basalt
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2013
Posts: 9
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Post by basalt on Aug 22, 2014 17:07:27 GMT -5
I have a 7 in tile saw that I now use. I have the opportunity to buy a slightly used Lortone 6 in trim saw package complete with vise and hood for $300.00 Will this allow me more control over my cutting for school samples? Comments please and thanks to all responding.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Aug 23, 2014 2:00:40 GMT -5
When you mention "school samples" could you be more specific. Are you wanting to cut slabs for a lapidary class or thin sections for a geology class? $300 for a used Lortone 6" trim saw seems a little high to me. The only used 6" saw I can see bringing that much is the now out of production Raytech 6" trim/slab saw that had a powerfeed system on it for slabbing. It's an identical design but smaller version of their 10" slab saw. Let us know more specifically what you are cutting and we will better be able to help. Larry C.
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Post by Peruano on Aug 23, 2014 8:02:59 GMT -5
The couple of trim saws (6 and 7") that I have had contact had vices that were dubious and not of that much value to me personally. One was a Rock Rascal and you had to work hard to keep it in a straight line, even tho the vice was the official RR accessory. My other is a 7" Mercury (Edmonton, Canadian mfr) and while the sled and vice are more substantial you still have a lack of rigid control and have to preserve alignment by hand. The vice and guide is bolted on so it does get in my way and need time to remove when not desired, but it also does not flip up like so many (tending to cause stone to ride up as well). I've found a small slabette, or stone glued to a rectangular wooded stub and slid along the saw top allows me to hold a stone securely and maintain perpendicular edges when fed through the trim saw analagous to a vice. So, . . . while I'm open to how people use vices on trim saws to make straight cuts or to slab out small stones, I'm at present still not convinced that you can't improvise around the lack of one if the saw you have does not have one. So many of those vices tend to ride up with any resistance or when cutting lags at all -- thus binding is more likely than with a hand feed with instant compensation of speed, pressure and direction. Nothing beats the human mind and hand. BTW My 7" saw is so much handier than the smaller 6", --- I sold the latter. Tom I've always heard that 7's are standard for Canada and 6's were more standard for the US. Is that just a nationalistic rumor (rumour)? tom
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Post by roy on Aug 23, 2014 9:10:10 GMT -5
save your money for a slab saw the tile saw works just as good in my opinion
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 23, 2014 10:30:59 GMT -5
I would agree with Roy, if you want smoother surfaces on cuts get a lap or a belt sander. The vices on little saws like that are only good for guiding cuts as the rock is pushed through by hand.
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 23, 2014 18:36:59 GMT -5
You probably don't have a Genie, but if you do I highly recommend the trim saw attachment which you can get on ebay for a little under $300. It cuts very smoothly and has an 8" .032 blade. I've had mine for 12 years. I use it for trimming and slabbing small rough. I'm going to add an adjustable fence to the saw table so I can slab more evenly and thin thicker slabs.
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basalt
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2013
Posts: 9
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Post by basalt on Aug 24, 2014 14:37:07 GMT -5
Thanks to all. I will follow your cumulative advice and take a pass on the 6 in saw. I promise to save my pennies(000) for a bigger saw with a good vice/power feed. Without starting a ford vs chevy debate, does anyone have a preference to suggest- up to 10 in. blade?
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Aug 24, 2014 15:16:27 GMT -5
Thanks to all. I will follow your cumulative advice and take a pass on the 6 in saw. I promise to save my pennies(000) for a bigger saw with a good vice/power feed. Without starting a ford vs chevy debate, does anyone have a preference to suggest- up to 10 in. blade? If you are looking for a combination trim & slab saw I would suggest one of the following three: The least expensive would be the "Rocks 10" slab/trim saw by Polaris which is a very well built machine. It is a gravity fed machine and has one of the best designed vises of any of the 10" saws. Also the whole table tracks towards the blade which is a good feature to have when trimming slabs. www.polaristool.com/catalog/item.php?unid=4616&prodpa=0If you prefer a new saw with a power feed the Raytech Deluxe 10" saw is a good one that has a removeable coolant sump for easy cleaning. www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=87940Or the Diamond Pacific TC-10 is also a good power feed saw with a good depth of cut. www.inlandlapidary.com/singleproduct.asp?search=Diamond+Pacific&partnum=DPTC10 However if are going to use your 10" saw for slabbing only, then a Lortone LS10 is hard to beat. They are out of production now but good used ones are still out there and usually sell in the $450 - $600 range. Larry C.
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