fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by fisherman510 on Sept 3, 2008 16:01:46 GMT -5
I can see that this hobby is like all others, as expensive as you will let it be. I am wanting to cut some rocks and notice that a lot of people claim to use a tile saw. I can get a 7" saw from Lowe's for under $200.00. I am wondering if this is a worthwhile investment for should I save up for a "rock saw".
Bob
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Sept 3, 2008 16:24:38 GMT -5
Bob;
Most lapidary saws cut minute`s ( 4 - 6 - 8, to the inch for most slab saw`s. ) to the inch, only on trim saws and with a slab do you cut faster the you should.
I think a tile saw with a good angle degree jig on the rail would be nice for cutting shape.....
other then that trim saw is best, finger fead or gravity feed.
Expensive hobby....I spent my raising a rock collection.
Jack, Oregon
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2008 17:27:04 GMT -5
Definitely. Its why so many on this forum have bought them. Yes, it has its limits, such as having to "roll" the rock while cutting if you want to cut slightly larger materials but for the small price (as compared to lapidary saws) its definitely worth it. I have a Workforce tile saw, and 6" and 10" saws and my tile saw has had a lot of use. The Workforce is under $100. I heard that Home Depot was no longer going to carry it. Not sure if that is true or not. Its this tile saw that got so many of us cutting rock instead of just buying slabs......and many of us had never touched a saw period prior to getting one.
Shannon
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Sept 3, 2008 17:54:37 GMT -5
"Under $200" doesn't sound as attractive as under $100 which is what a basic tray irrigated 7" tile saw should cost, $120 tops, I'd shop around a bit more before ponying up at Lowes.
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Post by sandsman1 on Sept 3, 2008 17:58:07 GMT -5
my first saw was a workforce think i payed like 98 bucks at home depot it worked very well for cuttin and triming junk from rock i wanted to tumble and makin smaller pieces to tumble so i didnt have to fracture them with the big hammer haha
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Post by cpdad on Sept 3, 2008 19:19:37 GMT -5
bob...the workforce from home depot is a killer little saw....after some practice with it....i dont think you can do anything nicer with a lapidary trim saw.
after some practice rolling rocks on it.....you can cut nice straight slabs with out mutilating your rough...i can actually cut slabs as thin as 1/16 of an inch rolling the rock....no fence or nothing ;D....but i am running the hotdog blades....havent tried super thin cabs with the stock blade.
and as others posted....under 100 bucks...kev.
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Post by sitnwrap on Sept 3, 2008 20:49:25 GMT -5
Bob, the Home Depot tile saw is great. My husband bought ours about 8 years ago for tile work and I claimed it as my rock saw. It was 88.00 at the time and just last week I went to HD to replace the first original blade. I have been running the saw for hours at a time and the motor just doesn't quit. You can slab small rocks and then use the edge of the saw to trim preforms.
My tile saw is a 4" blade. I get about a 2" total cut out of the rock (if I rotate the rock). A 7" blade will only give a little more cutting depth. That's about a 100.00 increase for only an extra 2 inches or so. Another point is the larger the saw, the more expensive the saw to replace.
That 88.00 was worth every penny.
Good luck
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Sept 3, 2008 21:09:33 GMT -5
The Home Depot "Work Force" is the first saw I got. $88.00 2 years ago. I cut many rocks 2 1/2 and cut slabettes. It still is my favorite trim saw although I do have a Covington 10" trim as well.
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Post by sbreed on Sept 4, 2008 0:49:59 GMT -5
I swear by mine!! Still cut all of my small rock with it!!
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 4, 2008 7:11:51 GMT -5
If you are going to pay "under $200" check out the MK170-BD. It comes equipped with an $84 porcelain blade, submersible pump and can cut 2" flat or 3" rolling. It is a very nice, well built saw. Insist on the -BD as that is the lapidary marketed, porcelain blade equipped model. The standard cheap tile blade version would be about $30 less.
