CUTTING LIMB CASTS on a Hi-Tech Diamond 10" Slab Saw | Cutting Rocks #15

[@kellyharper367]

Old disabled house bound dusty rusty rockhound here: I had to bequeath my rockshop machines to younger family members when my health failed 😞. I enjoyed watching y'all open and use your new machine. 👍 to Hi-Tech for sponsorship of you channel and allowing Old fossils like me to relive the sight and smell of the beloved rockshop! For the love of rocks! ❤️...

[@sandmaker]

The saw did a great job and so did you. Slow and steady makes the blade last longer and a smoother cut. Keep the videos coming. Be happy, safe and stay healthy 🐷⚒

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks!! You're right slow and steady and safe is the way to go!!

[@andreakessler227]

Congratulations on the new saw and well deserved too. Kudos to Hi- Tech diamond for hooking you and the boys up with this gem. I really enjoy your adventures, keep them up!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thank you so much Andrea!!!

[@jlj209]

Hi Tech Diamond will make some sales from your videos, im sure. Likely me being one of them. Love how it performers. I've been using a tile saw too. Mine not even as big as the one you used before getting this upgrade.

[@RockhoundingLife]

It's the smoothness of the cut for me. Going to make polishing much easier!! If you buy one you can use our link!!

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

Those cycads are so cool! After I watched your video of collecting them I had to Google them to see what they look like while they're alive and growing. Amazing that they've been living on the earth for such a long time. Thanks for using them to demonstrate your new saw.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes definitely!!! They are one of those species that have survived the teat of time!!!

[@justjulee9135]

That saw worked really well! Those were some beautiful limb casts. I can't wait to see them polished up.

[@RockhoundingLife]

We are really happy with the cuts we got from it. Going to make polishing very easy! Thanks for watching!!!

[@CityRockhounding]

I like the updated with the rock clamp and slide, like hi-tech products. Thanks for this video

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@silverback5033]

Nice bit of kit to add the workshop, congratulations to you and the boys on the growth of the channel. Keep Safe & Keep Rockin

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thank you!!

[@tott3457]

I’ll be saving up for my HiTech saw and other items ❣️ Great info👍

[@RockhoundingLife]

They are a great company that provides awesome alternatives for beginners.

[@stacyjv_4982]

I love my hi tech saw too! Great rocks!

[@RockhoundingLife]

💯

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

* After Tile saw, the Cuts are FABULOUS.. So nice... hope you cut lots of great slabs..

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes, thank you! We definitely will be!

[@spetkovsek57]

Pretty amazing, basically getting a bonus from your sponsor. I don't know too many people who would turn down something like that. It does look light weight and (with supervision) operable by children who've been trained properly about safety and such.

[@kimdedominicis6893]

Nice saw! I’m waiting on my hitech 6” to arrive. I didn’t get the vise but I think I may get one now!

[@RockhoundingLife]

To be honest the vice isn;t essential.

[@alexaraneda6461]

Excelente video amigo, saludos desde Chile👍🏻🇨🇱

[@MarlainaAtkins]

Next level! That... is... AWESOME!!! Have fun with that baby👍

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks M!!! You bet we are!!!!

[@jrsoper6524]

That saw is so 😎 cooool

[@RockandRoadRockhounding]

Those cycads are so neat! Love the coloring and pattern inside.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Our fav rocks to rockhound!! Thanks for watching!!

[@Ontario_Rockhound]

I love the cycads you find they are crazy cool.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Our favorite thing to rockhound!!!

[@tashacano3324]

Nice saw & those were some great slabs!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Tasha!!

[@WorldofRockhounds]

That's cool you got an upgrade! Now you have two saws :)

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks!!! Yes but now I can use each saw for what they are actually meant for!!

[@juliemckenna514]

Congratulations on the new saw and happy cutting! I missed the info on why these are called limb casts but they are beautiful inside!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Julie!!! They are called limb casts because all the organic material (wood) rotted and silica was deposited entirely in its place firming a cast. If it was petrified the individual cells in the wood would have been replaced with silica maintaining the structure of the cell. Hope that explains it somewhat in a way that makes sense to you. Sorry if I made it worse!! Thanks for watching!!

[@RockAndRollRockhound]

Congrats on the new saw!! Good thing they sent it free. It cost me a fortune in $Cdn

[@RockhoundingLife]

They provided the saw for free but we paid for shipping which wasn't too bad.

[@darrinwilliams5715]

You guys and agate dad are going to cause me to buy one of these machines too. Lol. Good video guys.😎

[@RockhoundingLife]

It is definitely a nice little beginner machine!

[@amrocktumbling8298]

That thing looks nice!! I am goin to be looking for something like that soon will definitely keep hi-tech in mind.

