Lapidaryforum.net
Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => Cutting, Grinding, Polishing => Topic started by: Erock99 on March 09, 2023, 08:16:23 AM
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Hello!
Excited to be a part of the forum :grin:
I am looking to replace my 16" blade and have settled on a 303S for cutting KY agate nodules (previous blade was un-segmented).
Wondering if either of these blades is better than the other?? (screenshot attached)
Also, will they be ok for mineral oil cooled saw because is says water soluble coolant?
Thanks a bunch!
E
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Same blade. Look at the black-and-blue markings around the center.
As shown on the MK Diamond website: "Barranca Diamond is a division of MK Diamond Products."
Oil is usually recommended for any lapidary saw blade 10" or larger.
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I purchased an 18 inch "303" saw blade of another brand last year which I thought was an MK 303 blade. When I called to complain I was told that all "303" blades were made by the same company. I know in electronics it is common for 1 or 2 companies to manufacture 90 percent of some items like VCR's or CD players and put anyone's name on them that are willing to pay for it. Not sure if that is true but I can believe him. Quite honestly, I did not feel the blade is as good as a REAL MK blade.....
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Appreciate your replies...
If you look at the blades, there are some definite differences (MK has 23 segments w/wider gaps, BD has 21 w/narrower gaps), so that's where my confusion comes in having read somewhere that these are the same blade and then having that confirmed by vitzitziltecpatl.
I would imagine the slightly different traits would equate to some kind of difference in performance but have no experience to know if that's true. So far as them being the exact same blade that doesn't look to be the case although maybe if one is just a newer iteration 🤷🏻♂️
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OK - sorry, I didn't look at them that closely.
It looks like the one with wider slots might also have slightly "rounded" ends on the rim segments.
Wider slots would mean less diamond length contacting the rock, but might allow for more oil to be carried to the cut and more space for removed material to be carried out of the cut. Cleaner cutting is a big plus.
If you can find out the rim depths (from edge toward center) and thickness that would be another thing to consider. The "narrow slot" 303 I looked at online is listed as .085" thick.
I've never tested the two styles against each other, but those are things I'd want to know before buying.
Hope that's more helpful... .
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I think for jade cutting where most blades struggle the wider gaps would help .
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Very helpful all, thanks a bunch!