Gemini Saw Company Taurus Ring Saw Manual page 25

The Magnificent 7 Blades of the Taurus 3
What Are They All About?
There are 7 blades available for the Taurus 3 ring saws and there are often questions arising
as to what they are for, how long they last, and how to use them. So we are writing this article
to ive a summary of all of them and their many uses. There are now seven blades to choose
from.
There are universal truths about all of the blades that hold true for all of them.
1) All blades cut the same materials: glass, tile, stone, shell, nonferrous metals, hard plastics
such as acrylic and lexan, and anything that has a similar density to these materials.
2) All blades use the same belt and grommets. Blades are interchangeable with the same belt
and grommets and do not need to be changed unless they are excessively worn.
3) Always let the blade do the cutting. Forcing the blade through the material in a hurry will not
only cause a slower cut but can also shorten the blade life. There is an optimum speed for
each blade in each material; you can feel it while you are cutting. Sensitivity to this causes
extremely long blade life Defined it is that point at which you get maximum cutting speed for
minimal pressure.
The Magnificent Seven Serious Blades
Note: When describing blade abilities it is wise not to confuse the ability of a blade to cut a
certain material greater thickness once in awhile as opposed to that same blade being used to
cut only that thickness all the time. For this description we will refer to blade capacity vs.
normal use. When we speak of blade shape it is what is called a cross section which is like
snipping off a piece of the blade and looking directly at its end.
Standard Blade - (part# 1042) Stained glass pattern and all around multi purpose cutting
blade. Its action is omni-directional. This is to say that it cuts the same speed and kerf, (swath
left by the blade), in any direction. This blade was the first blade to be put on saws and makes
pattern cutting very easy because the user does not have to turn the piece while cutting but
simply move it in any direction.
Blade Shape: Round .072 Diameter (note 1/16" equals .063 and 1mm equals .0394) Grit is aggressive.
Material Thickness Capacity: 3/8", normal use is 1/8" art glass, 1/4" soft wall tile.
What to Avoid: Do not use for ceramic tile, 3/8" fused glass pieces, or thick material in general.
Average Blade Life: 40-60 hours
Separating Blade - (part# 1043) This blade is the same as above but t comes apart or
cutting out the center of something without using an entrance cut. You must first drill a hole.
Consult your DVD for hole drilling instructions.
Blade Shape: Round .072 Diameter (note 1/16" equals .063 and 1mm equals .0394) Grit is aggressive.
Material Thickness Capacity: 3/8", normal use is 1/8" art glass, 1/4" soft wall tile.
What to Avoid: Do not use for ceramic tile, 3/8" fused glass pieces, or thick material in general.
Average Blade Life: 40-60 hours
Mega Blade - (part# 1045) This heavy duty blade is hungry for whatever you can feed it. It is
almost unbreakable so it is great for class settings. It has an opinion about which way it likes to
cut because of its shape which is basically tear dropped. The round part of the tear drop faces
outward and the pointed part faces inward. This means it cuts faster when pulling towards
yourself and slower pushing away and slowest sideways. Its kerf is the same as a standard
blade when pushing and pulling but it leaves a wide swath the same as a standard blade when
pushing and pulling but it leaves a wide swath sideways. That said you can cut whatever you
can fit into the mouth of the saw and the shape allows for creative shaping.