bruceb
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2013
Posts: 20
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Post by bruceb on Aug 10, 2013 16:20:17 GMT -5
I have been playing with my ultra-vibe and took a few large cheaper slabs and did a little smacking with a hammer to get pieces that I could tumble to make some free form cabs with. I was sitting here watching golf wondering if anyone has ever tried to use a good glass cutter, like for window glass, on hard material slabs to get them to snap where you want them to? I have a 8 inch trim saw and I guess I just cant stand the wait of hand feeding the slabs. Im thinking score the slab and maybe use a vise to snap along the line or tap the back side. I can grind it more even if I have to. If Im way out of the ball park, how do you guys get your free forms made? Thanks for looking, Bruce
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 10, 2013 16:53:38 GMT -5
There was actually a company years ago that sold a slab breaking kit in the gem magazines. It came with a glass cutter type tool, a special set of slab breaking pliers and a set of nipping pliers. I bought the set and it works pretty well on obsidian and picture jasper type materials that are more granular than fibrous. Don't work worth doodly on most agate or jasper and especially on cabbing thickness agate slabs 3/16 inch or better in thickness. Those either do not break, at least with my hand strength, or break unevenly. Best bet for the purpose you want is a good cheap tile saw which will give you much better control and turn out a pile of preforms from slabs real quick.....Mel
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Post by deb193redux on Aug 10, 2013 17:19:54 GMT -5
if your trim saw is too slow, then you need a better blade and a faster pulley ratio. I can't imagine anyone with a saw breaking slabs.
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Aug 10, 2013 17:56:55 GMT -5
I think the glass cutter idea won't work with most rocks because they are not homogeneous enough to break on a clean line. Obsidian is pretty uniform strength, but most everything else will break uneven.
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bruceb
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2013
Posts: 20
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Post by bruceb on Aug 10, 2013 19:08:08 GMT -5
Thanks all, I guess the trim saw does pretty well. Maybe I should head over to youtube and watch a few in action and decide if the blade is ok. I just ran a sharpening block thru it but who knows. I just keep looking at that 10 pound hopper on my thumblers and I want it filled faster I guess. Thats a lot of material. I have made a living out of art for half of my adult life so I always try to think outside the box, something different. Maybe a little too far out at times but you never know unless you try! Bruce
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