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 Feb 24, 2021 21:07:32 GMT -5
So I would like to get a small trim saw that uses water as a coolant. My budget is $350. Can't go over that price. I would like to cut out shapes from slabs that I will cut with a MK Tile saw that I bought used but have not used it yet. Things like hearts, crosses, cabochons, shape of Michigan, that kind of thing. I have been looking for a used one but no luck. Trim saws that have been suggested to me are the Hi-Tech Diamond 4-5" and the Rock Rascal. These are both within my budget. I see that some people like the Rock Rascal Model J and some do not. Does anyone have any advice for me on which would be a good fit for me? I do like an easy cleanup, I am not very mechanical (could not build my own). thanks in advance for any advice you have for me. My other lapidary equipment consists of a Lortone QT6, a Lot O Tumbler, and a 6 inch CabKing. I stretched my budget to get the CabKing, so that $350 is a firm budget for me.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 24, 2021 21:45:20 GMT -5
Of the two choices I would pick the Rock Rascal. We have one. Sure, it could be better, but it has never given me any trouble. Decision is based on having an external motor and blade size.
An old friend of ours had (I'm sure he still does - but haven't talked to him in a while) a Lortone 6" for sale. This would be a great saw for you, but shipping added to his $300 price would probably put it over your budget. Larger table, hood, external motor would make this one my choice.
He also had a Raytech Jem Saw 45, but it was $350 not including shipping. I'm not a fan of proprietary direct drive motors. You can replace a 1/3 hp electric motor easily any time you might need to.
I could check with him to make sure he still has them if you decide not to go with the Rock Rascal.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 25, 2021 8:35:52 GMT -5
Clean up ease is king. The Raytech trim saws with a plastic pan that can be lifted out and dumped are super convenient.
The Hitech is light enough that the whole saw can be picked up, inverted, and hence drained instantly. I find it a bit underpowered. The rock rascal is large enough that you can't invert it, but rigging a drain tube works. I left the top loose on mine for ease of access and especially to facilitate the drying of the tank after it was drained. I did not clean it === just let it dry in New Mexico's dry environment. Cleaning was done when enough grunge had built up to warrant the closer cleaning of the tank. All are great saws in the hands of a dedicated user. There is not bad decision.
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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 11:29:01 GMT -5
@hummingbirdsstones2 what don’t you like about the rock rascal trim saw? How do you go about cleaning it? Do you ever use it to cut slabs from rocks that are not very tall, say about 2 or 3 inches tall?
Is the model of the rock rascal you have the one that is under $350?
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petoskeycheryl
starting to shine!
Can't wait for spring in Michigan.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 25
|
Post by petoskeycheryl on Mar 15, 2021 11:30:52 GMT -5
@hummingbirdstones2 I wonder if your friend ever sold those two nice trim saws that were for sale?
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petoskeycheryl
starting to shine!
Can't wait for spring in Michigan.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 25
|
Post by petoskeycheryl on Mar 15, 2021 11:35:23 GMT -5
Peruano I had just about decided on the 4-5 “ hi tech and I saw you thought it was underpowered. What did you mean by that? I was hoping to use it to cut shapes from slabs that I have cut. I thought the fact that it had an adjustable speed was a plus (I don’t really know why having an adjustable speed is a plus?). It looked easy to clean.
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petoskeycheryl
starting to shine!
Can't wait for spring in Michigan.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 25
|
Post by petoskeycheryl on Mar 15, 2021 11:37:08 GMT -5
@hummingbirdstones2 I tried to tag you in a couple of these posts but I don’t think I did it right.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 15, 2021 11:39:32 GMT -5
@hummingbirdstones2 I tried to tag you in a couple of these posts but I don’t think I did it right.
If you hover over their user name you'll see the name to use to tag. It's not always the same.  |
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Post by Peruano on Mar 15, 2021 12:05:27 GMT -5
Peruano I had just about decided on the 4-5 “ hi tech and I saw you thought it was underpowered. What did you mean by that? I was hoping to use it to cut shapes from slabs that I have cut. I thought the fact that it had an adjustable speed was a plus (I don’t really know why having an adjustable speed is a plus?). It looked easy to clean. Under powered means the saw can be bogged down if fed to fast or not using a good blade. Basically it means going slower of feeding the material and listening to the sound. If the motor is slowed by the cut, it is working beyond capacity and could be damaged. That said many folks do fine with it, but when you are used to a stronger saw, it seems relevant to consider. Many saws are a pain to drain and clean. The Rock Rascal being one of these. Some you can just drain and allow them to dry if using water. The HiTech is easy to dump and wipe out. It is a matter of trade-offs and priorities. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Mar 15, 2021 21:51:42 GMT -5
The table is too small, and the arbor rests inside a cast aluminum housing - so don't EVER "clean" the inside of the arbor housing too vigorously. You might just wind up cutting shims to tighten it back up and re-align it if you do. I added a 1/4" barb fitting to the poorly conceived drain hole for the reservoir so I could attach a hose for draining it.
That said, I would pick the Rock Rascal over ANY saw with a proprietary direct drive motor. As Peruano said, they tend to be underpowered, and if they croak there's only one option for replacing them. A separate motor and belt drive is much better.
I've used the Rock Rascal we have to slice many small rough chunks and nodules. It works, but you'll want something better someday.
Wasn't able to find out about our friend's saw today, but I'm almost certain he still has it.
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