Hobbies And Interests
History
Before diamond blades were invented, people used brass disks and carborundum grit to make lapidary saws. The cutting blade was immersed in grit and water, the same way that modern diamond blades are immersed in coolant. The spinning brass disk blade carried water and grit to the rock, and it was the pressure of the blade and grit against the rock that caused it to cut.
Saw Settings
The saw blade you choose for your homemade rock saw will determine the speed of your saw and the type of motor you require. Blade manufacturers set recommended speeds based on the saw blade type and size. You can adjust the belt/pulley connection between the motor and blade to be sure your saw is running within the specifications required by the blade manufacturer.
Other Types
Wire lapidary saws can either be continuous, like an adapted bandsaw, or reciprocating (meaning they have a back and forth action).