sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119
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Post by sford13 on Feb 18, 2012 21:46:53 GMT -5
Ok went to Home Depot today and bought the 7" 3/4 HP wet tile saw. There were two models for $89 and I bought the one with the expanding table. I tried to do some cutting before it got too cold.
But I am looking for any hint, tricks or tips people could offer. One thing I was wondering was how to tell how fast you should be feeding the rock through. I could definitely tell that some rocks cut alot easier than others.
What are the tricks for cutting off slabs with one of these things?
But what are things that you wish you knew starting out and could share to help a newbie sawer out.
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 18, 2012 22:29:25 GMT -5
I like to cut a flat spot, and then put that down on the table to make smooth sliding easy.
I move the rock just upto the blade, and while holding it with my right hand, I let the tips of my left fingers probe past the edge of the rock. I want to feel the edge of the rock and the side of the turning blade. You can get a pretty good feel for thickness. I also look at the water spray on the top fo the rock to help judge that cut is going to be straight. After the 1st slab, you can eye the thickness and straightness pretty well.
I keep plenty of water trickling to keep the table top clean and the water unclouded. This means working outside or in a wshastub - or both.
for larger rock, I get at least an inch or more of cut, and then I rotate up and back towards me. You lose contact with the table, so get a good cut going first.
if the rock breaks, or the blad throws it back down against the table, just pull your hands away.
get an inexpensive ($12) ground fault protect from homedepot to protect against shock
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 18, 2012 23:02:29 GMT -5
Stand behind the saw and pull the rock toward you! You'll stay drier...
You can tell when you're forcing the rock against the blade. Like any other tool, let the tool do the work. If it's throwing a lot of sparks, you're going too fast.
Chuck
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Post by frane on Feb 20, 2012 21:31:42 GMT -5
I do what chuck does. I stand behind the saw and pull the rock slowly toward me. I say slowly but it is really hard to go as slow as you should. Things that I wish I had known before starting: Wear a plastic bag or apron to keep water and mud off you. Standing behind the saw helps but it is still good to do the following: A full face shield is a good idea. Rock chips fly so fast, even eye protection really will not stop one from nicking your face. A full shield is a little more money but well worth it! Ear plugs are a bonus too! Have a bucket of water next to the saw to just drop slabs into. When you finish your cutting, drain the water and prepare to be surprised at how many you cut! Oh, if you ever see sparks, you are going way too fast. Sometimes when you have to rotate a rock to cut a slab off, it can really be tricky. If you have a block or large flat end dowel to guide the turn by keeping it firmly on the slab side you are cutting, you will have better luck keeping the slab strait. Best thing is to just have fun! Fran
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Feb 20, 2012 23:33:54 GMT -5
Ha Ha I think we all started with a 7" work force and worked or way up to larger saws. I am sure everyone will have tip's on this one. It gets the job done, just don't rush the cutting or you will ruin the blade fast.
I am with Daniel on the gfi to prevent shock. It can happin if you cut a lot and have water everywhere. And with Fran protect your ears and face. I just wear safety glasses. Always were a dust mask. That stuff will catch up to you one day.
Jason
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rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
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Post by rockingthenorth on Feb 21, 2012 16:49:03 GMT -5
Do you use oil in the tile saw or just water. thanks Tammy
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 21, 2012 21:59:07 GMT -5
Just water or water with an additive, Tammy. It throws the water EVERYWHERE, and you don't want that mess using oil.
Nate
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 22, 2012 1:31:15 GMT -5
Good suggestions all. Going to have to use some of those with my new saw. Should say new 'used' saw, but at least the blade is new. Bought one of those big honking saws from a rental outfit, they had three for sale, got mine for a steal! Going to disassemble the saw completely, take it down to a friend's shop and have it blasted back to bare metal then powdercoated all black, then going to mount a rock vice on the sliding tray and mount a gravity weight to allow it to pull the stone into the blade so all I have to do is turn it on and let 'er go! This cost me all of $150!!!!
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Feb 22, 2012 7:57:45 GMT -5
I started adding some of that 20 Mule Team Borax to my water & it really helps a lot. Helps protect the blade from rusting & makes the cutting go smoother. I still drain & clean when I am finished cutting, every time!
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Feb 22, 2012 17:43:10 GMT -5
Chromenut, I have a 10" saw much like yours. On mine I normally use it like a chop saw lowering the blade into the rock clamped to the table. Many times I just hold the rock in my right hand while lowering the blade with my left. No weight is needed as the weight of the saw will be plenty. I find that feeding the rock into the blade with the sliding table is harder to keep the rock from moving under pressure. I also like to drop it down when cutting geodes or other rounded rocks like Brazilians. It is easier to ease the blade into a cutting groove without deflecting the blade if using a thin blade like the .032 MK blades I use for smooth cutting. It is an agate cutting machine for sure! I find myself having to hold it back from cutting too fast.
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Feb 22, 2012 18:07:54 GMT -5
Wow, J, great advice! Thanks for that info, and Donnie, I'm going to have to try that. I was told by one of the local guys here something similar but never understood it. Sounds like a good idea to me.
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