The Trick to Making Lapidary Blades Last Forever!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Did you enjoy this video and find it to be informative? You can help ensure that more videos just like this get made by supporting the project on Patreon. www.patreon.com/currentlyrockhounding

[@douglastaylor638]

I worked in the masonry industry for 36 years and after making a thousand cuts in block we noticed how the blades would seam to get dull. I would get a clay brick and make a cut or two and than back to cutting block never thought of your idea man over all the years and diamond blades thrown out gerrr

[@slurrysolutions]

I’m an old diamond blade guy from the concrete cutting world. The another way to quickly sharpen a glazed blade is to cut into an Carborundum wheel. This is how we “dress” new blades at the factory. Don’t over dress it, because you will waste diamonds. You want the stones to just be exposed.

[@AlchemyOfTheFourthKind]

Sand blast it?

[@Mike-br8vb]

I still have my old blades kicking around, after watching this video I'm very intrigued to test your method. If this in fact works for me, and in the long run saves me cash on blades, you will have earned my contribution to this channel. The science you provide, and the money saving experiments you show, truly need to be supported. I encourage anyone who has watched currently rockhounding videos and have saved money to definitely contribute to the cause. Thanks Jared!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Please go out and give it a try, I think you will be very happy with the results! Many of the videos that I make are both time consuming and costly to make. They're also not very algorithmically friendly so all of the community support I can get is very welcomed and appreciated.

[@Mike-br8vb]

@CurrentlyRockhounding I was actually out in the shop trying it and cut a beautiful plume agate with ease! That blade was dull, and now it is back to new! Wow man, thanks a lot! You're awesome!

[@MartinAdamcik-r4h]

Thank you man. I was cutting like 60 meters of pretty hard 2 cm ceramic tiles and after 2 hours, the diamond blade was done. Now it cuts maybe better than new one. 👍

[@jimv.661]

Thank you for showing this. I watched a video by another guy that said he was going to show how to sharpen the blades. He showed the file, then off-camera there was a bunch of banging. When he came back one he said that's how you do it. The video was worthless.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@michaelprue9024]

Between the “making your own diamond wheel belts” video and this video on how to save your dull diamond saw blades, I’m a subscriber for sure. Such great info and pictures for dummies like me lol. Thank you again bud, you’re awesome

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you and welcome to that channel. I try to produce a mixture of fun and educational videos like this.

[@jw7956]

I've watched numerous videos on sharpening diamond blades. By far I've learned so much more on your channel. Well done Jared! Thank you! I have 5 cats and saw your sign "no cats" lol

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you! The no cats stencil is for a box of litter that I have in the shop for getting oil off rocks, I don't want any cats using it!

[@tulazaz]

I just used my 10” for the first time today. Thanks so much for explaining all about the blades and their upkeep. I knew nothing about them before and had no idea how long they lasted.

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

Thanks I m getting ready to rebuild my grandfathers saw and was going to buy a new blade

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

It might still have some life in it.

[@sherrykrueger4562]

Did this and it worked awesome! Thank you so much for your research into this. Much appreciated. This was incredibly informative.

[@francoiselandriault8164]

Thank you so much Jared because I just used your method for sharpening dull blades with the bastard file. It worked really well. I can now keep on cutting rocks without having to buy a new blade for a while.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad it worked for you! :)

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

If you found this to be helpful please drop me a thumbs up and consider subscribing. Also this will work on tiles saw blades as well!

[@guylivesay8330]

Thanks for the videos. You got another subscriber tonight. I'm new to this and your videos helps a bunch!!

[@Rockin_in_Kentucky]

Thank you so much for this. I am about start cutting rocks for the first time so this will help me maintain my blade a lot.

[@ki6hzs]

Yes, the blades seem to last forever. Great content, thanks. John

[@kksrocks5204]

I am sooo glad I haven't thrown away my old blades! I'm using a tile saw but the blades are similar in construction so I gave your trick a whirl! I'll be cutting rocks with one of my older saw blades this morning. I can definitely feel the difference in the edge on 3 blades that were almost tossed!!! Thank you!

