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Post by grumpybill on Nov 21, 2018 7:46:54 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 21, 2018 8:39:20 GMT -5
No, but I use the Ameritool inside at my kitchen table. It's clean and quiet with not much mess.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 21, 2018 8:52:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the wonderful world of lapidary saws! Over the years we've collected seven, from 4" to 18".
In my opinion, you might want to consider a 6". Anything with housings or parts above the level of the saw table is inconvenient, and the direct drive motor on the Hi-Tech isn't my favorite option.
We recently got a Rock Rascal 6" saw back from a friend who'd been using it, and it works well. The table is small, but a piece of plastic cutting board laid into the table will let you cut up large slabs. Here's a link: www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=94066&catID=1036
My favorite is an old Raytech 6" we bought used. It has a larger table.
Whatever you get, just make sure the arbor is below the saw table so you can use the entire depth of the blade. |
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Post by grumpybill on Nov 21, 2018 8:55:34 GMT -5
Thanks, rockjunquie. I'd be working in my basement, so if the Hi-Tech makes a little more noise and mess it wouldn't be a problem. My main concern is if the lower price means lower overall quality and/or a LOT more mess. |
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Post by grumpybill on Nov 21, 2018 9:13:04 GMT -5
In my opinion, you might want to consider a 6". Anything with housings or parts above the level of the saw table is inconvenient, and the direct drive motor on the Hi-Tech isn't my favorite option. Thanks, hummingbirdstones2. Most of my stockpiled slabs are small. 3-4 inches at most on the longest side. Is that too big for 4" saws I'm considering? I'm just playing around with this as a hobby...and in addition I'm a cheap-assed SOB. (My wife's pet name for me.) So I'm looking for the cheapest solution without ending up with something unusable. |
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Post by adam on Nov 21, 2018 9:31:05 GMT -5
In my opinion, you might want to consider a 6". Anything with housings or parts above the level of the saw table is inconvenient, and the direct drive motor on the Hi-Tech isn't my favorite option. Thanks, hummingbirdstones2 . Most of my stockpiled slabs are small. 3-4 inches at most on the longest side. Is that too big for 4" saws I'm considering? I'm just playing around with this as a hobby...and in addition I'm a cheap-assed SOB. (My wife's pet name for me.) So I'm looking for the cheapest solution without ending up with something unusable. heh. I don't even have a trim saw, yet, due to the fact buying a trim saw is like paying on 5 different bills or more at once. Yet, some members on RTH have 5, 6, or more saws at their disposal. It gets old, having to send rocks to someone just to have them rocks cut into slabs. Yet, buying a trim saw would be a massive chore and to keep that saw in good condition would be strenuous. Heck, I don't even have room for a saw. Sucks. |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 21, 2018 9:44:11 GMT -5
I have the Ameritool saw and it works great for the smaller slabs and rough that I cut. I use 5” blades. When cleaning, I used to pick up the saw and dump it out but I got tired of that exercise. So I cut up a sponge to about 4” long by just a bit wider than the trough. When finished sawing it takes only a few uses of the sponge to clean it out including small pieces of waste.
One thing I've wondered about is whether the vise attachment is useful. I looks so small to me as to be impractical, but I don't know.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 21, 2018 10:20:42 GMT -5
I have the Ameritool saw and it works great for the smaller slabs and rough that I cut. I use 5” blades. When cleaning, I used to pick up the saw and dump it out but I got tired of that exercise. So I cut up a sponge to about 4” long by just a bit wider than the trough. When finished sawing it takes only a few uses of the sponge to clean it out including small pieces of waste. One thing I've wondered about is whether the vise attachment is useful. I looks so small to me as to be impractical, but I don't know. I use the 5" blade, too. I got the vise but have not used it. |
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Post by grumpybill on Nov 21, 2018 11:13:37 GMT -5
I'd strictly be trimming, so I doubt I'd ever use a vise on a little trim saw. Hell, I don't even use a vise on my 10" tile saw. Just a DIY fence made from an angle brace and a C-clamp.
Yeah, I'll probably use a 5" blade if I get one of these...if for no other reason than not needing to top of the water tank as often.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Nov 21, 2018 11:26:24 GMT -5
Bill.......
I've been using a MK 170 - 7" table top.......:
forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/82246/mk-170-wet-cutting-trim
It has been a work horse on rough 4" to 5" tall...!
Pro's....:
Blades of several varieties are available many places. Blades are easy to install and remove. Depending on the blade type, it cuts through everything I've thrown at it evenly and without much effort. It's easy to store, clean and portable. The recirculating water system works great. The motor and switches are very water proof. The splash guard and blade hood are designed well. Very little "over" spray. For the money, it's been a great saw.
