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[wheatguy]

Sorry in advance for the long post, and I'm sorry too if this isn't the appropriate section for this.  I am wondering if anyone might be able to offer some advice, their story, what got them to the place in lapidary that they are at now.  Why I ask is that I'm getting a bit of a tax refund and though it is not burning a hole in my pocket, I want to put it somewhere where I might get the best bang for my buck.  A year ago, I got a CabMate and have really enjoyed cutting cabs and using an artistic part of my brain that I didn't know I had.  I enjoy getting out and finding rocks and I wonder if a slab saw might be the next step for me.  Currently I have a number of slabs that I acquired through a trade.  I have read that you should get the largest saw you can afford, but I really don't envision collecting or carrying anything that wouldn't fit in a 12 inch saw.  Do you think that is a reasonable size?  I'm finding too, with my cabs, that I want more artistic license in the settings and findings and am wondering if maybe I should get set up to learn silversmithing.  Part of me wants to cut the slabs, and part of me wants to be an artist.  Is there a reasonable compromise?  I would really appreciate it if anyone would weigh in with their story, or their advice. 
Cheers!
John

[hummingbirdstones]

Not a long post at all and you're in the right spot.   

There's absolutely nothing wrong with getting a saw to cut your own slabs.  You'll save money by not having to pay the premium for slabs.  Also nothing wrong with learning how to silversmith.  There are quite a few of us who do all of it.   

Vince and I have a number of saws (most of them we bought used).  My 4" trim saw was new and the 10" HP was reconditioned.  Our largest is a 14" Lortone drop saw.  It's a disease, I tell ya!   

[peruano]

You have good questions and clearly may eventually take all of the possible avenues as your abilities and experiences accumulate.
1. There is nothing wrong with a 12" saw. When you have a medium sized saw, you tend to collect medium sized material, and. . . everything is cheaper (blades, oil renewals etc.) I have a 12" saw that has perform to all of my demands for several years now.  Its complimented by an 8" trim saw, but you do need a vice and greatly benefit from a power feed if you can get one in the saw you eventually select. 
2. Cutting can be a hobby unto itself.  Peering inside river cobble or weathered stones opens a whole new dimension of colors, texture, etc as identification clues and geological processes.  More importantly you end up with slaps that are tempting to incorporate into ornaments, adornments, or display items.  Hey that's art too.
You probably will eventually go for a trim saw too (to preform for cabs), but many of the extras can be picked up opportunistically through Craigslist, yard sales etc.  That's part of the fun too.
I see you are in Ft. Collins and you do have rocks around there that need to be saved from obscurity. I know there are a few active lapidary folks there , and probably an active club or group so I'm tempted to suggest you seek out someone locally and see how they use there equipment and prioritize its accumulation. 
BTW - I lived in Fort Collins for  years before I was into lapidary or rock hounding. Hence I missed out on the local resources available to you.  Enjoy. 

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Yeah, a 12" would cut up to 5" rough. Larger if you flip it over and make a second pass holding it in-hand. PhilNM had some upgraded Lortone 14" drop saws last year, but they're probably sold by now. I would've bought one if we didn't already have a 14".

Whenever you get a trim saw, I'd look for a 6" that has the flange washer for the blade completely below the level of the saw table. Our first saw bought together is a Raytech 6", and it's been great. Some saws have the washer sticking up above the saw table, and that severely limits what you can do with a trim saw.

[wheatguy]

Thanks for the input! 

Robin---Yes I can see how all of this can become a disease.  A good one to have!  I really want to make a good choice/choices at this juncture...want to be sure that in 1 or 2 years, I don't say "I wish I would have..."

Peruano--Thank you.  I plan to save some rocks from around here!  I do think there is a club in town.  I have been meaning to get to their meetings, but never can seem to find the time.  They sponsor a show that is coming up in April, so at the very least I can talk to some folks then. 

Vince--Thanks for your advice about a trim saw.  My CabMate has one, but it's a sixer and the washer is exactly as you mentioned and definitely in the way.  I may go the 10" route.  I have a line on an older Frantom 10" that might be a good compromise.

[ToTheSummit]

Cutting rocks is addictive.  If I could only have one piece of equipment in my shop it would be a slab saw.  Cutting a stone in half to see what is inside is my favorite part of the process.  I probably cut at least 4 or five slabs for every cab I finish.

