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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 5, 2004 16:42:56 GMT -5
ok, got the thing all put together and have cut some of my first rocks (oh what fun!)....i started with some of the softer stone, some jasper and some wonderstone..i keep getting a "tang" break right at the last corner....is this normal? what am i doing wrong? too fast? too slow?
my coolant (5qt) is absolutely muddy, i was using it for about an hour...how long does coolant last?
how long do saw blades last (under normal conditions)?
on a sad note, one of my tumblers bit the dust, not a total waste but one of the vital plastic parts wore right thru....i can use it for spare parts, i guess and at least i've got the other one still going.
can't wait to have another go with the saw! KD
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Post by docone31 on Jul 5, 2004 17:50:43 GMT -5
That twang is normal. That is why they make grinders. You can sneak up on the end cut if it is an issue, however it is from the stone halves seperating during cutting. If you keep the blade wet, and use easy pressure, it should last some time.
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bwalters
has rocks in the head
Member since March 2004
Posts: 557
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Post by bwalters on Jul 5, 2004 18:00:09 GMT -5
Congratulations, KD! We told you that you would love it...... didn't we? Your coolant should be good for much more than an hour. At least, Llana and I use ours alot longer than that. Normally we saw for about 3-4 hours when we decide to have a rock cuttin' afternoon, and lately we've been leaving the coolant in the tray for at least 2 sessions before cleaning everything out and starting over. Of course, we may doing it wrong, but has seemed to work for us so far!
Sorry that you had a tumbler bite the dust! What kind was it?
BE
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Post by sandsman1 on Jul 5, 2004 18:01:27 GMT -5
hi all ---KD i get the little corners even on my slabsaw sometimes i find you can stop it by going real slow at the end of a cut on trimsaw but it dont allways work i just go back and slowly take the nub off,, dont go by the color of the coolant i usually wait till i can see a mud buildup under the coolant after it sits over nite if theres less then a 1/4 inch of coolant on top of the mud then i change it,, the more you cut the faster you gotta change it,,same with the saw blade the more you cut the faster you will need to replace they last pretty long normally but that depends too on what your cutting if you cut alotta agate and hard stone it gets used up faster
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 5, 2004 20:05:01 GMT -5
thanks for all the feedback. your comments really help in this newfound lapidary tool addiction. i need a diamond grinder thing.....
the tumbler that died was a Chicago Electric Rotary model # 46376....it was a little cheapy one but lit the fuse to this sickness. my dad got it for me for christmas and it's been running flat out now for almost 6 months....i'll get more.....better...bigger......hehehe, KD
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Post by docone31 on Jul 5, 2004 20:13:45 GMT -5
Those who die with the most toys wins. Remember the 80's. Do not let big hair heavy metal die. Never mind Lita Ford drives a suburban, more, more more. More, more, more........we are stoners!
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jul 5, 2004 20:55:33 GMT -5
lmao at doc - have a friend who use to holler that about the toys while we were cruising along on his yacht and always waited 'til the end of the day on sunday and hollered "wonder what all the poor folks are doing today". then he got rid of it and got a jaguar which in the south is pronounced "jagwire" not jag-u-ah like on t.v. now he's got a trailer on poles at the lake and a pontoon boat and drives a monte carlo - he's probably still hollering that every sunday anyway ;D.
kim
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RedwoodRocks
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 762
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Post by RedwoodRocks on Jul 5, 2004 21:41:24 GMT -5
KD,
I agree with John, the coolant does get a muddy color, but after letting the saw sit, the mud settles on the bottom. You will see the coolant (oil) floating on top.
Not sure if you are using oil, but one way to strain out the mud is to use a 5 gallon, put a brown paper bag from the grocery store in the bucket (I put a piece of wire cloth to keep the bag suspended about halfway into bucket). Pour the oil and mud into the paper bag. The oil will seep through the bag. After dumping all of the oil and mud in the paper bag. Let the bag sit for a day or so to let the oil seep out. You will be left with a bag of mud!
Also, if you find the blade is cutting slower, the diamonds are starting to wear out. If your blade is a sintered blade, get an aluminum oxide sharpening stone. Cut a couple of small slabs from the sharpening stone to expose some fresh diamonds.