Con's....:
It's noisy since it's not a brushless motor and brushes can be accessed and replaced easily. The cutting guide is cumbersome to use. I seldom use it.
The cutting table is a hard molded plastic composite and is not smooth. It has dimples and will wear over time. I've formed a thin piece of stainless sheet metal to cover the plastic........now the rocks glide through the blade much smoother and predictably.
The water pan the table sits in is small and will need to be dumped frequently. I do not recycle from it. I run the pump in a separate clean water bucket and have modified the pan with a drain plug and hose which pours into another separate bucket.
Other than that, I have not found any other negatives........Just a thought.
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Post by grumpybill on Nov 21, 2018 12:48:46 GMT -5
Bill....... I've been using a MK 170 - 7" table top... The splash guard and blade hood are designed well. Very little "over" spray... Would it be suitable for indoor use? Any tile saw I've ever owned or used threw water all over the place. |
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Nov 21, 2018 13:41:49 GMT -5
Bill.......Aside from the buckets adding to the clutter, I use the saw exclusively in the garage/shop. You'll need to put a towel under the device, I sit at a table the height of about 28" and place a towel on my legs (lap) while cutting. Unless you're cutting for more than a couple of hours at a time, you'll get a little damp but that's about it..........probably wouldn't use it in the kitchen or dining room......there's still gonna be a little mess.... and like I said, it's noisy.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 21, 2018 19:34:29 GMT -5
Hiya' Bill.
Kingsley had that Rock Rascal for the same price as these others.
It's a small unit, not as big as it looks in photos. The table is 10-1/4" deep, 7-1/4" wide - inside dimensions. The blade is about 3/4" off-center. That leaves me about 4-1/4" table space on the left side of the blade.
Trust me, even if you're a hobby cutter you'll appreciate the design. Also good is that if you ever quit cutting, or want to upgrade, you'll be able to sell it easier. A friend who's a professional lapidary had a Hi-Tech for sale at our show last year and couldn't get $150 out of it. |
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Post by grumpybill on Nov 21, 2018 21:02:29 GMT -5
Hiya' Bill.
Kingsley had that Rock Rascal for the same price as these others.
It's a small unit, not as big as it looks in photos. The table is 10-1/4" deep, 7-1/4" wide - inside dimensions. The blade is about 3/4" off-center. That leaves me about 4-1/4" table space on the left side of the blade.
Trust me, even if you're a hobby cutter you'll appreciate the design. Also good is that if you ever quit cutting, or want to upgrade, you'll be able to sell it easier. A friend who's a professional lapidary had a Hi-Tech for sale at our show last year and couldn't get $150 out of it. Thanks. Now that I've done some research, I'm leaning heavily toward that critter! |
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Post by Pat on Nov 21, 2018 21:34:21 GMT -5
I have the smaller variable speed Ameritool saw. I like it. I know nothing about motors or blades. However, besides turning it on, up, and off, I can change the blade.
I also use sponges to clean it when done.
Re the vise, I haven’t used it yet, but figure it will be handy in cutting slices for intarsia.
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 22, 2018 13:21:07 GMT -5
Ameritool is ok, Hi Tech is not.
Got one years ago and had to turn the speed all the way up and cut very slowly to not stall it.
I really prefer belt driven saws, but we have a tiny trim direct drive saw for little precise stuff, it works well. Kingsley has it as the lil trimmer nowadays and it's fairly reasonable, but not a good choice if you're needing to cut up larger slabs for your preforms, I use my ancient made in the late 40's HP 6" saw for that.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 22, 2018 21:58:26 GMT -5
Glad you mentioned that "Li'l Trimmer" saw. The arbor is under the table, where it should be! That's a great saw for small jobs. It is a step up from our "Tiny Trim Saw". Robin got it for facet rough and opal. But, Crikey - "Li'l Trimmer" costs more than a Rock Rascal.
Like you, I prefer belt-driven saws, and the 6" blade option. Can get 6" blades in just about any thickness you might want.
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Post by grumpybill on Nov 23, 2018 23:11:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses and advice, everyone.
Ordered a Rock Rascal this evening.
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petoskeycheryl
starting to shine!
Can't wait for spring in Michigan.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 25
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Post by petoskeycheryl on Mar 15, 2021 22:22:28 GMT -5
wondering how you like your Rock rascal now that you have had it for a while. I also am looking at the Hi Tech trim saw. the 4-5 inch.
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petoskeycheryl
starting to shine!
Can't wait for spring in Michigan.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 25
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Post by petoskeycheryl on Mar 17, 2021 18:09:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses and advice, everyone. Ordered a Rock Rascal this evening. how do you like your Rock Rascal saw? |
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