10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 30, 2009 12:55:40 GMT -5
I haven't had my workforce saw very long but the saw blade feels pretty darn smooth. It still cuts but I think it used to cut faster. I'm cutting rocks with all different hardnesses so it's hard for me to be certain. On to the questions:
#1. How long should the original blade last? (hours/days of cutting)
#2. When the time comes to replace it, what should I replacement it with? Ideally I think I'd want to go thinner and sintered.
#3. If my blade is spent, is there something I would have done that might have worn it out prematurely? I did jam the blade once or twice on deeper cuts but I think I'm fairly careful about not pressing so hard when I'm cutting that the blade slows down significantly. I always add water liberally as I'm cutting.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 30, 2009 13:06:45 GMT -5
You should be able to see when the sintered diamond rim is all gone and the blade is down to bare steel. It's pretty obvious to the eye. I've heard a lot of claims to long blade life from folks but I guess I abuse my workforce blades because I seldom get more than maybe 10-12 hours. The blade that came with the saw was pretty good and since then I've had varying results. The cheapo blades called workforce blades that I got as a threefer from E-bay didn't cut very well or even last ten ours of cutting. Husky's and a few other types cut pretty rough but lasted pretty well, probably the whole 12 hours. I've heard hotdog blades work well but are pretty darn expensive for hand cutting. I'll probably try one of those next. Real trick is to let the blade eat it's way through the stone with little pressure. lots of water and no sparks. Harder you push, less life you'll get from the blade.....Mel
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 30, 2009 21:09:35 GMT -5
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 30, 2009 21:17:53 GMT -5
Mel basically nailed that one.
I find as my blade nears it's end I will start to feel vibration of the blade when I cut. This is because the diamonds are slowly disappearing and you compensate by putting more pressure on the blade. A new blade is almost like a hot knife through butter.
I'm happy if a blade lasts me through a weekend, but it's probably the most fun I can have for under $20.
In Canada, Hope Depot sells Qep as replacement blades for the Work Force saw. They are $20 CDN, or about $16 US. Of all the "Cheapy" blades out there, this is the one that I have had the best luck with.
Like Mel, I have used the Husky blades. They are really good as well, but cost $25 CDN, or about $20 US. My philosophy on blades ... Go cheap and go often.
150FromFundy
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 30, 2009 21:49:55 GMT -5
If you have diamond matrix left but not cutting well try dressing the blade. Cut thriugh a fire brick, cinder block, blade dressing stick, worn out SC grinding wheel. If the diamonds are glazed over or dull it will expose new diamond surfaces.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 30, 2009 22:25:21 GMT -5
Just an FYI: QEP is the OEM for the WorkForce tile saw and blade.
Chuck
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randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
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Post by randy on Apr 30, 2009 22:29:03 GMT -5
Some very good input. Thanks everyone. I just bought a Covington 10 inch saw from John at JS Gems. Love the saw John! This type of information is great for me too. Like most of us, the WorkForce was my first saw purchase, but I had no idea how long to expect a blade to last. Is that going to be about the same on my new saw?
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 30, 2009 22:41:03 GMT -5
Randy: No, a good a lapidary saw blade on a lapidary saw will way outlast workforce use. The gravity or power feed on the Covington will apply pressure more evenly and of course workforce type blade are for thin tile or stone and we all abuse them by slabbing thicker stuff. I logged more than 130 hours on my last good lapidary blade before it started having issues. It still had lots of diamond left but as usual the edge became rounded and it started binding in the cuts and needed frequent resharpening.....Mel
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on May 1, 2009 0:58:27 GMT -5
When mine sounds like "thump, thump. thump" then I change the blade. Mine wearing out is from me pushing to hard on it. I havent hooked up the feed yet. Its a covinton I rebuilt. This guy has some of the best blades for your money out there. lopacki.com/tips/
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on May 1, 2009 15:24:50 GMT -5
There are a couple of very clear answers. Thanks for your responses. #1. How long should the original blade last? (hours/days of cutting) 10-12 hours of cutting. Less if you're cutting thick rocks, abusing the blade. #2. When the time comes to replace it, what should I replacement it with? Just continue to devour cheap 7" replacement blades from Home Depot/Lowes. #3. If my blade is spent, is there something I would have done that might have worn it out prematurely? Pressing too hard and cutting thick stuff will shorten blade life. Does anybody use anything other than the manufacturer's blades in their Workforce? Is there something that I could swap in there that work better/faster/longer than the Depot blades?
