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Post by gaetzchamp on Aug 14, 2005 4:02:52 GMT -5
Pict 1: Here's some in the original (pinky in the background)  Pict 2: here's the little yellow guy halved  Pict 3: a beautiful blue "chalcedony" (about the size of golf ball)  Pict 4: Bluey cut  Some others:    Well, enough is enough, but you can all see how happy I am to have gotten access to a saw. I'm happy I didn't get hammer happy and bust these up. That would've been a tragedy. I had a ball cutting these up and was amazed at how quickly they cut. I envy all of you who have saws and see the NEED to acquire one. Don't bash your stuff. Wait 'til you can get them cut!! Do any of you have any good ideas on what you'd do w/ these?  ?? As always, I appreciate your input. Take care all, Gaetz PS.....I sent out some Flat Rate boxes to some of you a couple of months ago. You may want to go back and look thru the boxes again to see if there are some of these goodies inside. I know a lot of this stuff made it to Minnesota, Calif, Georgia and other parts of the USA. |
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Aug 14, 2005 4:40:01 GMT -5
Gaetz,
I'm excited for you! Isn't it amazing how Beautiful these Rocks are on the inside? If you need someone to polish them up, try talking to Rick down at the Rockpick Legend Co. in NSL. He's pretty friendly and probably wouldn't charge an arm and a leg! Congrats on the access to a Saw! One other thing...Why aren't you signed up for the Box?!? You've got some great stuff there.
Steve
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Post by gaetzchamp on Aug 14, 2005 4:56:41 GMT -5
Steve-
I've been down to Rick's Shop many times, but haven't had him do any work for me....yet. But I'll remember that.
As far as the "box".....I just replied to the thread. I've been such a slacker and had not seen that thread until now. I'm INNNNNN.
gaetz
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tinman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 197
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Post by tinman on Aug 14, 2005 6:58:44 GMT -5
that is some good stuff I know what you mean about tools not enough $$$ for them can't even buy grit right now so my bairls are not rolling
Tinman
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 14, 2005 8:59:13 GMT -5
those are some great cuts, Gaetz! what kind of tile saw was it? what kind of blade were you using? nice photos of some cool rock you got!
KD
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Post by Cher on Aug 14, 2005 9:45:11 GMT -5
Good questions Kd .... come on gaetz, we need more info. LOL Yes, I got quite a load of that stuff and tumbled the little stuff. I've been hanging on to the bigger pieces in hopes of getting a saw myself. Looking at your's, I'm sure glad I've waited.
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chassroc
Cave Dweller 
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Aug 14, 2005 11:44:58 GMT -5
Gaetz,
Those are very nice. This rock obsession can take us in a lot of directions
csroc
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Post by gaetzchamp on Aug 14, 2005 11:45:28 GMT -5
Ok, OK, I'll get to some of the questions.
I don't have a lot of the details, but here's what I know, I'm sorry, but I'll get more today.
When talking to him about the saw, I said, "do you have a bunch of different blades that you can use?" and he replied, "well this one is diamond tipped and costs about $80 bucks" that's when I got excited that maybe it'd cut my rocks.
The first one he cut (the big yellow/red) he really had to push hard on it. He kept saying "man this is some hard stuff" The cut is about 5inches and it took him about 20 seconds or so (it seemed like a lifetime for me though....I felt like a kid who had to take a big pee and I was 10th in line at the urinal!!! LOL)
Most of the rocks were extremely hard, but the saw handled them just fine. I had to put a lot of pressure on them though. However, the one that looked like the "clamshell" took a very long time for it's size. He was pushing as hard as he could and it just wasn't going anywhere. I was worried the blade would break, but He said it would just bind up. Anyway, it finally cut and it turned out great.
The saw was pretty big (not knowing much about saws, that might not mean a whole lot). I wanted to grab my camera and take some photos while he was doing it, but I didn't want to miss the action. The blade was probably 12 inches, non serrated, and was water fed. He said he bought it at a garage sale for $1,000. When I said I needed one of those, he said to not go buy a cheapy at Home Depot. He thought the stones' hardness would kill a cheapy.
Now I know there are some saw experts out there that could address this better than I so let's hear from you. I'll try to get some picts of it (I do have a bunch more to get cut, but he's done w/ my neighbors job, so I'll have to catch him another time and place)
Well, I hope this helps. I'll get better details today if I can.
Gaetz
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ArkieRockhound
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2005
Posts: 870
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Post by ArkieRockhound on Aug 14, 2005 11:51:58 GMT -5
Ya Ya, I know! Cutting rocks is just like opening packages on Christmas morning, only much better. You never know what you're going to find. I think I like cutting into a plain looking rock and finding those amazing colors and patterns better than anything else.
Time to get you a saw!
Trish
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Post by joe on Aug 14, 2005 22:32:36 GMT -5
It IS time to get a saw but what is a good compromise between a $77 tile saw and a saw that costs a thousand bucks at a garage sale? I'd hate to ask what that sucker costs new! Anyone know about saws in between in price and performance? I'd love to know the thickness of that blade. Others have described sawing as a slow, tedious process with a happy ending. Gaetz's desciption is almost magical, cutting through rock FAST. I'm hooked, I must know more. Thanx for sharing.
Joe
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 15, 2005 8:17:41 GMT -5
I use the cheapy $77 Home depot saw (they are now $88 on line) It works great for smaller cuts- I have tackled some larger (about 4 to 5 inches thicK) and it is a question of patience - the saw will bind a bit when you try to roll the rock over (especially if you force it) and you can stall it but by taking my time and not pushing to hard- I can cut some pretty good sized rock! on smaller stuff (2 inches and under) this thing will eat it up! I can buzz a small agate or jasper in no time- the only smaller rock that has given me a fit was some Plume Agate from Banjo-- it cut but it was real slow! I would love a big expensive saw but for now my little $77 "old Yeller" will suit me just fine! Oh and on larger rocks I either cut a grove across it (about 2 inches deep) and then put a chisel in it and give it a wack- or I'll cut the grove- then work the rock up 90 degrees- then cut another grove- then work it up 90 degrees- until I've walked around the entire rock- usually it will break at some point- is not just a tap with the hammer and it is in 2!
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Post by gaetzchamp on Aug 15, 2005 8:28:41 GMT -5
I'll try to get more info on the saw when I can, but it'll be a couple of days. I've got more to cut so I'll show picts too.
I'll see you all in a couple of days. Heading up to the mountains.
gaetz
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?? As always, I appreciate your input.
