daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 27, 2011 18:08:37 GMT -5
I found a Northern Industries 7" saw on Amazon for $60. Worth it? I was raised with a healthy respect (fear?) for power tools, watching my dad in the wood shop. I am quite frankly a little nervous about slicing rocks, but it seems like the next step for me so... Really, the cheaper the better, I'm thinking under $100. Is there a dremel attachent that will slice rock? Since it's looking like that's on the horizon too. I was planning on getting a dremel and drill press, when I thought my father-in-law had a saw. Turns out he doesn't. Crap, I'm starting to get in a little over my head here. Trying to find the most economical way to get going on all this, with the possibility of upgrading the equipment as needed (if that tool is still needed). The other bonus a dremel would have is the ability to store it away. Small and effective. Sorry for the rant. Any advice would be like a life ring in the ocean right now. TIA Meira
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Jan 27, 2011 18:25:52 GMT -5
most people's first saw is a workforce tile saw from home depot. the 7" blade will cut (very) small rocks and works well for trimming slabs for preforms. You can usually find them used for under $50, check the local classifieds.
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Post by rockmanken on Jan 27, 2011 18:56:38 GMT -5
Also, a diamond blade on a saw WILL NOT cut flesh. It will, however, cut fingernails. Do not be afraid of it. I agree, the 7" tile saw from Home Depot will be the best way to go, and it is under 4100. The diamond saw blades for the Dremel are only 1" and you cannot cut much with them. Plus it has to be submerged in water.(the blade) Harbor Freight has a 'cheap' dremel type tool fairly resonable. They also have diamond bits for it resonable, also. And the 1" blades. Don't know how reliable their 7" tile saw is, though. Ken
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 27, 2011 20:21:12 GMT -5
The not cutting my fingers off is a HUGE relief. I have been having visions of some squirly rock spinning out of my grip at the last moment and my thumb flyig into it. I am a seamstress by trade and require the use of all of my digits. I can work without fingernails (learned that the hard way when my then two year old threw al her weight against my ebow and I stitched through my finger). I don't see the workforce one on the Home Depot site. They have this www.homedepot.com/Flooring-Flooring-Tools-Accessories-Tile-Tools-Accessories-Tile-Saws/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbngg/R-202061498/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053. There is a Home Depot less than a mile from my house. Talk about instant gratification. I may not be making grooves on it just yet, but I think I can slice up some of what was called tumbling rough on a website, but not in my tiny tumbler it's not. Is there anything I need to know that won't be covered in the tile cutting guidlines this thing comes with? You guys are my heroes today! I was starting to go cross eyed.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jan 27, 2011 21:42:43 GMT -5
That's it,
and sewing machines are more dangerous!
Rule of thumb is you cut ~1/3 the diameter of the blade.
If your cutting tile, study the instructions...if your cutting rock, it's best to cut from behind the saw and pull the rough toward you...this will keep you out of the water spray. Get a good grip on the stone (snug fitting rubber gloves are sometimes helpful) and ease he stone into the blade...DO NOT FORCE IT, let the the blade do the work. Rock doesn't cut like wood, it takes time (you are actually grinding through the rock). Keep the water level in the tray up.
You can upgrade the blade after you get a little practice under your belt.
Dremel blades are difficult to keep straight without alot of practice.
Dr Joe
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 27, 2011 22:14:28 GMT -5
I would like to add that diamond blades DO cut skin... Not terribly bad, but it did happen to me. I didn't even put a band aid on it, but it did draw blood. Rule of thumb, keep your digits out of the line of fire and all's well.
Nate
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 27, 2011 22:33:26 GMT -5
Is that the rule of thumb to keep your thumbs? I have used power tools in the past without injury. I just remember watching a man at the fair slice open a geode for my son and thinking "This can't be safe."