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Post by akansan on May 1, 2009 15:35:35 GMT -5
The original blades on the WF have been changed with the change in body style and they don't hold up near as well as the old original blades did. Another answer to #3 is letting the reservoir run low or run dirty. The HotDog blades work smoother/better/thinner, and last a decently long time. The Husky blades ($15-$25 from HD) last fairly long, but they're thicker than the HotDogs. I currently have a Rigid on my WF, but I don't think it was work the $45 I paid for it. It's nice, thinner than the Husky, is lasting a while...but I think next time I'll be more patient and just get a HotDog mailed to me instead.
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on May 1, 2009 18:45:21 GMT -5
I was concerned about the short blade life as well. I get maybe 4 hours of use from a blade when cutting geodes or slabbettes. Check out the sintered blades from Rocklady1 (an eBay vendor) these are dintered diamond and far outlast the usual metal-bond (translate "plated) blades. Rocklady's blades are made in India for the Asian cutting industry. I'm not sure if they have a 7" blade,. but they sure have a 10". make sure to ask forr an adapter for your arbor as the stated hole size, at least on the 6" blades, is inaccurate. They have veruy nice adapters for these to accomodate a 1/2 or 5/8" arbor. Hot dog blades are great, if you can get a deal on them. CHeck Bikerrandy's posts for "attention 10" saw owners" from a few months back. The link in that post is to a company (can''t recall the name" where I got 3 7" blades shipped for $82. The 10" are more, of course. The Hot Dog blade is thinner on the edge but it is a plated blade, I believe. I find the thick edge blades vibrate excessively, make rougher cuts, don't last any longer,m and chip material. The noyched tim blades are best suited for concrete. I have seen QEP at Lowes, under their brand name. What was said about the new work force blades uis true, too. They're crappy. Good luck with your blade hunt. The 10" Covington is a neat saw and I'm looking at ti myself. John's prices are the best, too.
Mark H.
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on May 3, 2009 20:35:33 GMT -5
I didn't see any 7" blades on Rocklady. I picked up a 7" Rigid wet saw blade at Home Depot today while I was buying crabgrass killer. It's at least half as thick as the blade that came with the WF so I know I'll have to be gentle with it. I'll let you know how it works out.
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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 11, 2009 3:20:16 GMT -5
when a blade that started out looking like the one in the foreground winds up looking like the one in back (7" Hot Dog blades); actually there still is a little bit of diamond left in the back one but not enough to be worth working with anymore- at this point it sparks a lot even with plenty of water, and binds up more than it cuts.
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on May 11, 2009 7:39:06 GMT -5
I got a couple of hours in with the 7" Rigid blade. It was a much different experience than cutting with the original WF blade. It went through the softer stones like a hot knife through butter. It made consistent progress with the harder stones. With the factory blade I'd just close my eyes because of the whole "watched pot never boils" thing. If I closed my eyes for a while when I opened them again I could see some slight progress. All and all a much more enjoyable time cutting. I hope the blade lasts for a while.
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Post by akansan on May 11, 2009 8:13:34 GMT -5
I'm still using my Rigid - I purchased it last year. It's got a lot of life left on it. One thing to keep in mind - something that I frequently forget - is that the blade itself wears down. You might have to cut obsidian or something to uncoat new diamond, but it still has a lot of life.
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on May 15, 2009 13:54:09 GMT -5
I got a Hitachi blade from HD on sale for $28. I am still using the current blade, but this one is thinner and is NOT made in China. Japanese manufacture USUALLY means better quality. Keep your eye open. Doug
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