rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Nov 19, 2005 3:19:29 GMT -5
OK I went out and got the classic $88 home depot tile saw simply because I hated the thought of whacking rocks with a hammer to get them down to tumbling siize- all of my experience with that technique had given me rocks with a lot of cracks in them. So having the saw is cool, BUT- the kerf (blade thickness) on these is pretty huge and I'm afraid some of my nicer stones are having too much of their mass converted to dust, has anyone found a thinner blade that can be mounted in one of these machines?
And the second question is another outcome from having the saw, I now have a few little "slabs" that I think I might rather try cutting cabs out of, and I've seen some of these so-called Flat laps, like the Universal Heavy Duty or the Crystalite units, that look like a decent kit with all the goodies can be had for under $600.
So I'm wondering if that might be a way to start into the cabbing game without the larger capital investment needed for a proper wheel/arbor set-up, which seem to run in the $1500-$2500 range.
Any of you experienced folks have any opinions on either of these questions you'd like to share?
Thanks!
-Pete
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Post by rockds on Nov 19, 2005 23:30:16 GMT -5
Hey Pete, the best I've found is the MK-225 Hot Dog diamond blade. Its thinkness is 0.050" for the 7" blade. Its designed for cutting porcelain and is classified as "good" for granite. The MK-415 is classified best for granite and has a thinkness of 0.060" Then there is the MK-303 which is designed as a lapidary saw blade, it also has a thinkness of 0.050. here is the web site i used, if you would like to look around. www.protoolsexpress.com/mk-diamond-saw-blades.htmlhope this helps, robert
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Nov 20, 2005 3:23:43 GMT -5
Hi Pete, Have you ever thought of using a regular trim saw dimond blade?
If size of center hole is not correct it could be bushed and also a lubricating system added (bucket & pipe) ?! Have fun Yours Jack Yorkshire UK
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Nov 20, 2005 14:39:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the saw reccomendations, I haven't checked the arbor size yet, but hopefully I can find a proper blade that will fit.
As for the flat lap- maybe there is a cabber's board someplace I should check into?
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Nov 20, 2005 16:11:51 GMT -5
Hey Pete, the best I've found is the MK-225 Hot Dog diamond blade. Its thinkness is 0.050" for the 7" blade. Its designed for cutting porcelain and is classified as "good" for granite. here is the web site i used, if you would like to look around. www.protoolsexpress.com/mk-diamond-saw-blades.htmlhope this helps, robert Hey Robert, you're the first one that I've seen that also uses the Hot Dog blade. I use them on my MK-100 and they are great. Great blade for a reasonable price. Pro Tools is also my source. Ron
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Nov 20, 2005 18:17:49 GMT -5
Check out e-bay! You may want to ask others, But I believe you can use a lapidary diamond blade on it if it has a 1/2 or 5/8 center hole. They are .032 so are a little thinner then mk blades, but aren't as good as the MK blades I'm sure.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Nov 23, 2005 13:33:25 GMT -5
I got the same saw- Yes the kerf is thick- but you do get better "rough" results- As for cabbing- Well I got mine from a memeber here- $250 plus ship- It was an awesome 2 expandable drums unit- Works great! but I have seen them on ebay (remeber these things are heavy to ship- so keep that in mind) Keep your eyes open here- Once in awhile someone will get a new one and offer up their old one (heck If I get a new one for Christmas -I'll sell you my old one- course I think my Christmas is gonna consist of some new underwear and a new pair of jeans!) You can also join a local club (if there is one in your area) as they often have equipment you can use- Watch for estate sales and such too- Used Lap equipment is very durable and has a very long life span!
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mom2olivia
starting to spend too much on rocks
1st year rock hounds
Member since August 2005
Posts: 154
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Post by mom2olivia on Jan 4, 2006 13:24:12 GMT -5
Would somone mind posting a link so a suitable saw so I can see what you are talking about. I searched "Tile saw" on eBay and it popped up a bunch of $20 saws that would never cut a rock slab. So what is a basic rock saw? While I'm asking, what do you need to drill little holes in rocks for stringing them? Thanks, Wendy
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jan 4, 2006 15:46:17 GMT -5
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mom2olivia
starting to spend too much on rocks
1st year rock hounds
Member since August 2005
Posts: 154
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Post by mom2olivia on Jan 5, 2006 1:45:01 GMT -5
Thanks Stefan, It looks like you could only cut slabs from rock about three inches deep at the most, is that correct? What do folks use for the BIG slabs?
