what tool do i need to cut live rock?

[CiXeL]

i want to slice up some branching rock into wafers so i can mount frags on them but i want to know what tool to use. can i use a dremel or something? what tools do people typically use to cut live rock? my method is rather primitive, walking into the middle of the street and throwing it at the pavement trying to get it to break into pieces. please help!

 

[Anonymous]

Sledgehammers always work well

 

[elpescado]

DITTO!!!

Actually, a hammer and a chisel are what you need.
Score a line where you want the rock to break by lightly hitting the chisel (just like cutting glass), then give the rock a good whack.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Depends on the type of rock... for a "manly man," I just use a screwdriver and my bare hand, and it works well.

 

[Baianotang]

Throw it against the ground really hard if you want small pieces, if not use a chisel.

 

[Anonymous]

If you truly want to slice the rock a band saw is what you are going to need. If the rocks are not to big a hack saw would also work.

 

[Bobzarry]

I use a dremel with cutting wheel and it works perfectly. Gives you great control over the shape you want.


Bob

 

[Anonymous]

Well, when I need small rocks to mount frags on, I take a rock outside and throw it at the sidewalk a few times.

I am pretty low tech about these things though.

 

[Anonymous]

The dremel or band saw would give you much more control over the shape, but you end up with these neat little wafers that don't look very natural (but are great for mounting sps frags). The throw-it-at-the-sidewalk method gives you good, more natural looking chunks, but they're often jagged and uneven. So :shrug:--pluses and minuses to either method.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Or for people like me who are verse in compound methodology both professionally and personally, use the band saw to cut a rough shape out, then use screwdriver and chisel out the natural look.

 

[Anonymous]

Showoff.

 

[Anonymous]

Gravity.

Wrap it in a towel and drop it on the floor. I'm to lazy to take it the whole way outside, pick up the pieces, and bring them back in.

If it doesn't break into small enough pieces, I step on the towel with my work boots on.

B

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Showoff.

You're just jealous of my command of the English language.

 

[Mouse]

Id use a big hacksaw, LR cuts more like Tufa, i suppose that would be becvause its not actually technically a rock. Happy choppin.

 

[CiXeL]

sharky and bobzarry. what kind of dremel do you guys have?

 

[Fatal Morgana]

>...what kind of dremel do you guys have?

Any Dremel tool will work. I used both the rechargeable and corded ones, both work.

 

[Mouse]

I got the little rechargeable black one, but the wheel would be too small for most blocks of LR, a wee hack saw is best. But i do want that big silvery 300W ultradremel, mmmmmm, especially with the extendery twisty pen gizmo.