chiefjim
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 12
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Post by chiefjim on Nov 17, 2009 0:56:34 GMT -5
I have just joined the forum, though I have been visiting and enjoying the discussions for over a week. My partner and I recently purchased a rather well equipped lapidary shop--1 large slab saw, a combo machine, a trim saw, drill press, a polishing machine with hood and 6 tumblers--all for $500! Some of this stuff is older than God's dog, but everything seems to be in good working order. George works with scrimshaw and a two-part resin and I work with seashell and fused glass. We also both work with exotic woods. We hope to combine all of this with some rock pieces to create some rather unique pieces of art. My first question (and I'm sure to have many) is what is the best method of lining up a rock in the clamp to ensure that it is going to run true with the blade? Both the slab saw and the combo machine are gravity feed, if that makes any difference. Chief Jim Depoe Bay, Oregon
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Post by Woodyrock on Nov 17, 2009 1:53:24 GMT -5
Chief Jim:
Your first cut may, but usually does not give you a usable slab, so you try to line up the surface you want your slabs from for the best cut assuming the first piece off will will go in the tumble bucket. What you do want to do is make sure the rock is clamped up in the vise so it will not move during the cut. If it does move move, it may well ruin the saw blade. A rock coming apart during a cut may also ruin a blade, so check for cracks before you clamp it in the saws vise. Since you both work with wood, make up some small wedges from a good hard wood to add support to the rock in the clamp. After clamping the rock, grap it, and try to move it. If you do move it, work on the clamping until it does not move. Here is where the wedges come in to play.Use only hand power to tighten your vise so you do not break it. Also, make sure the blade is making a ninty degree, or close contact with the rock at the beginning of the cut. If it contacts at an angle, the blade will wander off, which can dish the blade. A dished blade may, or may not be repairable, but will put it out of action. Then, by stating that your saw is gravity feet, are you saying the saw drops down onto the rock, or is there a weight pulling the carriage into the saw blade. If your saw is pulled by a weight, you do want to stop the saw before the end of the cut. The wee nub left by the slab breaking off is also bad on saw blades.
Do not worry about the age of your lapidary equipment, most of it was made to last a long time. there are many Highland Park saws over fifty years old still being used. Mine is one of them. You got a pretty good deal for your equipment.
Oh, never be afraid to ask questions on this forum.
Then of course, we all want to see pictures............most of us a very visual types. Woody
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Post by Toad on Nov 17, 2009 8:03:20 GMT -5
Welcome Chief Jim and George. Looking forward to pics of your work. Todd
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Post by stonesthatrock on Nov 17, 2009 9:49:39 GMT -5
welcome to the board........i think your question has been answered. Can't wait to see some pics.
mary ann
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Post by Bejewelme on Nov 17, 2009 15:20:45 GMT -5
Welcome, sounds like you work some interesting mediums, I look forward to seeing some beautiful creations! You got a steal on the equipment, you might have to invest a little more in it but it will be worth it!
Good luck! Amber
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chiefjim
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 12
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Post by chiefjim on Nov 17, 2009 22:11:56 GMT -5
Welcome, sounds like you work some interesting mediums, I look forward to seeing some beautiful creations! You got a steal on the equipment, you might have to invest a little more in it but it will be worth it! Good luck! Amber Thanks for the welcome aboard. Us old sailors can usually tell a lot about the new outfit from just the welcome that we get coming over the side. I have already added to our equipment with the purchase of a vibe lap machine. Paid $25 for it. Neighbor decided he didn't want it anymore. Same guy sold me a vibe tumbler last year for the same price. The prices have all sounded more than reasonable to me so I didn't even bother to dicker. Have to be careful what else we bring in--the shop space is pretty small. Think I'm going to have to suggest that he move some of the next room to another location to give us more working space, but I'm used to working in tight quarter from being aboard ship. Chief Jim Chief Jim
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chiefjim
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 12
|
Post by chiefjim on Nov 17, 2009 22:13:23 GMT -5
Chief Jim: Your first cut may, but usually does not give you a usable slab, so you try to line up the surface you want your slabs from for the best cut assuming the first piece off will will go in the tumble bucket. What you do want to do is make sure the rock is clamped up in the vise so it will not move during the cut. If it does move move, it may well ruin the saw blade. A rock coming apart during a cut may also ruin a blade, so check for cracks before you clamp it in the saws vise. Since you both work with wood, make up some small wedges from a good hard wood to add support to the rock in the clamp. After clamping the rock, grap it, and try to move it. If you do move it, work on the clamping until it does not move. Here is where the wedges come in to play.Use only hand power to tighten your vise so you do not break it. Also, make sure the blade is making a ninty degree, or close contact with the rock at the beginning of the cut. If it contacts at an angle, the blade will wander off, which can dish the blade. A dished blade may, or may not be repairable, but will put it out of action. Then, by stating that your saw is gravity feet, are you saying the saw drops down onto the rock, or is there a weight pulling the carriage into the saw blade. If your saw is pulled by a weight, you do want to stop the saw before the end of the cut. The wee nub left by the slab breaking off is also bad on saw blades. Do not worry about the age of your lapidary equipment, most of it was made to last a long time. there are many Highland Park saws over fifty years old still being used. Mine is one of them. You got a pretty good deal for your equipment. Oh, never be afraid to ask questions on this forum. Then of course, we all want to see pictures............most of us a very visual types. Woody
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chiefjim
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 12
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Post by chiefjim on Nov 17, 2009 22:26:54 GMT -5
Chief Jim: Your first cut may, but usually does not give you a usable slab, so you try to line up the surface you want your slabs from for the best cut assuming the first piece off will will go in the tumble bucket. What you do want to do is make sure the rock is clamped up in the vise so it will not move during the cut. If it does move move, it may well ruin the saw blade. A rock coming apart during a cut may also ruin a blade, so check for cracks before you clamp it in the saws vise. Since you both work with wood, make up some small wedges from a good hard wood to add support to the rock in the clamp. After clamping the rock, grap it, and try to move it. If you do move it, work on the clamping until it does not move. Here is where the wedges come in to play.Use only hand power to tighten your vise so you do not break it. Also, make sure the blade is making a ninty degree, or close contact with the rock at the beginning of the cut. If it contacts at an angle, the blade will wander off, which can dish the blade. A dished blade may, or may not be repairable, but will put it out of action. Then, by stating that your saw is gravity feet, are you saying the saw drops down onto the rock, or is there a weight pulling the carriage into the saw blade. If your saw is pulled by a weight, you do want to stop the saw before the end of the cut. The wee nub left by the slab breaking off is also bad on saw blades. Do not worry about the age of your lapidary equipment, most of it was made to last a long time. there are many Highland Park saws over fifty years old still being used. Mine is one of them. You got a pretty good deal for your equipment. Oh, never be afraid to ask questions on this forum. Then of course, we all want to see pictures............most of us a very visual types. Woody Thanks Woody, That is exactly what I was concerned about--messing up the blade, though I suspect the blades on both the slab saws and the trim saw need replacing if we are going to get serious about cutting rock. The rock clamp on the combo machine pivots down on the blade, and surprisingly enough. does not lock in an "up" position. I had to completely remove it from the machine to use the wheels. The slab saw I really having messed with much yet, other than to ensure that it actually runs. I do know that there is a devise that hangs from above the saw and can be adjusted by a turnbuckle that probably controls the advance of the carriage. I haven't gotten that far yet. We don't much rock to slab yet, but I have considerable large chunks of art glass that I want to attempt to slab. Some of the colors should be very interesting in cross-section. Chief Jim
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