coral band saw recommendations

[EMeyer]

I think its time to finally upgrade to a dedicated saw for fragging corals. But the options I see online for dedicated coral bandsaws have prices that make me laugh. 

Anyone have suggestions for a budget coral band saw option? 

Maybe something DIY or repurposed? 

What other creative tools have you used to cut large corals?

I've been using a diamond blade dremel wheel for years, you can cut frags from surprisingly large colonies if you get creative with cut angles. But it has its limits and all the changing angles can make a mess of spraying coral goop. 

Thanks for any ideas!

[Parzifal]

I’ve heard diamond is the best to cut corals with,   This may be a good option. 

[SuncrestReef]

I wonder if this Dremel kit would work?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-Moto-Saw-6-Amp-Corded-Scroll-Saw-and-Electric-Coping-Saw-for-Plastic-Laminates-and-Metal-MS20-01/203899883

[Bicyclebill]

The original coral bandsaw is still the only one that works like a bandsaw. The dremel hobby tool John showed does a back and forth sawing action, which will tear up anything you’re  cutting. Bandsaws are a single direction cutting tool. Nothing else comes close

[CuttleFishandCoral]

I would get the gryphon. One purchase that i never regretted. They are spendy but totally worth it. 

[Parzifal]

I’m sure there are plenty of people on the forum willing to loan one of you only need it occasionally. 

[The ReefBox]

Gryphon hands down.   The inland saw will work if you don’t use all the time 

[SuncrestReef]

[albertareef]

On 2/23/2021 at 7:56 PM, The ReefBox said:

Gryphon hands down.   The inland saw will work if you don’t use all the time 

I think this is what the club raffled off at the last Frag Fest so some lucky club member has one.

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I used my sawzall and a diamond tile blade once.  This is good if you want to make a bunch of frags from a colony all at once because as your cutting it will catch on something throw the colony across the room and breaking it into a bunch of little pieces. 

Edited February 25, 2021 by pdxmonkeyboy

[albertareef]

1 hour ago, pdxmonkeyboy said:

I used my sawzall and a diamond tile blade once.  This is good if you want to make a bunch of frags from a colony all at once because as your cutting it will catch on something throw the colony across the room and breaking it into a bunch of little pieces. 

Well Brad used to frag colonies by throwing them on the floor so sounds like you on on the right track!

[TheClark]

On 2/23/2021 at 9:21 PM, SuncrestReef said:

Been there done that getting RBTAs off of live rock purchases many years ago!  Makin rubble!

 

[EMeyer]

how about wet tile saws, anyone try one of those? (Not handheld, the bench type)

Something like this, although I want to find one that can handle thicker pieces

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-portable-wet-cut-tile-saw-69231.html

$400ish for a saw is just too silly for words, I'll keep buying $30 dremel blades if thats the only option

Edited February 26, 2021 by EMeyer