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Post by catmandewe on Apr 1, 2022 23:02:21 GMT -5
Happy Cutting!
Get a cheap chinese blade to learn on, after you get the hang of it then put the expensive blade on.
Tony
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Post by Pat on Apr 1, 2022 23:07:26 GMT -5
Welcome from California. I think you will do well.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 1, 2022 23:27:46 GMT -5
Welcome from Northern Arizona, Sherp! A 24" saw is big, but once you get used to it you'll be fine. Do as Tony catmandewe suggested and get a cheap Chinese saw blade to start with until you get comfortable with it. Good 24" saw blades are expensive and you'll feel better using a cheap one until you get a feel for the saw. If you've been lurking for a couple of years, you know the folks here are full of good advice and will help with any questions. One suggestion would be to ask someone at your club's shop to show you how to operate the saws they have there. Even if they're not Barranca, they are all pretty similar. That may put you more at ease. |
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Post by oregon on Apr 1, 2022 23:30:01 GMT -5
- Its a freaking 24" saw. That's midlife crisis large. Sure I have a couple of stones that could use that size, but am I really going to get value out of that? I wanted to make sure I wasnt restricted, but is it overkill?
- I feel like I don't have the experience to warrant such a significant saw. I've watched my stones get cut in the club shop, but I've never personally operated one. I am comfortable with tools, but I feel like an imposter.
I want to do lapidary work as art and I love geology. It has been my outlet in a very difficult time in my life. I'm glad to have a saw (when it gets here in 6-8w) that I can use and pass down. I'm glad I can finally start cutting some rocks and making cabs. And if you're up for it - I guarantee I will be bringing questions to this forum. Big new shiny things are attractive, but if I were to advise someone with the wee bit of info you gave, I'd say 18" would be a better fit.
-Not everyone can fit a 24, 18" are much easier to sell/ pass on. The maintenance, cost of operation etc are significantly less. I always try to become scarce when the 24" at the shop needs a cleanout, one of the worst jobs in the world imho. You'll generate quite a bit more rock sludge as the kerf of a 24" blade is close to double that of an 18? Rocks that are large enough to need a 24" saw are often a pain in the back.
Really, like most things, boils down to what you want to do. I'd venture that the bulk of slabbing is done on saws smaller than 24 " (wo any evidence to back that up) But if you want to make lots of bookends or large projects, good choice. For the price, could you actually get a 10-12" slabber and the 18"? There are lots of small things that are very enjoyable to cut just for the geologist's sake  When I'm walking by the garage in the summer I find I'm much more apt to chuck something from my bins in the smaller saw, less work or quicker cuts, not sure.
If you have access to a shop, talk to some other people, get input etc.
2c
being the weekend etc, I bet you can still change things if you wish.
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Post by Peruano on Apr 2, 2022 7:12:23 GMT -5
Oregon makes some good points. I have a 12, 14, and 20" saw, and I tend to use them in ascending order. The 12 is the easiest and most used. On the other hand, and its my advice to start familiarizing yourself with the saw . . . you don't have to cut big rocks just because you have a big saw. Gluing small material to a wood stub allows precise slabbing of material firmly held in a "big" vice. The problem with big saws is hauling big rocks to them, and buying the mineral oil for the tank. Enjoy the saw and do think about a smaller one if thats at all tempting.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 2, 2022 8:16:37 GMT -5
MetaMoose - Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!  Well...that was a pretty big vent!  First of all...congratulations on the purchases! I understand where you're coming from, but in my opinion, don't feel "guilty" or "embarrassed"! Be proud of them. I can almost guarantee no one else on here who has a 24" saw feels guilty about it. Of course most people start smaller and work their way upward...you just chose to go the other way around! LOL - I'll agree with others who say you will likely want a smaller saw at some point... As far as the "experience" goes...that'll come...with each new cut you make on the saw. If you're comfortable with tools, then this is just another tool to get comfortable with! Super congrats on the KN8! I just picked up the KN6 a couple months ago. I got Nova wheels with it...and don't regret a dang thing about it! I don't know squat about saws so much, but if I can answer any questions about the cabbing machine, I'd be more than happy to share with you what I know and what I learned.
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brybry
Cave Dweller 
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Member since October 2021
Posts: 1,221
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Post by brybry on Apr 2, 2022 9:39:09 GMT -5
Congrats! Don't sweat the buyers remorse. It's money you weren't counting on to make sure your bills were paid or put food on the table. It was a small windfall that allowed you to pursue your hobby in a bigger way. If the wife ain't skinnin ya over it, no worries. If the baby is fed, happy and healthy, no worries. When you get it, fire it up, listen to blade work the rock and smile brother!
