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

[Rob Lenssen]

Hi Mike,

I found these to be helpfull when I started experimenting with cutting:
http://www.meteorite-times.com/Back_Links/2004/January/Jims_Fragments.htm
http://www.meteorite-times.com/Back_Links/2008/march/Jims_Fragments.htm

Succes,
Rob Lenssen


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Galactic Stone & Ironworks" <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
To: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 8:38 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Question about cutting stones on a small saw


> 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
>
> -- 
> .........................................................
> 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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