Thread: I Found It Over There

I saw some quarry process on a show once (okay twice) where they were cutting large slabs (forgot) with diamond powder on a cable. Probably took whole days to make some cuts.

Which was bigger, tougher version of the carbide encrusted cable I now have in a hacksaw frame. It's good for little cuts--MUST keep water flowing as it loads up in about 10 strokes. Advantages: non-dusty, not loud.

The mines where they cut the big slabs for countertops and the like are pretty cool. I also like the new Stihl Rock Boss saw. Not an entirely new design but the first within reach of individuals and small companies. All in due time I suppose.

I figured it was a very fine toothed band saw type blade or similar but never done any research

That was along my thought lines too. I know where I could probable get a pretty good price on a large second hand band style hacksaw. Clean it out and load the cooling fluid with water and all should be good. I think I'll give it a go with a hand hacksaw first. Might make for nicer cuts to lap than the wet saw I'm running.

Let me know how it works and take lots of pics, im curious. Big problem with the shale im using is that its layers are so delicate, luckily its soft enough to belt sand though. First one went well. But last 3 have been failures, have been big dips in the layers or fractures you dont see until you already have an hour or two invested sadly

I find that if I get rock too close to blasting or digging with excavators the pieces are often fracture in such a way it is difficult to get a descent piece. I will see how a dry cut by hand goes. If that goes well I'll look at the band saw as an option or perhaps dry cut with my bandsaw with a different blade on it.

Hey hey hey...

I used a circular saw and masonry blade to "great success" today. At least i have two now looking like hones. And now i'm thrilled that we had so many hard, deep freezes this winter. The rock cuts have/are shedding big chunks-that I whack down to toting size and throw in the truck!

two hones, two rocks:



bark side:



close-up:



good company:




Now to decide which blades get dragged all over 'em. I did "not ruin" a blade on one earlier, but this time I can give 'em a little better try-out.

Nice, I need to go scavenging the roadside I guess

Originally Posted by WadePatton

Hey hey hey...

I used a circular saw and masonry blade to "great success" today. At least i have two now looking like hones. And now i'm thrilled that we had so many hard, deep freezes this winter. The rock cuts have/are shedding big chunks-that I whack down to toting size and throw in the truck!

two hones, two rocks:



bark side:



close-up:



good company:

Your pics are gone
And now one showed up in my reply. Strange stuff going on.

Originally Posted by DennisBarberShop

Nice, I need to go scavenging the roadside I guess

Of course you should. Some roads are better than others. You will never know until you get out and look.