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fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by fisherman510 on Sept 4, 2008 12:16:46 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone for your input. I made a pass by Home Depot this morning and found a Workforce saw for $89.00. Hooked it up on my lunch break and made a few cuts. Works smoooth. Should be able to learn a bunch using it. Again thanks.
Bob
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Sept 4, 2008 21:49:26 GMT -5
Bob, glad you got it. Are you wet yet? I wish I had the two weeks it would take to find the old threads about using a workforce, here on rth. I will give you a couple of hints about it though.
1. Stand behind it behind it to cut, little to no water on you.
2. Keep the water as full as you can, it cuts better with more water
3. Forget the fence and the guide you will do better holding the rock with both hands.
4. Learn to roll the larger rough, you will find what works best for you rolling forward or backwards.
5. The blade will not cut you, a little friction on your finger but unless you leave it there it will not hurt you.
6.Use some kind of gloves and defiantly eye protection when cutting obsidian, the little shards will cut up your hands face and arms.
7. If you leave the water in the tray put a piece of rock under the left rear (if you stand behind it) pad to raise the blade out of the water.
8. Blades, and this is just me. It will be hard to find a better blade than comes with the saw, the husky comes close. I saw the hotdog blade mentioned above and it does have a thinner kerf but it is a sentered blade, I have seen it curve while cutting out preforms and I cut some pet wood rough the other day, I held it as still as I possibly could but when I was done the cut almost looked like stadium seating it traveled and curved the cut so bad. I am going back to the husky.
Some folks have built water guards that drain back into the tray and to cut down on getting wet I will let them address that.
Have I forgotten anything workforce owners?
Mark
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Post by deb193redux on Sept 5, 2008 1:02:22 GMT -5
A $200 tile saw is not worth it. YOu can get the 10" stainless Lortone for $300 and add a used motor and a HotDOg blade. BUT - a $90 tile saw is worth it. Eventually there is room fo rht etile saw and the larger saw(s),
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fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by fisherman510 on Sept 5, 2008 5:40:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the hints Mark. I have gotten wet, but not as near as much as I had expected. Was a little concerned about that, but the rocks came off the blade cool to the touch, so on I went. Home Depot had the Husky blade and another brand name. About a $10 difference. Will worry about that later. Now on to a lap grinder.
Bob
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Sept 5, 2008 19:32:44 GMT -5
You will not be unhappy with your work force. I also went with the Husky once the original wore out. I tried the others and I prefer it to the Hot Dog and the Ridgid (The kerf is thinner but....) and the price is a lot friendlier. As for the lap grinder I went with the Ameritool 8" I do flats with it but you can cab with it as well. I went with the Genie for cabs myself. You are addicted. Face it and move foward. Dave.
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fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by fisherman510 on Sept 5, 2008 20:34:23 GMT -5
I ordered the 8" Ameritool today. I have about given up on Keeping my CC bill paid off. Not many real pretty rocks in Louisiana, but plenty to practice on along the RR tracks. Bob
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Sept 5, 2008 20:49:04 GMT -5
Hmmm... I dunno.. I got a Monster Rock Saw (to me). and as practice (because I have to hand feed it) I cut anything in sight rather they tell me it's a leavorite or Not.. .I figure Theres only good that can come from it.. either I become so good I can cut rocks in my sleep.. Or .. every once in a while I get a Real Doozey...and not to mention.. It's good therapy.. lol
*smiles*
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Sept 6, 2008 1:10:53 GMT -5
I bought a WorkForce for $89 today at HomeDepot and 3 Workforce blades on EBay for $20 and change including shipping. I'll be making little rocks out of big ones tomorrow morning....WooHoo!
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Sept 6, 2008 8:08:57 GMT -5
I predict you will love it! ;DS
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Sept 6, 2008 9:03:30 GMT -5
I have a workforce and when I use it it works great. If you look back in past threads there are great tips on cutting and shaping with a workforce. Such as standing behind the saw when cutting so you don't get wet.
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