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Why does nobody talk about using a cheap tile saw for trimming agates in Tucson?
I was cutting a big plume agate at the Tucson Gem Show and my old slab saw blade chipped the edge, so I borrowed a buddy's $90 tile saw from Harbor Freight and it gave me a cleaner, faster cut on the smaller pieces.
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vals382mo ago
Honestly that's a great point, it's like how the "right" tool for a hobby is often just the most expensive one. People get stuck on the brand name gear when a simple, cheap piece of hardware from the hardware store will do the job just fine. I've seen it with woodworking too, where a basic handsaw from a big box store can make cleaner cuts than a fancy one if you just know how to use it. Sometimes the fancy gear is more about the image than the actual result.
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grace4192mo ago
You ever try to cut conduit with a cheap hacksaw? It's a nightmare. The blade wanders, it binds up, and you'll be there all day. A good quality saw with the right blade makes a clean cut in seconds. Sometimes the expensive tool is the right one because it actually works.
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wesleyburns2mo ago
But a cheap saw that wanders is a skill issue, not a tool issue. A sharp blade on any saw matters more than the price tag. I've seen guys with a basic Stanley make perfect cuts because they know how to guide it and use steady pressure. The fancy gear often just covers up bad technique.
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