[@RockhoundingLife]

It's a great entry level option into the hobby and hi-tech customer service is very good. And the price is right 😉

[@grandparocky]

Thank You great video!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Dennis!!!

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

Nice detailed explanation on this machine. Can you interchange blades? For instance changing from a 10 inch to a 6 inch blade? If so would it hurt the motor? Good video! Thanks

[@RockhoundingLife]

It shouldnt hurt the motor. This issue would be how high the blade reaches above the table. It wouldnt be ideal.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

@@RockhoundingLifeI understand no for bigger, taller rock cuts. I'm thinking 6 inch blade only on smaller stones. Because the 6 inch blade is thinner (removing less material) than the 10 inch blade. I've noticed some rock hounding people have a 6 inch Slab saw and a 10 inch slab saw. If I can get away with just buying the 10 inch slap saw and putting in a 6 inch blade when I need it I have two in one.

[@azdigger4843]

Can you do trim work with that saw? Trying to decide between this and the 6 inch trim saw.

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes. You use the notched blade for trim work and the sintered blade for harder slab cuts.

[@azdigger4843]

@@RockhoundingLife thank you

[@qqtissue22ify]

Watching this to try to convince myself to order one of these 🙊

[@RockhoundingLife]

Go for it! You won't regret it!

[@agatemaster1998]

My mechanical feed saw is excellent but set me back 5k but it is a 24” blade and does a excellent job and a slow rpm blade works best see if you can modify and make it a weight feed with some weights on a line to gravity feed and pull the rock with even pressure

[@RockhoundingLife]

I was thinking about this actually. Possibly tilting the machine up and letting gravity feed it to the blade while in the vice.

[@angef9687]

I Love Thursdays!! That saw is beautiful (well deserved) and those cycads were stunning! I love Nolan's honest review of your first cut. I'm willing to bet the Hi-Tech rep was making notes about the screw lengths on the vice as that is such an easy fix for the company. Thanks for another great video Jason (and Nolan). Looking forward to next week's adventure already!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thanks Ange!!!! I think the screw thing is as easy as just getting longer screws. The cycads are our fav rocks to rockhound!!

[@troydean5702]

Awesome saw, so cool of them to send it. Of you didn't have children using it I would be jealous. But Troy Loves the kids, well except mine. Mine seem to be nicer to everyone else except me and there mother? Mmm anyways great stuff keep at it. Great hobby that can last a lifetime.

[@RockhoundingLife]

It's very easy to use and set up. My 12 year old son Nolan can use it no problem.

[@senorlaverg6667]

How does the noise level compare between the Ridgid and HiTech? I feel like I force a lot of cuts because the Ridgid is so noisy and I live in the burbs.

[@RockhoundingLife]

The rigid is way louder than the Hi-Tech.

[@senorlaverg6667]

@@RockhoundingLife good to know. Thanks my dude.

[@scottpeters5624]

Another quality video,, some awesome looking cyclads slabs, so beautiful, Awesome saw, and an honest appraisel of the kit. But no jokes from your boys? 🤔 So Here's a clean one from the UK for them. What do you call a man with no shins??? Ans= Tony,,,, toe knee Yeah it's lame

[@RockhoundingLife]

That's a good one!! Nolan approves!!!

[@outdooradventureswithfayde6832]

Very nice! That saw looks like it definitely does great work! I just got a tile saw and am gonna try cutting my first rocks this weekend. When I get better I think I will look into getting that slab saw by hi tech!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Tile saws are great starter saws too! That's how we started. They just have some limitations and draw backs that eventually, once you cut enough rocks, you will notice.

[@outdooradventureswithfayde6832]

@@RockhoundingLife is the Hitech a good one to progress to or is there another you would recommend. Also, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I know you have a very active and popular channel. 😁👍

[@RockhoundingLife]

@@outdooradventureswithfayde6832 yes it definitely is. The way I look at it is that we are not professional lapidary artists. We do it recreationally as a hobby. I can't justify spending thousands of dollars for a top of the line lapidary saw as a hobbyist. That's where companies like Hi-Tech Diamond come in. They provide cost effective solutions for hobbyists on a budget. Tile saws are an even more budget friendly option fir cutting. Once you start getting into polishing you will want to move away from the tile saw and get something that makes a smoother cut.

[@outdooradventureswithfayde6832]

@@RockhoundingLife cool! Thanks again 😄👍

[@whackidoodle]

How does this only have 2k views?!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Ha! 2k views is good for us!!

