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Post by Roller on Jul 17, 2010 23:53:59 GMT -5
Iam just wondering ... what exactly does the name imply ... I understand trimming and slabbing are two totally different actions ... But here"s why I ask ,I notice some are named both as in trim/slab saw ... and some (the same exact model can be named a slab saw at one website and a trim saw at another ) I understand a trim saw is for trimming and a slab saw for slabbing ... but I see trim saws with vise"s built into them as well .... Just trying to get a better understanding for when I make a purchase ..I would like to make slabs and I see alot of 10" saws capable of slabbing I think but are called trim saws..just trying to capture a basic understanding of basic first time saw buying ... Thanks for your help Greg
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Jul 18, 2010 8:13:09 GMT -5
It seems most 10" are trim/slab saws. If it has a vise it will slab. I use a thicker (.050) blade and hand feed a lot of slabs in my 10". If it has a table to lay the slab on and trim it's a trim saw. Most 10" incorporate both so you have a trim/slab saw. Make sense?
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 18, 2010 9:21:58 GMT -5
What Stonewizard said. Usually a slab/trim saw will have a vise that swings out of the way for trimming slabs. The versatility of a slab/trim saw makes a 10" or 8" the best choice if you have only one saw.
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Post by Roller on Jul 18, 2010 10:09:52 GMT -5
sounds good ... I mean i do make little mini slabs with my 7 inch tile saw ... I ve been browsing alot of used ones lately on ebay ...just looking I was particulary interested in a star diamond and a lortone ts-8 that is priced very nice but I know once I get it Ill want a bigger one ..
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 18, 2010 10:21:45 GMT -5
You will likely find if you buy a 10" you will eventually want a larger slab saw. You will also find you use the 10" a lot still. Most will slab up to 3 1/2" so will handle many rocks with less kerf loss than a larger saw. A 10" lapidary saw with power feed will be a major step up from the 7" tile saw but you will likely find you still use the tile saw at times. I tell people looking for their first saw not to worry. In two or three years if they really get into the hobby they will look around and wonder where all the saws came from. There is always a particular saw for an application.
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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 Jul 18, 2010 14:02:33 GMT -5
Yep, any saw with a vise is a slab saw. Just different sizes of slabs depending on blade and vise size. I love my 10 " saw better than any saw I've ever had. Blades are cheaper, last longer and the saw seems to just go and go. Plus something like my old 20" saw, wasted a whole slabs worth of material every two cuts due to width of blade kerf. Any saw above 14" I've had was one cranky bastard. Blades tended to dish more often, be more expensive to replace and were always getting dull and binding in the cut due to the large interface between rock and blade with the larger blades. The big saws also use a bunch of coolant and often have blade alignment problems.....Mel
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 19, 2010 8:41:04 GMT -5
the other requirement for a trim saw is a table. My 10" Lortone is a slab saw. It has no table. My 10" Star has a table. It can be fit with a vise, but limited (i.e., 3") cuts.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jul 19, 2010 8:50:38 GMT -5
Greg,
I have a 10" Star Diamond with auto feed and love it, but believe gravity feed would work just as well. I've seen them both ways.
It's a very versatile saw and I would definitely get a 10" saw, rather than an 8" saw. Once you start slabbing, you'll realize that a 3 1/2" rock isn't very big.
Chuck
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 19, 2010 12:59:56 GMT -5
3 1/2" isn't very big but there are lots of fist sized rocks yet to be found that could be easily handled by a 10" saw.
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Post by tortuga on Jul 19, 2010 20:58:53 GMT -5
Hey Roller send me a PM when you are ready for a 10". I've been buying used equipment locally here and have accumulated 3 of them. I'll have at least one I won't be keeping (it's not ready yet) but would be glad to let you have it for what I paid + shipping. Since you and I are both just getting started in this hobby it would be nice to be able to help you out since I've found an extra. Warning: it will be covered in rock snot because lord knows I have enough stuff to clean
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