[@Lapidarydiary]

Excellent tips. These things should be used untill nothing is left. Diamonds don´t come easy afterall. Cheers

[@sandmaker]

I knew you would find some cool uses for the microscope. Really good explanation on the blades. I hope my friends miss this episode because I have been getting their old blades for years, even though I have explained it to them, they would rather buy a new one than sharpen the old one. Good for me. 😊Be happy, safe and stay healthy. 😷⚒

[@scarekr0w1]

I just bought two new blades yesterday! I think today I'm going to try to rejuvenate my old blades thanks!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I would love to hear how it goes for you.

[@406findings]

I needed this video so bad thanks so much Jared I have blades I don't wanna throw away yet.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

They likely have lots of life left in them!

[@Lisa.Sparkman]

I love it when you nerd out LOL I want to thank James too for giving you that microscope. I have totally been enjoying seeing all the cool photos that you've been able to get with it it's fascinating. This one hopefully will save people a lot of money.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@juliemckenna514]

This was awesome! I didn’t know that the diamond blade could be sharpened and I wondered how the notch blade worked because I really couldn’t see diamond, but you just explained both, thank you😊❤️

[@WorldofRockhounds]

Very good information! Thank you Jared!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thanks man, I'm glad you liked it.

[@azoiks]

Thanks for the great explanation of the notched blade. Now I've got to go do that to a bunch of my trim blades and try them again!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm sure you can bring them back into service and cut with them again.

[@BlazeGoesRockhounding]

You could not have posted this at a better time, I just bought a very expensive diamond blade, hopefully doing this will help it last for a long time!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Which one did you go with?

[@BlazeGoesRockhounding]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding An MK Diamond MK-305 for use on a Dewalt 10” wet tile saw

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@BlazeGoesRockhounding Nice!

[@mattrichards1492]

Great information, sketches and microscopy!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@johnmorrison4224]

Nice job on this video. Glad you aren't perpetuating the cutting of bricks, grinding wheels and ceramic for lapidary blade sharpening. You did a good job of explaining and showing the science. Sharpening of a sintered blade works the same. I personally never use notched rim blades, they cut slower than sintered blades. When comparing them top down, there is about 4x more diamond in contact with the rock while cutting, sintered vs notched. RR advert, thumbs up!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it. I also have video up about cutting bricks and other things that people say will work but doesn't.

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

Yes dude! Nice lapidary sciencing! I watched the brick one all the way through because someone suggested it to me but I had to watch this one first. This is big brain blade saving. Really informative too. Jumpin back to the brick one and then the one suggested to me about the dressing rod thing 🤘

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Welcome to the world of penny pinching lapidary! :) Try the file technique and you will love it! If you have two dull blades try the brick on one and the file on the other and test them back to back to see for yourself.

[@Viktor_Johansson]

Thanks! Saved me my first two worn blades.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Yay!

[@mikedodge3910]

What a wonderful video! Thank you so much!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Absolutely

[@kertbert1]

I subscribed. Loved the content here as I have blades I need to do this with. I love cutting rocks. I started out cutting core in a core shack and had a couple saws. The core shack took a hit with a boulder the size of a garbage can and took out the whole corner. We were too close to the blast and the blast man was saying face the blast and dodge the rocks. HaHa. Later on had a core shack there with hired cutters and 4 saws as I was then project geologist and had a drill program going on. We drilled all winter to delineate the ore body and then in the summer started production using a heap leach process. I loved going up to the smelter and looking at the gold when they were doing a pour. The news came and took a photo of me one time holding a gold bar for the news paper. I was only 25 years old back then fresh out of university. I didn't have anyone telling me what to do. I just made it up as I went along. Making mylar draftings of the ore body using the drill hole data and the returning assay results every day. The drillers gave me a bottle of whiskey as a gift and I don't drink so I saved it. One night I broke it open and drank it with some friends and went to this bar where my friends from work had a band. I was up dancing and I don't dance. That was a fun night! One of the drillers whom I became close friends with died a few years back on Christmas eve. He was a gambling addict and I watched him and it was no different than being a coke head as he suffered great depression because of it and smoked like a chimney. I nicknamed him Rockin to make him feel proud. Rockin Randy Petland. He was a star goalie in soccer RIP. One night at work his father's fingers went missing. Blood in the snow.

