cadefoster117
having dreams about rocks
Member since December 2021
Posts: 62
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Post by cadefoster117 on Dec 23, 2021 12:07:05 GMT -5
Hey guys!
I have just started making cabs/polishing rock faces with the guidance of my teacher, but I do not have my own equipment and wish that I could get more practice in. I am quickly collecting enough rocks that I have many I could practice on. I have some that would make good cabs and some that would look great with just one face polished.
I don't have endless money sadly, so what is the first piece of equipment you think I should get? I was thinking perhaps a trim saw? How can I get the most bang for my buck here?
TIA!
-Cade
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Post by perkins17 on Dec 23, 2021 12:29:14 GMT -5
Hey guys!
I have just started making cabs/polishing rock faces with the guidance of my teacher, but I do not have my own equipment and wish that I could get more practice in. I am quickly collecting enough rocks that I have many I could practice on. I have some that would make good cabs and some that would look great with just one face polished.
I don't have endless money sadly, so what is the first piece of equipment you think I should get? I was thinking perhaps a trim saw? How can I get the most bang for my buck here?
TIA!
-Cade
Hello Cadefoster! Welcome to the forum. I had the same dilemma when I first started, but I have access to all I need at a rock club. My first piece of cabbing equipment is a two wheel grinder. I found it used (this year) and bought it for $25 USD. You should be able to find stuff if you regularly check Facebook marketplace and Craigslist by searching the term "lapidary". Used equipment is often better than new. I got a grinder first, but if you don't have access to a trim saw, that would probably be the best option to buy first, then get a grinder. If you don't see any used trim saws for sale for a while, you could buy a wet tile saw. These aren't able to cut as large of material. If you have more questions, please contact me. I will do my best to help.
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cadefoster117
having dreams about rocks
Member since December 2021
Posts: 62
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Post by cadefoster117 on Dec 23, 2021 12:39:05 GMT -5
Hey guys!
I have just started making cabs/polishing rock faces with the guidance of my teacher, but I do not have my own equipment and wish that I could get more practice in. I am quickly collecting enough rocks that I have many I could practice on. I have some that would make good cabs and some that would look great with just one face polished.
I don't have endless money sadly, so what is the first piece of equipment you think I should get? I was thinking perhaps a trim saw? How can I get the most bang for my buck here?
TIA!
-Cade
Hello Cadefoster! Welcome to the forum. I had the same dilemma when I first started, but I have access to all I need at a rock club. My first piece of cabbing equipment is a two wheel grinder. I found it used (this year) and bought it for $25 USD. You should be able to find stuff if you regularly check Facebook marketplace and Craigslist by searching the term "lapidary". Used equipment is often better than new. I got a grinder first, but if you don't have access to a trim saw, that would probably be the best option to buy first, then get a grinder. If you don't see any used trim saws for sale for a while, you could buy a wet tile saw. These aren't able to cut as large of material. If you have more questions, please contact me. I will do my best to help. Hey!
Thanks for the response. I'd love to find something used. I am the (new) secretary of our local rock club but we don't have any shared equipment at the moment. I am having people keep a look out for me though if they hear of any used equipment. I do not use Facebook but will continue to check Craigslist and eBay. Two wheel grinder? What was the grit on each wheel or did you swap them out as needed?
Best, Cade
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Dec 23, 2021 12:44:42 GMT -5
4" tile saw will let you trim slabs.
7" tile saw will give you right around 1 1/2 " cut. Can be used for trimming or slabbing with a little work.
10" tile saw will give you a 3 - 3 1/2" cut depending on model.
None will do what a solid large rock saw will but comes danger close. You go cheap or expensive. Recommend shopping around. Might try pawn shops and see what can be repurposed.
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cadefoster117
having dreams about rocks
Member since December 2021
Posts: 62
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Post by cadefoster117 on Dec 23, 2021 12:53:20 GMT -5
4" tile saw will let you trim slabs. 7" tile saw will give you right around 1 1/2 " cut. Can be used for trimming or slabbing with a little work. 10" tile saw will give you a 3 - 3 1/2" cut depending on model. None will do what a solid large rock saw will but comes danger close. You go cheap or expensive. Recommend shopping around. Might try pawn shops and see what can be repurposed. Interesting okay so would I need to use water with this then or is an N95 mask enough?
Also sorry if this is obvious but when you say a 10 inch saw gives a 3-3.5 inch cut, you are referring to the width you can cut off of a piece at a time, correct?
