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This guy has to be the most informative youtuber on the hobby. Really excellent content, classroom grade instruction. Tons of respect for dudes like this.

Finally! I have been lookin to buy a saw and this was the ONLY video I could find that actually compared some of these saws.

9:55 Can confirm, I took a tile saw to an agate. Feels smooth, does not look it without water 😂

Even though this video is two years old, thank you for the valuable information! I am new to cutting rocks and have been having trouble with finding out price versus performance when it comes to cutting rocks. I have cut tile for remodeling projects and mosaic projects and have never cut stone on the tile saw. I will be using the tile saw to start off with and I will be cutting small rocks, but I want to get into cutting the bigger rocks. An investment into the trim and slab saw now has be comfortable with buying those. I will be looking for the best deal on them, more than likely used ones! Later as I grow my business I can justify getting the newer ones. I will be looking at videos on shaping and polishing too! Again thank you I learned a lot!

Man, I am both mad at you and grateful to you for this video. I was really really hoping I could get by with a tile saw instead of buying the trim saw. But after watching this I know that the tile saw will not work for what I need. I really wanted to lie to myself, but ultimately you've saved me a lot of money and disappointment so thank you for making this.

Your break down of the 3 saws really helped me decide what I want to do. GLAD to know about the noise factor and the shooting of the water when the saw is running!

You most definitely helped my neighbors and they don't even know it! Oh man I was about to make so much noise! When you said "Resale Value" my immediate reaction was "Huh? Dude Imma run that thing to death!" then envisioned whirling the thing around by the end of it's cord and releasing it aiming for the dumpster like it's some kind of Olympic event. I began to crack up, awakening my daughter who obviously decided sawing logs was more appealing than sawing rocks. She saw the stone to the bottom left on the shelves and said "It's a heart with a family of monkeys!". She took a photo and sketched out what she pictured. I'd be happy to share it.

The biggest factor in using a tile saw for cutting (especially things like agate and Pet wood) is the tile saw motor is only sized to cut maybe 1/2in. thick tile and soft (marble) stone. It will tend to bog down and overheat on bigger, harder materials. Also, cutting tile goes quick, rocks not so much - The motors for tile saws are usually a brush type motor which wears out rapidly in continuous duty applications - like cutting rocks. If you really think you want to cut rocks, you are money ahead to find a used lapidary saw (usually can be found between 1/4 and 1/10th the cost of a new lapidary saw)

I shopped around long and hard and ended up with a 7" VEVOR Wet Tile Saw for $63 delivered. It's quite nice.

Great information and video brother! Thanks for the comparison Hi Tech the clear winner!!

70 yr old.lifetime rk hound , new sub , like your video . Nvr owned a saw so would enjoy anything else , esp. prices . Plan to buy a 50 DLR saw soon and start Small..........dee

Very good info. You brought to light more things than I had considered about the different types of saws.

I got the hi tech saw it works for cutting inside the house in the winter time since it's not very messy 👍

Hello, This is my first-ever comment to you,I certainly liked your show on KZfaq, i watched them all,you are a wealth of information with the books and the info that you sheard with all who watch, I live in Colorado up in the mountains, there's plenty of rock here, but nothing like what you have,I recently retired so this is my new hobby, my goodness I have a lot to learn, I would like to correspond with you, and who knows maybe meet you and Sarah some day Thanks Gary in Colorado

Thanks, I learn something from every video of yours I watch. Love you guy's!

This has been a very valuable video. The biggest problem for those of us who are simply “pretty rock” collectors is that very quickly you want to either polish your Little Rock’s or cut your bigger specimens. For example, I’ll never have the time left to take up lapidary, but I still like the hunt!

Brother we live in WA, I do believe, we def need to budget our toys out here. Good vid TY. Sky Valley here

Thanks again for the informative video. I have a tile saw (left over from a bathroom project), but I have never used it. I worry about losing fingers. I think you have talked me into waiting for a better choice.

Good info, I definitely could have used this video when I first started! I got SO frustrated and put off by how tedious cutting with tile saws was, especially after I got my slab saw. I use my 20" HP slab saw in the dining room of my second story apartment 😂 Noise and mess were huge concerns, after getting her UP to the apartment anyways. I have the saw contained in a 4'x5' grow tent, with two sets of vibration dampening pads under the feet, along with rubber motor mounts, and no complaints from the downstairs neighbors so far! It is a hassle when it's time to drain and clean the 10 gallons of oil, for sure, but I love having her close so I can keep tabs on how the cut is going.

This worked great for redoing the shower/bathtub of my kid's bathroom. kzfaq.infoUgkxfiuHoZJo3bgdVPFRxQ-iqPpfbEHl2cYt I didn't like the guide, so I took it off. I just used a fine tipped sharpie on the tile and followed that line. It does make a wet mess, and once I started looking like I wet myself I started wearing a towel and apron while cutting. The blade it came with worked great until we wore it out. It was better than the replacement one we bought. I tried looking for just their blade, but failed. Not really for larger tiles unless you stack stuff on either side to support the tiles. Anyway, would definitley buy again.

