learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on May 23, 2011 13:26:36 GMT -5
I'm just a casual hobbiest with a small 3lb tumbler and a vibe I was lucky enough to get on permanent loan. But I wanted to dabble in a saw. Maybe just cut some slabs into odd shapes and when I get rough that's to big for the barrel, to a little trimming.
So I didn't want to flip a few hundred on a real saw or even $75 on a cheap tile saw. Whenever I check craigslist, someone has a cheap diamond wet title saw for $40 but it's a 45 minute drive away.
So today I found a 4'5" wet diamond tile saw on craiglist for $10 and it's in my town a couple miles away. I contacted the guy and have an appointment to pick it up tonight.
So, I guess I'll have something to hack and play with. We'll see how it goes.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 23, 2011 14:51:45 GMT -5
You won't be able to cut very big rocks with it, maybe an 1.5". If you roll your cuts you can go a little bigger. But for $10, you'll at least get a feel for whether it's something you want to invest more money in.
Chuck
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Member since February 2011
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Post by learn2turn on May 23, 2011 15:43:01 GMT -5
Well I don't intend to make slabs. Just take some slabs I have and maybe cut them into pedant shapes. And if I get a piece of rough that's just too bid, like 1.5x3", cut it into two or three pieces. That's it.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 23, 2011 16:00:07 GMT -5
Then that saw should work nicely!
If it's like the Work Force, you'll want to stand behind it as you cut...
Chuck
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Post by johnjsgems on May 23, 2011 16:42:57 GMT -5
If it has a 4" arbor buy a .020" 303C lapidary blade. It is exactly what I use and best trim saw I've ever used (large unobstructed table, made to use with water, FAST, powerful, cheap).
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
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Post by stefan on May 25, 2011 9:35:58 GMT -5
THere are a lot of inexpensive lapidary blade for a 4" saw (John mentions the BEST one I've ever used). THere are also some really hefty 4" blades that can take a TON of abuse (they eat a lot of material- but for chunking up odd shapes they hold up a lot better). I have the Harbor Freight 4" tile saw- a bit noisy, but cuts like a dream and is easy on blades and the pocket book. Having a saw (even a small one) opens up such a new world. Your gonna love it!
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Member since February 2011
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Post by learn2turn on May 25, 2011 19:13:08 GMT -5
Well I just bought a whole bunch of this in that off some guy on ebay so I'm looking forward to hacking around.
I all have some slabs I bought off the trade board here. I'm hoping to make a pendant or two for the wife for her birthday.
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Post by johnjsgems on May 25, 2011 20:10:39 GMT -5
And I meant to say 5/8" arbor, not 4" arbor.
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Post by learn2turn on May 28, 2011 19:52:08 GMT -5
I fired the saw up tonight.
I took a piece of agate maybe 1-/2-5/8" thick and about 1.5" wide and cut four "slabbettes". They came out pretty nice; I think you see the grain in the rock better when you slab instead of just tumble rough. I'll throw these in the vibe and try to get a shine without changing the shape. Might make nice pendants.
It wasn't that fast. Took at least several minutes to cut through each one. Of course I have no idea of the blade is crap or trashed. But for $10, it's a cool toy.
Don't know yet whether I'm ready to spring for a $40 blade yet. I gotta think about it.
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
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Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on May 28, 2011 20:05:56 GMT -5
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