Eisernes Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 I keep seeing pictures of peoples in progress rock scapes with a hacksaw laying next to it. Is that a coincidence or is a hacksaw a good scaping tool? And if a hacksaw works could a jigsaw work on shelf pieces for more precision? Link to comment
jolee0722 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 I don't know about a jigsaw, but I used a hacksaw and it worked well. It allowed me to create a more stable bottom for some of my pieces. Link to comment
Lawnman Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 I have used a hacksaw a bench grinder even a angle grinder. They all worked out great. Link to comment
hey Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Favorite rock forming tools are definitely a hacksaw, cold chisel, and a hammer. Not sure of others angle grinder was a new one, anyone else got cool ones? Link to comment
RonLarimer Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 I used a hack saw for 1 cut... but a finish nail hammer was the best. I used the claw like most people would use a cold chisel... because I had a hammer. Link to comment
Benny314 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Hack saw is the weapon of choice for long straight cuts to make stable bases. If your reshaping a visible section, hammer and chisel is best to keep a more natural uneven look to the rock. When wanting to trim bits off in tight spaces the trusty dremel or similar is great. Don't just think cutting blade either, a lot of the grinding tools work very well on soft live rock and allow you to keep or restore the look of a natural weathered rock. Link to comment
Justin MD Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 I used a reciprocating saw on some. Water helps lube and control dust. Link to comment
Nightstar Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 I use my 10" wet saw. It's made for cutting stone and ceramic so it works perfectly as expected. Link to comment
BulkRate Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 For "fine" detail like trimming away plug material or making small sections of rocks fit better I use a cheap cuticle trimmer & small wire cutter pliers. Chisel & hammer for the larger rocks... next tank or scape I'll definitely try the hacksaw approach, perhaps to also make some stackable ledges. Link to comment
kl86 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I tried dropping a dry fiji rock on to pavement and didn't even crack. Would a hacksaw really be able to cut through fiji rock? Link to comment
Eisernes Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 I was unable to get through it with a hacksaw. It was more trouble then it was worth. Chisel and grinder would be best. Link to comment
ndrobey Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Using tools with carbide or diamond blades will make the work much quicker and easier. Link to comment
kl86 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 So hammering it away with a chisel and hammer wouldn't break a 4 to 5 Ibs fiji rock? Link to comment
Halo_003 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I used a hacksaw to great success. You will find that some of the Fiji rocks take FOREVER to cut, this one rock took at least 30 minutes of continuous movement, but my other rock that was 3x larger took 5. The blade wasn't dulled at all, it was just a much harder rock for some reason. I would sand the bottom of your rocks after you cut them too, makes them perfectly smooth and (IMO) would help prevent scratches. Link to comment
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