Lapidary 101 - How to use a slab saw 2020

[@dawnwallace5584]

I’m just beginning. I just purchased an OLD beauty of a 10” Rock saw from an elderly man who is giving up his hobby. I’m so humbled to own this saw. I now have 5 tumblers, 2 sized tile saws, the 10”, and just bought a Hi Tech Diamond Slant Cabber. Plus lots of little things. Loads of rocks to cut slabs and cabs. I proudly live in Upper MI half way between Superior and Michigan. Thank you for all you are teaching us. I’d love to show you the 10” I just got.

[@rockdaddio69]

Check out the Moose Lake rock show. Maybe July 11, 2024(?). Find Superior Lapidary there and introduce yourself.

[@bettamom7593]

I find the most incredibly beautiful stones in the new Mexican desert and all I want to do is bring out the beauty of them so other people can see what I see inside. I know I am going to need a 6" saw but I'm debating on the slab cutter as I do have a local guy that does do that at mama's minerals. But I am still in the process of learning everything and so I am not making a move until I've seen all your beginer videos at least once.. I find the process of creating a cabachon mesmerising and relaxing...

[@JamieKJim]

Like your videos, you are easy to understand. Clear and concise. Plus, anyone wearing a Surley T-shirt will always have my support! Furious!

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Thank you so much and I do love my Surly brew.🍻

[@peety6323]

I have one just like yours that I never have used. Im so happy I found your video. I'll probably have a ton of questions.😁

[@matthewlunsford9639]

I've been considering buying one for years. Thanks for the info!!

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Glad I could help!

[@djmaxamillionpdx]

I have the Cab King add on saw to the 6” machine, it uses water and I’m finding it’s limitations so really want one like this, that size is perfect 👌

[@ElectricUniverseEyes]

I bought this same saw used… works like a BEAST! ⚡️👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿⚡️

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Great to hear. Have fun 🤩

[@rockdaddio69]

@@GotchaRocksJewelryDIYseriously I caution you about using a heavy pliers on the vise and traveller. We have a 12” Lortone at the Shop and those studs in the vise along with the thumb screws and threaded rod are not hardened steel😮 Not even close to grade 3 let alone grade 8. You are going to start breaking threads and buying parts. Been there, done that.

[@noplacelikehome9116]

Awesome! Thanks for the information. We've been looking for a good rock saw forever. Sounds like the one you have is a good candidate for us too.

[@rbivgq1734]

What a cool machine and skill set to possess, very cool and thank you for sharing with us.

[@forturetools]

It is a sintered metal bond diamond blade, this type of service life is pretty good.

[@Silvertoburn]

Good times right there!

[@giorgiodeste8023]

Looks a very strong machine, I like it

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

It is. I have so much fun with it. 😀

[@johnnymama1]

I recently acquired 2 slab saws. One us a lorotone 10 inch and the other is a 12 inch homemade. Just trying to get my nerve up to turn them on. Thanks for the great video.

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

That 10 inch is a good machine. Make sure you have the oil filled up about a 1/4 inch or so up the blade. Does it have the self feeding clamp for the stone?

[@johnnymama1]

@@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY yes on the automatic feed. I cut my first slabs! I then put on the attachment so I could use it as a trim saw. I had oil everywhere. Lol

[@keykey1401]

How do you call the box? With on -off switches? I need to buy that thanks

[@WorldofRockhounds]

Those are good saws

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

I know 😊

[@arminutreras2694]

Where can I buy that machine and what's the price range? thank you for sharing. I like your videos man

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Hello, thank you! Here is a link to the guy I got mine from let him know I sent you. www.lapidarysupplies.com/catalog_pages_2016/page_22.pdf You can also check eBay. Sometimes I see them on there. Covid is messing up production on a bunch of brands right now but my guy may have on. Give him a call. Okay, that's what I have right now. Thanks so much for tuning in to the channel and tell all your friends. :) Let me know how it goes.

[@arminutreras2694]

@@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY thank you kind sir, I appreciate. Also, keep up the amazing work, I am learning from you 😊

[@SunRabbit]

To quote Will Smith from the movie Independence Day after he test-drives the alien craft: "I have GOT to get me one of THESE!!"

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

LOL 😂 I love the that movie 🍿

[@Whocarzz40]

Looking at getting a slab saw have a lortone trim 10" but need bigger cuts

[@jeffkordus2945]

What kind of oil and blade would you recommend for cutting copper ore slabs ?

[@jubi400]

Kinda of a bummer when you don't get a reply, eh'? He said he would tell about the kind of oil he uses, but I guess he forgot. I'm wondering too. But my ol' man uses mineral oil in my 3 inch trim saw. Not sure if it's the best, which is why I was hoping to hear what this guy uses.