[@meanerkat4339]

This is the best video on you tube hands down. Presentation could not have been better and the subject matter was just what I needed. I tried this on my blades and it worked so good. I think that they cut better than when they were new. Thank you so much.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm happy to hear that you liked the video, and the process worked well for you.

[@robbyschannel9258]

Never thought of that. Great way to use your new tool, also gonna make old tile saw blades better for work. Thanks man, great ideas and content all the time.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Oh man the microscope makes everything better I think.

[@nazzakashieern]

I look at your videos from Iraq and it is very informative and not published online so easy and clear, thank you bro👏👏👍👍👍👍 I will continue to see your vids🎊

[@j.ericswede7084]

Thanks for the video. It's not even Saturday on "The Channel where we look at EVERYTHING Rockhounding related". More great content!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Hahaha : ) Thank you.

[@mebs001]

Thanks Jared, this kind of information clearly sets you apart from other channels out there. You ROCK (pun intended)!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you, I try to help where I can.

[@petadenno8305]

Thank you so much for putting this together! Extremely helpful for someone who hasn't had a lot of experience! You saved me $$ :)

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@natalieclark5819]

This is so helpful! I'm new to cutting material and am still only using a tile saw with lapidary blade, but I welcome all the education to help me improve my process and maintain my tools. Thank you!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

This works on tile saw blades as well.

[@aurysage3043]

As always, good info. I need to clean/face my old blades as well.

[@danielg2754]

Awesome videos…excellent explanations on all 3 videos

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@Rocktwister]

Fantastic i learned so very much! Your thought process is incredible! Thanks for doing what you do, i really appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@patriciamckean4186]

Thanks for doing the research. Nerding out is great!!!

[@grandparocky]

This has been extremely helpful to me since I am just now starting to work with a new 10" saw. Thank you for your informative vid!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@jjesuscardenasespinoza5349]

Thumbs Up!! Jared, Greetings from Guadalajara, Mexico. I just enjoyed to see you how you work cutting rocks. Probably I’ll do it some time in the future watching your videos.

[@Chris65018]

great video, TOP NOTCH.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Ha! Top notch comment! :)

[@toddedeker3528]

Wow!! You just saved me $65!!!! THANKS!!! Todd

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it and I see that you also signed up for my Patreon. Thank you very much.

[@suebelly1840]

Fantastic!! I was a bit downhearted because I seemed to be going through blades so quickly - I'm pumped that I know what's going on with them now and what to do to keep them going. This was one of the most beneficial videos I've watched in a very long while. Thanks!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

You will pretty much never have to toss out a blade again.

[@suebelly1840]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding Finally got a chance to try this out and it worked like a charm!!! The blade cut like it was brand new - absolutely incredible. Thanks again!!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@suebelly1840 I'm glad it worked well for you.

[@thatcrystallady_donna]

Thank you so much for this video. Need to know information.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@charlenecastaldo3602]

Really Cool! Thank you.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@markweiss2307]

Great job, lots of good usable info. Can’t wait for what’s next!

[@freshimpactco.8698]

Bro I don't know if anyone has said this but you are legendary

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Hahahah thank you!

[@silverback5033]

Hi Jarred, like most people starting out in this hobby I assumed that once these blades started to dull that that was the end of the blade. I took the time to read all the other comments so far and there is also some interesting views in the comments. Like most people I have heard of using a brick to clean the blade on your saw and as yet have not tried this, though I can understand it could have some merit. Thank you for the video on this subject, it is great to see that we can save dollars on the consumable portion of the hobby as some of these blades are expensive items. (There’s another video for you cheaper type blades verses some expensive ones, is there are difference in cutting & life span) Another good video and subject with some actual information & visuals behind it. 👍. Keep Safe & Keep Rockin

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

More money saved in the shop means more money for trips! I plan on trying out all of the different ways people suggest for blade dressing to see how it does, including the brick thing. I have my own theories about it but the proof is in weather or not cutting those things will expose new diamond and make it cut again. I plan on doing a test in the future between an expensive blade and cheap blade.

