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Post by doneall517 on May 13, 2013 20:38:59 GMT -5
Have a newbie question on cutting obsidian. Are there any special tricks to cutting it? Slab saw, trim saw or both okay to use and does is muck up the cutting oil? I have not cut any yet and was interested in hearing what others had to say about cutting it. Thanks Mike
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Post by deb193redux on May 13, 2013 21:05:45 GMT -5
it will usually glaze a bit when cut. broken faces will have more shine. but you can polish the cut/ground surface back to shine.
varieties do vary, some are more chippy. a good blade will prevent chipping.
be very careful of shards. they are sharp. eye protection important.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 13, 2013 21:15:18 GMT -5
After handling the fresh cut slabs, wash your hands very carefully and have magnification and tweezers ready to remove small slivers from your hands. I don't care how good your blade is, you will get lots of tiny needles from obsidian.
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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 May 13, 2013 22:10:16 GMT -5
Obsidian is good for the blade as it will expose new diamond after each cut... I always have a couple small pieces on hand next to my trim saw to freshen up the diamonds on the blade after a lot of cutting other types of stone/rock. After you cut a slab hold it up to the light and see if you can see patterns/ribbons in it... Those are the ones that make some awesome cabs & Tumbles!!
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Post by doneall517 on May 13, 2013 22:55:27 GMT -5
another thought comes to mind. better to use a slab saw or a trim saw? also, does it muck up the oil like some other stones. One last question for now..how they heck does one know which direction to cut the stone in...sorry for the rookie questions... Mike
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blackout5783
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 248
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Post by blackout5783 on May 14, 2013 0:57:07 GMT -5
In my limited experience, it actually cuts cleaner than a lot of other rocks. In reality, you're cutting glass. It just happens to be naturally occurring. +1 on the eye and hand protection. Obsidian shards can be as sharp as a surgical scalpel, and if I remember correctly they are actually used for that on occasion. Steel blades can't hold a candle to it. In terms of cutting direction, that depends on the type of obsidian. Solid black, snowflake, and mahogany don't really have any one direction better than the other. Sheen and rainbow should be cut parallel to the banding with fingers crossed that you catch the band right. Or at least I have to cross my fingers and pray to the rock gods to get anything good in that case.
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Post by Bikerrandy on May 14, 2013 15:35:10 GMT -5
Not only does it cut clean, but it also keeps your blade cutting great as well. Sometimes when my blades starts to slow down (cutting agates and such), I'll slab up a chunk of obsidian and the blade will cut like new again!
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Post by doneall517 on May 14, 2013 23:24:25 GMT -5
Thanks for helping a rookie! Means a lot. Mike
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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 Jun 30, 2013 11:15:09 GMT -5
also, when cutting a rainbow or other type of sheen or lace Obsidian, make a facing cut, the check it for color/lace and if it's not there, turn & cut it again and each time check the cut piece for color. I am not aware of any tried & true method that guarantees and good cut the first time,, every time!!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 30, 2013 11:23:43 GMT -5
With rainbow obsidian, I cut about 7 degrees from parallel to the bands.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 30, 2013 11:24:55 GMT -5
Also, you can increase the angle to get tighter bands, but too much and you'll loose the flash.
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Post by sheltie on Jun 30, 2013 15:32:22 GMT -5
another thought comes to mind. better to use a slab saw or a trim saw? also, does it muck up the oil like some other stones. One last question for now..how they heck does one know which direction to cut the stone in...sorry for the rookie questions... Mike It depends on the size of the rough as to which saw to use. If too big for the trim saw, use a slab saw. EVERY piece of rough contributes to the mess of the saw. After a short period of time you will have chocolate pudding. As to your last question, I'll let others who work with obsidian more than I (I just use it to freshen up my blade) respond.
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