docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Oct 9, 2008 0:37:13 GMT -5
I have an old 6" Star trim saw and need a rock vise. I would like to make one, but as I'm not an engineer, I would really appreciate help with designing one that can be used both to hold rough for slabbing and slabs for preforming. Catalog pictures of suitably sized vises don't show enough detail and the descriptions don't really indicatye how or for what they are best used. Thanks a lot... Mark (Docharber)
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 9, 2008 9:18:45 GMT -5
If you mean Star Diamond the vise is available from Barranca Diamond. Their vise slides on a round shaft that attaches to the saw table front and back edge. The vise on most 6" trim saws is mostly used by facetors to square cut their preforms. 6" saws have a cutting height ranging from 1 3/8" to 2" depending on brand so you are not going to slab rocks of any size. It might be nice for slabbing turquoise nuggets or some other small material. You don't need a vise for preforming slabs either in my opinion.
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Oct 9, 2008 13:35:27 GMT -5
Thanks, John. It is a Star diamond sow- or it was bought as one. It's all cast aluminum. I decided I needed a vise after truying to trim small pieces of agate/jasper rough to size. I realize these trim saws aren't suitable for slabbing- I meant trimming off small flat pieces I can manage- an inch or so in size. I am a neophyte and I don't have my terminology down very well yet. Anyway, i need to prep rough for cabing and faceting. A friend gave me his Graves Mark IV and all the accessories and that is my only unit now, but it will cab very nicely. He gave me a 6" new blade and I really abused it trying to hold rough byu hand. I have seen vises like you describe and they are a little pricey, and I'm not sure, having not seen these or tried them on my saw, I don't know for sure if they will be compatible buut I'll check out Baranca- I understand they bought out Star diamond a few years back. I have looked at the Model V vise for the rock rascal trim saw and I think it will work. It's cheap, relatively speaking, and rides on the side rail of the table. I don't think I can clamp slabs for trimming with it though, and I wanted to make something that would handle anything I wanted to cut I may end up making 2 vises, one for rough and another to clamp slabbed material. I think it would be fun to build my own but I wanted to solicit others' ideas for doing so- ideas about materials, etc. For instance, I use water as a coolant and so wood parts might be a problem, i need a material for the "sled" that is rigid, water and corrosion resistant, thin, and workable with simple tools. I will definitely check out the vise you mentioned though andf I really appreciate your geting backto me. I'm still all ears for advice from anyone reading this thread! Mark H.
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Oct 9, 2008 20:35:46 GMT -5
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 10, 2008 22:52:08 GMT -5
Your Star Diamond should have a hole in the left front and rear table lip. The stock vise has a shaft stock threaded on each end and held in place with acorn nuts. The vise has brass bushings in the hole to allow it to slide smoothly. If yo can mount a plate that will slide the vise jaws can be two bolts or threaded rods to clamp wood jaws with metal back plates. You can see a picture on the Barranca Diamond site of the stock vise to get an idea.
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