[@silverback5033]

Nice going Jarred, I will take particular interest in those videos.

[@robertstates8473]

Thank you so much for doing this video, Jared! Really love the way you "geeked out" using the microscope views as you explained the science behind it. I tried this with my 14" centered slab saw blade and now it's back to cutting like new again. The wife and I very much enjoy watching your channel and we feel as if we're there along with you, Sara and Laika, looking over your shoulder as you trek to another beautiful location to unearth more treasures. Your videos are always very entertaining and informative and please keep up the good work! Stay safe and rock on!! Rob & Di

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you saved your blade and that you enjoy the videos! :)

[@railroaderreddoor76]

Thank you so much!! Very excited to try.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I think you will be happy with the process.

[@mikemarcus214]

Outstanding Sir! Really appreciate the work you did here! Just purchased our first lap saw... and I thought the blade dull a bit fast! Your explanation makes tons of sense! Well done... and the microscopic pics really helped. Subscribed and liked!! My new favorite channel!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you like it!

[@janetrychel5823]

Jared you’re a rockstar and everyone in the rockhounding community attest to this. I too would be curious about the 180 grit flat lap

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you! I will do a comparison I think and show the flat lap discs.

[@ginapankowski2165]

Great to know how to get the most our of these saw blades ! Thank you!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@keystonekreative2174]

Please show us how you have the Pro-Flow water cooling system hooked up.

[@ranielson2854]

Awesome information! Thanks a million for sharing! 👍

[@phild8095]

First time I saw you, already liked, subscribed. Thank you very much.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@gerarddesmarais9165]

Where can I buy very good quality thin saw blades 6in dia. with a 5/8in hole? To cut Jasper

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Have you looked at Kingsley North.

[@gerarddesmarais9165]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding thanks I will🙂

[@highlander5161]

Great video man. Much appreciate the detailed look at the blades and info on how to sharpen. 👍

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@dougodette4582]

Very good video Jared, thanks for bringing this to us!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@DonohueLabs]

Good tips! I wouldn't have thought a little tapping could ruin the arbor, but I guess it wouldn't take much misalignment to throw everything in a tizzy. Another factor in the life of a blade is the kerf of the cut. If the diamondiferous area narrows to no more than the width of the rest of the blade, then the rock will rub against the steel of the blade leading to heating and binding. The chop file method works on sintered blade faces as well, but does not refresh the diamonds on the sides. Refreshing those with a bit of filing/dressing will keep your cut faces nice and smooth and reduce the amount of time you need to spend polishing later.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I think misspoke a bit there, hitting your blade while on the saw is transferring unnecessary load to the arbor and bearing and you could get them out of alignment which is a pain to realign your blade vs. just take the blade off which is just a single nut. As far as the side dressing of sintered blade I plan on testing that as well. I think most of the methods out there that people use for that is kinda bunk and its easy to test cause the proof is in the microscope you know. You are correct if the cutting area of the blade narrows to the same width as the rest of the blades core the n it will rub on the rock and heat up. I think the real question which is another thing I want to explore is does that really matter that much. I don't have a blade that worn out but I think I can ask around and get one, I'll then go and rent a FLIR Camrers and see how much more heat is generated. Should be fun!

[@DonohueLabs]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding I think I generalized in my comment, extrapolating from misalignment to ruined arbor. Your used sintered blade still had quite a bit of diamond exposed, though over time the metal could start shielding them just like the notched blade. Since filing/dressing takes off width of the kerf, regularly reversing the blade may be the best way to promote even wear. Like you say, there's a lot of bunk out there, and most people will swear by what they've always done, without having tried alternatives. I'm looking forward to your future mythbusting videos!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@DonohueLabs Thank you! I just want real answers and not hear say. : )

[@johnmorrison4224]

@@DonohueLabs @currentlyrockhounding. Peening the edge restores width to the cutting edge. The edge of the blade is the only place the cutting is happening. (supposed to anyway.) If you are wearing the sides of your blade cutting area, you have blade wobble that needs troubleshooting, repair and alignment.

