lizmom
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2012
Posts: 17
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Post by lizmom on May 27, 2012 21:04:56 GMT -5
As an avid wire wrapper, I prefer unusual shapes to perfect cabs, which can be more boring to wrap. My interest in cutting and polishing is to cut slabs, grind off any extremely rough edges, then polish them in rotary and vibratory tumblers. I have no interest in polishing on belts.
I can use a club's saws, but it is very difficult for me to get there. Right now, I can't afford a good saw. I can get a 7-inch Skil-brand 4.2 amp tile saw on Amazon for about $60, and maybe another 30 for a blade. After slabbing, I only need to roughly get off burrs using my Dad's old bench grinder before the 60-90 tumble.
I bought some lovely rough from Shawn at Rockshed (quartz and agate) that I am anxious to process. It's worth $100 to me if this little saw will slab it for me. (I have a large retailer who wants to sell my wrapped gemstones, but not if the stones were processed in China.) The pieces could be slabbed on a dimension that is no bigger than 3 inches.
Do you think this little saw would do 10 pounds of rough for me?
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Post by deb193redux on May 27, 2012 22:15:32 GMT -5
You could get an even cheaper saw. The Harbor Freight on goes on sale for $40 fairly often. Spending $30 on a good blade is very smart.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on May 27, 2012 22:54:48 GMT -5
I don't know where you live, but where I live there are always used tile saws for sale on Craigslist. They usually say used once for kitchen, or bathroom remodel. Sounds reasonable -- you can go look at them anyway. I've seen 7" tile saws for $30 or less. Just an idea.
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on May 28, 2012 1:07:32 GMT -5
I have this 7" Skil wet tile saw. Bought it at Lowes. I beat the heck out of it and I'm pleased. I use it to cut down hard jasp-ag rough to fit in my 10" saw's vise and cut grooves so I can hammer/chisel large rocks. Just make sure you stand behind the saw and pull the rock towards you, otherwise you'll get drenched with water.
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