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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jun 19, 2008 8:52:54 GMT -5
I had been putting off getting a Workforce saw until I learned yesterday that HD is discontinuing them (see "Heads Up" thread).
I have a line on a 10" slab/trim saw (Highland Park or Star Diamond, don't remember which).
My question is: Is there any reason to have both saws? That is, is there anything I will want to do with the Workforce that I can't easily do with the 10" saw?
Obviously, the 10" saw would allow me to cut bigger rock that would require the rolling method with the WF.
I don't have any experience with saws yet, but I have a lot of rock I want to slab.
Thanks in advance! Chuck
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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 19, 2008 13:22:54 GMT -5
If you don't have a grinder AND if the 10" saw has a vise, get both. That way you can cut slabs on the 10" while shaping on the WF. If you have a grinder AND the 10" saw has a vise. spend your extra money on a couple more blades...or buy more rock. If you don't have a grinder AND the 10" saw doesn't have a vise, buy it and more blades. No matter what you do, you will always get rocks bigger than your saw will handle
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jun 19, 2008 13:49:21 GMT -5
Thanks Lee! Yes, the 10" saw has a vise and I intend to get a grinder at the same time (seller has both). Regarding rock too big for my saw, I already have a 20 lb. chunk of pet wood that will have to be a door stop for a long time... I wondered what I was going to do with it when I found it, but couldn't leave it because it looked so cool. Bet you've never heard that one before!
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Post by parfive on Jun 19, 2008 16:13:02 GMT -5
"My question is: Is there any reason to have both saws?" . . . . . . . . . . Yup
Chuck - If you tumble at all, the WorkForce is perfect for cleaning up the rough. You're not gonna use a 10" lapidary saw as a grinder, but the WF don't mind. It eats it up. ;D
All the pits and vugs that'll never tumble out in six months, just grind 'em out with the WF. You can also use it to cut out cab shapes and grind a dome on them before tumble finishing. Or fish . . . or crosses . . . or whatever.
And you might wanna tile the bathroom someday. ;D
Rich
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 19, 2008 17:21:44 GMT -5
Yes. I have had both and they each have their uses.
The WF has a nice steel case, a strong 3/4hp motor, and is shipped with quality blade well suited to agate, (albeit a bit thick).
However it is not magic. Any well built tile saw with a 1/2hp or stronger motor and a good blade will do just fine. I think folks her forget that it is 80% the blade that makes a saw and not other features - provided they meet reasonable standards.
Like most construction saws the WF is loud, messy, prone to chipping, and has a limited depth of cut. But it will take a bit of abuse and offers a low-end entry to getting slabbetts of rock.
A 10" trim/slab saw can handle much larger rock in a much cleaner fashion. Generally is much less messy, and providing a good blade is used, the slower RPM results in less chipping and a smoother cut. The option to have a vice with cross-feed and a power-feed is priceless.
Both have their uses.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jun 19, 2008 22:22:14 GMT -5
Well....
I was kind of afraid of hearing that I should get both. I'm having a hard enough time convincing my wife on a saw and grinder.
Yes, so far I've tumbled a lot of Lakers full of pits and vugs. I've left them in because I kind of like the way they reveal a little of the rocks' origin. Besides, they're on the back side of the rock. On the other hand, there are some poorly placed chips that I'd love to remove.
Thank you both for your replies! I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge that members share here.
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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 21, 2008 2:03:20 GMT -5
I also have both and a 16" for larger slabs but forget about the slab saw for now. The WF blade will take abuse the 10" will not and you sould be able to put off the grinder a littlle while. A hint - Make her something she will like to wear and her mind will change about getting more tools. Worked for me.
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lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Jun 23, 2008 15:50:54 GMT -5
I have cut lots of over-sized rocks with my 10 inch Raytech powerfeed.I just put it in the vise and make as deep a cut as it will do.Then I take it out,reposition ["roll"] it with the blade in the cut and carefully recut it manually.Depending the rock,you could even make a saw cut and then split it with a wedge.Mike.
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