[@janetarmstrong2914]

Thank you that was very informative!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@princessadventures1285]

Interesting! I always used an old grinding wheel or brick. Bricks kinda suck it's like your oil will turn red and stay that way. I'll have to try this.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I also have a video about using the brick which you might want to watch.

[@princessadventures1285]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding thx I just did. I think I only used brick one time and didn't like what it did to my oil. I've always used grinding wheels. I felt they made a difference imo but the next time I will def try this. Unfort the only dull blade I have right now is a 20" so starting out big lol. thank you!

[@heinzhubbuch9409]

you definitely have the best informative videos out there.... my compliments I have learned a lot!!! THANK YOU

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you very much, I really try hard to put out good information that people will find useful.

[@mtonjum]

Thanks for this video! Your channel always seems to teach me something right when I need it! :)

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

That's awesome! I just want to spread the word about these things.

[@fairybeliever5599]

You are definitely the most informative rock hounding channel. Thank you for sharing your knowledge to some of us who mainly learn this skill from YT. When I started I knew nothing about lapidary and no one to ask on how to work the machine. There is still one thing that I’m curious about. What rpm are better for the blades? Specially for quartz material. Thank you.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you! As for the blade question it depends on many factors, blade type, saw type, water or oil, and what you are cutting.

[@mikesim-k5r]

Great video! Gonna try it this evening

[@OnTheRiver66]

Another great demonstration of how useful a microscope it. And your videos are a real service for rockhounders in general.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Not joking at all, having a microscope might be one of the coolest things ever, even common things look awesome under it.

[@WandaandSteveCreations]

Thank you, you are a excellent teacher, thanks for sharing. 😊

[@alanbrown3491]

Hi I make a cut into an old house brick to refresh the edge, works every time

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I will be testing that in the future.

[@douglastaylor638]

Very informative video Thanks

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@RockhoundTreasurehunt]

I was like, What! I can sharpen those! Great topic

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@audioogre3347]

I was in the dark on blades. Thank you!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@thomasmorrow8629]

Being a machinist for over 40 years and using diamond cutting blades for ceramic parts, we go through a ton of blades of all grits. When the blades start to dull we use a dressing grit stone to give life back to the diamond blade. They come in all sizes and grit. Using the grit stone you grind away the bonding to exposé the diamond. You really should not tap or hit the blade because you could damage it, or crack the bond of the diamond to the steel flange holding the diamond And that could lead to a catastrophic event when the diamond pieces come OFF the steel flange and come back at you at a high rate of speed. Here is a copy of print from Amazon. Norton Abrasives Dressing Tool Stick, Grinding Wheel Tool for maximizing Grinding Wheel Performance. We buy these by the box of 300, so they are cheaper. $1 a piece. You might even use a old red brick. Just go slowly when going into the blade using water of course. Hope this helps.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

Good to know… thanks for sharing

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I appreciate you commenting but I'm going to disagree with a few things you said here. I don't think there is any evidence to show that peening a diamond blade with a file will cause a catastrophic failure. As far as the dressing of blades goes I have heard people use all kinds of things that range from bricks to real dressing sticks as you mentioned, I think a lot of things get said as if its a fact without testing it, and well the proof is in the microscope. I do plan on testing dressing stone and all of that in a future video since a lot of the advice for that comes from people that cut ceramics which tend to load blades up with gunk which is very different than cutting natural rocks.

[@lindsayc4676]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding when you do that video, on dressing blades, can you include your 180 flat lap disc? If it needs it. Meminer said to use glass or obsidian to get out particles from softer stones (maybe serpentine?) and I was going to buy a chunk to test out for when I might need it. His disc's looked nicer but... he didn't have a microscope. :) and he only did it because that is what was suggested to him.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@lindsayc4676 You know I didn't even think about the flat lap discs, I will look into those as well.

