[Rockhounds] Color of Minerals (now: need saw blade recommendation)

[DonH]

Kris Rowe wrote:

> I'm currently converting an 18" saw from oil lube to water. Thankfully, the
> saw is equipped with greasable bearings, rather than sealed, and can be used
> with water. A full circulation and filtering system is being installed and
> will hopefuly work! (Mumbling my prayers ...)
> I'd love to get some opinions and recommendations on blades for this saw
> before spending the precious dollars. What say you, dear list members? Buy 1
> top quality (expensive) blade, or start with cheap import blades and simply
> replace more often?


Greetings!

First, by way of helping out, notice that I modified the subject.  You 
will definitely find on this list that not everyone reads every thread, 
and if you need help with a specific thing, it's a good idea to post a 
new message with a new subject... in this case, it would have been good 
to say "help needed with 18" saw blades."  There are several people on 
this list who have quite a bit of related experience!  I hope this logic 
makes sense and it is helpful to you in the future.

Now, as far as blades, my experience is limited to 10" and less. 
However, I can say with certainty that I have always received what I 
paid for.  Now, I can't compare dollar-for-dollar and brand-for-brand, 
but in general, as groups, the name brand and more expensive blades 
perform better, last longer, and warp less than the cheaper ones I have 
bought.

However, I can also say that quality control in developing countries 
such as China and India is improving by leaps and bounds.  It may well 
be true to that a Chinese blade of a certain edge style and kerf, though 
costing 1/3 less, may perform as well as one of the big names.

The way to find out is easy, but will take some time.  That is, order an 
economy blade of your choice, perhaps one recommended by another list 
member.  Keep track of how many inches of rock it cuts before you need 
to discard it.  Then do the same by purchasing a more expensive blade.
Compare the per-inch average cost of each blade.

I cut hundreds of pieces of basalt and granite in the last 3 years, 
using a 5" water-cooled blade, and I chewed through several of them. 
When I bought the more expensive ones, they cut faster, lasted longer, 
and dished less.

As far as converting your saw to water-cooled, others will need to 
advise on that.  All I can say, is be careful.  Also, I know from using 
a few water-cooled saws that it is good to use an anti-rust additive.  I 
also use distilled water, but I developed that habit when I lived in a 
place where the well water was brown and full of flavor.

Good luck,
Don