[@lynschultz513]

The company says this 10" is good for cutting about 3.5" of rock but you clearly are able to cut bigger widths than that as shown in this video. So that is good to know. I think their vice isn't worth a darn though. Don't like the design. Hope they will improve that. Also I understand this model comes with a fence that you can snap onto the platform and this would really help you to keep those bigger or longer rock cuts more stable. I didn't see that mentioned in the unboxing? Thanks for the great demo! This is the saw I'd like to get for cutting stone slabs that are longer and at least 3" wide which I use as bases for art paintings. I'm buying honeycomb calcite right now that is pre-cut but would like to try and cut some of my own stone. This saw is the easiest one to use and set up of all the ones I have looked at so far so it's top of my list despite and cost .

[@RockhoundingLife]

Hi Lyn, The biggest rock cut in this video was about 4" in diameter and cut it no problem. You can cut bigger but it would be above the blade and you would have to rotate the rock to cut it. We were interested in this saw for the same reason as you, we have a lot of long seam agates and this saw is perfect for cutting them. We just need to modify the vice to be able to hold longer rocks. It can only open 3.5" with the factory screws. You can purchase longer screws and be able to clamp longer rocks. For the price this is an excellent saw for beginners!!

[@isabelrolon]

Awesome video and demo/review! What’s the difference between using oil vs water?

[@RockhoundingLife]

Oil is generally a better lubricant and is much better at suppressing the dust.

[@isabelrolon]

Thanks for the reply! ☺️

[@theruggedrockhound]

Eventually I will get me one of these saws

[@RockhoundingLife]

Please use our code if you do!!

[@theruggedrockhound]

@@RockhoundingLife 👍

[@LoriMichels-e6n]

Hi. What are your thoughts on the high-tech know if you had it for a while? I am a beginner. However, I want a machine that will grow with me. I'm debating between the high-tech in the Covington. I'm not a fan of using oil, so I'm leaning towards the high-tech however, the Covington has a spring load feed. I'm so I'm really curious about how you feel towards this machine now you've had it for a couple years.

[@RockhoundingLife]

The price on the hi-tech diamond slab saw is just too good. People call it cheap but I can tell you I throw everything at it and it is still ticking. I over work it, cutting bigger rocks than I should and it has performed. Oil based machines are a huge pain to clean. Again, it comes down to price for me and there is no comparison.

[@LoriMichels-e6n]

Thanks for the reply. Did you notice if there is any limitations using the vise as far as the size of the rock? I noticed with the other one, it did have limitations. So I was curious is this one did too @@RockhoundingLife

[@magalilechenne9232]

are they diamond blades on those saws?

[@CoryCann]

I have a few questions. I am thinking about buying the 10-inch slab. Do you think it's worth the money? do you recommend the use of oil? It's a lot of money to spend, so I'm trying to be sure before I spend the money. Thank you in advance

[@RockhoundingLife]

If you are a beginner and just getting into the hobby then yes it is absolutely the right machine for you. It is not design to use oil, only water. And to be honest you want to use water as oil is a mess to clean up. Is it worth the money? I would say this.....it's the cheapest 10" lapidary saw on the market and I still use it to cut all my medium to small size rocks. It's a great little starter machine. If you are going to buy one use our affiliate link and if you buy any additional saw blades or accessories, like the vice, you can enter the code RHLIFE at checkout for 10% off your order. Good luck!

[@RagnarRocks]

Not a bad way to spend $800! The only thing I don't like about this saw is that the vice isn't accurately adjustable, you just have to keep re-clamping the rock down. Those quartz pockets are lovely!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yeah that and the screws are shorter so the vice only opens up about 3 - 3.5 inches. I'm going to get longer screws so it can hols larger rocks.

[@mkh8771]

Thank you for the great video. I am new to all this and I want to buy my own devices both for cutting bigger stones and for making cabochons. So I was wondering if it is enough with buying one of these 10” slab machines? Or do I still need another machine like a 6 or 8 trim machine? Thank you! 😊🙏🏼

[@RockhoundingLife]

This machine is all you need to get started. It comes with a trim blade and slab blade. I highly rwcomend it for beginners. Be sure to use our affiliate link in the video description and use the code RHLIFE at checkout and you can get 10% off accesories.

[@mkh8771]

@@RockhoundingLife Thank you! That’s great! Then one machine is enough! I was really thinking if i need both of them. The only thing is them to change the saws for slab and trim! Thanks for the code! 😊🙏🏼

[@stormmapping8917]

Great saw for a beginner indeed. It still leaves a ton of saw marks though, bit too much for my liking. And no Auto-Feed... ew. If you ever get the chance, grab an older lapidary saw like an old Lortone or Highland Park. Great quality, Auto-Feed, and no sawmarks. They take a long time to cut, but the quality of the cut is worth every minute. Great limb casts though!

[@grantfahlman1815]

I'll raise a glass to that! Plus the old ones are just like old appliances; made of metal and meant to last forever.