[@hopibethelbaptistchurchpas7767]

Great help! thank you so much

[@johnhodgson4216]

I have been cutting a whole boule of green corundum. This video lets me do the actual cut. I purchased a 10in trim/slab saw and the blade is wide for a 10 in blade. I am using a spring to provide a light pressure to cut the boule. it takes forever. the boule diameter is about 1 and 1/2 inches, and the blade is about 2 mm wide. I found out that corundum is only 5 times softer than diamond itself. but redoing the blade everyday prior to the continued cutting the single 70mm cut of the boule lengthwise. I used to achieve 2 mm per 8 hour period of cutting. Now I achieve 4mm per 8 hour cutting period time. I am getting a 6in blade so that the cutting blade is only 0.020 mm wide or about. (the main problem is that the width of a 10in black is about 2mm, instead of a 0.020 6in gem blade) (I do wonder if I can stick a 6in blade on a 10in blade machine)? I hope to complete the cut cutting 8 hours a day for 8 days. I used to only cut quartz, and that was quickish. there are very few videos of synthetic corundum being cut. and they are only about 10mm width and 20mm wide and even those videos that cut take time. I do the file first, then use a dressing stone to clean up the blade of the excess metal.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Apologies for the delayed response here. There's almost far too much to address in this comment. Why are you cutting so slowly? 2mm per 8 hours is a glacial pace for cutting.

[@MrChubbyHubby.]

Cool and informative video Currently Rockhounding. I think the only way to go full science on improved performance would be to use a saw like my B&I with the gravity feed system, cut a rock and time it, then sharpen and cut again and compare. Thank you for showing us.

[@OneRockAtATime]

Dude this is amazing!!!😎 Thank you so much for going in depth about this topic. I so badly needed this😄

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thanks man, I'm glad you liked the video. Go sharpen that blade!

[@kicsilo]

nagyon hasznos video, koszonom szepen !

[@doctorofart]

TY. Now I know how my arbor girly bent. Two blades in a row have worn out unevenly since I hammered on my saw blade on my saw. The diamonds on one half of the circumference of the blade are gone so that now I only have diamonds on the blade in the shape of a C. The open part of the C has no diamonds left and the left side of the C shape has plenty of diamonds. I struggled explaining so you knew how weirdly it wore out. Can I replace the bearings or does the whole arbor need replace?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I think it depends on the arbor time. Some are fully enclosed sealed bearings and some are just pillow blocks with a shaft. If you want you can email me some photos of your arbor and I can let you know my thoughts on it. Email address is below this video and on the main channel page as well.

[@doctorofart]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding thank you. It is an old machine, third owner. The entire arbor casing unbolts but the bearings are inside like a bicycle peddle gear

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

@@doctorofart I'm not sure I can picture that. Shoot me a photo.

[@johnmuir6006]

Great info! Thanks!

[@greenguy1408]

Thank you so much! You’re a great teacher😁

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you!

[@zaugitude]

Thanks for the great info. and the before and after close-ups. Would be great to hear some discussion on blade speeds for the various sizes, maximum speeds, etc., and how it affects cutting different materials. Is there an ideal speed for most hard materials?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I will be making some more videos about blades that will touch on that very subject.

[@paigelee6321]

Interesting thank you for sharing and education on this topic 💙

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@GREEKEXPLORERS]

Nice video my friend!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you.

[@randybradford9352]

I have a dragsaw with a lapidary saw blade. The diamond cutter bits were welded on and 4 or 5 have been knocked off. I would like to replace them but finding replacement diamond bits has been difficult. Also I would like info on the welding process process. Do you or any of your followers have any info that can help me. Thanks Randy.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I can likely help some, email me a photo of your saw and a close up of the blade.

[@manisteerocks7092]

Great video bud!!!..I was pitching my old blades like you said until I saw a video made by (you know them bastards),explaining the whole bastard file technique. But your video goes to a whole new level. The microscope details and explanation of the two types of blades is extremely important. I really appreciate the time you took to make this. I have a few old blades out in the garage destined to the the dump, that now will get the "bastard " treatment. Thanks for helping us all operate our saws to there maximum capability. U rock brotha!!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it. In the future I plan on trying some of the dressing techniques people suggest to see if they really work on not and we will be talking about what makes a good blade.

