10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
spending too much on rocks
When is it time to replace your blade?
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Post by 10thumbs on
I haven't had my workforce saw very long but the saw blade feels pretty darn smooth. It still cuts but I think it used to cut faster. I'm cutting rocks with all different hardnesses so it's hard for me to be certain. On to the questions:
#1. How long should the original blade last? (hours/days of cutting)
#2. When the time comes to replace it, what should I replacement it with? Ideally I think I'd want to go thinner and sintered.
#3. If my blade is spent, is there something I would have done that might have worn it out prematurely? I did jam the blade once or twice on deeper cuts but I think I'm fairly careful about not pressing so hard when I'm cutting that the blade slows down significantly. I always add water liberally as I'm cutting.
bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
Posts: 4,719
Cave Dweller
When is it time to replace your blade?
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Post by bushmanbilly on
cgi.ebay.ca/Opals-Gems-Lapidary-Diamond-Saw-Blade-notched-10-Inch_W0QQitemZ260398858371QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Jewellery_Boxes_Supplies?hash=item260398858371&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
Good blades,.7mm thick. I have cut 100+ slabs with it and still cutting. I use my gravity feed. Only draw back is a 1 inch arbor. Had to get a bushing made to fit my 10 inch franton.
I have 2 on order, after the buy 2 get 1 free hotdog gongshow. They shipped them UPS and had a $36 brokerage and duties attached to it. I refused the package. And sent it back. Then they had the nerve to tell me they sent it by mail. Which is funny because we only have a post office here and no door to door delivery. And our mailman does not drive a UPS truck.
They refunded my cash, but kept the shipping charges.
Good blades,.7mm thick. I have cut 100+ slabs with it and still cutting. I use my gravity feed. Only draw back is a 1 inch arbor. Had to get a bushing made to fit my 10 inch franton.I have 2 on order, after the buy 2 get 1 free hotdog gongshow. They shipped them UPS and had a $36 brokerage and duties attached to it. I refused the package. And sent it back. Then they had the nerve to tell me they sent it by mail. Which is funny because we only have a post office here and no door to door delivery. And our mailman does not drive a UPS truck.They refunded my cash, but kept the shipping charges.
150FromFundy
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,520
Posts: 1,520
fully equipped rock polisher
When is it time to replace your blade?
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Post by 150FromFundy on
Mel basically nailed that one.
I find as my blade nears it's end I will start to feel vibration of the blade when I cut. This is because the diamonds are slowly disappearing and you compensate by putting more pressure on the blade. A new blade is almost like a hot knife through butter.
I'm happy if a blade lasts me through a weekend, but it's probably the most fun I can have for under $20.
In Canada, Hope Depot sells Qep as replacement blades for the Work Force saw. They are $20 CDN, or about $16 US. Of all the "Cheapy" blades out there, this is the one that I have had the best luck with.
Like Mel, I have used the Husky blades. They are really good as well, but cost $25 CDN, or about $20 US. My philosophy on blades ... Go cheap and go often.
150FromFundy
10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
spending too much on rocks
When is it time to replace your blade?
Quote
Post by 10thumbs on
#1. How long should the original blade last? (hours/days of cutting)
10-12 hours of cutting. Less if you're cutting thick rocks, abusing the blade.
#2. When the time comes to replace it, what should I replacement it with?
Just continue to devour cheap 7" replacement blades from Home Depot/Lowes.
#3. If my blade is spent, is there something I would have done that might have worn it out prematurely?
Pressing too hard and cutting thick stuff will shorten blade life.
Does anybody use anything other than the manufacturer's blades in their Workforce? Is there something that I could swap in there that work better/faster/longer than the Depot blades?
There are a couple of very clear answers. Thanks for your responses.#1. How long should the original blade last? (hours/days of cutting)#2. When the time comes to replace it, what should I replacement it with?#3. If my blade is spent, is there something I would have done that might have worn it out prematurely?Does anybody use anything other than the manufacturer's blades in their Workforce? Is there something that I could swap in there that work better/faster/longer than the Depot blades?
akansan
still telling self it's just a hobby
Member since January 2006
Posts: 4,075
still telling self it's just a hobby
When is it time to replace your blade?
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Post by akansan on
The HotDog blades work smoother/better/thinner, and last a decently long time. The Husky blades ($15-$25 from HD) last fairly long, but they're thicker than the HotDogs. I currently have a Rigid on my WF, but I don't think it was work the $45 I paid for it. It's nice, thinner than the Husky, is lasting a while...but I think next time I'll be more patient and just get a HotDog mailed to me instead.
The original blades on the WF have been changed with the change in body style and they don't hold up near as well as the old original blades did. Another answer to #3 is letting the reservoir run low or run dirty.The HotDog blades work smoother/better/thinner, and last a decently long time. The Husky blades ($15-$25 from HD) last fairly long, but they're thicker than the HotDogs. I currently have a Rigid on my WF, but I don't think it was work the $45 I paid for it. It's nice, thinner than the Husky, is lasting a while...but I think next time I'll be more patient and just get a HotDog mailed to me instead.
docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 686
has rocks in the head
When is it time to replace your blade?
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Post by docharber on
I was concerned about the short blade life as well. I get maybe 4 hours of use from a blade when cutting geodes or slabbettes. Check out the sintered blades from Rocklady1 (an eBay vendor) these are dintered diamond and far outlast the usual metal-bond (translate "plated) blades. Rocklady's blades are made in India for the Asian cutting industry. I'm not sure if they have a 7" blade,. but they sure have a 10". make sure to ask forr an adapter for your arbor as the stated hole size, at least on the 6" blades, is inaccurate. They have veruy nice adapters for these to accomodate a 1/2 or 5/8" arbor. Hot dog blades are great, if you can get a deal on them. CHeck Bikerrandy's posts for "attention 10" saw owners" from a few months back. The link in that post is to a company (can''t recall the name" where I got 3 7" blades shipped for $82. The 10" are more, of course. The Hot Dog blade is thinner on the edge but it is a plated blade, I believe. I find the thick edge blades vibrate excessively, make rougher cuts, don't last any longer,m and chip material. The noyched tim blades are best suited for concrete. I have seen QEP at Lowes, under their brand name. What was said about the new work force blades uis true, too. They're crappy. Good luck with your blade hunt. The 10" Covington is a neat saw and I'm looking at ti myself. John's prices are the best, too.
Mark H.
rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
fully equipped rock polisher
When is it time to replace your blade?
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Post by rallyrocks on
actually there still is a little bit of diamond left in the back one but not enough to be worth working with anymore- at this point it sparks a lot even with plenty of water, and binds up more than it cuts.
when a blade that started out looking like the one in the foreground winds up looking like the one in back (7" Hot Dog blades);actually there still is a little bit of diamond left in the back one but not enough to be worth working with anymore- at this point it sparks a lot even with plenty of water, and binds up more than it cuts.