I just got back from picking up a used Frantom 24" saw in Arizona. Don't regret a minute of it. Already looking for a way to go back,lol.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 2, 2022 17:24:39 GMT -5
Yikes in for a penny... I bought a slab saw last year so I know what your going through. The guilt, the trepidation, the learning curve. I was so nervous. Then my saw was delayed (Highland Park coming out of China). I got shipping confirmation (finally) and waited. UPS had a delay (no extra drivers to help unload), then they dropped it off when my wife was home and she had to help unload it. Of course this was in the middle of all the Covid garbage, and I was mandated to work OT so I was late getting home. It took me a couple days to figure out where I was going to set it up temporarily (yeah it still sits in that exact spot lol) and I went through it with a fine tooth comb (boy I will say those guys at HP set up a saw pretty dang good). It was a couple days before I finally got up the courage to try it out. You know what? It wasn't so hard. Actually it was very satisfying. I had waited for well over 10 years for this moment, and when the oil finally settled I had made a good cut. I have gotten over the fear and actually enjoy my toy. You will get there. I look at it as an investment in my hobby, and once I'm dead and gone I really won't look back and regret it at all.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 2, 2022 18:14:02 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.
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Post by beefjello on Apr 2, 2022 18:33:06 GMT -5
Congrats on your purchase and welcome to RTH!  |
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 2, 2022 21:18:20 GMT -5
Welcome and congrats.
If price were not a concern the BD saw would be the new saw I would buy above all others. Since it's a 18/24 and the pumped coolant means you don't have to add extra coolant oil for a 18" blade, maybe start with it and some medium sized rocks to get some cuts in before using the 24" blade.
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aGates
has rocks in the head
Building a silver studio
Member since January 2021
Posts: 518
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Post by aGates on Apr 8, 2022 9:50:21 GMT -5
hey man aint nothing wrong with learning to drive in a caddilac . who cares your not experianced. now that you have enjoyable tools just spend your time since the money is spent, experiance will come. another good thing is you can learn more from mistakes and my opinion is thats all some one is saying when they say they are experianced is that "they have made most miatakes and learned from them on thier pursuit to total understanding". have FUN compare yourself to just yourself and you will be expierianced in no time and content all the days of your life (jesus is a good character to compare yourself too as well .. juss saying). best to you always! |
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 8, 2022 11:02:43 GMT -5
hey man aint nothing wrong with learning to drive in a caddilac . who cares your not experianced. now that you have enjoyable tools just spend your time since the money is spent, experiance will come. another good thing is you can learn more from mistakes and my opinion is thats all some one is saying when they say they are experianced is that "they have made most mistakes and learned from them on their pursuit to total understanding". have FUN compare yourself to just yourself and you will be expierianced in no time and content all the days of your life (jesus is a good character to compare yourself too as well .. juss saying). best to you always! My generally unwanted response to the "cadillac of equipment" statement is: It's more like a mercedes Unimog, who would go rockhounding in a cadillac, they really aren't very tough. But I get what you mean, and heartily agree with all of it. |
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MetaMoose
having dreams about rocks
@MetaMoosehead on Twitter
Member since July 2021
Posts: 74
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Post by MetaMoose on Apr 26, 2022 19:23:35 GMT -5
There were so many kind and thoughtful responses from all of you - thank you. I wanted to respond to many of you personally, and I hope I can eventually. Thanks for letting me dump with this post and for receiving it so graciously.
A couple of quick follow ups While I sit in the nursery on baby duty:
I canceled the 24 and bought a 20 (new Highland Park). I did it for a few reasons: it was just too big physically, blades are ridiculous expensive, and the savings of going down to a 20 allowed me to get a used 10” saw, and likely a nice flat lap if I wait for a few months. So in the end I have a really nice setup - a 20, a 10, a 6, cabbing station and hopefully in the future - the flat lap. I am thrilled at the opportunity. It will be so much fun.
I can’t remember what I posted in my mega-vent above (and I can’t see it from here), but if I didn’t mention it, we are completely overwhelmed with two trauma adoptive teenagers and an infant. If I’m slow to respond (or absent entirely), I am not aloof or ungrateful.
Thank you all for the kind welcome. I’m sure I will be sharing updates, questions and accomplishments over time.
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When I'm walking by the garage in the summer I find I'm much more apt to chuck something from my bins in the smaller saw, less work or quicker cuts, not sure. 
