herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2012 19:26:33 GMT -5
It seems like you would waste less rock off a slab, what do folks think of these? Are they a mess, worth it, or to be avoided?
I have a trim saw but I'd prefer to leave it in the garage and was thinking of a scroll saw for the basement this winter.
Thoughts? Opinions?
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Post by manofglass on Oct 2, 2012 19:32:32 GMT -5
buy a ring saw john walt
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 2, 2012 19:32:59 GMT -5
seen band saws but not scroll saws. variation on the band saw is the ring saw.
I use the Gryphon C-40 with a fusers blade since it is stronger. it can make a very narrow cut and turns with tight radius, but very slow.
the C-40 also has a lot of water runnoff. I use it in a plastic pan.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 2, 2012 19:47:15 GMT -5
The C40 runs pretty clean if not over filled and on a level table. We demo it at indoor shows with no complaints. Proper way to fill is to place the sponge under the bottom wheel and fill to just cover the sponge. A second sponge wipes excess water from the blade as it passes the table. It is slower than a typical trim saw but you cut exact shape you want instead of many straight cuts (like for an oval cab) leaving points you have to then grind away. The time saved on this plus wear and tear on wheels helps compensate for slower cutting. The ring saw is really slow and drive system is really complicated.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2012 19:48:20 GMT -5
Yes, ring saw - how do the blades last?
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 2, 2012 20:03:26 GMT -5
yes. I guess I do over fill, and the sponge keeps falling away, and I got into the habit of working without it. I cut more jasper and rhyolite than agate and I like to flush with lots of water.
I do like the saw, and glad I have it. But, I am very fast with a trim saw and manage to cut very close to the line and even do a little pre-grinding on the side of the blade. In my case, noway nohow can the band saw save me time or grinding wheels.
I use it mostly for inside curves or when I have two cabs laid out almost touching.
If you rig a tub or sink for an indoor tile saw, you will get a lot more winter-work done. I run a tile saw in a laundry tub I bought used. I have a plastic shield over the saw to catch spray.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2012 20:07:57 GMT -5
Oh wait, the ring saw is not the c40? How do the blades last on the c40?
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 2, 2012 20:11:16 GMT -5
the fuser blade is heavier and should last longer. Since I do not used it full time, I am on my 1st blade. been a few years.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 2, 2012 20:12:36 GMT -5
Yeah inside curves was what got me thinking at first, but then i wondered about materials savings on nice slabs, too
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Post by rockmanken on Oct 2, 2012 20:15:47 GMT -5
I have the C-40 that I got from John and I love it. IT IS SLOW. But, it cuts intricate cuts, like the state of Missouri and West Virginia. The ceramic blade guides wear out before the blades. I have cut hundreds of stones and am still on the original blade. I am not agressive with it. Ken
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 2, 2012 20:20:37 GMT -5
it is not so much savings from the width of the cut, but savings from not having to cut the rest of the slab into so many pieces.
but it has to be very very pricey material to think about a few hundred for a special saw and blades to slave a little of the material. I got mine used. I would not have paid new.
I did buy the Inland DB-100 new, but ti was too lightweight/ I traded it to firewalker45 for a hunk of rolling hills. He was going to cut out dolomite and the saw should have been OK for that.
I only paid $125 for the C-40. Bought a blade and new plastic guides form John.
Still, like my C-40, love my trim saws.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 2, 2012 21:27:52 GMT -5
John, C-40 is a wet diamond band saw. It has a flat band blade with diamond on leading edge only. The ring saw (Zephyr by Gryphon and Taurus is the other brand) has a round cable like blade that is plated all around so you can cut in any direction. Even the thinnest ring saw blade is much thicker than the band saw blades so cutting is very slow. You can cut in any direction. The C-40 will cut intricate patterns but you may have to back up or cut from more than one direction. I hate the Zephyr drive system. I'm a retired mechanic and can't change the blade without looking at the manual. It has drive rollers, idlers and a drive belt that makes a serpentine belt on a car look like child's play. The C-40 blade is very simple to change but they last an incredibly long time if not forced and over dressed. I change from the really thin standard blade to the thicker fuser blade for straight lines. The only blade I've ever broken was one that was off the saw and got tangled around my big feet. I've dulled a lot of blades but a 200 dressing stick restores them quickly in most cases.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Oct 3, 2012 9:17:35 GMT -5
as I think through this if I get a blade to cut inside curves I will also need to get a different wheel, or I guess an entire new set of wheels to be able to polish the inside curves.
Hmm, I need to rethink my plan.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 3, 2012 9:44:32 GMT -5
Lots of convex carving wheels and even some new carving Novas that would fit your Genie. You would need a shaft adapter so you can spin the set up on and off the right side of the Genie. It's like a snowball rolling down hill isn't it?
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 3, 2012 9:55:06 GMT -5
Another advantage of the C40 band saw aside from inside curves is cutting crosses and hearts. No matter what conventional trim saw you use a round blade can't equal a vertical blade for cutting to a point. A round blade will over cut one side and undercut the other.
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Post by mohs on Oct 3, 2012 11:46:12 GMT -5
well in my case its like a pebble starting rock avalanche! another machine I want the C40
its like the sharpening business can have enough abrasive machinery turning or elbow room :nono:
JS do you take credit? Not that I have any so be forewarned HA HA
;D
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pintoblades
having dreams about rocks
Pinto Custom Blades
Member since May 2013
Posts: 67
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Post by pintoblades on May 12, 2013 10:34:27 GMT -5
I will be in the same dilemma since I'm going to be cutting some large knife scale stones one day when have a little more equipment, but for now with basics (trim saw & Slant Lap) I will have to concentrate on just cutting/shaping cab shapes for inlays. But....when I have better equipment, I will definitely have to have something that will cut and polish inside curves that follow the tang of the knife designs I built. I guess a Gryphon C-40 would work well for me too. Then maybe a glass grinder also. Of coursed I'll have to be able to polish those inside curves somehow to I'll need a one of those big cab machines that some of you all have with some curved shaping/polishing wheels of some sort. Yup, I"ll be saving and spending money for a long time! As a newbie lap person, I've learned a lot from this forum and its members already! My favorite Forum without a doubt!
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