llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Clamps
Sept 20, 2004 8:47:07 GMT -5
Post by llanago on Sept 20, 2004 8:47:07 GMT -5
BE and I need clamps. We looked at some yesterday at the rock shop, but didn't buy one. Why, you ask? Well, because we are too cheap to pay $15.00 or $25.00 for something we think we can make. Also, because we, or at least, I, can't figure out exactly how they work.
The smaller clamp had a small bolt in the bottom that I thought was to bolt the clamp to the tray of the saw, but BE said she thinks it for tightening the rock in the clamp. I can't figure out how the clamp holds the rock steady if the clamp is not secured to the tray.
Somebody HELP this dummy understand how it works! Some pics with a rock in it lined up to cut would really help. I'm one of those people that ya' have to draw a pic for! ;D
llana
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Clamps
Sept 20, 2004 9:09:58 GMT -5
Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 20, 2004 9:09:58 GMT -5
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Clamps
Sept 20, 2004 9:57:16 GMT -5
Post by docone31 on Sept 20, 2004 9:57:16 GMT -5
I find encapsulating my stones for cuts in mortar mix works better than a clamp. I make a small shape out of resin paper, lay in the mortar mix, set the stone and let it cure. I take the shape made and it has a flat surface from the mold. This really helps in cutting. The left over mortar mix busts off, and tumbles away. Clamps slip off, and I have busted stones with them.
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Clamps
Sept 20, 2004 10:13:33 GMT -5
Post by hermatite on Sept 20, 2004 10:13:33 GMT -5
okay I don't even have my saw yet. But just for info sake...doc, when you put the stones in mortar...do you do that first, then cut them THEN send them through th grit and polish? What steps are entailed? Would the mortar affect the polish? I'm thinking it would? Dumb question I know but I've wondering what steps to take when for a while now, so any help would be great. Thanks in advance.
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Clamps
Sept 20, 2004 10:51:20 GMT -5
Post by docone31 on Sept 20, 2004 10:51:20 GMT -5
When I do that little trick, I make the form, pressin the stone and cover it. I remove the piece from the form and determine where to cut. After cutting, I take a small inexpensive hammer. Kinda one one would find in a toy store or a flea market tool vendors shop. I lightly bust the mortar off the piece I want to work. Usually very little is left on the piece. In the tumbler, it comes off very quickly and on my faceter it just grinds away. It is probably one of the quickest ways I have found to cut stones other than just rounding off a lump or two with the saw. It keeps your fingers off the blade and the stone stays stable.
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Clamps
Sept 20, 2004 11:30:31 GMT -5
Post by connrock on Sept 20, 2004 11:30:31 GMT -5
Hi herm,, I think you're a tad confused with doc's sugestion. The technique he's talking about is "normally" used for cutting rocks that are going to be made into cabochons,, Some people cut the bottom portion of a milk container,place the rock in it and fill it with a cement mixture of just cement mix and sand. NOT concrete mix which has crushed rocks in it for strength. Let the cement cure and pop it out of the milk container. This "block" of cement containg your rock now has several flat surfaces to "grip" in your saw vise. After cutting, the cement mix can be removed very easilly and off you go!! I've also read that if you're in a hurry to cut a piece you can make a plaster of paris mold in the same manner but i've never tried it. I hope i've explained this right!! Tom
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Clamps
Sept 20, 2004 11:43:21 GMT -5
Post by hermatite on Sept 20, 2004 11:43:21 GMT -5
oooh okay...thanks! yes I wasn't getting it straight. However one of these days I do hope to be cutting rock for cabs, so I'm trying to get and store info ahead of time. Thanks.
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Clamps
Sept 21, 2004 18:34:53 GMT -5
Post by krazydiamond on Sept 21, 2004 18:34:53 GMT -5
do you mean this kind? this is what i use to secure the rock for drilling... i've posted this before. i ordered a "bead vise" on the net and it was extremely limited, so my husband made me this....it holds the rock on the same principal the the Lortone jig does......only the Lortone one holds it for slabbing...but same general thing. hope this was helpful, KD
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
|
Clamps
Sept 23, 2004 8:24:01 GMT -5
Post by llanago on Sept 23, 2004 8:24:01 GMT -5
Thanks ya'll. I think we can make both of those. But, I still can't figure out how the clamp keeps the rock immobile if the clamp isn't clamped down to the work area of the saw. Guess we will just have to make one and play around with it to figure out how it works.
llana
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Clamps
Sept 24, 2004 14:46:29 GMT -5
Post by sandsman1 on Sept 24, 2004 14:46:29 GMT -5
llana nwhat kind of saw do you have is it a drop down saw beacause most saws that are for roc you can buy a rail that a vise bolts to and rides on thats what gives you the strait cut if you have a saw where the blade comes up from the bottom you can prob make a rail or buy one
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