ksk
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 69
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Post by ksk on Apr 28, 2009 13:12:39 GMT -5
Any user thoughts on either the MK Diamond MK-303 or the Barranca Diamond BD-303P?
They seem similar except for the blade width and the J slots on the BD-303P. I'm looking at a the 10" size.
What width blades does everyone use? The MK-303 comes in .032, .040, .050, .060. The BD-303P comes in .067 only.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 28, 2009 13:53:20 GMT -5
The 303P is a tile blade (so thick) made for cutting hard materials in a high speed tile saw with water as a coolant. The 303C is a lapidary blade made to run in a typical lapidary saw (1400-2200 rpm). Both do an excellent job. 303C on a 3450 rpm tile saw will dull quickly and need to be dressed every two-three cuts shortening life. I've never used the 303P on a slower spee saw but t would likely work ok but very costly choice.
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Post by parfive on Apr 28, 2009 13:55:50 GMT -5
Can’t speak to brand differences but .050 is just about perfect in my 14” saw.
So I’d recommend .040 or .050 for general use in a 10” saw. (.060 and .067 are too thick)
Rich
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Apr 28, 2009 13:59:10 GMT -5
Where are you shopping for these? As John mentioned, the 303P is technically a granite tile saw blade, If you are looking for an apples to apples comparison, think you want to be looking at the 303C which comes in .32, .40, and .50 width (hey- just like the MK!). (I think they are probably exactly the same since MK and Barranca are one in the same company these days- the fact that they both have the same part numbers is another clue) www.barrancadiamond.com/lap/bld_303c.html0.032 PN 153695 0.040 PN 153696 0.050 PN 156725 www.mkdiamond.com/lapidary/bld_303.html0.032 PN 153695 0.040 PN 153696 0.050 PN 156725 0.060 PN 157180
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 28, 2009 15:20:04 GMT -5
I have a .040 303C from John (jsgems) and love it in my autofeed 10" saw.
Chuck
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ksk
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 69
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Post by ksk on Apr 28, 2009 17:32:32 GMT -5
As for shopping, Diamond Pacific sells the BD-303P for "lapidary materials such as jasper, agate, and geodes" (page 51 of catalog) These are different blades, not just re-branded. www.barrancadiamond.com/lap/bld_303p.htmlA email from the company concerning the BD-303P says "this blade has quite a following for it's performance especially on hard materials."
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 28, 2009 21:15:55 GMT -5
Barranca is the lapidary division of MK. Before they dumped the blade furnace they (Barranca) made blades for MK, Lortone, Covington, and many other brands. All their blades come from Korea now and MK303C is exactly the same blade as BD303C with a different sticker. Diamond Pacific until last year was Barranca's biggest blade customer and always ordered with the MK label. They now advertise BD blades. I think it was last year that MK raised prices and BD didn't. That might be why they changed names. The 303P is used mostly on the MK101 or BD 2014 (also same saws with either MK red or Barranca blue) that run 3450 rpm. The 303P (P stands for porcelain) was made for cutting porcelain, granite and hard stone in high speed saws. I know a little about these blades as I am one of the two dealers that passed DP in annual blade sales of Barranca products.
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ksk
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 69
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Post by ksk on Apr 29, 2009 8:35:29 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies.
Let me rephrase my question:
If anyone has used either the the MK-303 (BD-303C) or the BD-303P in a 10" saw or similar (with or without auto feed), running at or around 1750 rpm, with oil or water, please let me know your experiences, positive or negative. Also, let me know what width blade you run
Thanks again!
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 29, 2009 11:28:08 GMT -5
I use light weight mineral oil.
Chuck
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 29, 2009 21:56:05 GMT -5
I've used 303C blades on a couple of 10" hand feed saws. I used .032" to save material. If you have a power feed use the .040". The extra width is more forgiving. At $130 list for the 303P vs. the $76 list for a 303C I wouldn't even consider a P for a saw running that speed. For cutting agates/jaspers, etc. oil would be best. When I had only one saw (a 10" Frantom) I cut with oil. Anything that had to be cut with water I stockpiled. When the oil got really dirty I would drain and clean the saw and refill with water. After cutting the oil sensitive material I drained, flushed, dried and refilled with clean oil. It worked for me for a long time.
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rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 760
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Post by rockhound97058 on Apr 29, 2009 23:53:47 GMT -5
LOL you guys scared me! I mis-read you were wanting these blades for a 10" saw.... I'm planning on buying a MK-303 for my 20" in the next week or two.... and I was hoping on getting a .075 thickness.... I read your post and it said .060 was thickest! I hate the thin blades on my large saw..... I want something with beef, and can cut a rock :cheesy: Sorry I can't offer my opinion just yet..... You know on my 6" saw I bought one of those Dan Lopacki china blades and that has been the best cutting sun-a-gun yet! I have cut hundreds of thundereggs by hand and the thing still cuts!..... However with the larger saws I'll stick with a better name
Jason
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on May 1, 2009 1:49:01 GMT -5
Jason you should have no problem finding a thick enough blade for your 20"
You probably should look at the 303S or the 301, both are 0.85, (although they used to offer a thinner one on the 301 in 18") and as a matter of fact, I have both for my 18", the 303S is awesome for hard stuff but kind of thick, so I've been using the 301 a lot lately since I've had some nicer agates, Bruneau and Morrisonite on the saw.
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Post by texaswoodie on May 1, 2009 7:36:58 GMT -5
This is slightly off topic, but I just bought a 14" saw with a MK Pro blade. That is by far the very best blade I have ever cut with.
Curt
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