kelly13
starting to shine!
Member since November 2014
Posts: 29
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Post by kelly13 on Dec 2, 2014 14:09:33 GMT -5
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Dec 2, 2014 17:19:46 GMT -5
What size is your saw? most people will only recommend water on 6" and 8" saws (oil is still better for the blade in all sizes but water is so much easier to clean up) . 10" and up you switch over to an oil such as mineral oil. Are you cutting this rock just to see inside or are you slicing it up for cabochons? I dont see anything in the pics that would give me clear direction on cutting but if I were cutting it to cab I just trying to envision what part is important for me to get in the slab.
Good luck and have fun. Cutting rocks is fun and addicting.
Chuck
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 2, 2014 17:38:53 GMT -5
Whatever size saw you have, make sure the rock is secured tightly in your vise. If the rock moves at all, you can very quickly ruin a blade.
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Post by Peruano on Dec 2, 2014 19:34:36 GMT -5
While you are learning how often and how much you will be sawing, you can use water, and drain the saw, and clean it after every day, or two if you know you are coming back tomorrow. The lubricool just lubs, and more importantly retards (notice I avoid saying prevents) rust if the saw if left without draining for some time. Personally I use oil in my 6" trim saw (and my larger slab saw), because I don't have to drain and clean it daily and I trim sporadically, not for an entire afternoon or so as some organized person would do. People talk about oil mess, but I use soapy water, and oil dry (cat litter like absorbent) to soak up, clean up, and mop up and have softer hands as a result. Cut along the axis that will give you the best cab, if cabs are what you are wanting. Cut along any visible fractures or cracks to reduce the potential for such crack opening and ruining a specimen later in the work process. Other than that cut the rock anyway you feel and you will learn to read the rocks internal appearance after many such cuts. Enjoy. Tom
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Post by MrP on Dec 2, 2014 20:11:14 GMT -5
I have used Lube Cool 4800 in my 10" saw for about 3 years and the only time it is drained is when it is cleaned. The lube Cool has removed the paint from the inside of the saw but there is no rust. Just my 2cents.....................MrP
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Post by Peruano on Dec 3, 2014 7:05:52 GMT -5
I did not mean to cast asparagus at Lube Cool (with which I have no experience), but I have tried a couple of water additives that did not prevent rust and hence the cautionary note. Thanks for the clarification. Tom
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 4, 2014 0:46:40 GMT -5
I have not had rust problems with the lube cool either. Straight water will wear a blade out much faster than oil or water with an additive, same goes for diamond drills, we get about twice as many holes per drill bit with lube cool at about half the strength we use for trim saws.
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kellyj
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 100
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Post by kellyj on Dec 8, 2014 17:47:23 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for the valuable information. I have a 6 inch High Tech Diamond saw.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 9, 2014 3:41:05 GMT -5
As for cutting,I candle the agates or quartz if I can...Sometimes you have to cut both directions to see which cut is the best way... So I just shave a side very thin,without wasting material....
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kellyj
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2013
Posts: 100
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Post by kellyj on Dec 10, 2014 8:47:35 GMT -5
Thanks, Fossilman, I will try that. Great idea.
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on Sept 4, 2015 10:20:52 GMT -5
This forum is a remarkable resourse for ANY rockhound beginner to full time pro...
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Post by stardiamond on Sept 10, 2015 19:25:35 GMT -5
I use lube kool and water with my 8" trim saw. I don't worry about rust. I use the saw enough that the blade will wear out before rusting out.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,978
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Post by victor1941 on Sept 10, 2015 21:23:42 GMT -5
I used Lube Cool in my trim saw and found that I developed a rash on my hands and wrist where the liquid splashed. I changed to mineral oil after this problem.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 11, 2015 8:51:23 GMT -5
On the Hi Tech or any plastic bodied saw water would be fine. The water solubles probably would not hurt. Any oil type product can cause the plastic to break down. I would use plain water and dump out and flush sump after use. Then dry blade.
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