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 27, 2011 22:57:52 GMT -5
I've worked with kids, and one of the first things I do when teaching them to use a lapidary saw is to put my thumb against the spinning blade, to show them that it won't cut them. A brand new blade, or one that has a burr along its outer edges may give you a little nick, but it won't take fingers off. The grinding and sanding wheels we use in this hobby are more apt to injure you.
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 27, 2011 23:10:44 GMT -5
I'm feeling like I've got a much better handle on this now. I have a few practice rocks I can slice before I move on to the moonstone, labradorite, and turritella agate (I sure can pick 'em for starters can't I). Should be interesting. Wish me luck!
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 27, 2011 23:19:39 GMT -5
Moonstone isn't too hard to cut. Lab is a bit more tricky, and unless you have good solid Turritella, it can be a real pain to cut. Maybe you should cut a couple of beach pebbles first, just to get a feel for what you're doing.
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 27, 2011 23:31:12 GMT -5
Those are the practice rocks. I picked them up in a dry river bed when we were out looking for a Christmas tree. I know the Turritella is going to be rugged. It looks like it could break if I dropped it. If that one doesn't work it'll be okay. Mostly it's just too big to go into my tiny tumbler, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
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Post by rockmanken on Jan 28, 2011 8:53:29 GMT -5
I have found that if you get a plastic mortar pan to place the tile saw in, it catches a lot of the water that runs off the side. I also made a shield that is 4" high and about 8" wide and clamped to the front rail of the saw to stop the water from drowning me. BIGGEST HINT....use plenty of water for coolant and helps keep the saw blade from excessive wear. Ken
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Post by catmandewe on Jan 28, 2011 11:54:58 GMT -5
Some blades will cut skin, the pro slicer blade is one that comes to mind, I don't know how many others will. So don't just always assume that the blade can't cut you, but generally most diamond blades will not.
Tony
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daisyd681
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by daisyd681 on Jan 28, 2011 15:40:38 GMT -5
Well, I have very many slices now. I only had one lab beak on me. I'm starting to see why people are so impressed when someone has a moonstone that's all flash. It's a pesky little bugger to figure out. I still have all my fingers too!
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 12, 2011 10:02:50 GMT -5
I have had my workforce for 6 years now. I have worn out 4 blades and I have cut hundred of rocks. These saws are great for what they do. Make to take it apart and clean it. Off after/use. Enjoy
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Post by frane on Feb 12, 2011 12:57:50 GMT -5
The first saw I used was a Sears wet tile saw. It was a 7". I had the same fears as well but with a continuous rim diamond blade, you have very little to worry about other than what will feel like a rug burn if you do catch the edge too hard. My biggest fear now is that I am too confident with the tile and rock saw and I will never be able to use a wood saw again! That is where I would really be afraid after using these because they can do some real damage! I guess the best advice is use caution but don't be afraid. If you can get a full face shield too because rock flies faster than you can blink and you need to save that vision. A dust mask is a good idea as well along with a vinyl apron to keep you dry. Then, go to town and have a blast with it! Fran
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jmlivingston
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1
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Post by jmlivingston on Feb 13, 2011 23:49:11 GMT -5
What blades work best with this saw? I'm going to Colorado in a few months and hope to bring some geodes back with me, this looks like it could be a good saw for cutting them open.
Thanks, John
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 14, 2011 0:04:55 GMT -5
unless they were only 1.5", you will need to rotate the work, so get a thick blade that can stand the abuse. most tile blades are .050", but some are .062"
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 14, 2011 11:01:45 GMT -5
THe Stock blade works pretty well. It is a thicker blade and can stand a far amount of abuse. Last I looked they were around $30. They do go on sale once in a while for about $25. The MK Hotdog is a slightly thinner blade. It's a notched design and is not as robust (and is about $45-$50) Harbor Freight also sells a slew of 7" blades. I tried one of the thicked ones. It was on sale for $12.99 and cut about have as well as the Workforce Blade. It also did not last nearly as long. I'm gonna try one of their thinner blades next time as the one I got for my 4" saw cuts real well.
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