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Post by 1dave on Nov 2, 2013 14:11:44 GMT -5
What to do with all those pretty rocks that are too big to cut by hand, but too small and awkward to vice up in a big saw? I built a form with the inside dimensions just perfect for my saw and vice. I tapered the sides the same as a cedar shingle wedge for easy removal after the mortar sets up AND clamping square in the vice. Using mortar mix, I inserted my rocks just the way I wanted them slabbed. Trying to use Saran-Wrap was a total waste of time. Paint the form with Diesel Fuel for a good "release agent." The black rubber tube provides a softer landing for the slabs. Lots of iron in our Iron County Utah rocks.
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Nov 2, 2013 19:49:41 GMT -5
Very clever.
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utdigger
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since January 2012
Posts: 84
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Post by utdigger on Nov 3, 2013 10:02:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the great idea! Should work for my Northern Utah rocks too. jeff
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Post by 1dave on Nov 3, 2013 13:25:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the great idea! Should work for my Northern Utah rocks too. jeff God allowed rocks in Northern Utah? Who would have thunk it? I lived in Orem for thirty years, member of Tempanogus and Washach clubs. Lots of neat rocks there! Dave
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Post by 1dave on Nov 4, 2013 20:01:27 GMT -5
The downside is you get a lot of mortar "dust" in your oil, but I've never needed to dress my saw. Question: Could the mortar be automatically abrading the metal away from the diamonds? Kind of a loose / win situation?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Nov 4, 2013 20:34:16 GMT -5
I do that to Dave. Too fun
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2013 20:34:45 GMT -5
I was wondering the same thing if the concrete will to ware the blades to fast, that's why my molds are much smaller and I use plaster. Hmmmm
Tim
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2013 0:48:52 GMT -5
Concrete is pretty soft. Even sand filler is just quartz.
The only issue I see is the square inches of non target stone being cut. But that part is soft.
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Post by 1dave on Nov 5, 2013 10:06:03 GMT -5
I dipped my first batch of rocks in Plaster of Paris for easing the release of the slabs, but oil from my hands seems more effective. I don't bother any more. RSW! - Racke'em, Stack'em, Whack'em!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2013 10:49:39 GMT -5
I dipped my first batch of rocks in Plaster of Paris for easing the release of the slabs, but oil from my hands seems more effective. I don't bother any more. RSW! - Racke'em, Stack'em, Whack'em! Sounds like duck hunting, except we "quack'em, whack'em, and stack'em"!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Nov 5, 2013 10:57:26 GMT -5
I solved the sand aggregate problem in concrete. i had problems w/sand building up and and increasing friction on my under powered 1/2 HP 18 inch 303s blade. Solved that 100 %. That photo is concrete. I changed to grout. Tile grout. Tile grout for joints less than 1/8 inch. Brand is Maffa from Home Depot. 10 or 20 pound bag. Why. Because small tile joints do not do sand well. And this is the key. They use polyethylene(polymers) to replace the sand therfore lubricating the saw blade. Yep. And i was cutting small round pebbles that i tumbled the rio grande river skin off of.So they were smooth and round. So i needed a good bonding grout so they would not rotate in their capture. And blow the slab up and piss off the saw blade,etc. You still have the effect of high alkaline portland base cement and a little foam from the polymers. But i use kerosene and 1/4 motor oil so replacing oil means little. And found out how efficient my kerosene mix was in this demanding enviro. These are tough little agates that ground down to the hardest of the hardest. Tumbled first and sawn in sandless grout. Then tumbled again to clean or to polish. About 100 pounds of them. These are cool too. Done in concrete(not grout) www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/sets/72157632603745435
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Post by 1dave on Nov 5, 2013 12:50:33 GMT -5
jamesp Fantastic! Pop them out , dop and cab! Tile Grout! My very next purchase!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Dave
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Nov 5, 2013 13:59:24 GMT -5
I did a lot of testing Dave. Glad it may work for you. It is called 'sand less grout' and the company is Mapei(not Maffa)
And grout for joints bigger than 1/8 is good to cause the sand grains are so fine/tiny.
Some of the finest agates are beat down to 1-2 inches in diameter and about impossible to cut
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