Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 17:17:25 GMT -5
Got these Botswana agates, should I cut some of the ones in half that the banding is not showing on to see if inside would be prettier before tumbling?
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quartzilla
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Post by quartzilla on May 31, 2022 17:42:05 GMT -5
Not telling you what to do but I had some that were similar and I cut them all. My plan was to face polish them but every piece had some internal flaw so I’m tumbling them instead. Beware, some of mine had soft spots of a chalky black material inside that undercuts terribly; hoping they will tumble past those areas and come out nice.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 18:00:43 GMT -5
Thank you quartzilla! They seem big enough to cut so I probably will do that. Got them from the rock shed, how about you?
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quartzilla
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Post by quartzilla on May 31, 2022 18:56:10 GMT -5
I got mine in Quartzite last January during the Pow Wow. I have some pretty much in every stage right now with at least one in final polish.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 31, 2022 19:03:23 GMT -5
Hey Ashley...I know Brent ( Starguy) got a bunch of Botswana Agates from The Rock Shed. I don't think he had many, if any with flaws...and I think he cut all (if not all, then most) in half. Personally, I'd cut most of them in half. I think it exposes the banding a bit better...plus...then you have twice as many rocks to tumble! LOL
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 20:24:43 GMT -5
jasoninsdThanks Jason! That’s a good point! With so many people in the house that enjoy rocks it’s good to have more! I’m getting a wet tile saw, probably not the best to use but it’s cheaper and lets me get a start. I’ll get my husband to help me cut them, sure won’t be OSHA approved but oh well. We’lol Jerry rig something up.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 31, 2022 20:37:44 GMT -5
jasoninsd Thanks Jason! That’s a good point! With so many people in the house that enjoy rocks it’s good to have more! I’m getting a wet tile saw, probably not the best to use but it’s cheaper and lets me get a start. I’ll get my husband to help me cut them, sure won’t be OSHA approved but oh well. We’lol Jerry rig something up. You're going to want to get a good blade. I think that's what makes the difference when it comes to the wet tile saws. I have two blades. The one I linked to the other day which is a very thin blade. Then I also have a DeWalt XP4 which is a thicker blade. 7" blades aren't all that expensive (around $18)...so having a couple different ones gives you some options.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 20:47:05 GMT -5
jasoninsdThanks Jason! Might be common sense but what do you use the thicker and thinner blades for? Thinner blade for smaller rocks and cuts and the thicker for bigger rocks?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 20:52:46 GMT -5
jasoninsdCan you give me the link or the name of the thinner blade you use? I was looking for it but couldn’t find it. For the smaller agate what do you use to “push” them through?
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Post by jasoninsd on May 31, 2022 21:02:15 GMT -5
jasoninsd Thanks Jason! Might be common sense but what do you use the thicker and thinner blades for? Thinner blade for smaller rocks and cuts and the thicker for bigger rocks? The thinner blade cuts through slabs easier with less chipping when I'm cutting out preforms (for cabs). The thicker blade is more "durable"...and I actually use the edge of the blade to shape my preforms - as well as grinding rocks for the tumbler. jasoninsd Can you give me the link or the name of the thinner blade you use? I was looking for it but couldn’t find it. For the smaller agate what do you use to “push” them through? Here's the eBay link for the one I use: www.ebay.com/itm/124096552353I use my thumb and forefingers. The blades won't cut you like a wood blade does. If you put PRESSURE against the blade, it'll cut you...but even jugglerguy put out a video about how "safe" the blades can be since he uses his hands and fingers too. LOL
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 21:10:39 GMT -5
jasoninsdThank you Jason! Your always so helpful!
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 21:12:50 GMT -5
jasoninsdI was reading the description to the blade on eBay. They certainly don’t do English well lol!
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Post by jasoninsd on May 31, 2022 21:27:14 GMT -5
jasoninsd I was reading the description to the blade on eBay. They certainly don’t do English well lol! LOL - No...no they don't! LOL Thankfully I like they're blades. I've ordered a couple from them and have never had an issue. Shipping didn't really take all that long...so I felt it was worth it.
