[meteorite-list] Another question for the Saw Wizards

[R N Hartman]

There are different quality blades (quantity of diamonds per unit, in the 
blade), and also various rim configurations.  Performance varies with brand 
also.  I think the blade is wearing out when you are seeing less even cuts, 
unless something is wearing in the saw itself.  As I have experienced it, 
the CBN blades are best and primarily for cutting irons.

Ron

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Galactic Stone & Ironworks" <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
To: "R N Hartman" <rhartman04 at earthlink.net>
Cc: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 6:52 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another question for the Saw Wizards



> Hi Ron and List,

>

> I noticed that about the blade sanding it's way through the specimen.

> The first slices I made were the smoothest and the prettiest.  Now,

> after many cuts, the blade is leaving more noticeable saw marks.

>

> The blade I am using is the stock/default blade that came with the

> saw, so I don't know how good it really is, quality-wise.  I have

> another blade sold specifically to cut meteorites, it's the same

> thickness but the blade is brown-colored instead of reflective bare

> metal.  It's also a CBN, which comes highly recommended.  I wanted to

> practice with the stock blade before moving on to the CBN.  I also

> have an extremely thin and floppy diamond blade called a laser

> "dia-cut" which I  haven't used yet either.

>

> Best regards,

>

> MikeG

>

>

> On 6/30/09, R N Hartman <rhartman04 at earthlink.net> wrote:

>> That because a Diamond blade (but not all!) with the very fine continuous

>> diamond mesh does not cut, it "sands".  It sands its way right through 

>> your

>> tough iron meteorite and if your saw is running smoothly it will give 

>> your

>> slice a high polish as it finishes the cut.  If you have some issues with

>> the straightness of the blade or continuous feed, etc. you may get 

>> grooves,

>> which is a sad problem!

>>

>> Ron Hartman

>>

>> Disclaimer:  Use of this information, I am not responsible for lost 

>> fingers,

>> noses or toes!

>>

>> ----- Original Message -----

>> From: "Mr EMan" <mstreman53 at yahoo.com>

>> To: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>; "Galactic 

>> Stone

>> & Ironworks" <meteoritemike at gmail.com>

>> Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 4:18 PM

>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Another question for the Saw Wizards

>>

>>

>>

>> Last time I cut with a diamond blade it only would cut the nail and not 

>> the

>> skin--wanna give it a try and see if thinner blades can cut skin?

>>

>> Mike they make a slab holder/jig which comes in few sizes that lets you 

>> cut

>> down below 10mm or so. Once you clamp the stone in the jig you clamp it 

>> in

>> your saw vice. $20-30 on ebay.

>>

>> Elton

>>

>> --- On Tue, 6/30/09, Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike at gmail.com>

>> wrote:

>>

>>> Hi Listees and Stonecutters!

>>>

>>> After using my saw on several occasions now, I wanted to

>>> share a

>>> recent experience and ask a related question.

>>>

>>> While cutting a small unclassified NWA stone about the size

>>> of a

>>> walnut, my stepson showed up and started

>>> watching. It made him

>>> extremely nervous watching me handhold the small stone

>>> while I cut it.

>>>  Apparently seeing my unprotected fingers a half-inch away

>>> from a

>>> spinning diamond blade was too much to bear. He is

>>> absolutely

>>> convinced I am going to cut a finger off. (Shows how

>>> much confidence

>>> he has in me!) LOL

>>>

>>> He asked why I don't use some kind of jig or holder that

>>> will hold the

>>> stone for me. I showed him my rock vise, which is

>>> made for use with

>>> this particular saw. But the vise is only good for

>>> larger stones, or

>>> elongated stones. It's not much good for holding very

>>> small

>>> acorn-sized or walnut-sized stones. So, I bravely go

>>> where no fingers

>>> should go. He asked what I would do if I cut off my

>>> finger, and I

>>> nonchalantly said I would drive myself to the nearest

>>> emergency room,

>>> wait my turn, get it sewed back on, and then go home with a

>>> big

>>> bandaged hand and type a one-handed email to the list about

>>> the

>>> episode. ;)

>>>

>>> So, my question is - how do you cut very small stones on a

>>> 6" lapidary

>>> saw? Do you hand hold them? Do you use some

>>> kind of jig? And how

>>> many digits do you still have on your hands?

>>>

>>> Honestly, I am not terribly worried about it. I am

>>> experienced with

>>> power tools and saws, so I'm not being reckless. But

>>> if there is

>>> something I can do to make my wife and family feel better

>>> about it,

>>> I'd do it.

>>>

>>> Best regards,

>>>

>>> 10-Fingered Mike (for now)

>>>

>>>

>>> --

>>> .........................................................

>>> Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)

>>> Member of the Meteoritical Society.

>>> Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.

>>> Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com

>>> ..........................................................

>>> ______________________________________________

>>> http://www.meteoritecentral.com

>>> Meteorite-list mailing list

>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com

>>> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list

>>>

>> ______________________________________________

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>>

>

>

> -- 

> .........................................................

> Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)

> Member of the Meteoritical Society.

> Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.

> Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com

> ..........................................................