jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Jan 17, 2013 22:48:22 GMT -5
You might consider a swap top unit too instead of just a saw. I use a super thin blade for opals and softer stuff like turquoise and lepidolite. I use the stock blade for trimming cabs from slabs. I also like the spindle grinder attachment for getting a good shape on the borders of cabs after cutting from slabs. And the flat lap comes in handy at times if you want to use it. They use water and are not real messy and are quiet too.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 17, 2013 23:41:29 GMT -5
Thanks all for the advice. I'm not familiar with the swap top.
The garage has just been too cold, even with heat. Lights, insulated clothes etc can't keep up, although today was a little warmer.
I thought about the genie option, but it would require swapping the end out to cab, so I was just thinking a small saw that didn't make a mess would be a good option.
I'm just keeping my eyes open for small saws I can afford, although I will check into swap tops now.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 17, 2013 23:44:51 GMT -5
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 17, 2013 23:46:47 GMT -5
I started with a swap top. hated it. odd blade size. junk.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 18, 2013 9:00:45 GMT -5
They are terribly under powered for lapidary use. They will cut if you replace the awful 6.5" blade with a decent 6" blade but cutting height would be very limited.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 18, 2013 12:23:53 GMT -5
I think that would be fine for my use. I have the big slab saw I used all summer and fall, so lots of slabs. I have opal slabs and small pieces now too, and I do have the 6" trim saw in the garage for when it's warmer. I just need something for preforming cabs and cutting opals so I can get more out of the pieces by cutting along fractures and inclusions rather than grinding all the material away.
I am trying to do more sawing to save my wheels and I have some nicer material so I want to save as much as possible, but i do have bigger better and messier saws in the garage for when it is warmer.
I just want something small and less messy for indoor use and for lighter duty.
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 18, 2013 13:56:09 GMT -5
Even replacing the blade on the swap-top, it is still underpowered. The option to do a little pre-grinding on the side of the blade is degraded a bit when under powered. You can still do it, but not as well.
Given you goal of saving your wheels (in addition to staying warm) you likely want at least .025" on a 6" trim saw setup that is not too messy for indoor use.
You can get thinner blades, and if spun faster they are stiff enough to cut well, but not for pre-grinding. You can save some material with the thinner blade, but even expensive material does not generate a lot of savings when .012" vs .025" is used unless you cot in volume. Seriously, it is .013" of waste. Square that if you consider the area of the preform. How may slabs would you need to cut before the savings was more than a few bucks?
You can control messiness of the saw by carefully attending to the fill level, or by placing it in an enclosure like I show above. You can wait for a used 6" trim saw, or get set up with a tile saw today. (Winter could end before you get this sorted out.) The major issue with a tile saw is that it throws enough water out of its tray that you almost need a constant supply (and drainage).
I got my tub used at Habitat Restore, but even new there are cheap models. You can get a tile saw for $50 bucks on sale, or a little more regular. You can get an MK-225 Hot Dog blade for about $30 (or Husky brand blade). The piece of plexiglass for the shield is just a few dollars. For under $150, you could be set up this weekend - and set up pretty good.
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Post by parfive on Jan 20, 2013 1:09:20 GMT -5
I've seen some small saws but they are running $700+ and i need to keep the cost down.
. . . for a cleanish indoor trim saw for slabs and small opals without spending a mint what do you suggest?
I'm really just looking for something i can run fairly cleanly indoors, that is small and efficient for slabs and opal, so a thin blade will be important.
I just want something small and less messy for indoor use and for lighter duty.
Mario I thought about a scroll saw at one point but got a lot of cautionary advice from a lot of folks. Given that I already own a nice trim saw, it's just oily and messy and in the garage, maybe I should consider a band saw. How is the noise/mess?
Can’t get any cleaner than a Gryphon band saw. You could run it on the kitchen counter while your wife is preparing dinner. Less noise than a tile saw but enough to send you to the basement. $298 "list" @ JSGems
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 20, 2013 1:50:09 GMT -5
maybe because I cut a lot of jasper, but my Gryphon is not "preparing dinner" clean. ... and very slow
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jan 20, 2013 3:08:36 GMT -5
Can't remember where but I saw pics of a tile saw set up in someones basement. He had 2 plastic storage containers large enough for the saw to fit in. the lower container had a platform fashioned for the saw to rest on. The upper container was turned upside down and secured to the lower container. He had cut out enough of both sides of the upper container to be able to reach into the work surface. Any overspray would be contained by the top and front of the upper and collected in the lower container. He also had a light attached somehow. Been toying with this idea myself.....
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 20, 2013 11:44:30 GMT -5
I have seen temporary sandblast cabinets made that way, it would work.
Lee
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 20, 2013 19:38:31 GMT -5
Can't remember where but I saw pics of a tile saw set up in someones basement. He had 2 plastic storage containers large enough for the saw to fit in. the lower container had a platform fashioned for the saw to rest on. The upper container was turned upside down and secured to the lower container. He had cut out enough of both sides of the upper container to be able to reach into the work surface. Any overspray would be contained by the top and front of the upper and collected in the lower container. He also had a light attached somehow. Been toying with this idea myself..... take a look at the tub and plexiglass shield I posted above. same idea.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jan 20, 2013 21:17:35 GMT -5
Yeah the tub and plexi is the same idea ... creative and effective I'm sure. All I own right now is a tile saw and I need to get it inside. I got 30# of rough for Christmas most of which needs to be cut. Spring and warmer weather seems so far off................
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Jan 20, 2013 21:34:59 GMT -5
I hated using my tile saw to cut preforms, especially in the winter....loud and messy. I found the Lil Trimmer for $215 on closeout. www.lapcraft.com/lcat23.htmPros are portability, quiet, minimal spray allowing me to use it in my studio. Cons are under-powered and small blade. It is really nice to be able to go cut a preform without the hassle setting up the tile saw.
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