To cut or not to cut?

shane1130

Any advice on wether or not to cut a stone? How many of the stones pictured have been cut? Does a flat bottom make dai construction easier?
My personal take is, if the stone looks better cut, I will cut.
I haven't found anything good enough to worry about messing up anyway. I am in the process of getting my grandfathers rock saw running. He used to saw up agates as a hobby and I have inherited the diamond saw he built.

Shane

Advertisement

bonsaial1

Ahhh yes to cut or not to cut, that is the question. Well in my opinion I like to cut. The reason that I cut is because I make all my own dai's. When you have a flat surface to work with it is a simple matter to get a very precise outline of the stone transfered to the wood. I use a router to remove the wood under the stone. I use a 3/16 flat bit to trace the outline and then change to a 1/2 inch flat bit to remove the inner area. If you do not use a router or power tools for that matter or are not comfortable using them, then you will have to carve out your base. Some people put there stone on the wood in a fairly dark place and shine a flashlight or light source from overhead and trace the outline. this will not be as accurate but it will give you a fairly good starting point. As far as the stone looking better it does not make that much differance, since at the end you still have a stone sitting in a wooden base. The only differance is that you can get the base on a cut stone thinner than on a base that you have to carve for an irregular bottomed stone. By the rule of thirds, this is easier to acheive with a cut stone. As far as the saw, go for it. The only thing is if it's not at least a 10" blade it will not be that usefull. A 10" blade will only cut about 3" deep. Any thing larger will have to be double cut, and that is dangerous.

__________________
Experience is fundamental

ripsgreentree

Shane: Another advantaage to cutting is that you get two stones out of one. When setting up a siak tray you will find that the but ends become great low profile stones.

__________________
ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

shane1130

My saw has a 10" blade, however, I need to get a new blade as the one I have is bent. I inherited it from my Grandfather and it has not been used for 30 years. I am not 100% sure which type of blade to get. I think I will try and get one from a lapiadary supply house as the saw was built to cut agates.
Most of the stones used for suseki are somewhat softer than agate.
I agree, I think having a flat bottom on a would make dai construction easier.

Shane

Literati

Cutting a stone is the same as a Phoenix Graft. You are taking material that is not suitable otherwise and by a little manipulation, are turning it into something very pleasing...... I just wish that I could even find a stone that would be suitable even with a cut...

Chuck

Shane
I hope this message is not to late it may well be. I am new here so just say your posting.
In regards to your saw blade if the only thing wrong with it is that it is bent, it is possable to retune them by hammering it back to true. Ask around maybe at the rock hound club or where you buy this equipment. It may be cheaper than a new one. The reason I know this is a friend of mine is into lappidary and has a few rock saws.