qroger
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 9 
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Post by qroger on Feb 12, 2018 12:42:33 GMT -5
I have a 14" Corecut block saw. The only hold down features are a fence, gravity, and my stubby fingers. This of course works if you are cutting 8" block. I want to cut a fractured, 8" x 8" x 8' rock that is very silicified. So it is Hard and it is fragile. What I have done, is build a box, 8" x 9' x 9". I plan to put the rock in the box, then pour "something" in the open space, so I will wind up with an 8" x 8"x 9" block of "something", with a rock in the middle, I hope reinforced, and converted to something with square corners and parallel sides. I hope I can run the thing through the saw, cutting about 5" deep, then flop it over, line it up, and run it through again. Without eating it. I don't think I will be able to saw cabbing sort of slabs, this way. I just want a 2 or 3" slab with a nice, flat, easy to polish surface. My question is: Any thoughts on the "something" to fill in the space with? I am thinking plaster of paris, but cutting the rock will create vibration, and if the bond between the rock and the plaster separates, Bad Things may happen. My other thought is concrete based stucco mix. The rock in the attached photo is similar to the rock I want to cut, but smaller. Attachments:
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Post by woodman on Feb 12, 2018 12:50:34 GMT -5
plaster of paris,
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Feb 12, 2018 13:05:03 GMT -5
Does plaster of Paris dissolve in water?
I'm assuming you're cutting with water, right?
Or is cutting quick enough for that not to be a problem?
Lynn
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Post by woodman on Feb 12, 2018 13:20:36 GMT -5
Does plaster of Paris dissolve in water? I'm assuming you're cutting with water, right? Or is cutting quick enough for that not to be a problem? Lynn I got some chunks outside that have been sitting in the rain for 5 years or more. |
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Post by Lapidaryrough / Jack Cole on Feb 12, 2018 13:33:30 GMT -5
Some people confuse FIX-ALL with plaster of Paris.
my favorite is CASTING plaster, used to fire seal metal doors to brick casing.
If the plaster needs help. Use Muriatic Acid 3-1 mix.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 12, 2018 14:09:18 GMT -5
I think the plaster would work. Old rock books used that method for slicing bunches of small rocks. A tip I learned cutting with my MK101 10" tile saw is to place rocks on styrofoam packing (the flat sheets). They don't rock or move when cutting by hand.
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Post by captbob on Feb 12, 2018 14:18:48 GMT -5
thinkin' ... I have NEVER tried this, so just an idea at this point. Wondering if that spray stuff used to fill gaps & cracks would work. This stuff -  Might be a b*t¢h to get off the rock though. ETA: unless there is something that dissolves it - like acetone or mineral spirits. dunno ... |
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Post by grumpybill on Feb 12, 2018 14:42:39 GMT -5
A tip I learned cutting with my MK101 10" tile saw is to place rocks on styrofoam packing (the flat sheets). They don't rock or move when cutting by hand. Thanks. I'm gonna try that when the weather warms up! |
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qroger
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 9
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Post by qroger on Feb 12, 2018 17:24:41 GMT -5
captbob Great Stuff comes in high expansion, and stiff. The Stiff one will squish the sides of a window frame in so a double hung window won't go up and down. woodman Plaster of Paris cures rather than dries, so it should stand up to water. I think I'm going with stucco mix and then scaling back for future rocks. This one just has too many cracks. Of course the bag of stucco mix weighs 60 lbs, so we'll see. Thanks all!
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,989
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Post by Tommy on Feb 13, 2018 11:10:46 GMT -5
I've used sand-less tile grout with good success. It errs on the side of instability - ie: doesn't stick to the rocks, easily cracks off when your done - but the cylinders I formed stayed together in the vice pretty good.
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qroger
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 9
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Post by qroger on Feb 13, 2018 17:18:15 GMT -5
Tommy I thought about that. Right now the outside temperature is 49, and the stucco/mortar mix is sloooooowly curing.I hope tomorrow it is cured and I can put this all to the test. I put the rock in a trash bag so the mortar would not stick to the rock. I thought about cylinders as well. They should roll against the fence on the brick saw for oversize cutting. If I wasn't so greedy, I'd just pick up smaller rocks. roger
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qroger
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 9
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Post by qroger on Feb 13, 2018 17:23:02 GMT -5
Lapidaryrough / Jack Cole This "FIX-ALL", is it heat resistant, like in the range of barbecue fire boxs or maybe aluminum melting furnaces? Thanks, roger
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qroger
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2018
Posts: 9
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Post by qroger on Feb 13, 2018 17:30:41 GMT -5
Tommy Hay Chihuahua! Don't use mortar for what I'm asking it to do. Tomorrow, I will find out if I got away with it or not. (read the internet fact sheet first, not last). roger
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Post by Lapidaryrough / Jack Cole on Feb 13, 2018 20:09:51 GMT -5
Lapidaryrough / Jack Cole This "FIX-ALL", is it heat resistant, like in the range of barbecue fire boxs or maybe aluminum melting furnaces? Thanks, roger No Fix-All is for wall, floors. As for sanding forget it. Fire place brick mortar. high silica is best in good sand mortars. |
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Post by Lapidaryrough / Jack Cole on Feb 13, 2018 20:19:02 GMT -5
Graet advise about how to block a round to cut center. with plaster or any mud that well hold up to a vise pressing on it. should run saw low feed speed.
As you pour the mud in casting box at point of center of cut, Drop wood tooth picks, to the edge of form. so you can line blade cut up.
I use Wax paper milk cartons or any Sq. box coated in cooking oil.
This is the only way to cut center on any type of fossil.
Jack.
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