charodon
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2016
Posts: 4 
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Post by charodon on Jul 14, 2016 11:53:06 GMT -5
Hi Guys,
I was wondering if you could help me make up my mind, I was browsing for a trim saw (have never owned one) in AMAZON, various vendors and HOME DEPOT and came across many many brands and models anywhere from $100 to $500, brands like MK diamond, QEP, Ryoby, SKIL, Fusion, Rigid, and I just became lost.
I intend to "dice" squares and rectangles from marble "rules" about 2x10 inches and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches thick, in other words more or less "tile" size pieces a bit thicker and come out with lots of small squares or rectangles.
What brand should I consider my friends?
Thanks very much.
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jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
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Post by jerrys on Jul 14, 2016 12:50:44 GMT -5
Be aware that the tile saw blades are engineered for softer materials such as granite, ceramics, tiles, marble, etc. They are not very good for the harder agates or jaspers. You will want a lapidary blade. Home Depot, Lowes, and rental companies rent tile saws. Try several and see which style you like.
I only use a tile saw for cutting down the matrix on trilobite plates, fossil fish plates, etc. The speed, accuracy, and ease of a rock saw exceeds a tile saw.
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charodon
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2016
Posts: 4
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Post by charodon on Jul 14, 2016 16:54:20 GMT -5
Thanks guys,
Going with lapidary equipment then, I am leaning towards an INLAND 10670 trim saw with a few accesories:
- Flat Lap Conversion kit, and now I also have a lapping machine
- Flex shaft accesory and now I have a drill
- Shaper / Grinder conversion kit and now I have a grinder and buffer
- Add disks, drills, dressing stone, lubricant, cooling liquid a splash guard an a few other items, total $625 (a bit over my $500 budget), but I get to have 4 machines in one using the single bench spave.
Anybody have any reason why I SHOULDN'T buy this?
Thanks,
Pablo
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charodon
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2016
Posts: 4
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Post by charodon on Jul 14, 2016 16:56:16 GMT -5
jerrys, I can't rent because I live in Colombia and we do not have Home Depot or Lowes, but nice try and thanks
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 14, 2016 20:44:45 GMT -5
Inland has a bad reputation for not being very durable. The swap top also doesn't have enough power. If you want a single machine that can perform multiple tasks get a Graves Cabmate. page 4 of catalog. www.gravescompany.com/webcat.pdfI have one that I use regularly, nice machine. |
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Post by manofglass on Jul 14, 2016 20:53:35 GMT -5
I wish you luck with the inland tools
In the past inland would not stand behind
What they sold new tools would not run
Out of the box brand new I won't buy inland
Tools because of that when you get your
Saw if it don't run send it back
Walt
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charodon
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2016
Posts: 4
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Post by charodon on Jul 15, 2016 10:13:45 GMT -5
Thanks guys
Really helpful
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 15, 2016 11:02:39 GMT -5
Inland saw won't cut anywhere near 1 1/2". You would need at least a 7" tile saw (if you want a tile saw). 10" tile saws will have more power and cut up to 4". As mentioned a lapidary blade or porcelain tile blade would be needed so make sure saw has standard 5/8" arbor and check arbor speed. Some tile saws are really fast.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 15, 2016 12:03:26 GMT -5
If it weren't for the arbor speed I would recommend tile saws, but the speed will shorten the life of your blades. When purchasing internationally that can add up to a lot of Columbian Pesos.
You should seriously look into the Graves machine. If you are handy building things and motors are readily available there you can get the basic unit and mount it on a base to suit your use. This thread has reminded me, I will be ordering a carving chuck from them today to add another function to it.
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minerken
Cave Dweller 
Member since August 2013
Posts: 466
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Post by minerken on Jul 15, 2016 12:58:40 GMT -5
I intend to "dice" squares and rectangles from marble "rules" about 2x10 inches and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches thick, in other words more or less "tile" size pieces a bit thicker and come out with lots of small squares or rectangles. Read more: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/75542/new-trim-wet#ixzz4EV5E6pLtif this is the only thing or majority of what you will be doing any cheap tile saw should work fine,if as you say 1/2 to 1-1/2" thick a 6" saw will be fine.Since Marble is basically Dolomite or Calcite you could even use a wood chop saw( with a cheap diamond blade) but wear a dust mask and have a spray bottle of water. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 15, 2016 13:23:13 GMT -5
I intend to "dice" squares and rectangles from marble "rules" about 2x10 inches and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches thick, in other words more or less "tile" size pieces a bit thicker and come out with lots of small squares or rectangles. Read more: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/75542/new-trim-wet#ixzz4EV5E6pLtif this is the only thing or majority of what you will be doing any cheap tile saw should work fine,if as you say 1/2 to 1-1/2" thick a 6" saw will be fine.Since Marble is basically Dolomite or Calcite you could even use a wood chop saw( with a cheap diamond blade) but wear a dust mask and have a spray bottle of water. My sphere guy does stone counters and floors as a business. He uses his big expensive business saw to turn the cube into a preform shape and gets it done in minutes, amazing to watch. Of course, since his blades were purchased for a counter job he can tear right through them and not worry about blade life. |
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barclay
has rocks in the head
Lowly Padawan of rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 510
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Post by barclay on Jul 16, 2016 16:13:09 GMT -5
i agree with the others, Inland Lapidary equipment is junk. i got the swap top to replace my old Hi Tech and had to replace the motor 3 times before i gave up. Hi Tech Diamond saws are a bit more expensive than Inland Lapidary, but their motors are well away from the water so they last longer.
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Post by Pat on Jul 16, 2016 20:33:31 GMT -5
Yes, being able to lift the blade would be a big plus. I have three tile saws: 4", 7", 10". Except for that lack of capability, I like them.
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