Favorite saw for cutting seashells and dishes??
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Original Post
Since there were no replies to the first post, I figured people thought I was looking for one to buy.I am, but first need to know what to look for. I need something that will cut thicker items - up to 2-3" thick and hopefully be able to cut a teacup in half. Anyone have an opinion?
Posted at 9:20am Jan 21, 2010 EST
Responses
I think a tile saw would be the way to go. They work with water to keep the blade from sticking in the ceramic. Would probably work with seashells too, but for that I would try using a Dremel tool.
Posted at 9:30am Jan 21, 2010 EST
Thanks, but don't they have big finger cutting off blades? Most of what I'd be doing is pretty fine work - cut focals out of dishes, slicing shells etc. I was told once that a lapidary saw was what I needed, just don't know what kind (brand) people like best. You can put your finger on the blade and it will not cut it! You have beautiful pottery, MoonFireStudio!
Posted at 9:57am Jan 21, 2010 EST
Ah, I see. I'm sure you're right. Fine cutting would definitely be problematic for keeping ones fingers. I don't know anything about lapidary blades unfortunately. But good luck! and thanks;)
Posted at 10:24am Jan 21, 2010 EST
A tile saw would work as above, but the blade will be thick. Mine has a guard so you would need to be very careless to cut off a finger.
You might be able to use a fine handsaw, but it would be slow.
Posted at 8:10am Jan 23, 2010 EST
A tile saw of course only cuts in straight lines too!
Posted at 8:11am Jan 23, 2010 EST
A rod saw used for glass would work. Taurus 11 is a good one. You do lose some material but it cuts like butter & is self lubricating, safe & you can cut fancy curves.
Posted at 10:16am Jan 23, 2010 EST
flameonglass
what can you cut with a 'rod sawblade'. stained glass?
what about natural stones? does it just fit into a jewelers saw frame??
i have never heard of a rod saw - sounds great
Posted at 10:42am Jan 23, 2010 EST
I have all the saws you mentioned and the only lapidary saw I could think of would be something like a rock rascal with the very thin blade, yet it works the same as a regular tile saw and hard to make the curves. For my rock pendants, I cut the basic shape, then grind the curves with the rock rascal with a silicone carbide blade. It sounds like you are needing to do very fine work, then a foredom may be more what you want. It's a drill, but has cutting tips, they spin like a drill, but then cut. The material you aretalking about, it would cut it like butter. A dremel would work for the shells with no problem, you would want a variable speed one and use the slow speed I would think, and then use one of the cutting tips, looks like a drill bit, but sides are different, meant to cut sideways and not up and down.
Basically with lapidary, if its cheap, then its probably a cheaper brand. Lortone makes some good stuff. You may also want to look more at gemstone stuff, they are meant more for the tiny things.
Just so you know, tile saw.......you'd have to try pretty hard to cut your finger off, like maybe stick your finger in front of the blade and push towards it. It's a diamond blade you get to cut rock, not razor sharp at all, same with the tile blades, but they are made with something different and much less expensive.
Posted at 10:52am Jan 23, 2010 EST
I have seen alot of people rough cut with tile nippers and grind smaller pieces into the shapes they want or use a wet saw - ie china hearts for charms. I have only done it a few times but you can also rough cut and use a wet glass file - but it's really not something that would work for production work.
You might find this interesting !
forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/junk/msg121415057353.html
Posted at 10:55am Jan 23, 2010 EST