unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 27, 2011 18:32:45 GMT -5
Hi all, What was I thinking or not thinking? With all my questions about tumblers and cab machines I forgot all about getting a saw. Am I a nube or what? Any way I thought I would go for the ultimate Seriously I just realized that I will need a saw or will I need saws? I know now that I will need a saw to cut out the free forms from the slabettes that I will buy. What about a saw to cut my own rocks into slabs/slabettes? Can I use the same saw for both jobs? I heard mention of an inexpensive tile saw at Home Depot for $88.00 it is a 7" wet saw. I have read in some posts that you cant get lapidary blades made in a 7" size. How important is that when cutting out free forms for cabbing? If the cut is a bit rough isn't the free form going to be ground and polished when its cabbed anyway? That being said should I still consider that saw or should I look to get a saw that has a 4"or 5" blade and than replace that blade with one for lapidary use. Obviously the smaller the blade the smaller the size rocks that can be cut. With a 4" blade I think that I would than have to get another larger saw for cutting rocks into slabs. If I have to go with two saws what would be your recommendations for a wet trim saw to cut out the free forms and a larger saw for making rocks into slabs. Thanks for all of your help. Stu aka wannabe rock star in training
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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 Apr 27, 2011 18:54:58 GMT -5
I bet catmandewe has a couple of those he's rebuilding ;D
As for your question, I can't remember if anyone has ever asked such a one...guess I could do a search.
Or buy a 7inch tile saw and switch to a 6inch lapidary blade (cheaper than a 7") for fine trimming.
Dr Joe
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 27, 2011 20:53:31 GMT -5
Thanks Dr. Joe, I am not that knowledgeable about tools. I didn't know that you can change the size of the blade on the saw. Makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. I guess you can go smaller but not larger.
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Post by Roller on Apr 27, 2011 21:06:35 GMT -5
my recommendation is start with the qep from home depot ... then get a hotdog 7" blade for it and then well theres a wide open road after that ... but teh qep is a great start !
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 27, 2011 21:25:32 GMT -5
Lots of choices. A good 10" lapidary "trim and slab" saw will slab and trim. Most saws larger than 10" won't make good trim saws. Most people after a few years find themselves surrounded by lots of saws. My personal choice would be a 4"-6" trim saw, 10" trim and slab and 16"-18" slab saw.
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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 Apr 28, 2011 6:26:25 GMT -5
John ...would you be my neighbor? ;D
Dr Joe
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 28, 2011 8:33:58 GMT -5
I'm the best kind of neighbor. I'm never home.
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Post by rocklicker on Apr 29, 2011 11:55:44 GMT -5
Yup, a 6 incher for trimming slabs, a 10 incher for small slabs or as a trim saw, and a large slab saw. I would say start with a 10 inch saw with a vise because it's the most versitile. You can slab and use it as a trim saw. The blades are thicker so there will be more waste, but you can do a lot. Then you may want a little trim saw so you have less waste. When you find the need to cut larger rocks, you will want a big-un. A large slab saw will become your new best frend.
That said, a lot of people here have stuck with the $88 workforce saw and have gotten it to do small slabbing and trimming.
BTW, John has it right about being surrounded by saws. It's only a matter of time. Steve
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Apr 29, 2011 12:15:46 GMT -5
I have a 10" HP I bought from a friend that I use only oil in(for the hardest materials I have - jades and agates) and a 10" Raytech that I use only water in, a 4" tile saw I got on sale at home depot and get $5.00 4" lapidary blades from Harbor freight for it, and a 7" inland these last two are my trim saws.
So to answer your question you need only one saw to get started if you get a 6/7" or 10" as it can do it all.
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Post by jakesrocks on Apr 29, 2011 13:01:39 GMT -5
My personal choice would be to start with a 10" trim / slab saw. If you need something smaller, there are plenty of tile saws out there. Pawn shops are good places to look for those. As you get further into the hobby, you'll find a need for saws in ever increasing sizes. I sold a 24" saw a few years back, and have been kicking myself ever since. As you find good places to collect rocks, you'll find that what you haul home keeps increasing in size. Don
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