Cutting limestone tiles with fossils

[crazydiamond]

Hope someone can help with this. I have a wet diamond cutter which I was planning to use to make straight cuts in a dense La Rochelle limestone. The problem is that it has lots of fossils and when I hit one it does not cut cleanly.

Would it be worthwhile hiring a more heavy duty wet cutter which cuts in a downwards motion compared to mine which cuts horizontally? What other options are there?

 

[Gazzer]

What cutter is it you are using ?

 

[crazydiamond]

It is a Axminster AWTC180 Tile Saw

 

[crazydiamond]

I should also say that it was fine cutting applestone limestone - it is the fossils in La rochelle limestone that are the problem.

 

[Gazzer]

Ok I think the problem you have is lack of power. If you read the user reviews for that saw you will see it does not fare to well.

 

[crazydiamond]

What cutter would you recommend? Just a bit worried about spending a lot hiring/buying one and then being hit with the same problem.

 

[Gazzer]

I would be looking at at least 600w maybe even 800w.
It depends what the hire shops have available.
My Dewalt DW24000 has no issues with cutting through anything I have shown it so far but it not just about power, The cutting wheel needs to be quality too.

 

[crazydiamond]

Have you tried any with fossils? Are you sure they will they not just pop out when the blade hits them whatever the power.

 

[Gazzer]

Cant say as I have but i would be very suprised if the wheel didnt just cut through albeit with a slight resistance.

 

[Daz]

I did a limestone job a couple of weeks ago. Again, I used my D24000 and it whizzed through the 20mm thick fossilised stones with no issues.

You just need a more powerful cutter with a decent blade.

 

[DHTiling]

I agree, it is more a blade issue than the cutter..

 

[crazydiamond]

I don't suppose your cutter is available for hire at all? I live on the Cambs/Essex/Suffolk boarder too - not far from Haverhill.

I did a limestone job a couple of weeks ago. Again, I used my D24000 and it whizzed through the 20mm thick fossilised stones with no issues.

You just need a more powerful cutter with a decent blade.

 

[crazydiamond]

What do people think of this one for hire from Jewson's for the job? Also what would be a recommended blade to use with it?

Jewson Builders Merchant - Building Materials and Supplies

LARGE DIAMOND TILE CUTTER - ELECTRIC

Portable tile saw suitable for materials up to 30mm thick. Stainless steel working surface tilts for mitre cuts. Easy cleaning. Precision guide. Removable galvanised tank.

Specifications

Size h x w x l: 287mm x 500mm x 560mm
Max. blade diameter: 250mm
Rot. speed of blade: 3000rpm
Power: 1kW
Weight: 24kg
Sound pressure level: 71dBA
EN12418

 

[BoldreChris]

I'm sure that Jewson one will do the job but so will yours, I believe. The blade makes all the difference. I have a Titan machine which looks very much like yours and has pretty much the same spec. Fitted with a Marcrist CK850 blade (From TradeTiler) it cuts fossil limestone very cleanly. The blade will cost you more than the machine, though !