cwdiver
having dreams about rocks
Work is just Surface Interval
Member since October 2015
Posts: 57
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Post by cwdiver on Nov 1, 2015 16:57:15 GMT -5
I had a box full of ends and irregular shaped pieces left over from slabs that won't fit in my large vise...
I made this jig to hold flat cut ends or half eggs that wound not hold in saw vice.
Quite adjustable to hold flat cut ends or rounds as long it can get "bite " on piece.
Jig is then held securely in saw vise.
From all the 1/2 cut ends I get more slab pieces per individual rock. This simple jig works well and easy to make..................Thanks for looking........................Gary
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Nov 1, 2015 17:47:28 GMT -5
Nice simple solution to a sometimes tricky sitiation. Well done! I gotta ask, are there pieces missing from your blade or something else. Looks like a continuous rim blade that's not so continuous?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 1, 2015 19:05:35 GMT -5
That looks good. I'll have to make one of those. Thanks for the good pictures.
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Nov 1, 2015 19:08:23 GMT -5
Actually, a much simpler solution is to Gorilla Glue the flat face of the slab to a block of wood. I usually use a 4x4 or larger block, and glue a rock to each side. Make sure the face of the rock is clean (I wipe it off with lacquer thinner) and the block of wood has no dust on it. Use ample amounts of glue, and let it set overnight. Put a strip of tape over the rock and down the sides of the block of wood as, unrestrained, the rock moves on the block.
The advantages to this system are 1) done properly, there is zero chance of the rock detaching and 2) you can cut right down to the face of the wood, wasting no rock. Discard block after use, as the oil-soaked wood might not provide a dry enough surface to glue to again.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 1, 2015 19:17:44 GMT -5
X2 mikeinsjc. No waste when gluing to wood blocks and after 3 years not one failure. Thanks for sharing your project cwdiver. There is an identical twin posted here somewhere that is made from blocks of UHMW (urethane plastic). The only real advantage I see would be that you can cut right away vs waiting for glue to dry but I am never really in a rush to cut. I still want to make one just for the sport of it though. Chuck
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 1, 2015 19:27:51 GMT -5
I use wood glue to glue my half rocks to a block of wood. I find it difficult to remove it though. I soak the rock and wood in water for days, but many times, it still doesn't want to release. Is there a better way to remove the rock from the wood after cutting?
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Post by parfive on Nov 1, 2015 21:39:55 GMT -5
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Post by woodman on Nov 1, 2015 22:25:15 GMT -5
I use wood glue to glue my half rocks to a block of wood. I find it difficult to remove it though. I soak the rock and wood in water for days, but many times, it still doesn't want to release. Is there a better way to remove the rock from the wood after cutting? I clean a rock I have just cut that is still in the saw, Use superglue to glue a piece of cardboard to it and then glue the end piece you want to cut to the cardboard. Never had one fail. corrugated cardboard and use a hand saw to remove. Heat breaks the bond also.
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Post by broseph82 on Nov 1, 2015 23:15:52 GMT -5
I use wood glue to glue my half rocks to a block of wood. I find it difficult to remove it though. I soak the rock and wood in water for days, but many times, it still doesn't want to release. Is there a better way to remove the rock from the wood after cutting? I throw mine in a 5 gal bucket of water (usually my water exiting a machine that I don't use much). Check every couple days. Releases every time. I think with the pull of rock/slab face down may help with "pulling off". Just a thought. Don't know if it's true. Don't hold me to it. Night night
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Post by vegasjames on Nov 2, 2015 1:43:08 GMT -5
Great job, thanks for sharing.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 2, 2015 5:56:19 GMT -5
Yep that's the one. That post was 8 yrs ago. Any comments on how your slab grabber has performed? Chuck
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 2, 2015 6:07:08 GMT -5
I use wood glue to glue my half rocks to a block of wood. I find it difficult to remove it though. I soak the rock and wood in water for days, but many times, it still doesn't want to release. Is there a better way to remove the rock from the wood after cutting? For the most part I never really worry about the very last slab attached to the wood. That piece is hardly ever an even thickness slab anyway. I do soak them in water and most do fall off after a week but even those that do fall off usually get broken up for tumbler food. My usage is a little different though. I am usually clamping a 7" to 10" inch long rock in the saw with about half still in the clamp so I am cutting 8-10 slabs then the piece I glue to the wood is still 3 to 5 inches thick so I am getting a bunch more slabs when I cut that so I am never worried about the one marginal slab at the end. If I were cutting nodules that only yielded 4 or 5 slabs total then I think a slab grabber like this would really come in handy. Plus like I mentioned earlier this can be used right away to continue slabbing without waiting for glue. Chuck
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,711
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 2, 2015 9:52:45 GMT -5
Nice work and idea....I just glue my ends to 2x4's and let them cure,than wack away.... I'm never in a hurry when soaking the wood and last piece in water,most aren't worth anything but tumble material(sometimes)... Sometimes,it takes a few weeks to break loose...
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cwdiver
having dreams about rocks
Work is just Surface Interval
Member since October 2015
Posts: 57
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Post by cwdiver on Nov 2, 2015 20:19:24 GMT -5
Nice simple solution to a sometimes tricky sitiation. Well done! I gotta ask, are there pieces missing from your blade or something else. Looks like a continuous rim blade that's not so continuous? No pieces missing from blade . Blade is a " notched " 14" , small notches - 8 - of them evenly spaced , cuts very nicely..Gary
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 20:38:16 GMT -5
Am I seeing things or did that vise get stabbed a little?nice slab grabber.liking the use of wood Dave
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Post by parfive on Nov 2, 2015 22:49:55 GMT -5
Chuck – Still works like a charm . . . original blocks AND screws.
I think I had one rock come loose in all that time, with no harm done.
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cwdiver
having dreams about rocks
Work is just Surface Interval
Member since October 2015
Posts: 57
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Post by cwdiver on Nov 3, 2015 1:38:02 GMT -5
Am I seeing things or did that vise get stabbed a little?nice slab grabber.liking the use of wood Dave Hi Dave I have had this saw only about 10 months , probably 40 yrs. old, bought it used . I think it had a 16" blade before and definitely had a run in with the vise.................... Thanks ......Gary
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