Hope this helps. Cal
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Post by creativeminded on Jul 6, 2004 10:15:13 GMT -5
Seeing and hearing all the fun that people are having with their trim saws is making my decision for what to buy next even more difficult. I want either a hand facetor or a trim saw., I have been saving for both and my birthday is coming up in a month and I will be getting some money. Oh I am getting a headache from trying to decide.
Tami
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 6, 2004 19:24:57 GMT -5
tell me how to sneak up on the tang, doc.....i've tried finesse and the short and sharp approach to the final tiny cut and although i am getting a better feel for the stone, the tang still haunts me........anyone got a grinder for sale? HA!
i am loving the saw, though my fingers get tired after a while making sure things are secure in place. and it sure DO make a mess, but i love the results. i wish i'd bought a larger one now.....creativeminded, take that as advice, don't think small.
i don't have the courage yet to guide anything by hand and am still fittting pieces into the vise. that may come with patience and practice and healthy respect for high speed sharp things turning at high revs..
KD
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Post by docone31 on Jul 6, 2004 19:48:44 GMT -5
Krazy, the easiest way to eliminate the tail is to either cast the stone in plaster of paris, or concrete. No kidding. For small pieces of stone to be cut, figuire out where you want the cut to be and add enough material to support the stone and act as an handle. Shine on.
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jul 7, 2004 11:42:28 GMT -5
Hello KD,
If you have never cast these smaller stones in plaster or concrete, it's really easy.
If you have a stone that you would like to continue cutting, but it is just too small or doesn't offer a good way to secure it in your vise ... you can use the following as a guideline.
Determine how you would like to have the stone cut and place it in a container that is large enough to hold the stone and totally surround the piece, as well as leaving enough area to be put into the vise. This can be a cardboard tube, plastic pop bottle with the top and bottom cut off, plastice butter bowl, small plastic drinking cup ... the possibilities are just about endless. I coat the inside of my casting forms with cooking oil, it allows me to remove the casting from the casting form for future use. It doesn't take much, just a light film will do.
You can use plaster of paris or concrete. I personally use concrete crack repair mix. Place the stone in your container, mix up the casting material (plaster or concrete) and fill your container so that it encapulates the stone. Allow the mixture to harden, remove from the container, set it in your saw and proceed to finish cutting the stone. When you are done, you can simply break the casting material away from the stone, either by hand or by using pliers. This process allows you to utilize 100% of the stone for slabs. There will be some of the end cut pieces that won't be suitable for cabs, so I generally put it in my tumble materials.
You will find your own method of casting smaller stones that works best for you. It's one of those learning curve things.
Some people have used plaster of paris for years without any problems. I personally prefer to use concrete crack repair mix. It is similar to concrete, only that it is more of a grout mix and you don't have to deal with the gravel in the concrete mixes, they have a sand mix that seals around your stone a little better. You can even use tile grout ... I have used it before and it works great.
I have a couple pieces of Tupperware (that I acquired from the kitchen) ... but, don't say anything to the wife about that!
Eventually you will find a stone that you would just love to cut, but it doesn't offer any way of securing it into your saws vise. This process will allow you to do so.
You are off to a great start, enjoy!
John
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Post by krazydiamond on Jul 7, 2004 15:38:43 GMT -5
wow, thanks for the step-by-step.....do you coat the stone with anything (as you do the form) so that the concrete releases easier? or, like tile grout, will it just crumble away with a good scrubbing with water?
this is an interesting concept as i have already come across pieces that just don't fit securely in the vise. time to start saving small cardboard boxes. oh yeah, and all you out there should buy stock in paper towels....i'm using enough to make Bounty go through the roof!
i had another good go today with some plasma jasper, way too much fun....it's SO addictive...."just one more slice, then i'll quit"....."just one more"....."got see what is behind this one more slice".....aching fingers!!!!
thanks for all the good advice, KD
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Jul 7, 2004 18:58:04 GMT -5
So true KD Cutting gives another dimension to the rockhounds and I too want to keep cutting to see what comes next, till the late hours at times haha
Have fun
Jack
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