lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on May 28, 2008 12:22:34 GMT -5
Well, you know it's time to replace your trusty little WF blade when about all it does is throw sparks. So I went to the local HD to see what they had - which wasn't much - a $38 blade much the same as the one that came with the saw and a $14 "turbo" blade. I opted for the turbo. Going to town now trimming stuff....except that the new one throws a pint of water every 3-4 slabs..and most of that was going on the floor (concrete in the basement). I didn't mind that too much with the original blade because I could generally work for a half an hour before I had to add water to the tray. To make a long story longer, I found an old plastic storage container around 16"x24"x6" deep that the WF set right in with plenty of room. As the next 3 pictures show, I used the old water tray as a splash guard. The water level should be at or near the top of the serial number on the label..best start near there and add water until the blade throws enough to keep things cool. P.S. Oh, and when someone says add a "couple" drops of liquid dish soap to the water, believe them. A few drops extra will shortly give you a 5" stack of suds. P.P.S. I'm not responsible for electrocutions. Best use this on a ground-fault protected circuit and check to make sure suds or whatever don't get as high as the motor or switch.
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holdemplyer
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 418
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Post by holdemplyer on May 28, 2008 13:55:12 GMT -5
P.S. Oh, and when someone says add a "couple" drops of liquid dish soap to the water, believe them. A few drops extra will shortly give you a 5" stack of suds. NOW someone tells me..... lol, i learned this the hard way about a week ago.... ;D
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Jun 2, 2008 21:13:55 GMT -5
Add borax instead. It softens the water, helps lubricate and does not cause foam.
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Jun 3, 2008 8:53:12 GMT -5
and my wife bought me a small bottle of Dawn so I wouldn't steal hers...........
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Jun 3, 2008 9:09:41 GMT -5
Dish soap or Borax.... I've never heard this tip before, thanks!
Lee, have you worn out a blade between March (when you joined) and now? Wow, you must be cutting up a storm! Keep us updated on how your "turbo" blade performs!
Amy
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Jun 5, 2008 13:06:29 GMT -5
Sounds like a good idea! Would Jet Dry be a good alternative? Less tendency to bubble. I use Jet Dry or Dawn when I'm panning so I always have both around the house. Got Borax too for tumbling.
I'm anxious about how the 'turbo' blade works as well. My WF blade will need replacing soon.
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Jun 5, 2008 13:08:05 GMT -5
I also noticed you removed the tilt table from your WF. Why please? and is that something everyone else also does and I'm still not up to speed?
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holdemplyer
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 418
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Post by holdemplyer on Jun 5, 2008 13:41:08 GMT -5
Dish soap or Borax.... I've never heard this tip before, thanks! Lee, have you worn out a blade between March (when you joined) and now? Wow, you must be cutting up a storm! Keep us updated on how your "turbo" blade performs! Amy shoot, i'm on my 3rd blade, but i do a lot of cutting, both trimming and slabbettes, I push the limits, a lot! and i got it about 4 months ago maybe? fanatic, taking the tilt table off gives you a bit more hight on the blade, allowing you to cut a bit thicker material.
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Post by akansan on Jun 5, 2008 14:10:55 GMT -5
I like the tilt table, personally, as I couldn't get used to the rock hanging out in mid-air on the slant side.
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Jun 7, 2008 13:26:24 GMT -5
huffstuff - I bought the saw a couple years ago for sawing chert - really got the opportunity to abuse it when I joined this list.
fanatic - The turbo blade shows quite a bit of wear on the left side where it gets the most abuse from shaping rock. I think it is a softer material than the original WF blade.
I took the table off to give the saw a smaller footprint. One bonus was being able to use the gap on the right side of the blade as a 1/4" guide for slabbing. Another bonus was not having the slot on the left side mess up my cutting when smaller pieces drop into it.
Lee
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UtahRockHound
spending too much on rocks
Sometimes your the Windshield, sometimes your the Rock.
Member since May 2008
Posts: 301
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Post by UtahRockHound on Dec 25, 2008 11:05:23 GMT -5
The turbo blade has me puzzled. I recently wore out my continues blade. I happen to have a Turbo blade my brother had given me, so I mounted it. I made two cuts with it, and turned off the saw. I will wait until I can get to the store and purchase another continues blade.
The turbo blade just pounded the hell out of the stone. It shattered one, and made such a sloppy cut in another, it will take an hour to grind out the saw marks.
The question is, do I have a bad blade, or am I missing something.
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Dec 25, 2008 12:10:42 GMT -5
I would think that it's the type of blade. I would use a continuous rim blade. By the way what size blade does the WF use?
Jason
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 27, 2008 18:45:53 GMT -5
The Workforce uses a 7 inch blade. You can get Hitachi blades on ebay for $15, that's where my last one came from.
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UtahRockHound
spending too much on rocks
Sometimes your the Windshield, sometimes your the Rock.
Member since May 2008
Posts: 301
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Post by UtahRockHound on Dec 28, 2008 12:56:53 GMT -5
I would think that it's the type of blade. I would use a continuous rim blade. By the way what size blade does the WF use? Jason My WorkForce uses a 7" blade. Not sure if the have other sizes in this design. I have only worked with the 7" model. I made it to Home Depot yesterday. I got a Gift Card for Christmas, and I picked up Husky Continuous rim blade for $24. The idea with the larger tub is a good one. I have my saw inside, and it does make a mess. I have installed guards, and divert most of the water back into the stock basin, but it still runs all over the counter when I use it. I have to lay out towels when I cut.
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Dec 29, 2008 19:09:28 GMT -5
My next blade will be continuous. The turbo blade IS very aggressive. The tub in the pictures was replaced with a rubber oval feed bucket I bought at Tractor Supply. The cheap tub cracked when I sat the saw on the corner (I keep the saw out of the water when not in use). I've got a board to set the saw on now that I set across the tub so the saw can drain. I am thinking of getting some kind of flexible but stiff plastic sheet to use as a better splash guard than the lid I've been using. Lee
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