I started out with a used 10" Lortone slab saw that I bought from a member here.  It is still the workhorse in my shop.  You would be amazed at how many rocks that you collect will fit into a 10" saw!  I also have a 14" slab saw that sees almost no use and about a year ago I bought a refurbished 18" Highland Park which runs almost daily.  If money/space were no object I'd own a 36" monster as well!
 

Anyway, my point in posting here was to say that a 12" or 14" saw will do amazing things for you.  Like I said, even my 10" is still a workhorse and I cut some amazing slabs with it all the time even though it is so small.  As long as you get a quality piece of equipment that cuts nice clean slabs you can't go wrong.

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Yeah, a 10" saw is very versatile. You can get .040-.050" blades for the 10" that won't waste too much rough.

We have an ancient 10" (Victor brand) bought from a club sale that I still use for hand-slabbing. I cut some .004" aluminum (Coors can left by a friend and rinsed out) into strips for arbor shaft "shims". Tightened it up enough to cut okay. Made a fence from some scrap 18 gage metal angle, so I can get good slabs from odd-shaped rocks.

Only paid $50 for that saw since the club refurb guy figured out having replacement bushings made would be too expensive for the club to make the money back on it. I don't mind that it's old and ugly and a little loose. It works!

[55fossil]

   I still have my cheapy tile trim saws that I use for odd jobs now. I have built a 6 and 10 inch trim saw using Lortone stainless steel bodies with arbors which are my work horses now. I also have three slab saws from10 to 18 inch and sorely regret selling my 20 inch saw.
   The point being is start small and cheap if that will get you buy during your learning curve. If money is not an issue then buy a nice auto feed slab say and complete new trim saw that will meet your need. You do not need a big slab saw if you do not have big rough. As for trim saws I would go with the largest you can budget. This is because if you buy large slabs the small saws have small beds and your slabs may not have enough room for you to cut. Trim saws have the benefit of using water and smaller blades that are easier to change out. Cutting opal and high grade material with thick blades is a waste so use a thin blade. Hard agates may require a thicker blade.   good luck,  neal

[vitzitziltecpatl]

If I ever kill the old Victor saw I'm hoping the Lortone stainless option will still be there. I'd buy one now if we didn't already have two 10-inchers.

[wheatguy]

Thanks everyone for your input.  It seems as if a 10" saw is pretty standard among everyone.  I'm leaning that way, then maybe splurge on something larger in a year or so if I find I want to cut larger materials.  I used to be a big time home brewer and thought that hobby was addictive.  This is exponentially more so!

[TRG]

Cutting rocks is addictive.  If I could only have one piece of equipment in my shop it would be a slab saw.  Cutting a stone in half to see what is inside is my favorite part of the process.  I probably cut at least 4 or five slabs for every cab I finish.

I started out with a used 10" Lortone slab saw that I bought from a member here.  It is still the workhorse in my shop.  You would be amazed at how many rocks that you collect will fit into a 10" saw!  I also have a 14" slab saw that sees almost no use and about a year ago I bought a refurbished 18" Highland Park which runs almost daily.  If money/space were no object I'd own a 36" monster as well!
 

Anyway, my point in posting here was to say that a 12" or 14" saw will do amazing things for you.  Like I said, even my 10" is still a workhorse and I cut some amazing slabs with it all the time even though it is so small.  As long as you get a quality piece of equipment that cuts nice clean slabs you can't go wrong.

What brand is the 14" saw?  I'm on the market for a 14" Beacon Star if you ever think to send off the saw to a new home.        I have a 10- 18- 24.  The thinnest 16" blade is the same thickness as the 18" so to get a thinner cut, 14" is the saw I'm after. I don't want too thick of a saw blade just to cut a slightly bigger stone.  10" is definitely a good start.  I like the ancient equipment to fix up. I still want to rig up a pottery wheel or a stationary bike with pulleys to run a cabbing machine and slab saw.

Good luck with your purchase Wheatguy!   

[ToTheSummit]

The 14" is part of my home made all-in-one machine.

[TRG]

Wow sounds like an interesting set up combo with the 14!   

[ToTheSummit]

Wow sounds like an interesting set up combo with the 14!   

I had a thread about the build at the old forums.  You can still see it in the archives.
http://gemstone.smfforfree4.com/index.php/topic,11819.0.html

[wheatguy]

OK, I just read that old thread.   
That is a very impressive build!!