Great analysis video sir, thanks for sharing!👍 I recommend completing the saw party with a nice 36" gravity saw and a 72" reciprocating saw~🤦‍♂️ hahaha Just know I'm about to find some logs and boulders that need cutting🤷‍♂️😂

Really appreciate these types of videos. I was able to find the tool I wanted bc of on of your other vids where you talked about tools. Thanks 😊!

thank you...the terminology alone was very useful...I have been searching rock saw and not seeing what I wanted. This helps a lot!!

Dude, I totally found this video helpful, super comprehensive breakdown of all the options. For me, I want the frikin BIG ONE! To make slabs, and the trim saw, holy dude!? How much thinner is that blade!? I’m digging the table top tile saw, for obvious reasons, price etc, but nothing’s better than doing a job, when you’ve got the right tools. I learnt a bunch from this man. Genuinely, I really like the depth you went into to spec all of these. Thanks man!

Thanks. Great information. We just bought a bigger slabbing saw and it is great. Going to pick up a smaller lap saw and cabbing machine next. We own the same two tile saws you have and experienced all the same finishes you described.

Thank you for this video, new and learning more about lapidary work and your video definitely helped save me from making some wrong purchases, much appreciated. Great content!

Great video! Thanks for all the info

Wow! Just what I was hoping to find. Thanks for such a detailed explanation. You mention that you can run water in the oil saws, can you do a video about the differences in the process and results?

Thanks I live in Canada, I am very new to this. So your information is very valuable.

Thank you for doing that I was just getting into the industry I was interested and it was very well done thanks a lot

Thanks. You helped me make my mind up.

Very informative. I searched everywhere for info on saws and this was the best. Appreciate it thank you.

Hello CR. I'm looking to cut not break up some more expensive gemlike rocks (Sunstone and Lapis) and trim some crazy lace agate for tumbling, so I thought I better use a saw instead of a hammer and chisel. You were the first person I thought to seek advice and I think I have all the info I need to make a decision. Thanks.

Really helpful video! I'm just starting to research lapidary tools now that I'm bursting at the seams with rocks and want to be able to do something with them! My husband has a lot of tools and used a tile saw to cut some geodes open for me and I had noticed the saw marks you'd mentioned. This gave me a lot to look into!

Awesome video mate appreciate the opportunity to see the difference between the saws ⛏️😎👌

Very informative. I’m about to pull the trigger on purchasing one of the Hi-Tech trim saws. The agony is whether to just get the 6” now or just go ahead with the 10”. Don’t want buyer’s remorse.

Really like your videos. Saw your Little Naches thunder eggs and realized that is right above where we camp and had no clue there are thunder eggs up there. I Would like to see how you polish a cut stone when you have time.

This is Exactly the info I was looking for... thanks!👍👍

Thank you. Helps me to have a better prospective on what I need to purchase!

Thanks for the video 👍 just bought tile saw for the start cutting rocks 👍 Price was the biggest thing why not a trim saw.

Very handy video! THanks. Size matters!

I need to put my big boy pants on and get a slab saw. I have a C.E. 6" combo unit that includes a trim saw and it is useful but for what I am trying to do I'm going to need something bigger and more automated. Also need to make sure you factor in the cost of blades because the larger the blade, the more diamonds required to operate and man do they get pricey, Great vid man, keep it up!

Thank you that you talk about tools. Awesome

I’m trying to decide whether to buy my first saw and what it should be. This comparison was super helpful. I think saving my money for a used lapidary saw maybe the better choice, esp in terms of blade thickness and noise.

Great informative video. Thanks for this! You helped me think about what I want/need in a saw.

Thanks for the info bud!!

Thank you for this video! It was extremely helpful in making a decision on a trim saw.

I have an opportunity to buy some used lapidary equipment. I am new to the lapidary/rock hound world. Your video expanded my knowledge 200%!! Thanks!

thanks for good info..

This was very helpful, great work.

Thank you

Hi Tech for the win!!

Thank you a great comparison!

So helpful. Thank you. Currently sawless with too many rocks.

Thank you so much! Very helpful video.

Best tile saw is a target saw. I have 3. The only thing that freezes up on them is the pump and hose. Put in a bucket of warm water and it thaws fast. They do sell heaters for the trays. Some use a birdbath heater or two.

Today I was cutting with a 7” diamond blade Rigid tile saw. I had my Impact Sport ear protection on and since I am new to using this saw I haven’t thought about using it backwards yet. Plan on tumbling most of the material, and want to use what is around the house before I get tempted to buy something else. Great informative video thank you.

Thanks for the demonstration.❤️this was really helpful

You know that saul looks formiliar to me for some reason Definitely the budget friendly way

Thank you, Great info and illuminating.

Figured Hi-Tech would be the better one. Good video man thanks for showing the difference.

Very helpful! Thank you...Mike

thanks

Thank you for this video. You covered so much 💙

Wonderful video. Informative and to the point. You answer the questions that most wouldn't think to ask, which I appreciate greatly and find admirable. Thanks. Consider me a new subscriber.

Very informative, thanks!

