aj
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by aj on Sept 12, 2013 14:57:28 GMT -5
Im looking to buy a BD-7 to cut some small slabs. Most will be under two inches, but Im a bit worried because of two things. 1- motor is not variable speed 2- cut depts. is only 1 3/16th in with a 7" blade. Seems to shallow of a cut. Any help or other reviews would be greatly appreciated. I like this due to the nice vise it comes with, and the fact I will be using water.
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 12, 2013 17:50:09 GMT -5
I love the specs on that saw. Would not mind having one.
But it is for small scale precise slabbing with vise and cross-feed
If you what to push the 2", or even go larger by rolling stone, you want to hand feed on trim (or tile) saw and sacrifice some uniform thickness for greater capability. Also, you can get a used 10" for less dollars.
most saws do not have variable speed motors. some big slab saws have step pulley. Only a few specialty (i.e., thin section) saws have variable speed.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Sept 13, 2013 16:42:15 GMT -5
The 7" is the same design more or less as the 10" BD-10, which I have. It's a good little saw. As you mention, BD sets the shaft low I think, so you can't cut as tall as a rock as you would think you could. You should get a 10" saw for cutting 2" rocks -- rolling is a PITA. Besides, you're going to want to cut bigger rocks once you start cutting the small rocks. ;-) A 10" will take you up to about a 3" tall cut.
As he said above, the single single speed motor is standard - it's either on or it's off, and that works fine.
A good interim solution might be to get a cheap tile saw with a lapidary blade for now, to see if the 7" blade size will work for your needs. A 7" MK tile saw will run you about $80 on Amazon or via JSGems; blade is like $60 or something. The tile saws cut faster anyway, since they have much higher RPMs. Plus they make more noise, which is fun!
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 14, 2013 0:18:30 GMT -5
BD10 is a much better saw. The direct drive on the BD7 puts the arbor way below the saw top, my 4" Tiny Trim saw will cut almost as large a rock, and my 6 inch old Highland park saw will cut considerably larger. 7 inch replacement blades are going to cost more too since they're not a commonly used lapidary blade size. If I was going to buy a direct drive small saw it would be more like this... www.polaristool.com/catalog/item.php?unid=4627&prodpa=0Lee
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aj
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by aj on Sept 14, 2013 8:05:18 GMT -5
THANKS for the info. Yes...my 4" cuts about as high. I really do not care about the direct drive. My main issue is the vice. I NEED A GREAT VICE FOR THIN STRAIGHT CUTS. The BD-7 would have been perfect but no more. I'm debating on just going with a rock rascal and somehow creating a good cross feed vice for it similar. Anyone? ?
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 14, 2013 9:55:17 GMT -5
making a good cross feed is easier said then done. you might make something with a series of notches that ride on the side edge.
if you have 4", it really makes sense to get to 10" with cross-feed vise. look for a used one.
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minerken
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2013
Posts: 466
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Post by minerken on Sept 14, 2013 13:52:51 GMT -5
They make a rock rascal vise that you can cross feed but its a little hoky (sp) www.rocktumblers.com/rock-saws/rock-trim-saws/reentelprofessionalcontinuousrimdiamondblade.cfm, you would have to loosen the wing nuts to advance it might be kind of tricky. Another option is take a couple pictures of what you need and the saw say the rock rascal to a machine shop and ask if they can fabricate one scaled to your machine these guys are genius and it may cost less than you think.
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 14, 2013 15:45:34 GMT -5
Loosen wing nuts and manual advance is not really a cross feed. that vise rides on the table lip. thinking on it more, there is not room to have some additional notches to ride the edge at 1/4" intervals. maybe if there was a larger table. think rock roscal has very little cross-feed potential.
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 14, 2013 16:55:13 GMT -5
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aj
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by aj on Sept 14, 2013 19:59:42 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I will quit trying for the 6 and move to a 10... but will have to wait for an ebay special. They are a bit much for me.
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 15, 2013 15:09:24 GMT -5
AJ, depending on where you live Craigslist may also be a good way to find good lapidary tools. What area are you in?
Lee
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aj
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by aj on Sept 15, 2013 16:50:13 GMT -5
Space Rocks! I've outsourced slicing but now Im getting a bit further into it. Ive decided it would be cheaper to do it myself... as long as I can get a saw with 2-3mm slice precision capabilities. Ive checked craigslist, but nothing around. Ill keep my fingers crossed.
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 15, 2013 18:51:07 GMT -5
do you mean you want 2-3mm thick slices? what tolerance for taper?
I can usually cut 2mm and 3mm on my LS10 slab saw. It has to be a rock that will not fracture, but I have made thin slices for doublets.
LS10 often sell used for $500 or a bit more, but I got mine 6 years ago for $300, and I got another on ebay last year for for $370 shipped.
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aj
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2013
Posts: 5
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Post by aj on Sept 15, 2013 21:02:06 GMT -5
2-3mm would be the normal slice thickness for me.. with 1mm taper max. Ill have to keep my eyes open. That's a good price. If something doesn't pop up, I may have to bite the bullet and get new.
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 15, 2013 21:14:51 GMT -5
no new LS10. you can get a new basic slab/trim with gravity feed for $800'ish, but I am too cheap to buy new.
there is a covington 10" kit, where you make your own tank. it is only $175, but the cross-feed gravity feed vise carriage is another $143. still you could be in business for about $250 w/ a good blade. I think a wood tank, maybe with tin lining or something works OL - just not pretty. Some folks use old ammo box for tank.
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