[meteorite-list] Unconventional Way To Cut Meteorites

[David & Kitt Deyarmin]

Some of you may know that I collect 50mm Meteorite Spheres.

Since there are not a lot of them available I had to learn how to make them 
myself, part of the process is cutting the rough material into a "sphere 
rough".

I have 2 processes, one I use a core bit to create a 2.080 core which is 
machined into a rough 50.25mm sphere.

The other is to cut a rough meteorite into a cube that's 52mm which is 
machined into a rough 51mm sphere.

They both have advantages and disadvantages but I thought some of you might 
like to know how I cut or "slice" my meteorites since I do not use a 
conventional method.

I was not happy with the surface a band saw left on a slice I had to sand 
and polish so I decided to try a different approach.

I purchased an MK-100 Brick/Paver Saw and made a few modifications

Here is a picture of the Saw with the Mods

A - This is the meteorite set in a block of Plaster of Paris.  This keeps it 
aligned so every slice is cut from the same orientation.

B - This is modified Milling Machine Vise.  It's what holds the block in 
place.  I noticed that the block deteriorated as I cut more slices.  This 
created tapered slices.  To fix this issue I augmented the vise with 2 
pieces of angle aluminum which distributes the pressure one the block more 
evenly

C - This is the depth stop which gives me consistent slice thickness.  It's 
just a bolt clamped to the table.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p298/BobaDebt/Meteorites/MK-100.jpg


When cutting a meteorite into a rough I start at the small end and cut 3mm 
slices until I get to a predetermined section and then I cut a 52mm section. 
Then the rest is cut into 3mm slices

Once that's done I clamp the 52mm section in the vice 90 degrees to it's 
original direction and cut each end until I get a 52mm x 52mm section.

This has to be re-set in plaster to make the final slices on the remaining 2 
sides.

Each cut takes 15-30 minutes but it's worth the effort.

This method leaves the surface very smooth so I don't have to spend a lot of 
time sanding off the saw marks which is a waste of time a material.