You only mentioned 1 price $ 50. What about the other prices? What blade is best for the tile saws? Thanks!

I'm Australian and I like your hat.

What a great video! I was looking for a comparison video between lapidary vs. tile. I just picked up a 10” tile saw to go with my trim and smaller tile so I can go a bit bigger on my cuts. Quick questions about the oil and water. What differences do you notice between the oil and water? Does the oil damage any of the rocks? Does it make the blade last longer? How is the oil cleaned? Or is it just tossed once the slurry is to contaminated? Sorry to ramble on but was trying to get some information together before I invest in a 20”+ saw. Is a lot of factors to consider. Thanks for the video.

Great video. Thanks

Great information!😊😊

Thank you so much for this very helpful informative video!!

Thank you for the Great Info!

I am about to invest in a ring saw, currently running the rigid 10" tile saw for all rough $700. Of course almost all of my rough is 5" or bigger. I also use a 10" $70 brick mason blade just for roughing. Most of my large cuts take me about 10 minutes, only taking 1/4 of material at a time. BUT the material loss is substantial. I am currently looking for a good deal on a 10" lapidary trim saw. Equipment is a slippery slope ..lol

Nice video, very informative. Iam Danish, living in Ghana...!! So I enjoy watching you and others on KZfaq. I make jewelry, and looking for a used slab saw, oil...!!! Would you be able to help me locate a machine like that....??

This was very useful, thank you.

Excellent video! I'm lost on what type of cutting machine I want to get! But I feel a little bit better learning what I did from your video! Thanks! I'm subscribing! 🤗

I thank You for this helpful video. I travel in a Rv and looking for a small rock cutter for slabs and jewelery making. I would appreciate you suggestions

Another great informative video. Thank you.

Thanks 4 tutorial!

Very informative. Thanks.

Thanks this was useful!

LOL. Impact Sport earpro. Love my many many pairs.

Great info thank you!

Nice!.. Great explanation of "x" factors to keep in mind.

A lapidary blade should be fine on any trim saw with correct arbor and speed controller. Which will still cost well less than the lapidary saw .look to see if the motor ac or dc and get the correct control for the type. Some simply are variable resisters that lower voltage , likes light dimmer. some change the frequency of the electricity itself , so there has to be a device used to modulate that frequency... Brush motor vs brushless is also important to know. Look it up if you don't want to take a random KZfaq watchers word.

Very good video. Awesome hat where abouts could I get one myself?

Great video! Super useful! Question for you, please: What Decibal app are you using on the iPhone and why that one? thank you!

Congratulations beautiful work.

Biggest factor for me in tile saw vs lapidary saw is that trying to cut a slab holding it in your hand as you drive it thru the blade will yield a slab that's not parallel on both sides which makes it very hard to turn it into a cabochon. A lapidary saw will cut perfectly parallel sides on every slab, automatically, which makes it a lot easier to cut cabs from it. Basically, a tile saw is fine for cutting rocks in half, but of little use if one wants to make cabs. Also, the relevance of the thickness of the blade needs to be farther explained. If you're cutting valuable stones, ie...turquoise or even opal, that tile blade will cost you a LOT of money wasted by turning so much of the stone into dust compared with the MUCH thinner lapidary blade. Even ordinary agates these days can easily cost $20 a pound....that tile blade is not your friend if you're the least bit interested in being cost effective.

What type of oil do you use awesome video thank you

I really enjoy your videos. I have a question, first I’m very new to rockhounding and tumbling. I have an inexpensive table top 7” and a mid grade 10” tile saws. I’m not very pleased with either for cutting rocks. Both have tile blades from when they were purchased. What pitfalls would happen if I purchased lapidary blades? Are there any dangers switching blades considering the rotation on a tile saw is much greater? Will the cuts be cleaner? Thank you, keep up the great videos.

How would I cut a two or three tone rock into slabs for table tops?

Being that I buy slabs for cabbing...the lil Harbor freight saw will suffice for shaping...

My QEP tile saw is super quiet and runs at 3600 rpm. I'm thinking about using a router controller to slow it down a little more. Best of all it only cost me....$75 at HD in 2023!!! My question is can I run a thinner trim saw blade on it? It's a 7" tile saw and most trim saw blades are 6"

I got a 10" tile saw as a complimentary saw for my hi-tech. What blades do you recommend using on the tile saw for cutting bigger agates/jasper/pet wood? Thank you. Love the channel.

Do you ever have problems with rocks tumblers freezing in the outside during winter? I am trying to figure out where the equipment would work the best for me. I do live in Eastern washington so winters get super cold at times

I’ve been considering a larger saw, called a block saw with a 20 inch blade. Wondering which would be faster to cut a eight diameter and stone for example, between the block saw, and a large lapidary saw. The finish is not very critical for me, more, so the overall speed and ease of project to cut such a large rock. Thanks for the video that covered some interesting details. I wasn’t sure about any thoughts on the block saw versus lapidary for cutting larger stones (granite and gneiss) and in half?

What's your opinion on the 3m product called the "Jool Tool"? Anyone used this machine? It looked very interesting.