[meteorite-list] Another question for the Saw Wizards

[STARSANDSCOPES at aol.com]

Hi Mike,  Expensive material is held in  place with various configurations. 
 

It has been my experience  however, cheap unclassified meteorites are 
(particularly the small ones) best  held in hand.

I have a friend who cut off three fingers and the end of  his thumb using a 
table saw with gloves on.  That's a bad idea!   

You would have to be stoned to cut your finger off with a diamond  blade.  
They don't grab and draw in your finger like a rip saw does.   I have run my 
fingers into the saw many times while cutting small NWA's and no  losses of 
digits.  I do swear a lot and it will bleed.

Tom

In  a message dated 6/30/2009 12:12:35 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,  
meteoritemike at gmail.com writes:
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
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