wiginomics
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2021
Posts: 1
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Post by wiginomics on Jun 26, 2021 17:50:03 GMT -5
Greetings yall,
this may be a topic that has already been touched upon in the past. I ask that you please forgive me for the possible double thread.
i am fairly new to the art of lapidary and 98% of what I've done is cab cutting and repolishing other peoples cabs.
my machine is a 6" flat top by high tech diamond, i have both self stick and as well as hard plates. i have never used anything but diamond mesh paste for polishing. i have an old school table top diamond band saw that has been obsolete for many years (probably need a new blade for it...)
anyways..., on to the reason we are here i have in my possession several pieces of rough that were off-cuts of larger stones some were given to
me and some were bought in parcels they have beautiful color and have at least 2 cutable stones in them.
I'm not sure the best way to cut them they have a triangular shape to the whole piece and while i have an idea of how to cut them i would greatly appreciate any help that i may be able to get as to get the best/most possible pieces from them.
I will post photos soon and the idea that i figure would work best as soon as i am able to acquire my phone back from my beautiful daughters....
any help until i am able to accomplish this Indiana Jones of a task is greatly appreciated.
-Wiginomics 'Horologist, Jeweler, and hobbyist stone cutter'
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 26, 2021 20:03:36 GMT -5
I am assuming that your saw is hand feed. Decide where you want the face and mark a line parallel to the face and cut. Start the process again with the remaining piece. You are not limited to one direction. Quality over quantity.
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Post by stonemon on Jun 27, 2021 8:54:34 GMT -5
Welcome
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jun 27, 2021 13:04:32 GMT -5
Hand feeding a saw with odd shapes is a pain for sure. I always try to find the "flatest" side to rest on the table and start from there. Once you have a smooth face cut, that can become the "flat" side and can go on the table for smoother feeding. The frustration with hand feeding is one of the reasons I bought my slab saw.
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 27, 2021 18:54:53 GMT -5
Hand feeding a saw with odd shapes is a pain for sure. I always try to find the "flatest" side to rest on the table and start from there. Once you have a smooth face cut, that can become the "flat" side and can go on the table for smoother feeding. The frustration with hand feeding is one of the reasons I bought my slab saw. I don't know what you mean by on the table. A slab saw holds the rock in a vise and most horizontal vices are like a wood vise and don't do well with irregular shapes. When using a regular slab saw, I would glue the other side of the face to be cut to a board and position the board in the vise to be able to make a cut parallel to the face. My 10" Highland Park has a vertical vise and some cuts can be made without a board, positioning the rock in the vise. My understanding is the piece is wedge shaped and sometimes hand cutting is the best approach. My biggest objections to hand cutting are excessive blade wear and uneven cuts. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 28, 2021 10:44:55 GMT -5
Sounds to me like you have just a flat lap and a diamond band saw? Previously been working with slabs and now getting to some end cuts?
I think we can offer the most help if we know what you have for tools and your comfort level working with them. Welcome to the forum.
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