carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
|
Post by carloscinco on Sept 6, 2008 20:23:11 GMT -5
I went by the tracks today to pick up some sawing material. I cut rock for 2.5 hours and plumb wore out the diamonds in the workforce saw I bought yesterday. I can hardly wait for the new blades to show up. Saw works great. Stood behind like ya'll said. More control and less waste. Sweet.
|
|
hodgehound
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 82
|
Post by hodgehound on Sept 6, 2008 20:30:16 GMT -5
Wish our tracks had rocks like that! All we got it crushed granite!
|
|
fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
|
Post by fisherman510 on Sept 6, 2008 20:52:59 GMT -5
We have mostly crushed granite here to, but there is some other stuff mixed in. I picked up a couple of interesting looking pieces after work today in just a few minutes. Course Carloscinco didn't say how far he traveled to find those pieces.
Bob
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Sept 7, 2008 3:06:02 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! With some practice, you get a lighter hand and will get a lot more than 2.5 hours out of the reasonably good quality blade that comes with the WF. But, the cheap ones from ebay may not be so good. I got 3 for 15 bucks and they were pretty good no-name Korean blades that were slightly thicker but at least as good as the original. But subsequent purchases - especially the ones called WorkFOrce - were all junk. Now I just use MK 225 HotDog.
|
|
carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
|
Post by carloscinco on Sept 7, 2008 9:41:18 GMT -5
The tracks are about 5 miles from the house. I walked about 200 yds of track under one blistering sun. The things we'll do for this obsession. The blades I ordered were described as Workforce so I'll have to make do with junk for a while. Who handles the Hot Dogs? Any other blade recommendations? I tried a little rough carving with the blade and I see potential there also.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Sept 7, 2008 14:55:55 GMT -5
Sad to hear the blades were described as Workforce - these have no connection to the Workforce tile say company. Somewhere here there is a thread with a number to call and order replacement blades form the Workforce tile saw company. (A whole parts list if I recall). Several members tried the ebay Workforce one and said they were problematic. Harry: I just went out and measured my Workforce and I think that an 8" blade would not quite fit without some more modification. Six inch blade would way reduce your available depth of cut! Probably best to stay with the 7". More weight to with the 8" so that might strain the motor, I don't know. I only wish I could buy more of the exact blade that came on my Workforce. I got like forty hours on mine before it wore out. I have purchased replacement blade from E-Bay ( $6.00 ech) that are Workforce brand but much thicker and from MK ( thinner and about $11). Haven't tried them yet but both look to be similar to the original blade in diamond content. I use mine mainly for trimming and cutting small slabbettes for the tumbler. I think If I were gonna want to do detailed cutting of thin slabs, I'd try something like the Hotdog. generally, the thinner better blades cut smoother, faster and with less chipping during the cut and less breakoff at the end of the cut. Probably, the best bet is to get three or four different types and see which suits your purposes best...mel Lapidary blades may not be the answer either because the WF turns faster than they are designed for, and thicker blades are more forgiving of hand feeding. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=6748Rocks bounce more on cheaper blades, and it is harder to roll the stone, and you many have it bind and slam down on your finger. Just be careful - and at least they did not cost you very much. Used to be you could get 7" and 10" HotDogs on ebay for less than retail, but lately less so. HomeDepot has them but they are a bit pricey. Lots of online outlets for MK 225, some lower cost than others. I bought a 5-pack of 7" on ebay last year and got them for $14 each with only $8 in shipping. Still have three left unopened. Got a two-pack of 10" for $26 each - but have not see a deal this sweet in some item.
|
|
hodgehound
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 82
|
Post by hodgehound on Sept 7, 2008 15:05:29 GMT -5
Well, wether tile saws are worth it or not, I got a new one on EBay for 37 bucks new, shipped. It is prob. a cheapie but it will work for this newb!
