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Post by sheltie on Sept 28, 2012 12:18:30 GMT -5
I am finding that as I come to the end of a piece of rough, I'm wasting about one good slab because I can't "grab" it well enough to stabilize it in the vise. The distance between the blade and the end of the vise is about the width of a good slab. Is this what a slab grabber is for? Is there a way to move the vise closer to the blade than it is or is that a fixed stop and you can't adjust it any closer to the blade?
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 28, 2012 12:56:03 GMT -5
Yes. you need a slab grabber. Several models exist depending on you type of saw, including one that can be made at home, which I posted recently.
You can also glue the rock to a board, but the exact recommendation depends on whether you use water or oil, and whether you often need to change the direction of the cut.
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Sept 29, 2012 8:59:10 GMT -5
Almost all my slabbing is done by gluing the rock to a 2X4. Every bent blade I experienced was caused by the rock moving in my vise, so I try to glue as much as feasible. I'm not saying this is the right thing to do, but it's what I am most comfortable with. And you can cut down to the nub. I use Gorilla Glue because it expands to fill the gaps.I glue to the butt end of the 2X4 so the vise has more to bite. Here is one in the vise and one out Sorry for the blur.You don't have to have a completely flat end to glue either, although it makes it easier. I normally let my rocks cure overnight before cutting, so patience is required. I usually slice the last piece off with my radial arm, but you can use a flat blade screwdriver and hammer to tap off. I am lucky to have plenty of tools and a walk-in basement to cut year round.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 29, 2012 9:18:19 GMT -5
who sells the slab grabber?? and how much?? Also I like the idea of the 2x4... I have tons of scrap pieces in my shed that I could use... just no glue at the moment... time to run to the dollar store.
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