Fragging with a wet tile saw (and diamond bandsaw).

whatcaneyedo · #1 08-12-2009, 08:54 PM

For the past two years I've been doing most of my LPS cutting with a diamond wheel on a rotary tool. Having to hold both the coral and the tool at the same time led to many close calls with me almost cutting my fingers. So like with everything else in this hobby I upgraded. Princess Auto has this wet tile saw for sale right now for $60 with two 7" diamond cutting wheels. I've tried it out on two of my corals now and I'm very happy with the experience.

*For anyone wanting to try this at home I highly recommend wearing gloves like Blue Nitrile (box pictured) and wearing a face shield because this can be pretty messy... I still need to get a shop or lab coat for myself as well.

So far I've cut my green and purple acan with it and my oulophyllia. Their skeleton is quite porous so the blade cuts through very fast and clean. Before when I used the rotary tool I would have to cut around the coral to create a break line and then wedge a chisel in the cut and hit it with a mallet... This was a lot messier and took considerably more time. With the wet tile saw I just run the coral through quickly and then plop it back in the tank. Its much less mess and stress for both me and the coral.

Next on the chopping block is my large galaxy colony, lobophyllia and probably my duncan again just as soon as I have room for them in my frag tank.

My cutting station.

Purple and green acan before being cut.

Two days after being cut.

i have crabs · #2 08-12-2009, 09:32 PM

at macna last year one company had a small bandsaw and were chopping stuff right at the show for people.

whatcaneyedo · #3 08-12-2009, 10:39 PM

This article talked about a hobby size diamond bandsaw for cutting coral too. I looked it up and it looked like it was going to cost at least $400 after adding exchange, tax and accessories... I'd love to get one but thats a little outside of my budget right now. If anyone has seen one thats a little less expensive I'd love to know.

http://www.reefhobbyistmagazine.com/...1/pages/10.htm
http://www.inlandcraft.com/singlepro...&partnum=91040

whatcaneyedo · #4 10-01-2009, 10:01 PM

I havent had a chance to use it yet but I broke down and bought an Inland DB 100 Wet/Dry Diamond Bandsaw. I found it on ebay for a decent price, it came to $280 CAD after shipping which was great except it arrived with one of the legs broken. I'm currently waiting for a replacement part to be sent. As soon as I get to try it out I'll post some pictures and share my experiance with using it.

muck · #5 10-01-2009, 10:32 PM

Looks cool....can you adjust the table height?

whatcaneyedo · #6 10-02-2009, 12:04 AM

The table height doesnt adjust but the blade guide/water-lubricator can move up and down to give as much as 3.5" of cutting height.