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[Gergis]

Harbor frieght has this chicago elec 2.5 hp tile saw for about 300 right now..would make things in the shop go alot faster and could cut and slab alot of my smaller stuff. What do you guys think of this model?  http://m.harborfreight.com/10-in-25-hp-tilebrick-saw-69275.html

[Itsandbits]

Harbor frieght has this chicago elec 2.5 hp tile saw for about 300 right now..would make things in the shop go alot faster and could cut and slab alot of my smaller stuff. What do you guys think of this model?  http://m.harborfreight.com/10-in-25-hp-tilebrick-saw-69275.html

this is the one I converted into a gravity feed oil bath; you'll notice the drip tray is much larger then on yours so I could sheet it in and the sheet metal just sits inside the drip tray all round.  I got mine on sale at $279 a couple of years ago. I LOOOOVVVVEE it. It does things none of the lapidary saws can. I had to do a couple of mods to the mechanicals but the one I would say to do on yours is change the belt pulley to a larger one to reduce the blade speed; oh darn, yours is a direct drive motor too bad, it will probably be running way too fast. I just looked at the manual on yours and it's 4000 rpm; for rocks about 1100-1700 is recommended depending on the mfg.

[lithicbeads]

Just be aware that most extension cords will not be sufficient for that machine. Like it or not a GFI is needed as well.

[Gergis]

Harbor frieght has this chicago elec 2.5 hp tile saw for about 300 right now..would make things in the shop go alot faster and could cut and slab alot of my smaller stuff. What do you guys think of this model?  http://m.harborfreight.com/10-in-25-hp-tilebrick-saw-69275.html

this is the one I converted into a gravity feed oil bath; you'll notice the drip tray is much larger then on yours so I could sheet it in and the sheet metal just sits inside the drip tray all round.  I got mine on sale at $279 a couple of years ago. I LOOOOVVVVEE it. It does things none of the lapidary saws can. I had to do a couple of mods to the mechanicals but the one I would say to do on yours is change the belt pulley to a larger one to reduce the blade speed; oh darn, yours is a direct drive motor too bad, it will probably be running way too fast. I just looked at the manual on yours and it's 4000 rpm; for rocks about 1100-1700 is recommended depending on the mfg.

So probably not so good for cutting small cobbles and trimming slabs for cabs eh? Dang.. Well back to the drawing board..guess ill just keep my eyes on craigslist here locally..really want a saw to speed up the cutting im doing..

[Gergis]

Just be aware that most extension cords will not be sufficient for that machine. Like it or not a GFI is needed as well.

Its been kinda needed for the cab machine anyways. Just been using a power strip for now..

[Itsandbits]

I'd just get a cheap 6 or 7 in. to get you by for the time being; $50 or so; they're messy but if you cut from the back side you don't get too wet, I have one of those too that I started out with. They're high rpm too 4500

[GoodEarth]

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-portable-wet-cut-tile-saw-69231.html

Should get you started. Move up later when you can buy a nice lapidary trim saw.

[Gergis]

Went down to the harbor freight this morning and ended up getting the 7inch tile saw, a 26$ flex shaft drill to start messing with some carving stuff and I found they had a cheap 5lb vibratory tumbler so I snagged that up also. By the time I got home with the load I was short on time so rather than setting it all up I went and started cabbing this piece of harlequin jasper I hounded up this past summer behind my uncles place :-)

[Sandsave]

What's your uncles address  lol that's looks awesome post when finished!

[Gergis]

Finally opened some stuff up and am now playing with my new toys :-) cheapo vibe tumbler flexshaft hand drill and this tile saw that im already playing with and realizing quickly im gonna need a aquarium pump to keep the blade wet.. my first victim of the day was some self collected jasper :-)

[MrsWTownsend]

NEW TOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Itsandbits]

That'll keep you going for a while!! I thought about putting a raised lip all the way around the top of mine to get the water to settle back into the tray through the blade slot but with those soft hematite rocks it's better to get fresh water anyways. Let us know how the shaker barrel holds up. Are you going to line the plastic drum with something?

[1nickthegreek]

Is it uncomfortable trimming slabs on the 18" saw ya just built Gergis?? That vibe is for doing brass shells and such with walnut or corn cob as media.....bet you either blow it out because of weight or it eats a hole through the bowl on ya!!!!
 

[Minkos61]

Way to go Gerg yah gotta start  somewhere with something! Nice Jasper you found to ,also nice pendent as well!!

[Gergis]

That'll keep you going for a while!! I thought about putting a raised lip all the way around the top of mine to get the water to settle back into the tray through the blade slot but with those soft hematite rocks it's better to get fresh water anyways. Let us know how the shaker barrel holds up. Are you going to line the plastic drum with something?

Im gonna try a aquarium pump in a bucket on the side to keep water flowing so i dont have to keep stopping mid cut..also need a nicer blade..the one i got with it totally sucks. As far as lining the tumbler i was thinking of putting rubber tool dip inside of it..thought that would help..I did pay extra for the convenience of taking it back anytime I want for a refund too so there is that :-) also the hematite may be soft but damn its hard jasper!!