[meteorite-list] Question about cutting stones on a small saw

[Galactic Stone & Ironworks]

Hi List!

I have a question for the cutting gurus and saw experts.

Recently I purchased a new Lortone Rock Rascal 6" lapidary trimsaw,
primarily for cutting small UNWA stones.  I also bought all of the
accessory goodies - the clamp vise, 3 blades of varying thicknesses
and some lubricant.

Admittedly, I am a total idiot when it comes to cutting - I know
nothing other than what I have read.  Since I have no firsthand
experience cutting stones, I am wondering about a few things that I
can't seem to find easy answers to.

I do have experience with power tools and cutting wood with a variety
of saws, so I know the fundamentals of cutting and saws in general,
but lapidary saws and cutting stones is alien to me.  The saw owner's
manual is not targeted towards a newbie and there doesn't appear to be
any online tutorials about how to use it to cut stony meteorites.

So, please forgive the stupid nature of these questions -

1)  How do I lubricate with this saw?  It doesn't appear to be a "wet
saw" - I see no place to add lubricant or no tank to hold it.  What am
I supposed to do in this respect?  Am I missing something?

2) I have a very thin "Lapcraft Laser Dia Blade" that is .006
thickness.  It seems impossibly thin and "floppy" - how is it possible
to cut a straight line using something like this?   Doesn't it wander
all over the place while cutting?  I assume that this blade is only
useful for friable specimens that would offer little cutting
resistance?

3) What lubricant should I use?  I have heard to use pure alcohol and
some use distilled water.  I bought something called "Dia-Cut" that is
a red concentrate to be mixed with water.  But I later read that
lubricants like this should be avoided.

4) What kind of blade is recommended for general cutting of H and L
type chondrites?  I have the blade that came with the saw (not sure
what it is exactly), the .006 blade I mentioned above, and a
"Meteorite" blade that is .012 thickness. The meteorite blade is a
Johnson Brothers that I bought from Graves.

Here is a link to the saw I have -

http://www.therockshed.com/equipment/modj6.jpg

(I didn't buy from that vendor, it's just the first photo of it that I saw)

Thanks in advance!

MikeG

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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
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