Any suggestions for a good glass saw?

[Blair]

I am in the market for a glass saw and was hoping I could get some suggestions about good models to look into. I am particularly interested in the Inland Swaptop since I can also buy a flat lap conversion kit for it down the road, but I'm not sure of the quality. While versitality is great, it can also be a bad thing if there are too many moving parts involved. Anyone have any experience with this? Oh, I'm mainly looking for one to cut murrini slices, but I'm also interested in making some cut, fused pendants.

[gwacie]

I find the inland swap top to be a bit weeny and a pain in the butt to have to switch all the time. If you can afford it and have space get separate machines. You'll be glad you did.

[RSimmons]

I use a Taurus 3 ring saw. Their thin kurf blade is OK for slicing murrinni, but you still lose a bit. A solid thin kurf diamond blade might be better for thisand other straight cuts. The Taurus is good for a range of jobs, though, and you can make all sorts of complex cuts with a ring saw that you can't do with a solid blade saw. The best saw for you kind of depends of what your major purpose is.

I would recommend getting tools that are dedicated to specific jobs rather than 'all-in-one' tools. A separate machine for lapping will do a better job than one that converts from cutting to lapping and back again, IMHO.

Robert

[Ro]

i love my taurus 3
ro

[Cosmo]

I have an Ameritool saw. A bit pricey, but well worth it. I cut down cases of clear all the time for our store, so it sees a LOT of use.

[squid]

This is a great saw!

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...hlight=defusco

They have a discount for LE and Wamrglass.com of 19.95 and are selling it for $180. I got one and so did a friend of mine and we LOVE it!

You have to explicitly say you want the glass forum discount to get the $180 price.

[squid]

I do fused glass pendant, earrings,etc. with it.

[squid]

Oh and I have inland "all in wonder" as it is called (swap top) and the saw SUCKS. The flat lap part is just ok.

[Blair]

Thanks everyone for all the tips. I think the best bit of advice is to stay away from the all-in-one tool! It's good to have some options to weigh between now, as well.

[glass obsessed]

have finally decided to break down and buy a saw to cut fused glass. I am thinking about a ring saw since the blade is much less likely to break since I will be cutting such thick glass.

I plan on buying wholesale from Ed Hoy since their prices are so much cheaper. Here are the three saws they carry - the last one is not a ring saw but looks interesting.

Zephyr Ring Saw
TAURUS T3 RING SAW
DIAMOND LASER 3000XL SAW

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on these saws?

Thanks,

[glasskat2010]

I've heard of people using a tile saw with a diamond blade. SKIL 7-inch wet tile saw at Lowe's is $80. My fiancé and I are looking into getting one for cutting large rod and tube. We're boro workers, so it may be a bit different for you.

I hope this helps. Good luck and happy torching

Glasskat2010

[glass obsessed]

Glasskat2010, Actually I do have a wet tile saw with an upgraded diamond blade. I have used it a lot but I am afraid to use it for cutting smaller fused glass pieces like for earrings and hair pins. Maybe I am a wuss.

[squid]

Originally Posted by glass obsessed

Glasskat2010, Actually I do have a wet tile saw with an upgraded diamond blade. I have used it a lot but I am afraid to use it for cutting smaller fused glass pieces like for earrings and hair pins. Maybe I am a wuss.

Those diamond blades don't take fingers off the way regular blades do. I cut very tiny pieces with them.

[glass obsessed]

Originally Posted by squid

Those diamond blades don't take fingers off the way regular blades do. I cut very tiny pieces with them.

Squid,

Are you referring to a specialized saw like a "WET CUTTING GLASS SAW" or just one of the cheapies one can buy at Menard's or Lowe's? I am asking because the cheapo one I have seems to be very brutal and would cut off fingers quickly. But I did find one wet saw being sold at Ed Hoy's called a "MK-370 EXP WET CUTTING GLASS SAW" that has a 7 inch diamond blade. Is this the type you are referring to?

What I want to do is cut small fused glass pieces around 1/2" by 1/2" up to 1" by 1".

Since this is a big purchase for me so I appreciate all advice and suggestions.

[Beckah]

If you want to make straight cuts, a tile saw or a trim saw such as this http://www.kilnfrog.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm/ID/328 will do the job. If you want to cut shapes, then a ring saw is better.

[glass obsessed]

Originally Posted by Beckah

If you want to make straight cuts, a tile saw or a trim saw such as this http://www.kilnfrog.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm/ID/328 will do the job. If you want to cut shapes, then a ring saw is better.

Thanks, silly me had not thought about that

[glass obsessed]

I just purchased a Tarsus ring saw. Thanks for your advise.