Cutting K23 Brick

[colu41]

Will a simple table saw blade cut this stuff without it crumbling into pieces?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A hack saw with an 18 tooth blade will work best.

 

[colu41]

I was thinking that. I just figured if a tablesaw would work, it would be as straight as it could possibly get.

 

[Matt Rochester]

I used a plain ole wood hand saw. Use 50 grit paper on a flat surface to flatten edges.

 

[12345678910]

How much do you hate your table saw ?

Abrasive dust everywhere.

 

[Matt Rochester]

How much do you hate your table saw ?

Abrasive dust everywhere.

A hand saw makes enough of a mess, I could only imagine a table saw.

 

[Drew Riley]

I used a hand saw (bi-metal blade hack saw) to cut mine. Just mark where you're cutting, and cut about 1/4" thick cut into all 4 sides. You should be able to fairly easily follow it through and make a pretty clean cut.

What I would do after cutting my bricks would just rub the two cut faces together, or rub it on some concrete, and flatten/smooth out any minor irregularities.

Now, can you cut it with a table saw? I imagine the answer is yes, if you have a good finishing blade and a slow feed, but it'll really be hard on the blade, and quite a bit of overkill. A bandsaw would be a slightly better choice I suppose, but again, it's hard on the blades. Don't expect to cut wood with it after.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Well, a tablesaw will work, but it's a little overkill. I use a hand saw, bandsaw, drill-saw, cordless rotozip, and lots of farrier's rasps. The big ones with the enormous teeth make it flat in a jiffy! A woodworkers bandsaw is probably the best for straight cuts, and the cordless rotozip that I got yesterday is phenomenal for round cuts.

Oh, and a carbide forstner bit. Carbide loves the stuff! I've worn out bandsaw blades and farrier's rasps cutting this seeming soft stuff. I've actually worn out four double sided rasps and ready for a fifth. But the carbide forstner bit feels untouched by the stuff. Mind you, I've cored out about 4000 holes, 2.5" round x 2" deep and this thing still cuts like new. I think that although the bricks are soft, the actual material is harder than steel, it's just bonded weekly with lots of gaps.

 

[colu41]

Thanks guys. I'll try it out with my hack saw first, and go from there. I just wanted a clean cut so, I'll take my time. Hopefully doing some cutting and putting her all together today!

 

[PEU]

Any saw will do, but since these bricks are so abrasive low tooth count is better IMHO.


Pablo

 

[colu41]

Ended up cutting them with an 18tpi hacksaw. Cut like butter, and surprisingly straight. My brother is welding up a 1/4" stainless casing for it for me at his work tonight. Might have it up and running by tomorrow! Thanks guys.