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 5, 2006 2:23:59 GMT -5
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 5, 2006 4:24:43 GMT -5
Hi All, Remember its the Blade that cuts, often it is the Lubrication / coolant problem that gives the problem so for a big piece you could use a Style saw with a dimond blade,
Just make sure you have someone there with a hosepipe on the rock at the cut point (it wouldnt be too dirty a job either as the blade would not be slinging the water at you !) like most of the other tile and oil bath dimond saws.
Yours Jack Yorkshire UK
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Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
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Post by Debs on Jan 5, 2006 4:44:14 GMT -5
That's great to know about the MKs. I have one of those and the diamond blade. Haven't gotten it out of the box yet. LOL! Thanks for sharing the info on it. Now I just want to get it out in the snow and try it out! LOL! Is it spring yet?
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jan 5, 2006 13:09:16 GMT -5
I can cut (with some difficulty) rocks up to 4 inches tall- the Tile saw blade will cut just shy of 2 inches tall without having to roll the rock on the blade- A bit tricky at first- but you learn how after a few trys-
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slim7309
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 116
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Post by slim7309 on Jan 13, 2006 10:11:09 GMT -5
Hello Pete, I have a Flat Lap cab machine it's good & $600.00 is great price with all the goodies -or you can look into the Diamond Pacific Line- they have a nice machine called a Pixie it'a all Diamond Wheels & 4in. wheels -the 1st two wheels are hard--80 grit & 220 grit & then 280 soft diamond,600 ,1200, & the polishing wheel I have a 14,000 polishing wheel & on the end there's a place for a flat lap & that's about $750.00 & that's a better machine self contained, you can put it on the kitchen table-- with the flat lap you have keep on changing wheels-- I also have a Diamond Pacific Titan it has the 8 in.wheels--now on your saws- You can buy the Home Depot saw for small stuff but if you want to cut bigger slabs you would need a 10in. saw with a cover & a vise all self contained too it has a tank on the bottom for your oil -oil is better to use when cutting bigger rock less friction-& cutting small slabs like Opal, Turquoise you would use water with a water aid or a liquid soap to cut down dust & friction. Hope this helps you out a little bit. Have a Nice Day, Slim
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Feb 24, 2006 13:44:21 GMT -5
Uh oh.......remember I'm the newbie here. I have a tile saw I bought when I was doing ceramic tile on my bathroom floor. Hasn't been used since. Paid around $75 at Lowe's for it. Looks similar to the link for the Home Depot one......... You mean I can use that for rocks if I get the right blade??? I have a diamond blade for it now....................
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Feb 24, 2006 13:45:31 GMT -5
I was going to start new thread, but will add it here. I have a Dremel, what attachments should I get for it to use for rocks. Can I use it to shape some smaller bits before I put them in my tumbler (hasn't been delivered yet) - I like to plan ahead!
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Post by akansan on Feb 24, 2006 19:35:30 GMT -5
If you're Lowe's tile saw is set up to run wet, then your saw will work fine. The only thing special about the blade is that it needs to be a diamond blade -- so it sounds like your set.
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jrtrio
has rocks in the head
With10 tumblers tumbling the sound is so delicious!Send me more of those little red fellas, please?
Member since February 2006
Posts: 535
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Post by jrtrio on Mar 9, 2006 13:55:07 GMT -5
I've noticed one thing that is hardly ever mentioned when people are looking for machines whether they are looking for cab machines, saws, tumblers whatever, people always give links, e-bay, sellers page here (which is a good place to start) but, if you are looking for ways to save on shipping and handling the first place to look is the Local Gem, mineral, and Rock Clubs in your area! If they aren't mentioned in the phone book then check out your local College, Community College, or High School Geology Departments! They are a great source of information and USED machines!! And if you are one of the unlucky people that don't have a club in your area then START ONE! They really are a great place to meet people with the same hunger as yourself plus they know all the good local places to find "the good stuff"! I'm very lucky to live in the Hickory- Newton N.C. area as we have a fairly active club that holds periodic shows and twice a year they hold a very large show with upwards of 150 "venders". It's hard to make your way around the whole floor in one day as you will stop and talk rocks etc for hours with a vender. My favorite part of most shows are the $1 grab bags that club members put together and sometimes early arriving venders will donate stone to the grab bags or for drawings. So, start there if you can. You'll be glad you did.
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George Amer
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2005
Posts: 70
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Post by George Amer on Mar 14, 2006 22:16:38 GMT -5
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