[@jeffkordus2945]

@@jubi400 guess I'll just have to look elsewhere for my answers

[@rockdaddio69]

On the blade, you are going to have you get experienced going through half a dozen different blades. I love thin expensive blades but ruin them quickly by pressing rock through the saw too fast.

[@vanlifenomadfirekeeper]

My Dad bought one of these about 20 years ago. Used it a couple of times and never used it again. It's model ls-10. How much does this thing cost . .? Also have the rotary tumbler ,model 1.5E. This are in mint condition. My Dad will never use this machines ago. Is there a good mark it fore these ?

[@ElectricUniverseEyes]

$1200

[@seawatch321]

Great video. I'm a newbie. I think I understand the thumdscrews and clutch. The beginning point of oil and how much and the very 1st steps, not so much. Any info help please.

[@jeffkirby6401]

I have a question do you use water or oil? I inherited a saw just like yours and they had oil rather than water.

[@keykey1401]

I have this lortone automatic 14 inch, bought it just yesterday no idea how to use it lol

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

What oil/coolant are you using. You didn’t mention it? Thank you from new subscriber

[@scottwall8419]

He answered in another thread that he uses baby oil

[@juliecalhoun9279]

Which blade do you use? We got a homemade 12" slab saw from a friend, and it seems to work really well. Not sure which blade is on here, or what the life of the blade might be. I've heard MK 301 is a good one for hard stuff like agate, jasper, etc. Any advice?

[@rogdog2555]

Hi . . . Just curious as to how much noise is created by a slab saw and other lapidary equipment. More concerned about noise disturbing others in the house. Would be working in an attached garage. Thanks.

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Good question, If it's in the garage you should be fine. I have mine in my basement and I can barely hear it. It's quieter than you would think. All the best

[@fibsniper786]

I have a Lortone LST 12'' Slab Saw and the blade is totally warped - how do I remove the blade? thanks!

[@malviyachhagan2758]

Thanks very nice

[@johnnytarponds9292]

I'm actually shopping right now for a slab saw. Be cutting lots of hard jasper boulders (6" dia and less). I'd love your advice!

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

I really like my Lortone slab saw. I would buy one with at least a 10” blade. Preferably a 12” blade for that size stone. The blade should be twice the size of the stone. 👍🏼

[@johnnytarponds9292]

@@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY appreciate the advice! Thanks!!

[@traviscalton3615]

Do you use oil or water? And what size saw is this? Thanks for your videos. 😃

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

I uses oil and it’s a 12 inch blade. 😊

[@jerrryfrost112]

@@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY what kind of oil do you use?

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

@@jerrryfrost112 Believe it or not I use baby oil. I have been using it for a few years. I know they make a hypoallergenic oil now for the saw but I don’t remember the name.

[@jerrryfrost112]

@@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY Thank you so much for the information, I would not have thought of baby oil. Is this the same baby oil you can get at any drug store? And it is safe to use, will not catch on fire? Thank you again for your time.

[@michaelseiler86]

@@jerrryfrost112 I buy mine at Target. I believe it is safe and the flashpoint on baby oil is something like 335 degrees. If you saw is running that hot you will have other problems. LOL. I think it's pretty safe. Check around though. Let me know if you find out anything different. All the best, Michael

[@insp7]

Great program Thanks

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Thanks so much. 😀

[@brianb1165]

How thick of a stone can you cut?

[@tasmith1979]

What kind of oil are you using? The person I bought my saw from was using diesel and although the cuts are super smooth I can’t handle the fumes.

[@MultiKillsSpecialist]

Don't use diesel can start a fire

[@abbaquail]

Great video! Do you ever have issues with slabs breaking once they are cut away from the rock? I know they don't have far to fall from the blade's edge, but slabs can nevertheless be pretty fragile, and I don't see any soft padding to the left of the blade. I figure you'd want to give them as easy a landing as possible.

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Hello, yes sometimes they do break. For the most part it is usually a weak spot in the stone. One thing I did was I took a wide thin piece of treated wood and placed I right where the slab would fall. I use a 2x4 cut long ways. I also tried a kitchen sponge but it seemed to move around while the saw was running. It didn’t work that well. Hope that helps

[@abbaquail]

@@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY That makes sense! Thanks for the info!

[@richzebco]

DO YOU KNOW THE RPM S ON THE MOTOR? IS IT GEARED DOWN AT ALL?

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

I believe it’s around 1700 to 1800 rpm’s. I didn’t have to adjust the speed.

[@SVT_9923]

Hello plz price of this machine?

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

I think it was around $3000

[@peety6323]

Does it use water/ oil? And wherevdo you putvthe water/ oil in at?

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

This one uses oil.

[@nickbell1245]

How do I change the blade I got the same machine

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

I would contact Lortone and get there recommended instructions. The trick is to make sure the wheel is properly balanced. It’s been a while since I did mine.

[@azharkhan-nd6wy]

Hi

[@GotchaRocksJewelryDIY]

Hello 👋