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dead WF
Mar 17, 2010 16:04:02 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 16:04:02 GMT -5
Well, I tried to slab a couple of smaller chunks this morning, but because of the slight bend in the Workforce saw's shaft, and the resulting vibration of the blade, I only succeeded in breaking the rocks.
So I tossed the saw (it gave me several months of good service before I managed to bend it) and went to Home Depot. I eventually came home with the "Ryobi 7 In. Portable Tile Saw with Laser Model # WS750L". Online it shows for $299, but in the store it was $279, and I let them talk me into opening a HD account, which got me another $25 off.
The reviews of this saw are by and large negative, but seems to me all the negative comments I read had to do with cutting large tiles. None of the issues seemed to me like they would apply to cutting rocks.
I slaved for 2.5 hours with the "some assembly required", so by the time I got it all put together, I'm exhausted. I'll go out in a little while and fire it up and see what it does.
One nice thing about this saw is that its depth of cut is a full 1 inch deeper than the Workforce (2-1/8"). I also like the idea of the sliding table, instead of sliding the rock. Well, we'll see.
Tom
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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dead WF
Mar 17, 2010 18:30:32 GMT -5
Post by drjo on Mar 17, 2010 18:30:32 GMT -5
Congrats on the new saw...but you gotta tell us how you bent the WF's motors shaft!! ? Dr Joe .
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dead WF
Mar 17, 2010 18:48:02 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 18:48:02 GMT -5
Dr Joe - Well, I think I must have done it one day when I was trying to cut up a chunk of wonderstone, and it was hard stuff, and I managed to jam the blade. All of a sudden. That rock jammed the blade 3 or 4 times. I think that's all it took. Ever after that, the blade "jitters" when cutting, and that's with at least 2 more new blades. And it's not a true Workforce saw - it was Lowe's version of it, more than likely Chicago Electric, I'd guess.
The new saw is "DA BOMB!" I had to take it all apart and reassemble it - 2 of the legs come already attached from the factory, except they were put on backwards. After that festuche, I filled the tray, turned it on and adjusted the spray, then cut up a nice big chunk of rhodonite. The chunk was 3" tall, and the saw's max cut is 2-1/8". But the head can swivel up and down, allowing use like a chop saw. So I loosened the head and let it ride up and over the big rock, and it worked like a charm!
I only cut up the one rock, though, because after all the work putting it together twice, my back is killing me. But next chance I get, I'm a-gonna be slicin and dicin!
Tom
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dead WF
Mar 17, 2010 21:57:56 GMT -5
Post by rockrookie on Mar 17, 2010 21:57:56 GMT -5
i hope it works well . you might start a trend around here. that is buy buying a new saw , not breaking the old . haha ! --paul
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dead WF
Mar 17, 2010 22:06:24 GMT -5
Post by NatureNut on Mar 17, 2010 22:06:24 GMT -5
Yeah Horray Tom! Congrats! Keep us posted on using this new baby!
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dead WF
Mar 18, 2010 12:08:51 GMT -5
Post by frane on Mar 18, 2010 12:08:51 GMT -5
I killed one last Summer and had to go and get another. I got the same model though and I sure hope it will work when I crank it up again soon.... I am glad it is working so well for you! Fran
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dead WF
Mar 18, 2010 19:49:01 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 18, 2010 19:49:01 GMT -5
Fran, I'm itching to get cutting with the new saw, but my first real chance will be Sunday, unless my daughter goes into labor, in which case, who knows when?
I'm really liking this new saw, now if I could just win the lottery and buy a new cabbing machine like yours, I'd be happier than a pig in slop! LOL!
Oh, I could use a nicer house, too! ;D
Tom
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dead WF
Mar 18, 2010 20:18:04 GMT -5
Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 18, 2010 20:18:04 GMT -5
There is a similar version of that saw available here in Canada. 4 out of 5 reviews are negative. Most related to accuracey of long cuts on large tiles. Not an issue for rocks.
The other complaint was not enough water getting to the blade. Rather than spinning the blade in water, it relies on a pump and a drips onto the blade. The dry blade lead to premature wear, shortened blade life and way too much dust. Let me know how it goes.
As my Husky ages, I have been thinking about a new saw, but have been hesitant based on the revues.
Darryl.
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dead WF
Mar 18, 2010 23:01:12 GMT -5
Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 18, 2010 23:01:12 GMT -5
Yep, I read all those negative reviews. About the water - if you use the supplied pump, it has a flow regulator on it - it will pump about as much or as little as you want. And in addition, the saw itself has a regulator built into the housing. I turned both of them all the way up, and damn near drowned! I have them both at about 50%, and everything stays real wet except me. I'm thinking somebody just didn't read the instructions. ;D
Of course, if you don't want to use their pump, it has provision to hook it directly to the garden hose, and let it drain straight out. You will get a constant supply of clean water to the blade that way, but you might also be standing in a swamp by the time you're done!
Tom
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