Looking back on my first real rock saw choice

About five years ago, I had to pick between a cheap tile saw from a hardware store or saving up for a proper lapidary saw. I went with the tile saw because it was only $120 and I was just starting out. It worked okay for soft stuff like shale, but the first time I tried a piece of agate from a trip to Oregon, the blade chipped and ruined the slab. I ended up buying the better saw a year later anyway, and it's still running strong. Anyone else have a story about a tool they cheaped out on and regretted?

3 comments

3 Comments

richard_lee1mo ago

My buddy did the same thing with a cheap tile saw for Arizona petrified wood. The motor burned out after three months of heavy use, and he lost a few nice pieces to bad cuts. Sometimes the upfront savings just cost you more in broken material and frustration later on.

avery_fox931mo ago

Petrified wood needs a wet saw, not a tile saw.

luna_jackson281mo ago

Totally agree with what richard_lee said about cheap tools. That burned out motor is a classic sign of a saw not built for hard material. You end up forcing the cut, which ruins the piece and wrecks the machine. Investing in the right wet saw from the start saves your material and your sanity. It's not about buying the most expensive one, just one actually meant for the job.