What do you use to cut Real Reef Rocks?

[CyberGuy]

I have several big slab pieces of real reef rock that I want to cut in half horizontally (not vertically) to save weight.
I have a Gryphon XL bandsaw but I think it would damage the saw if I use it on the dense Real Reef Rock.
Is there a solution. A tile saw may work but which one is strong enough?

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

I use a hammer and wood chisel or my bandsaw with a diamond coated blade.

 

[GJak]

Stick the rock in a vise and use a grinder with a cutting wheel, goes right through it and it's cheaper to chew up some wheels then it is a band saw blade. Wear eye protection whatever method you choose though.

 

[CyberGuy]

Stick the rock in a vise and use a grinder with a cutting wheel, goes right through it and it's cheaper to chew up some wheels then it is a band saw blade. Wear eye protection whatever method you choose though.

What do you mean by "stick rock in a vise and use grinder with a cutting wheel"?
Do you have a photo of such a device?

 

[GJak]

Just a standard bench mounted vise that's large enough to hold the rock in place. Wrap it in a towel, tighten the vise and then go to town on it with an angle grinder and metal cutoff wheel. Goes right through the rock.

 

[CyberGuy]

Just a standard bench mounted vise that's large enough to hold the rock in place. Wrap it in a towel, tighten the vise and then go to town on it with an angle grinder and metal cutoff wheel. Goes right through the rock.

OH, so that is what a vice look like. I do not have many tools in my garage. Learn something new everyday. Thanks.

 

[CyberGuy]

Is the metal cutoff wheel the best to use to cut the real reef rock like butter?

 

[LC8Sumi]

Is the metal cutoff wheel the best to use to cut the real reef rock like butter?

Probably a diamond cutoff wheel. But I wouldn’t use either, not to contaminate the rock

 

[GJak]

They are cheaper than diamond blades and they cut easily through man made rock. Not sure what you would be worried about when it comes to contamination. Rinse off the dust, soak them if you feel better about it and stick them in the tank.

 

[mfinn]

I use a hammer and wood chisel or my bandsaw with a diamond coated blade.

I do this as well.
If you want to cut it along a line. Just use the wood chisel and tap lightly in a line across the spot you want to cut off.
Then go back and tap it a little harder in the same spots.
Wood chisels are cheap and handy to have around.

 

[CyberGuy]

The grinder has a guide to protect from flying debris. However, it limits how far I can cut my slab. I have really big real reef rock slab that measures approximately 11 inches by 9 inches. I do not want to remove the guide for safety reason. Do I have to settle with only cutting small pieces only and have to resort to gluing the small slabs together?

 

[Rodneyri]

Grinder with diamond blade

Dremel for shaping finer bits

 

[Trylobyte]

The grinder has a guide to protect from flying debris. However, it limits how far I can cut my slab. I have really big real reef rock slab that measures approximately 11 inches by 9 inches. I do not want to remove the guide for safety reason. Do I have to settle with only cutting small pieces only and have to resort to gluing the small slabs together?

Kind of old but I was having this same issue. You can use a "Reciprocating Saw" with a "Diamond Blade" and cut larger pieces that the 4 1/2" grinder cannot reach through. With something that thick, I would definitely have some water handy to drop on while cutting to help keep the blade cool.