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Post by Starguy on May 31, 2022 22:50:06 GMT -5
ashleyThose look like nice agates. You can probably get several small slabs and end cuts from some. Don’t limit yourself to just cutting them in half.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2022 23:17:14 GMT -5
StarguyYour scaring me lol! Slabs! Never done that before!
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lparsons
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Post by lparsons on May 31, 2022 23:51:43 GMT -5
ashley sorry for barging in on your conversation with jasoninsd, 🤣but I just wanted to reassure you, (in case you didn’t already know) that the smooth blades jasoninsd mentioned really aren’t likely to hurt you unless of course you intentionally tried to hurt yourself with one.🤣 I just started using a wet tile tile to cut rocks last fall and I love it. (Btw, I usually let hubby do stuff like that because I have a little fear about using machinery.) But, I really enjoy using a wet tile saw and now can’t imagine NOT having one. 🤣Just make sure to wear hearing protection and safety goggles, (which I’m sure you already know to.)
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Post by jasoninsd on Jun 1, 2022 0:30:42 GMT -5
ashley sorry for barging in on your conversation with jasoninsd , 🤣but I just wanted to reassure you, (in case you didn’t already know) that the smooth blades jasoninsd mentioned really aren’t likely to hurt you unless of course you intentionally tried to hurt yourself with one.🤣 I just started using a wet tile tile to cut rocks last fall and I love it. (Btw, I usually let hubby do stuff like that because I have a little fear about using machinery.) But, I really enjoy using a wet tile saw and now can’t imagine NOT having one. 🤣Just make sure to wear hearing protection and safety goggles, (which I’m sure you already know to.) Yep, you're absolutely right!! Can't be skeered of 'em! Ashley: Whether it's a slab, or a piece of rough I'm running through the blade, I hold the piece with both hands - one on either side of the blade, then just run it through. There's two directions you can cut from...the right way and the "wrong" way! LOL You "should" cut the piece from the side where the blade is spinning toward you. This will "push" the piece down into the base as the blade is cutting it. I however stand on the opposite side because the spray from the blade doesn't get me as much. I will also cut from the "wrong" side quite frequently as it tends to cause less chipping I've noticed. The downside (or the fun part - depending on how you look at it) is when the blade "grabs" the piece and shoots it halfway across the yard! Then it's a game of hide and seek! LOL - This doesn't happen if you cut from the correct side as the blade is pushing it into the base...and not airborne! LOL
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Benathema
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Post by Benathema on Jun 1, 2022 0:49:37 GMT -5
Slice em, tumble em, stick a magnet on em!
Slicing bots is fun. Freehand a few test rocks when you get the saw, and you'll be on your way to wearing the blade out in no time!
The default thick blade that comes with them is slow and, well .. boring. It takes forever and the kerf eats a lot of the rock.
$20 1.6mm (0.060") continuous rim blade is pretty fun. I wouldn't say I'm gentle on equipment, but I got a couple hundred slices before I wore the blade out. Bots still take quite a bit of time, they're tough, but you can get away with thin slices that withstand tumbling really well.
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markb
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Post by markb on Jun 1, 2022 0:51:27 GMT -5
jasoninsd I was reading the description to the blade on eBay. They certainly don’t do English well lol! LOL - No...no they don't! LOL Thankfully I like they're blades. I've ordered a couple from them and have never had an issue. Shipping didn't really take all that long...so I felt it was worth it. However, if they are coming from China, are they really going to make it over with all the constraints now days? jasoninsd have you ordered any from them in the past 2 years?
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Post by jasoninsd on Jun 1, 2022 0:58:50 GMT -5
LOL - No...no they don't! LOL Thankfully I like they're blades. I've ordered a couple from them and have never had an issue. Shipping didn't really take all that long...so I felt it was worth it. However, if they are coming from China, are they really going to make it over with all the constraints now days? jasoninsd have you ordered any from them in the past 2 years? Great question Mark! The last one I ordered was on 4/1/22. It arrived on 4/12/22. Not too bad for shipping time, I thought...especially for free shipping...from China.
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