Post by joselito on Aug 26, 2019 22:22:52 GMT -5
Hello all,
I am in the process of making a SMALL setup for my lapidary projects. I have been collecting rocks for a while, and would now like to get to cutting rocks before I reach rock horder status.
I am a complete newbie when it comes to cutting rocks, but this is the equipment I have so far:
Equipment:
8" All-you-need flat lap with discs of various grits, including polishing cloth and paste.
7" Skilsaw tile saw with diamond blade
Dremel (version with electrical plug, not battery), Dremel workstation, flexshaft, some diamond bits and blade.
PPE: Glasses, respirator, apron, some materials to make a DIY dust containment area
Cannot afford a new foredom or trim saw at the moment.
Questions - feel free to answer any or all, I would really appreciate it!
On tile saw: I was told I could use a trim saw blade on my tile saw? Also read about an MK hotdog? being an option? My tile saw arbor is 5/8". Does anybody have a suggestion on a good 7" blade I could use to cut rocks? Links to one would help a lot!
On dremel: it has an electrical plug, therefore I'm apprehensive on using it with water. Does anybody here have any success using one with water? I do have a flex shaft, but even then I feel that maybe water could travel up through it toward the dremel? Maybe I'm just overthinking, but any tips are appreciated.
On PPE: My main concern with lapidary is dust, so in addition to a respirator and water, I plan to make a "box cover" out of plexiglass and put it on top of the flat lap to contain airborne dust. This won't be big, maybe 10"x10"x12" (width, depth, height). I plan to make a similar box cover for the tile saw and Dremel workstation. All these covers will have holes on the sides covered with those dishwasher type of gloves for my hands to go in. I am hoping this will contain most of the airborne stuff. In addition to those covers, I want to make a bigger box cover that will go over everything to block any dust that escapes the smaller covers. This bigger box will have an opening where I will connect a shop vac with a good filter to get the remaining dust. Like I said, dust is my main concern, lol. I plan to have everything on a table in the garage; maybe basement, but also overthinking that because you know, the dust.
Anyway, any tips on this set up? The shop vac I have is a small 1.5 gallon, 2hp vac. Will this shop vac have enough power for this set-up or should I get a bigger one? Any suggestions on a good filter for it? I will not be using it for any other purposes.
Sorry it turned out to be a long post, just excited to get started working on my rocks.
Thank you!