bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Sept 23, 2011 23:58:27 GMT -5
I am wanting to start cutting things like Opal where supposedly cost might be a factor. I think that 7" blade that is available at Kingsley North and I suppose you could get it too is .050 thick. Really that is pretty thin too, but I really don't know how that compares in to how other thinner blades cut.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 24, 2011 10:08:50 GMT -5
.050" is very thick for opal. You would be better off reducing to 6" and using either .014" or .020".
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 24, 2011 10:29:46 GMT -5
I agree with John. Opal is expensive material. You want to waste the least amount possible. A thin blade run in water, and at a higher speed to "stiffen" the blade is what you want. Remember that opal is a porous material, so cutting in water is almost a must do. Lots of water to keep the stone cool.
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Sept 25, 2011 10:26:08 GMT -5
Thanks Don. Looks like I will need a couple of blades. Do you think a 6" blade will work on my 7" tile saw or should I start looking at actual trim saws?
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 25, 2011 10:38:07 GMT -5
I don't have any experience with tile saws. My saw for cutting expensive material is a very old variable speed saw with a 3" X .020 blade.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 25, 2011 21:10:42 GMT -5
I'm not familiar with your saw. My 7" saw has a pump so smaller blades can be used with a table build up. If your blade runs in a sump you would need to keep water over the bottom rim surface of blade. If you strictly want to trim slabs and rock to 3/4" you can't beat the MK145 tile saw at $110 with a $43 4" lapidary blade and a 4.5" tile blade. Probably any 4" tile saw with 5/8" arbor would work as well.
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Sept 26, 2011 0:30:46 GMT -5
Well, that answers the question. I am either going to have to consider an 8" blade without modification if possible or modify the saw and go 10" to get the thinness that I need.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 26, 2011 14:51:24 GMT -5
The thinnest sintered 8" blade is .025" and .032" for 10 inch. 4" and 6" you can get in .014" and .020". You may find plated blades thinner. Your opals must be larger than most if you need a 10" saw to cut them.
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Sept 26, 2011 17:57:33 GMT -5
No, I am just trying to solve a problem with my tile saw. I want to use a thinner blade so that I won't waste as much material yet cut larger pieces of rough. The price of a slab saw at this point is prohibitive and wanting to cut Opals is new for me. I also want to start cutting Fire Agate as well. Now I am trying to decide whether I need a small trim saw for slabs and Opals or if I can keep using my tile saw. Or if modifying it is really an option. It seems that I am expecting too much from my tile saw.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 26, 2011 18:38:20 GMT -5
Bob, you will find yourself surrounded by saws within a few years if you are like most people. The cheap tile saw has it's place (chunking rock down, chopping matrix from fire agate, etc.) but if you start trimming really valuable rock you really need a good trim saw with a thin blade. Then you will need an 8"-10" trim/slab saw. Then you will wish you had a big (18" or bigger) saw. Then a 14" will seem perfect for all those rocks that are mid size. It is a progressive disease.
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Sept 26, 2011 19:32:52 GMT -5
Bob, you will find yourself surrounded by saws within a few years if you are like most people. The cheap tile saw has it's place (chunking rock down, chopping matrix from fire agate, etc.) but if you start trimming really valuable rock you really need a good trim saw with a thin blade. Then you will need an 8"-10" trim/slab saw. Then you will wish you had a big (18" or bigger) saw. Then a 14" will seem perfect for all those rocks that are mid size. It is a progressive disease. LOL!! Yup getting bit by the rocks disease indeed is progressive. I guess I will decide on modifying my tile saw first and then save up for a small trim saw. I will probably be back to you for a blade in the next couple of weeks.
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