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Use of the Slab Saw
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STEP 1
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| Chose a rock, orient it to get out of it the best shape, form, pattern you think it has. |
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STEP 2
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| Wash it thoroughly to remove dirt. Wet rock to see into it if possible. |
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STEP 3
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| Open saw hood, adjust slab carriage, adjust vise jaws to accept rock, position rock inside moving rock against the side of the blade with the vise adjusted toward the middle of the room. Place rock in vise and tighten vise securely. Recheck this step to assure rock is firmly in vise. Move carriage left and adjust rock into blade by cranking the vise inward toward the blade. The 1/4 - 20 thread on vise cross thread moves the rock inward nominally for the first cut adjust for the kerf of the blade so that the cut is about 1/4" for domed cab. Adjust finished cut thickness of slab for the blade "kerf" i.e. blade thickness. |
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STEP 4
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| Move carriage fully to edge of the rock and back off about 1/8" from rock, left of saw housing. Latch carriage and engage feed screw. Attach "trip" chain that cuts off the saw at end of travel. Recheck vise for secure rock. Check oil level to assure oil is above bottom of blade for proper oil pickup. Blade should be immersed in oil nominally 1 ". |
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STEP 5
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| Close hood. Check to ensure saw is plugged in. Turn on saw. Look into hood to ensure blade is picking up oil and spraying onto rock. Relax and wait until cut is finished. Do not open hood or you will have an oil bath! |
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STEP 6
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| After cut is finished, make sure blade has stopped and oil is no longer spraying inside. Slowly open hood and latch in open position. Your slab can be found on the tray at the far side of the housing. It will be oily |
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STEP 7
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| Dry slab in litter, then wash in water and dawn detergent to remove cutting oil. Check to see what you have both "wet" and "dry". Remove rock from vise as a courtesy to others waiting to use saw. If continuing to slab, go back to step 3. |