[@RockhoundingLife]

I would love to get a vintage saw and rebuild it. The problem I have us that there are none locally here in Atlantic Canada. I would spend a fortune on shipping costs, especially if it is coming from the US. The saw marks left by the hi-tech diamond notched blade are very minimal. Light years of improvement over a tile saw. For people looking to cut down on polishing time this machine and blade will help.

[@elisabethsanders2270]

@@RockhoundingLife I'm actually selling a vintage Lortone saw if you're interested. Needs a little bit of work, but it's a lot cheaper than a new one, and it's in great condition! I live not too far from you, so no worries on shipping. Let me know if you'd like it, and I'll send you a message.

[@krookiemonster2673]

Got mine yesterday and tried cutting an agate and a few other random different rocks... kind of disappointed with the blad and vise. Blade seems to be bent just enough to cause the whole machine to vibrate. I know it's bent cuz you can see it when you spin it with your hand.. the vise seems sketchy too. I know you know what I'm talking about..

[@RockhoundingLife]

I had vibration issues as well. I swotch blades to a more quality durable blade and it went away. Also make sure the drive shaft is aligned and everything is tight i.e blade is alligned and tight. This machine is only designed tp cut small rocks. A couoke inches diameter max. I push the limits of the machine on my chamnel and so far it has held up but i know im putting too much wear on the dtive shaft by cutting the larger rocks.

[@christina543]

my bf just got this, but the water was splashing towards him when he turned it on. Was the water splashing towards you or the other way?

[@RockhoundingLife]

It will splash towards you but there is a splash guard over the blade and another one on the front edge. I don't get wet using it. Good to where an apron or old clothes though when doing lapidary.

[@kaibilbalam7151]

Can you cut obsidian with this machine? Thank you sir!!!🙏🏽

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yep, definitely!! You can use the sinter blade.

[@kaibilbalam7151]

Im sory i meant to ask you if i can cut obsidian stone with the Ryobi table top wet tile cutter is anout 250$, this one you are showing now is almost 1000$ ouch too much money. But the Ryobi i can afford if it cuts obsidian!? Thank you again!!!!,,

[@RockhoundingLife]

You can but tile saw blades are very aggressive and don't do very well on softer material. I've never tried to cut Obsidian with a tile saw but have cut zeolites which are softer and the tile saw chips the edges. The hi-tech diamond saw has a blade designed for the softer material like glass and Obsidian and would not chip it.

[@kaibilbalam7151]

@@RockhoundingLife thank you so much I appreciate your quick response!!!

[@kaibilbalam7151]

Can i cut Obsidian with this machine sir? ….thank you!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Yes, absolutely!

[@jimlancaster6120]

Well that should work out better for your bigger stuff.

[@RockhoundingLife]

💯

[@888HUSKERS]

Earned a sub off this video!

[@RockhoundingLife]

Thank you and welcome!!

[@bobbieker8915]

I just got my Hi-Tech 10-in saw a few days ago. I have a few questions to ask and it has to do with the saw blade lining up through the slot on the saw table top. It's at an angle where it hits the table on the left side when you're looking at the saw blade in the front, and hits the table on the right side in the back when you spin it with your hand. In the instructions it said to put two washers on each side of the blade which I did when setting it up. When I turn the power on I don't hear anything and of course in the instructions it says the saw blade will straightened out because of the centrifugal force of it rotating. The problem I'm having is with the vise! When I assembled it, I lined the vice up close in line with the saw blade about a 1" to 3/4" away. It will not flip over down the side of the unit out of the way. And also I only got four washers instead of eight like it said in the instruction. I was wondering if you got eight? And also how far away from the blade did you set up the vice when you lined it up? I watch your videos all the time. I used your code RHLIFE to order items from Hi-Tech and received them yesterday. Thank you I need help please 🤔

[@RockhoundingLife]

Hi Bob, Email me at [e-mail] and we can discuss your issue and try to figure out a solution.

[@rosm6621]

I want to like and follow your channel, but I cringe inside each time I see one of the kids not using protective gear. Please teach your kids safety and require them to do it.

[@RockhoundingLife]

They always wear PPE. Once he turned the machine on I made him wear it. This is the only vid wear he did that.

[@kevinunger433]

Hi tech blades suck.

[@RockhoundingLife]

They aren't the best. But if you know how to maintain them you can get more out of them.

[@kevinunger433]

@@RockhoundingLife well one of them they told me can’t be resharpened. And they get bent real easy and wobble , therefore making a horrible start cut , with a lot of grinding to get it flat. I stopped using mine after a few days , they weren’t cutting, so I bought M&K agate eater. Much better blade

[@terrydoucette6037]

THE BIG NODULE LOOKED MORE LIKE AGATIZED STROMATOLITES