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Post by perkins17 on Dec 23, 2021 13:07:47 GMT -5
Hello Cadefoster! Welcome to the forum. I had the same dilemma when I first started, but I have access to all I need at a rock club. My first piece of cabbing equipment is a two wheel grinder. I found it used (this year) and bought it for $25 USD. You should be able to find stuff if you regularly check Facebook marketplace and Craigslist by searching the term "lapidary". Used equipment is often better than new. I got a grinder first, but if you don't have access to a trim saw, that would probably be the best option to buy first, then get a grinder. If you don't see any used trim saws for sale for a while, you could buy a wet tile saw. These aren't able to cut as large of material. If you have more questions, please contact me. I will do my best to help. Hey!
Thanks for the response. I'd love to find something used. I am the (new) secretary of our local rock club but we don't have any shared equipment at the moment. I am having people keep a look out for me though if they hear of any used equipment. I do not use Facebook but will continue to check Craigslist and eBay. Two wheel grinder? What was the grit on each wheel or did you swap them out as needed?
Best, Cade
Glad to help! I keep my grinding wheels on the left (sometimes I swap an 80 wheel for a 600 nova) and an expandable drum on the left. I put rolls of sandpaper around the drum and then turn it on. The drum expands and holds the sandpaper in place. I use that drum from 80 to 50,000 grit. It's much more affordable than a fixed 6-wheel unit.
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Dec 23, 2021 13:40:19 GMT -5
4" tile saw will let you trim slabs. 7" tile saw will give you right around 1 1/2 " cut. Can be used for trimming or slabbing with a little work. 10" tile saw will give you a 3 - 3 1/2" cut depending on model. None will do what a solid large rock saw will but comes danger close. You go cheap or expensive. Recommend shopping around. Might try pawn shops and see what can be repurposed. Interesting okay so would I need to use water with this then or is an N95 mask enough?
Also sorry if this is obvious but when you say a 10 inch saw gives a 3-3.5 inch cut, you are referring to the width you can cut off of a piece at a time, correct?
Yes, that's how high of a cut it can make. Most tile saws come with a water tub built in.
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brybry
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Member since October 2021
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Post by brybry on Dec 23, 2021 13:44:14 GMT -5
I should mention the height of the cut also depends on the wear of your blade. Rock blades don't just get dull, they wear away until the cutting edge disappears.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 24, 2021 0:47:54 GMT -5
Hey Cade.
I accomplish everything I do with regards to cabbing with the following two saws:
7" wet tile saw - inexpensive when they're new. I got mine from Menards for around $80. I use this to cut the preforms out of the slabs.
10" wet tile saw - Drop saw bought from Harbor Freight for around $400. I just checked and they don't have the model anymore that I bought. Mine is a drop saw version, which I really like versus the fixed position types. I feel I can do more with the drop saw version. This is the saw you'd be cutting slabs with...I don't cut any slabs with the trim saw.
Edit to add: Make sure you do a search on here for recommended blades...you'll want a lapidary blade for any of the saws you get.
Yes...you want saws that use water or oil. I have saws that use water...they're less messy.
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cadefoster117
having dreams about rocks
Member since December 2021
Posts: 62
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Post by cadefoster117 on Dec 24, 2021 9:27:56 GMT -5
Hey Cade. I accomplish everything I do with regards to cabbing with the following two saws: 7" wet tile saw - inexpensive when they're new. I got mine from Menards for around $80. I use this to cut the preforms out of the slabs. 10" wet tile saw - Drop saw bought from Harbor Freight for around $400. I just checked and they don't have the model anymore that I bought. Mine is a drop saw version, which I really like versus the fixed position types. I feel I can do more with the drop saw version. This is the saw you'd be cutting slabs with...I don't cut any slabs with the trim saw. Edit to add: Make sure you do a search on here for recommended blades...you'll want a lapidary blade for any of the saws you get. Yes...you want saws that use water or oil. I have saws that use water...they're less messy. Thank you! I was noticing that 7 inch tile saws are not that expensive. What do you use for the actual cabbing?
I appreciate you taking the time to answer!
