Choice of Saws

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Below are the choice of saws available in our rock cutting laboratory:

  Saw 1: Slab Saw

   Sample Size:

  • Use this saw if you are cutting supersized samples or aiming at cutting a slab of rocks with parallel surfaces (for displaying or thinsection purpose).

   Cooling:

  • Self circulation
  • Make sure you fulfill the blue box at the bottom of the saw with clean water and switch the water pump to “ON” position.

   Noise Level:

  • medium to loud
  • It comes with its own cover. No need to wear extra ear protections.

   Hydraulic Feeding:

  • Can leave the room during cutting.
A photo of the slab saw found in B178 of the Earth Sciences Department.

  Saw 2: Wet Tile Saw

   Sample Size:

  • Use this saw if you are cutting large sized samples or hard rocks.

   Cooling:

  • Tap water
  • Make sure you turn on the cooling water tap before cutting.

   Noise Level:

  • loud to super loud
  • You have to wear extra ear protections.

   Feeding:

  • Manual feeding tray
  • For harder materials, feed slowly to avoid jamming the saw blade.
A photo of the wet tile saw found in B178 of the Earth Sciences Department.

  Saw 3: Old Trimmer Saw

   Sample Size:

  • Use this saw if you are cutting medium sized samples.

   Cooling:

  • Tap water
  • Make sure you turn on the cooling water tap before cutting at the back of the slab saw. Adjust the flow at this step.
  • Do not use too much since the water can overflow easily if the drainage of the tray is not 100% flowing.

   Noise Level:

  • medium
  • Wear extra ear protections as an option.

   Feeding:

  • Manual feeding tray
  • For harder materials, feed slowly to avoid jamming the saw blade.
A photo of the old trimmer saw found in B178 of the Earth Sciences Department.

  Saw 4: New Trimmer Saw

   Sample Size:

  • Use this saw if you are cutting small to medium sized samples.

   Cooling:

  • Self circulation
  • Make sure you fill the white tray at the bottom of the saw with clean water.
  • Make sure enough water is added to the fill line to cover the pump.

   Noise Level:

  • medium
  • Wear extra ear protections.

   Feeding:

  • Manual feeding tray (black)
  • For harder materials, feed slowly to avoid jamming the saw blade.
  • It comes with a built-on vice (wood vice wrapped in blue) and a holder bar (metal bar with green knob).
  • Carefully secure your sample in place, align with the blade, one switch to turn on both the cooling spray and the cutting blade at the same time.
A photo of the new trimmer saw found in B178 of the Earth Sciences Department.

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