Cutting agates

wi54880
starting to shine!

Member since March 2009
Posts: 33

Cutting agates Sept 20, 2009 21:25:41 GMT -5

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Post by wi54880 on Sept 20, 2009 21:25:41 GMT -5

It took two years to figure out what an agate looked like (and several hundred pounds of polished beach rock), but now I've got a bunch. The problem is, a lot of the good sized ones don't have any banding on them because they are intact.

Can someone recommend a reasonably priced lapidary saw to cut these in half? I've seen some machines with grinding wheels as well, but not sure if I would need that too? I do two week in a rotary and a week in vibe for my beach rocks (4 steps).

Thanks, as always!

~jess

My setup:
(2) Model B's
(2) UV10's

Hard Rock Cafe
driving up their electric bill

Rock tumbling is harder than it looks. Mohs definitely.

Member since April 2008
Posts: 2,735

Cutting agates Sept 20, 2009 21:49:31 GMT -5

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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Sept 20, 2009 21:49:31 GMT -5

Lots of people here use the Work Force tile saw from Home Depot (about $90). They chew through agate, but there are a little wasteful due to the thick blade.

You can either tumble the agate halves or get a grinder.

The Work Force will make a good start on equipment.

Chuck

Some rocks aspire to greatness; others are destined to be grit carriers.

deb193redux In Memoriam RIP Daniel Bontempo (1959 - 2022) Member since September 2007 Posts: 6,010	Cutting agates Sept 20, 2009 23:10:57 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by deb193redux on Sept 20, 2009 23:10:57 GMT -5 It has recently been redesigned. Still has 3/4hp motor, but closed water pan may need frequent emptying. Not sure if it is still the same good blade. The blade makes the saw. It was never about the saw

Jack ( Yorkshire)
has started giving rock gifts

God created - I'M Investigating

Member since November 2004
Posts: 3,076

Cutting agates Sept 21, 2009 2:46:28 GMT -5

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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Sept 21, 2009 2:46:28 GMT -5

Hi Jess,

As Deb says above
"THE Blade makes the saw " you can always fit a lapidary dimond saw blade and have the advantages of a first class slabing saw

And with a 3/4 motor there is a lot of power there.

Jack
Yorkshire UK

Never stop learning , I'm Trying to learn somthing new every day.

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rocknrob: That was one heck of a windstorm that thankfully missed me. I guess Seatac almost hit 60mph gusts. I bet those were some fun landings Nov 20, 2024 21:55:16 GMT -5

Post by wi54880 on Sept 20, 2009 21:25:41 GMT -5

Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Sept 20, 2009 21:49:31 GMT -5

Post by deb193redux on Sept 20, 2009 23:10:57 GMT -5

Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Sept 21, 2009 2:46:28 GMT -5

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