zip
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 65
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Slabs
Aug 30, 2009 17:12:47 GMT -5
Post by zip on Aug 30, 2009 17:12:47 GMT -5
Ok, so how do you guys get your slabs to look so nice and even and smooth? I work from the back of the saw, don't use the fence (freehand) and try to go slow. I wind up with wedge shapes that have all these swirls and ridges in the stone. Oh, I also wind up with a back ache, but I figure that's age, not the saw. I am still using the original blade, but I have ordered 2 HDTCM's (Thanks, Mel). Any suggestions (and or criticism) are welcome. Zip
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Slabs
Aug 30, 2009 17:43:09 GMT -5
Post by Sabre52 on Aug 30, 2009 17:43:09 GMT -5
Zip: Boy I hear ya on that. I still have a booger of a time rolling the rocks and getting smooth cuts. I work from the front myself and have been getting better but nowhere near as smooth as some of the folks here do.....Mel
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zip
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 65
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Slabs
Aug 30, 2009 18:32:46 GMT -5
Post by zip on Aug 30, 2009 18:32:46 GMT -5
Wow, Mel....I figured that you were the guru of all things rock! It sure is nice to know that you have trouble, too. Soon, I will figure out how to do the photobucket thingy and post pictures, but, one thing at a time, if you knkow what I mean!.......Zip
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Slabs
Aug 30, 2009 21:31:57 GMT -5
Post by NDK on Aug 30, 2009 21:31:57 GMT -5
Hey Zip, I work from the front too. I just clamp a piece of lexan on the edge of the saw top to keep the spray off me.
I'm no expert, but a few things I've done seem to help a bit.
First I try to feed the rock slow and steady into the blade. Make sure it's kept flat on the table, not working it's way up the blade. Take it easy here. Watch the rock as much as the cut.
Others have drawn, scored, etc. reference lines to help you hold the rock even as you cut. This works well for me, but I just eyeball the rock to a scuff mark already made from a previous cut.
Lastly what I think really is the best help is once you get the rock started and have the blade into the rock, I gently push the rock into the side of the blade as it's cutting. This basically uses the blade as the guide. If your cut starts straight, this will help maintain it. This is also the technique I use if I need to roll the rock to finish the cut.
Good luck!
Nate
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Slabs
Aug 30, 2009 21:54:12 GMT -5
Post by highplainsdrifter on Aug 30, 2009 21:54:12 GMT -5
My workforce slabs come out all hacked up too, especially if I roll the piece, which is usually the case. That's where my new high speed sander comes in. I slap a low grit sanding disc on and grind er flat..
Dan
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Slabs
Aug 31, 2009 19:27:55 GMT -5
Post by frane on Aug 31, 2009 19:27:55 GMT -5
I have the same problems as everyone else does with the turning but, well, I have started clamping a guide on the saw table top at 1/4 inch from the blade. I make sure I have a flat side on the stone and keep it firmly against the guide as I start in. It is really hard to keep the back side of the stone against that guide but if you do, it pays off. I let the saw do the cutting and as long as I keep it flat against that guide, I can usually roll it over without too much problem. They are turning out much better now. Fran
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Slabs
Aug 31, 2009 20:07:40 GMT -5
Post by Bejewelme on Aug 31, 2009 20:07:40 GMT -5
I hate the workforce but one thing that does help is to square off the bottom, take a slice from an end and then rest that on the bottom, squaring it off seems to help keep it straight, and allows a more even cut. Of course, i would rather have Tony cut! LOL Good luck, it takes lots of practice, Biker Randy is the slab king, that guy can cut like a champ, perfectly straight and smooth!
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zip
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 65
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Slabs
Sept 1, 2009 14:49:25 GMT -5
Post by zip on Sept 1, 2009 14:49:25 GMT -5
Thanks, everybody. I reall appreciate your advice. I will try out all of it. Well, maybe not the high speed electric sander part! My wife only has so much patience for my new hobby....Zip
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Slabs
Sept 3, 2009 12:52:25 GMT -5
Post by Tonyterner on Sept 3, 2009 12:52:25 GMT -5
I tried cutting from the back of the saw but found it greatly limited my line of sight. I cut from the front of the saw and get my face down fairly close until I know I have a good cut started, use a good impact resistant face shield not glasses. I had several from woodturning. Like Amber said make a small cut on one side to give you a fairly level surface to work from. I put the bulk of the rock on the left side and use the edge of the opening for the blade in the table top as a guide line. I usually go a little thicker than that actual dimension. Overall my cuts aren't too bad using this method. If you can't understand what I'm saying here send me a pm and I'll try to explain it better.
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Slabs
Sept 3, 2009 22:51:48 GMT -5
Post by RockyBlue on Sept 3, 2009 22:51:48 GMT -5
Tony`s about right with the face shield. That`s what i use but i give it a good coat of Rain-x,that helps the water to run off!.......Rocky
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Slabs
Sept 4, 2009 12:43:32 GMT -5
Post by Tonyterner on Sept 4, 2009 12:43:32 GMT -5
Thanks Rocky I had never thought of Rain-X
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Slabs
Sept 4, 2009 14:27:03 GMT -5
Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 4, 2009 14:27:03 GMT -5
Zip- my hand-cut slabs never were right until I got a 10 inch saw. One thing that does help is to draw lines on the table that are parallel to the blade. Also, take one cut from the rock, then lay the rock flat on the table on the side from which you took the cut out of. This will ensure that all the rest of your cuts are perfectly vertical (90 deg), eliminating the wedge effect. Once you take the first cut from the flat laying rock, turn it around 180 deg. and now you can line the new flat side of the rock with the lines on the table. (this only works on the ten inch saw because you don't have to "roll" the rock through each cut.
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zip
having dreams about rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 65
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Slabs
Sept 5, 2009 13:14:07 GMT -5
Post by zip on Sept 5, 2009 13:14:07 GMT -5
I received my new saw blade from Home Depot (HDTCM only available online) in the mail Thursday and cut some slabs using the advice you all have so generously provided. I had much better results. Going slowly really helps, too. Since a 10 inch saw is not in my immediate future (thanks, Randy!) I guess I'll just have to practice and learn how to rotate the rock. It"s a good think that the Ameritool can smooth out those ridges that are left. I am also going to invest in a good face shield and try cutting from the front. Lastly, I need to learn how to post pictures so you can comment on my results. By the way, you guys are great!!......Zip
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