USMC15
Cave Dweller 
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 23, 2021 16:08:46 GMT -5
Looking for a trim saw and I am curious if there is a difference, other than the size of blade, between a 4, 5, and 6 inch blade? So in this case does size matter?
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 23, 2021 21:18:38 GMT -5
Do you mean difference in the size of the blade?
For a trim saw, the thing you might want to pay attention to the most is the table. I have 2 that have flat tables, so I can fit any size slab. My favorite saw, the Ameritool, is limited as to the size of the slab. There's a lot of room, but sometimes not enough - even if I cut at an angle. Some of them have high ridges on the sides of the table.
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 23, 2021 23:02:09 GMT -5
Yep, what ^she^ said.
Also, what will you do with it? If you are just trimming slabs, 4 is fine. If you intend to cut anything larger get a 6" for sure.
A flat table with no rim is helpful too, but more messy.
I like belt drive saws, better torque than the little direct drive plastic saws. If you're buying new, I would get a stainless steel Lortone 6"
Avoid 5", less common so less blade choices.
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Post by greig on Mar 24, 2021 8:24:52 GMT -5
Do you mean difference in the size of the blade?
For a trim saw, the thing you might want to pay attention to the most is the table. I have 2 that have flat tables, so I can fit any size slab. My favorite saw, the Ameritool, is limited as to the size of the slab. There's a lot of room, but sometimes not enough - even if I cut at an angle. Some of them have high ridges on the sides of the table.
Well, pat me on the head and call me dumb: I never thought to change the angle of the blade when the rock didn't fit inside the saw. My biggest complaint about a small saw is rocks that are slightly too large for it. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 24, 2021 8:32:54 GMT -5
Do you mean difference in the size of the blade?
For a trim saw, the thing you might want to pay attention to the most is the table. I have 2 that have flat tables, so I can fit any size slab. My favorite saw, the Ameritool, is limited as to the size of the slab. There's a lot of room, but sometimes not enough - even if I cut at an angle. Some of them have high ridges on the sides of the table.
Well, pat me on the head and call me dumb: I never thought to change the angle of the blade when the rock didn't fit inside the saw. My biggest complaint about a small saw is rocks that are slightly too large for it. Yeah, even if I tilt the slab, some are just too big. |
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 24, 2021 8:56:09 GMT -5
Yep, what ^she^ said. Also, what will you do with it? If you are just trimming slabs, 4 is fine. If you intend to cut anything larger get a 6" for sure. A flat table with no rim is helpful too, but more messy. I like belt drive saws, better torque than the little direct drive plastic saws. If you're buying new, I would get a stainless steel Lortone 6" Avoid 5", less common so less blade choices. I plan on using it for just trimming, but able to use it for other things if necessary would be nice. I didn't think about availability of saw blades, that makes a big difference. Thanks. |
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Mar 24, 2021 8:59:52 GMT -5
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 24, 2021 9:05:14 GMT -5
I used one of those for years. I wore one out and still have the second one. It will do the job, but you can't get a real thin blade for it, so you end up wasting your good material. You can cut a lot of small rough with it, too. I used a Dewalt porcelain tile blade. |
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446 
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Post by wpotterw on Mar 24, 2021 9:15:56 GMT -5
I used one of those for years. I wore one out and still have the second one. It will do the job, but you can't get a real thin blade for it, so you end up wasting your good material. You can cut a lot of small rough with it, too. I used a Dewalt porcelain tile blade. I got one for my birthday yesterday. The thickness of the blade was the first thing that jumped out at me. I look forward to using it to cut through all the crap RWA3006 sent me in a trade. |
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446
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Post by wpotterw on Mar 24, 2021 9:22:53 GMT -5
I used one of those for years. I wore one out and still have the second one. It will do the job, but you can't get a real thin blade for it, so you end up wasting your good material. You can cut a lot of small rough with it, too. I used a Dewalt porcelain tile blade. I got one for my birthday yesterday. The thickness of the blade was the first thing that jumped out at me. I look forward to using it to cut through all the crap RWA3006 sent me in a trade. Tela, do you use water-based cutting additives like Water Aid or Slick Lube, or just straight water? |
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Post by greig on Mar 24, 2021 10:52:11 GMT -5
I use water in my tile saw. No additives.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 24, 2021 10:52:44 GMT -5
I got one for my birthday yesterday. The thickness of the blade was the first thing that jumped out at me. I look forward to using it to cut through all the crap RWA3006 sent me in a trade. Tela, do you use water-based cutting additives like Water Aid or Slick Lube, or just straight water? For that skilsaw I just use straight water. No issues. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 24, 2021 11:12:47 GMT -5
With that tile saw- turn it around and work it backwards. Keeps you drier and works just fine.
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Post by stardiamond on Mar 24, 2021 11:14:31 GMT -5
Additive is a lubricant and wheels definitely cut faster with it. I can only assume that the additive for a trim saw would make for faster cuts and extended blade life. I use double the concentration for the trim saw as the grinder.
I was using kool-lube/lube-cool but changed to DP water aid which is cheaper and uses less to a gallon of water. I go through a lot of coolant so it is an issue.
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446
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Post by wpotterw on Mar 24, 2021 12:04:59 GMT -5
With that tile saw- turn it around and work it backwards. Keeps you drier and works just fine. So you're saying stand behind the saw and pull the piece toward yourself? |
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 24, 2021 12:06:35 GMT -5
With that tile saw- turn it around and work it backwards. Keeps you drier and works just fine. So you're saying stand behind the saw and pull the piece toward yourself? Yes and I think everyone who owns one does it. Biker Randy taught me that. |
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446
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Post by wpotterw on Mar 24, 2021 12:09:40 GMT -5
10-4. Thx for the tip
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 24, 2021 12:22:27 GMT -5
I used to have a rock rascal that I used water with an additive. But, that's because you were SUPPOSED to use oil. The skilsaw is a water saw. I see no benefit really to using an additive. I've had very good blade life with it.
This is the blade I used and was happy with. It's a workhorse.
However, I wouldn't cut gaspeite or opal with it. LOL!
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Benathema
has rocks in the head
God chased me down and made sure I knew He was real June 20, 2022. I've been on a Divine Mission.
Member since November 2019
Posts: 703
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Post by Benathema on Mar 24, 2021 13:15:24 GMT -5
I picked up one of those saws about a month ago and have been going bananas with it ever since. I've kept the guard on to deflect water, and feed the end of the garden hose into it with the water set to a trickle. I did pick up a thinner blade for it, but not sure if I'd recommend the blade I got. It has this crosshatch design on the edge... Often it cuts a rock like butter, but other times it's trying to rattle my teeth out of my head. It'll run through a brick like it doesn't exist though. I'm eyeballing a paver stone path, thinking it could use some artistic license. www.amazon.com/PEAKIT-Cutting-Porcelain-Diamond-Ceramic/dp/B08HR4FRC8 |
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wpotterw
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 446
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Post by wpotterw on Mar 24, 2021 13:21:53 GMT -5
I used to have a rock rascal that I used water with an additive. But, that's because you were SUPPOSED to use oil. The skilsaw is a water saw. I see no benefit really to using an additive. I've had very good blade life with it.
This is the blade I used and was happy with. It's a workhorse.
However, I wouldn't cut gaspeite or opal with it. LOL!
A blade came with the saw, and I have 2 more. I'm likely set for life. |
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
