There are 3 saws located downstairs in the Rock Cutting Room (Darwin 21) that are used to cut rocks and prepare billets to make a thin section. These saws all use diamond blades that are cooled by either water or oil.

1. Tile saw: This is the saw used for the majority of our cutting. It is the simplest and easiest to use.
2. Water slab saw: This is the saw to use if you have a particularly large or precise cut that needs to be made.
3. Oil slab slaw: This is the saw to use if you have a particularly hard rock to cut (because oil cools more effectively than water). 

Instructions Using Tile Saw

1. It is mandatory to be wearing closed toe shoes and put on safety glasses and ear protection when using the saw.
2. It is recommended to put on a lab coat or apron and wear an N95 mask to protect from splashing water and dust.
3. Label your sample and decide where you want to cut the rock. Remember that the orientation of the cut with an anisotropic rock will show the rock fabric differently. 
4. Make sure there is sufficient water in tray so that the intake of the pump is submerged.  If not, fill the tray with tap water.
5. Place then rock in the vise attached to the sliding stage, and tighten the vise so that the rock is held securely.
6. Turn on power using the switch on top of the machine.
7. Check to see that water is being sprayed abundantly onto the saw blade before cutting begins. If not, fill the tray with additional tap water.
8. Hold the rock firmly in the vise while making sure to keep your fingers well away from the blade. Cut slowly in a straight line. Do not use excessive force while pushing the blade toward the sample but rather let the blade do the cutting at its own pace using minimum force.
9. When the cut is complete, turn off the saw.
10. Clean up all rock fragments left on the tile saw and place in grey bin.
11. Thoroughly wipe down the machine with a rag, cleaning any water or rock slurry that had sprayed on the machine.

Instructions Using Slab Saws

1. It is mandatory to be wearing closed toe shoes and put on safety glasses and ear protection when using the saw.
2. It is recommended to put on a lab coat or apron and wear an N95 mask to protect from splashing water and dust.
3. Label your sample and decide where you want to cut the rock. Remember that the orientation of the cut with an anisotropic rock will show the rock fabric differently.
4. Open the cover to the slab saw and lock sample in the vise. To do this, move to the closest notch and screw the vise in tightly so the rock will not move. 
5. Check to make sure the surface of your rock that is fed into the blade is perpendicular. Attempting to cut a beveled edge will break the saw blade.
6. Check the pull chain setting to ensure the saw will turn off after your cut. Close the lid.
7. Turn on the saw by pushing red button and check if water is spraying abundantly on the saw blade. Turn off saw and open the lid.
8. If there is no spray of water, add water to the reservoir below the saw until water sprays abundantly onto the saw blade before cutting begins. It is often necessary to add ~1 gallon of water if the saw hasn't been used recently.
9. Pull up red handle. Make sure the carriage threads engage the threaded rod. This is the self feeding mechanism that will slowly move the sample forward into the cutting blade.
10. Close lid and push red button to turn saw on. Do not turn on the switch when the lid is up and do not lift the lid while the saw is running. This is dangerous and will make a mess.
11. When the cut is complete (~10-20 minutes depending on the size of the rock), turn off the saw.
12. Wait until the fine mist settles (~1 minute) and open the lid. Remove your sample.
13. Clean up all rock fragments left on the tile saw and place in grey bin.
14. Thoroughly wipe down the machine with a rag, cleaning any water or rock slurry that had sprayed on the machine.