[@johndudash2579]

Invaluable, thanks

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@luc_libv_verhaegen]

@Currently Rockhounding: So if tapping works... By moving the metal matrix, so that the dull diamonds disappear at the next cut... Then wouldn't inverting the blade (on blades that are not directionally structured) not work in the same way? We stick to a given direction to retain the diamonds that have the metal matrix behind them (from the pov of the cutting direction), holding the diamonds in place. But if you flip the blade around, the metal will be taken away on the next cut, and a lot of the diamonds that depended on this metal matrix will vanish with them... I have started doing this on dremel speedclic blades today (on nasty cheap tiles), and while my feeling is very subjective, it seems to be working: dull blade, flip, sharper blade. I would love to see some microscope footage of what inverting the blade does :)

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

That's a good question and something that could be tested.

[@RufotrisRootedRockhound]

Great info!!! 👍

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm glad you liked it.

[@markattardo]

Huh, interesting! Love seeing the microscope views👍👍 In another life we used MK Diamond 60 grit dressing stones on tile saws as instructed by my boss at the time. I didn't actually cut tile but he swore by them...and knew his stuff! That might be worth a test if you feel like trying different methods in the future. All you did was "cut" the dressing stone slightly to refresh the blade. If the method holds up under a microscope it could be a small dollar investment resulting in saved time....and another interesting use of the microscope and corresponding video. Totally random, that boss used to take the spent 14" concrete / asphalt blades and hang them for plinking.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Oh I plan on trying out all the dressing methods!

[@markattardo]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding Nice!!

[@kka10001]

Just did the dressing stone, (used a red brick as some old timer suggest) This was very large auto feed saw. We are new to this stuff, but the problem we had and figured out was this. During cutting the blade seemed to be getting pushed laterally and booging it down. After a lot of head scratching, figured the blade was dull and the feed was pushing the blade more than cutting it. Used red brick as a dressing stone. That took care of the cutting problem, the cut could keep up with the feed. Now going to get a proper dressing stone and also try the ping the blade. Anyway the blade could not cut at the rate of the feed. Did the sharping and not more problem.

[@amberandrews6842]

Great video. Thank You.

[@hockeyrace]

🤦‍♀️. I’ve been throwing out my expensive blades for a long time. I feel so foolish now. Thanks so much for the 🎥. This one is definitely priceless!! Stay Crystal 💫

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm sorry to hear that, at least now you can start saving on them.

[@hockeyrace]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding I found an old one yesterday and tried this method. TOTALLY WORKS! Thank you!!! 💫💫💫

[@lalin96]

Love the video, thought I needed a new blade!

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Thank you! Give that blade you have a sharpening.

[@produceman13]

What sucks about some notched and continuous blades is that they tend to get a bit "skinnier" as the metal wears down not just vertically... but horizontal as well. A thinned-out blade can snuggle into a rock and then the cut is kinda stressed... and it will build more heat. I never get to use up a blade completely because of this...

[@JayN-bu5hm]

Very interesting and informative video! What kind of microscope do you have and if I may ask, what do they go for?

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

I'm using a microscope from AmScope, its a trinocular scope. If I post a link to it here KZbin will think its spam but I can email it to you if you email me. [e-mail]

[@robbybobby64]

I use sintered blades only so I have no experience with the newer blades. Depending on the blade I have always sharpened the blades by either cuttng a piece of cinder block with some blades and Quartzite or hard stone thru once or twice on other blades. If all else fails I use a 4” grinder with a diamond blade and cut notches in the sintered blade every inch around the blade. Basically making the continuous rim segmented but only much shallower. I wouldn’t cut all the way thru the sintered are, don’t need to and might compromise its structural integrity.

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

The process shown here works on all types of blades.

[@robbybobby64]

@@CurrentlyRockhounding I like the method. I’ve never heard of it. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimmyhurley504]

Awesome! Thanks!