Best affordable saw for cutting corals?

Marvollo · Nov 3, 2020

Hello folks,

I am looking to frag a variety of corals including lps. What are you all using? I have hear of diamond bits for dremels to grphon saws to wet tile saws. Anyone have a lot of experience doing this and have a trusted product to reccomend?

Hoping to spend around $200ish

vetteguy53081 · Nov 3, 2020

Dremel or gryphon

terraincognita · Nov 3, 2020

Gyrphon btw is a band saw, you may be able to repurpose other budget band saws but idk if I'd risk it depending.

Maybe google forums if anyone has used a different band saw

xxkenny90xx · Nov 3, 2020

I've always used a dremel and it works great but if you've got the space for a little band saw that would be awesome

shred5 · Nov 3, 2020

I have used a Dremel/rotary tool with a diamond wheel. They work great for the price and can not be beat. There are allot of rotary tools out there it does not need to be a Dremel brand they cost more.

I own a Gryphon saw but they are not affordable. I still use a Dremel sometimes even with the Gryphon because it can be a little bit of a pain for a few frags.

RobB'z Reef · Nov 3, 2020

Just gonna chime in here with zero experience, but I've been thinking about it... What about a table jig saw like such?

WEN 1.2 Amp 16 in. 2-Direction Variable Speed Scroll Saw 3921 - The Home Depot

Remember when your scroll saw could cut in 2 different directions. Take on the most intricate and artful cuts with the WEN 16 in. Variable Speed 2-Direction Scroll Saw. The 9/16 in. stroke saws through

www.homedepot.com

Daddy-o · Nov 3, 2020

Get a Gryphon! You will have it forever. Tile saws can be brutal on soft tissue and I find a Dremel makes a mess.

derekgoude · Nov 3, 2020

I use the 42" aqua saw from gryphon. I'm not sure why someone would want to use something different??

I pimp my saw out to local peeps who would like to use it. Find a madam near you.

terraincognita · Nov 3, 2020

derekgoude said:
I use the 42" aqua saw from gryphon. I'm not sure why someone would want to use something different??

I pimp my saw out to local peeps who would like to use it. Find a madam near you.

Also a very good option, you may be able to find a local reefer or LFS who will help you frag or let you use their saw for a fee

shred5 · Nov 4, 2020

Rob.bucek said:
Just gonna chime in here with zero experience, but I've been thinking about it... What about a table jig saw like such?

WEN 1.2 Amp 16 in. 2-Direction Variable Speed Scroll Saw 3921 - The Home Depot

Remember when your scroll saw could cut in 2 different directions. Take on the most intricate and artful cuts with the WEN 16 in. Variable Speed 2-Direction Scroll Saw. The 9/16 in. stroke saws through

www.homedepot.com

Two words rust and safety. Not made for around water. Also the saws that are used in the reef hobby use diamond blades and are wet saws..

Some have used tile saws. The only issue is blade width but they work. They are a little wider so not for delicate pieces.

Topekoms · Nov 4, 2020

I have a gryphon

shred5 · Nov 4, 2020

I think people missed it he has about 200.00 to spend. Gryphon is not 200.00

derekgoude · Nov 4, 2020

I'd save up and find people locally that you can use their saw until that day comes. Or, save up and get a harbor freight dremel and a couple diamond blade off eBay. The dremel is also nice later for when you have only 2 cuts and don't want to get the saw out and mess around with the cleanup afterwards.

Spending 200 bucks on something half butt is throwing dollars on a fire and hoping to smother it. You'll end up regretting it. If it's something you don't mind doing, then come help with the fire at my house. Marine Depot does 10% off and other places as well. So, around 350 for the typical one or 400 for the bigger. Once you have the saw rent it out to people for 40 bucks AT YOUR PLACE or they use the saw AT YOUR PLACE and you get a few frags in trade. Nobody is going to want to use your steam punk jigsaw tetinus death machine. View the saw as an investment.

Salted · Nov 4, 2020

I just bought these and they worked great -

Daddy-o · Nov 4, 2020

Salted said:
I just bought these and they worked great -

My son used those and an old dog bowl and made a coral table saw

terraincognita · Nov 4, 2020

Daddy-o said:
My son used those and an old dog bowl and made a coral table saw

Your son, is a very, very smart person. That’s a great little invention.

Daddy-o · Nov 4, 2020

terraincognita said:
Your son, is a very, very smart person. That’s a great little invention.

I know, I was very impressed. I really liked the water reservoir (dog bowl) and the fact that he used the extension to keep the Dremel out of the water

Derrick0580 · May 29, 2022

I realize this is a old post but what did he use for an extended mandrel? I have looked high and low and due to safety reasons no one makes a long mandrel for a rotary tool. I wanted to make something similar to this until I was fragging enough corals to justify buying a band saw.