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Sept 7, 2008 18:13:06 GMT -5
Mostly its the blade. SO your cheapie saw might work as well as the WF once you replace the blade. MY 1st saw and blade sucked so bad I quit for a year because I did not know it could be so easy to cut rocks. Long slow loud cuts making wide gashes in the rock. It was a $30 saw but I don't think it would have even cut tile very well.
There are a few points. THE WF has a 3/4hp motor while many have 1/2. SOme really cheap tiles says are metric. I spent all kinds of time and money trying to get a bushing so 1/2 or 5/8 holes would fit on a 14mm arbor. Finally I junked the saw.
Enjoy cutting.
|
|
hodgehound
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 82
|
Post by hodgehound on Sept 7, 2008 18:24:50 GMT -5
Yeah the only drawback is this one has a 7/8" arbor. Gotta find good 7/8" bore blades. But I can take the arbor to work and turn it down to 5/8" if I have to.
|
|
|
Post by cpdad on Sept 7, 2008 19:04:57 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Sept 7, 2008 22:33:36 GMT -5
The shipping is parcel post. The 7" blades will fit in the $4.60 Priority flat-rate envelope, so it could be worth it to ask the seller if that method is an option.
ALso the 10" ones will fit in the wide flat FRB for $9. This size is like a shirt box and many sellers do not know about it, but one or two guys used it after I asked.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Sept 7, 2008 22:47:09 GMT -5
|
|
hodgehound
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2008
Posts: 82
|
Post by hodgehound on Sept 8, 2008 15:14:35 GMT -5
Thanks. I'll try the cheap ones I got last night on ebay if they don't work I might give these a shot!
|
|
junk
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2008
Posts: 9
|
Post by junk on Sept 25, 2008 14:23:38 GMT -5
Hope no one minds me adding to this thread. As you can see, I just joined. My son is getting into rock collecting, so I thought I'd pick up a saw to cut some for him. Are these saws pretty much all the same? reason I ask is I just got a gift cert from work today for Lowes. Looks like all the workforce comments are about home depot. thx
|
|
fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
|
Post by fisherman510 on Sept 25, 2008 15:39:33 GMT -5
I looked at the saws at Lowe's before I started this thread. They did have a saw in the $80.00 to $100.00 range, but I don't remember what the brand was. Since it seemed that the Work Force saw had a huge following here, I decided to go with it. I don't regret the decision. I guess I have worn out the original blade. While cutting a rock last night, I wasn't making much progress plus the rock was getting rather warm. HD carries two blades, a Rigid MK225 and a Husky blade. I got both just to see the diff. The prices were $24.00 and $34.00.
Bob
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Sept 25, 2008 19:40:21 GMT -5
I think the Lowes one is QEP - or was two years ago. I recall a little more plastic than the WF, but very similar design.
Two points - First, the blade is more important than the saw provided the saw is basically solid. The supplied WF blade is pretty good. The QEP blade was not so good for harder rock, and a replacement blade will be needed much sooner - and the cutting may not be as convenient.
Second, the WF does have a 3/4hp motor which is a little heavier than most. Check if the Lowes model is 1/2hp or 3/4hp.
|
|
junk
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2008
Posts: 9
|
Post by junk on Sept 25, 2008 19:54:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the info.
|
|
oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
|
Post by oldgrouchy on Sept 29, 2008 7:17:44 GMT -5
I got my tile saw off Craigslist for $40.00 and it was like new. I mainly use it for tile though. I see one on my local list every few weeks for 1/2 price of new.
|
|
|
Post by cina on Sept 29, 2008 9:06:14 GMT -5
Let me jump on the Workforce band wagon I love mine a have used it for years it was under $100 when I got mine. Best wishes, Steph
|
|
randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
|
Post by randy on Sept 29, 2008 16:18:56 GMT -5
I bought mine over the weekend for $89.00 at Home Depot. I hve not used ot yet, but I will soon no doubt.
Randy
|
|