Cutting rough on the cheap.

[gussyy]

Hi, l have some rough that is to big and l would like to cut them in half, is there a way to do this without going to the expense of a trim saw.

                                 Cheers.

[mehoose]

Rough for what and what size.
If you have a facet machine you can buy a 'blade', grey haired moment, lost the right name, i think, to use on that. Deb has put a pic of one in her gallery.
Or if it's bigger, join a local lapidary club and use theirs.

[Aussie Sapphire]

Trim Saw attachment on your faceting machine - very simple gadget that some people would be able to knock up themselves quite easily but can be purchased ready-made also.  Runs a 4" or 5" blade for trimming small pieces.

See Deb's photos for an idea of how this works.

cheers
Leah

[gussyy]

Hi, l tryed to find Debs Photo but couldnt l may need some navigation. Thanks.

                                  Cheers.

[moonshadow_dancer]

Hi Gussyy,

Me thinks this is what you be lookin' for http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=album;id=7

Take Care,
Deb   

[Aussie Sapphire]

The photos that Deb took are in this thread Ian:

http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=109.0

shows the attachment on and off the faceting machine.

cheers
Leah

[Barrett]

Assuming from your post..if you did have a faceting machine you would already have a trim saw.. they pretty much go hand in hand.  the only way to get that rough in half without chewing it up is with a trim saw or tile saw(which will work if the rough is big).  Even a dremel with diamond blade will get the job done.

[dom105]

Hi
I don't know an excessive amount about this subject, but having thought about installing a trim blade on my faceting M/C I was warned not to. Apparently the lateral forces generated are not what the bearings on the faceting M/C were designed for and in the case of my mates M/C, they wore out. Makes sense to me.

[mehoose]

I think this is meant to be ok for small crystals but I wouldn't go trying to slice a 6" agate with it.
Some Manufacturers are selling them with their machines so they must be ok. Also i read that you must slice them where the blade is going away from you and rotating the rough in the away direction also. Can someone else verify what I've said. I have never used my machine this way. But to preform your gem in this fashion can also give you smaller facetable pieces instead of just grinding it to dust.

[REXL]

A trim saw is exactly what it's name is a TRIM SAW !! I use one fairly regulary for big stones ie up to 20 mm .You can use them to rough in the mains etc and save a lot of grinding.
With bigger stones the blade is too fine and excess pressure will quickly bend it and it aint fixable.
If the stone is real big you can always use a diamond hacksaw but the lapidary club is the best way to go.
REX