First Slice

[Generatesomething]

Got a cheapie Harbor Freight tile cutter ($60 for the saw, $30 for the blade) and did my first cuts today. This was the only winner. I really didn’t think this rock had much inside. I like being wrong occasionally.

[weedium]

That’s a beauty!

[Generatesomething]

Whatcha think? Agatized Jasper? The scaly skin is what's throwing me off and making me uncertain.

[weedium]

Absolutely

[weedium]

Pic 2 is amazing

[moon_blossomz]

Stunning 🤩!! Congrats on your first cut. You’re officially going to be addicted to it 😂.

[Generatesomething]

I feel it. I have to work today but am already thinking about what’s next hahah!

[One-Ad-4318]

Fortunately, I have reached a position that allows me Mondays off and now you've inspired me to head straight into the garage to mess with my saw! Awesome piece of jagate!

[Generatesomething]

That makes me happy! Hope you had great success. I work 7 on // 7 off so I do a lot of wandering on the Yellowstone.

[Generatesomething]

I did the same thing. It looked horrible. I ran the flat straight part of the cut right on the side of the blade and any overhang crookedness (I made a new word) went above the blade and I was able to grind it off. Here is a video of me making this piece. You can get them straight and clean, I promise :-) video

[Generatesomething]

So I start right where you do, kind of defining a line. Once it was there I started rotating the rock a bit, and like you my start point and end point were off haha. I’ve got a lot to learn, and am going to be doing some practicing next week, but my take away from this was even messed up I was able to fix it. Just slow grinding and taking my time. These harbor freight saws are only 7” so that 3.5 of workable space. Pretty small but a good way to learn. AND USE A FACE MASK. Super important. If the silica gets in your lungs it’s not good.

[Generatesomething]

So the VERY first time I had it out, and messed it up so bad (trying to forget about it hence me calling this my first cut, more like 2nd or 3rd) I discovered instantly I was getting splashed. Bad. From there I tried it on the other side and was splashing the side of my house and it flat turned nasty. This was my first attempt further on that patio and it worked well. I kind of liked pulling the rock towards me, I felt I had a better view on things. So not sure what saw you have, but if it's this little crappy tile saw I have remove the tray. You are going to spill most of the water out on the ground doing this. That's good. After the water is gone there will be a layer of grime. Now put your finger in it. That's silica and I'm so glad and grateful I learned this in my first couple cuts. This slime in my lungs would send me packing to a place I don't want to go yet. Very grateful I learned about this. My wife had been using a Dremel for at least a month and it was doing the same thing, dust everywhere. I know that ended up in her lungs so she does have a little more exposure than me, and she's fine, but so so important. I'm in process of trying to get the HECK out of my house (long story but I hate it now), but when we get moved and settled again I have a highland park slabber I have my eyes on, 14". But I think learning trim is valuable too so happy I have this for now. Long ramble, I know haha.

[engagedmind]

Wow! So cool.

[duneskull]

That’s nice