish I had done & need to do.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 13, 2009 9:27:35 GMT -5
I don't remember what diameter the saw blade is but there is a huge difference between lapidary and tile blades (besides cost). Tiles are soft (by comparison) so tile blades are made with a hard matrix for durability. Lapidary blades are made for hard materials so use a softer matrix. The softer matrix exposes the diamond more readily for fast, smooth cuts in hard rock. Tile sizes are different too. 4", 7" (sometimes 7.25"), 10", 14". Lapidary would be 4", 5", 6", 8", 10" and up in 2" increments. Highland Park made a 9" but they are really rare now.
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kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
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Post by kjohn0102 on Mar 13, 2009 10:48:53 GMT -5
Can't go wrong with a Hotdog 225-pretty cheap on Ebay-$35.00. John is absolutely right-the blade that used to be included with the Workforce saw was not bad, but anything else I've bought from Home Depot just ate up all my rocks. I don't have an endless supply (what would that even LOOK like? , so I'd rather spend a few extra dollars on a thinner blade. kj
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dscratch
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 214
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Post by dscratch on Mar 13, 2009 21:24:56 GMT -5
I ended up buying one of the superagate blades that Steve recommended. It ran me $25 + $5 for shipping. I think this one should keep me cutting for awhile.
I also just found me an arbor for $35 today and will be looking for an expano drum and diamond wheel for it. It's one of those Rock Rascal ones that holds the 6" x 1.5" wheels. I saw it new online at the rockshed for $140 so I think $35 was a good deal. It's in really good condition too. Looks used maybe once or twice. I'll post some pictures when I get it mounted to a board.
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