engineersteve
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2011
Posts: 11
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Post by engineersteve on Feb 28, 2011 17:34:23 GMT -5
Hi all,
Rock Addict, new member, first post....
I am looking for equipment suggestions for a specific need, although it's probably common:
I have some rock that I want to tumble and polish, but it's currently a little too big. Some material may work just fine to break up with a hammer, but I seem to be getting lots of polish getting absorbed into cracks in some agate, and it seems hitting with a hammer might make this worse.
So, I would rather cut some of the material in a trim saw. I have a 14" slab saw, but I'd rather not run it on cutting a 1 inch piece into two 1/2 inch pieces.
Then, on the cut material or some of my rough material that has pits, sharp corners, or other problem spots to tumble and polish, I'd like to grind those down before throwing them in the tumbler.
Long story short, what would be a good suggestion to cut the smaller material and then grind down some rough spots? For example, I was looking at something like the Rock Rascal Model T Combo unit, or the Grave CabMate. These would seem to do the job, and if I do start into cabbing one day soon, these would work at intro. type machines. But, there may be a much cheaper solution that fits my current need.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks, Steve
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 28, 2011 17:53:41 GMT -5
Welcome Steve!
You can buy a WorkForce tile saw from Home Depot. It has a heavy blade, so I wouldn't use it for cutting opal, but that blade also allows you to do "grinding". It's a much cheaper solution than the saws you mentioned. You can also use it as a trim saw in the future, but by then you'll probably want something quieter and less messy.
If you get the tile saw, stand behind it and pull the rock toward you. Otherwise you'll get wet.
Chuck
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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 Feb 28, 2011 18:47:39 GMT -5
Welcome engineersteve!!
Either of thoses piieces of equipment are good units and would last you a long time. Cabbers (RV'ers) that go on the road for extended period use them vs the larger stuff.
Have you checked out our Home Made Equipment section yet? you don't get much cheaper for specific equipment.
Watch craigslist for used tile saws a 7" will take a 6" lapidary blade, just check for bearing where (blade shaft loose).
Good luck and you'll never be sorry you took up this hobby (Hey, I can almost say that with straight face now ;D).
Dr Joe
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engineersteve
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2011
Posts: 11
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Post by engineersteve on Mar 1, 2011 17:44:00 GMT -5
Great, thanks for the helpful advice!
It looks like the Workforce is no longer sold at Home Depot, but it sounded very similar to the QEP they carry now?
Also, I have seen two types of reasonably priced tile saws, one with the blade sticking up out of the table, and the other with the blade above the table. Any difference for cutting rock?
Thanks again, Steve
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 2, 2011 0:46:52 GMT -5
tile saws are great for tumblers, although very wet.
if you want to cut and grind, you should look for a used RockRascal unit with saw/wheel combo. now and then one less than $200 comes up.
or, go separate, use a tile saw, and modify a bench grinder
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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 Mar 2, 2011 8:42:30 GMT -5
For hand held use, the "one with the blade sticking up out of the table" is easier to trim with. Slabbing with a vise it really doesn't matter, the "one with the blade above the table" is just upside-down so to speak...I use both (I have 6 saws plus 3 horizontal laps I can put a blade on and a hand-held with a 10" blade for when I feel extra manly (or stupid)).
The RockRascal that deb193redux referred to (and the graves unit) are nice when trimming as you can grind bits to see how it looks and then re-trim as needed.
Check your motor speed and adjust pulley size accordingly.
Ok, enough talk...now I got to go cut something!
Dr Joe
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