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,341
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Post by realrockhound on Dec 24, 2021 18:20:01 GMT -5
No joke, I literally just built one from scratch. Built from old repurposed parts and a motor from a washing machine. Works just as good as my $500 trim saw.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 24, 2021 23:11:45 GMT -5
Hey Cade. I accomplish everything I do with regards to cabbing with the following two saws: 7" wet tile saw - inexpensive when they're new. I got mine from Menards for around $80. I use this to cut the preforms out of the slabs. 10" wet tile saw - Drop saw bought from Harbor Freight for around $400. I just checked and they don't have the model anymore that I bought. Mine is a drop saw version, which I really like versus the fixed position types. I feel I can do more with the drop saw version. This is the saw you'd be cutting slabs with...I don't cut any slabs with the trim saw. Edit to add: Make sure you do a search on here for recommended blades...you'll want a lapidary blade for any of the saws you get. Yes...you want saws that use water or oil. I have saws that use water...they're less messy. Thank you! I was noticing that 7 inch tile saws are not that expensive. What do you use for the actual cabbing?
I appreciate you taking the time to answer!
You're more than welcome! So, here comes the "devil's advocate" - or the "you gotta be honest with yourself" time in deciding what equipment to get. When I first started, I used a Dremel to shape cabs. I did enjoy the creative process, but it took all of about 5 cabs to know I wanted something better. So, I opted to go with a Hi-Tech slant cabber. I used that for a year and was able to become pretty proficient with it...but still thought I could do better with something different. So, I just recently got the Kingsley North Cabber 6 with Nova wheels. I got that on December 5th. Since that time, I've made over 100 cabs with it...and none of them were "rushed" to get them done. So, it depends on what you want to invest and what you want out of this in order for your return on investment to be within a range that you find acceptable... Dremel and accessories - Around $150 HiTech 8" Slant Cabber - $600 for base unit - add another couple hundred to get a couple more disks than what comes with it. Kingsly North Cabber 6 with Nova - $1879
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cadefoster117
having dreams about rocks
Member since December 2021
Posts: 62
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Post by cadefoster117 on Dec 26, 2021 11:42:40 GMT -5
jasoninsdI am realizing there will be a lot of up front costs haha. I am thinking to get a cheapish tile saw for trimming. Then as you said the larger tile saw for slabbing. I am also going to keep an eye out for used cabbing machines. I will ask at the next meeting of the gem and mineral society. I hope you had a good holiday!
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 26, 2021 12:28:49 GMT -5
If you get a tile saw, my suggestion is to have a MK "hotdog" blade for it. They sell the same blade for more money rebranded as the agate eater, at least that's what I was told by a dealer in the Tucson area. Looked it up and they look the same as well, a hard stone blade designed for the higher speed of the tile saw.
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 26, 2021 18:24:28 GMT -5
jasoninsd I am realizing there will be a lot of up front costs haha. I am thinking to get a cheapish tile saw for trimming. Then as you said the larger tile saw for slabbing. I am also going to keep an eye out for used cabbing machines. I will ask at the next meeting of the gem and mineral society. I hope you had a good holiday! Thanks Cade, I did have a good Christmas! I hope you had a great holiday as well! Seeing as how it appears your teacher is "infected", I'm pretty sure you've caught the bug from him...so you might be in this for the long haul! I caught it personally, and never recovered. LOL There's a fine line between going inexpensive and going "too cheap". Don't be afraid to run ideas by other members. You might get several different opinions, but it will give you a possible avenue for things you hadn't thought of yet. Basically, there's corners you CAN cut, and other corners you shouldn't. Rockoonz has a great suggestion for blades! Personally, I've used DeWalt XP4 blades for both my 7" and 10" saws. I haven't tried the Hot Dog (Agate Eater) blades, but many people swear by those as well. It'll be fun to look to see what blades others use as well.
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Post by stardiamond on Dec 27, 2021 13:01:22 GMT -5
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Post by parfive on Dec 27, 2021 15:05:17 GMT -5
Haven’t seen or heard of blade stabilization pins before . . . could be useful for heavy-handed hand cutters.
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 27, 2021 19:03:16 GMT -5
Wow, is it just me or is that a major budget buster for most people?
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Post by stardiamond on Dec 27, 2021 19:11:22 GMT -5
yes. I would need to be doing heavy production with multiple cutters to consider it.
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brybry
Cave Dweller
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,220
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Post by brybry on Dec 27, 2021 21:23:24 GMT -5
If you get a tile saw, my suggestion is to have a MK "hotdog" blade for it. They sell the same blade for more money rebranded as the agate eater, at least that's what I was told by a dealer in the Tucson area. Looked it up and they look the same as well, a hard stone blade designed for the higher speed of the tile saw. Thanks for this post. I was going to ask about a good lapidary blade for tile saws.
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