[N. Solutions]

I'm in the market for some new hand saws for cutting flagstone. I do a lot of large sheet (10-15 sq.ft) irregualr bluestone installs. We pride ourselves on the tightness of our pattern and often cut stones to fit. We currently use 4" angle grinders with diamond blades. I am interested in the Alpha AWS 110 or similar wet/dry hand saws and am curious if anyone has experience with them. Specifically things like cutting speed, water flow rates, and overall efficacy. I like the small grinders because they enable precise curved cuts - a requirement of their potential replacements. Any input on the matter is welcome. Thanks

[PaverDrew]

I have not used the saw above, but have used a cheapo skil to do the same cuts, but dry. The dust, of course, killed the motor. I would venture to say that I could cut 2-3" material at a rate of about 1ft/ min. I used a cheapo blade from the box store and it outlasted the saws. I used this method on flag, blue, and Indiana limestone.
So, based on my experiences, this would be a good addition to the lineup. Is Alpha a manufacturer you have worked with in the past? The model you cite seems to be on the low end of the price range, but the next model up does'nt give you the same max. cutting depth. Is it hypoid drive? Really for the price, it seems worth it to give it a shot.

[N. Solutions]

Thanks for the input Andy. Bought a similar saw this arvo when my grinder packed up and ripped a few flags. The dust is gone but a wet saw makes a mess all its own... Next is a diamond blade for curved cuts and I'll be all set.

[PSUscaper]

Have you tried using a demo saw with a 12" blade yet?

I don't know, but I think I can cut anything just as well with a demo as I could using the little circular saw, and a lot faster.

Maybe you wouldn't believe it, but you can get really good with a demo saw with practice.

I just don't think your looking at the right tool for the job at hand, but not exactly sure what it is your cutting and what your definition of 'accurate' is. If your cutting 15 sq ft pieces of stone (that would be like a 4' x 4'), using a 4" angle grinder seems way out of place to begin with except for doing some of the the detail work.

When I think of a circular saw such as the alpha, I think of people doing indoor stone and tile jobs. I'm just curious as why you aren't using a demo saw, because you are going to kick yourself in the butt once you use one compared to a angle grinder.

[trees]

We use a 14" cutoff saw primarily, but also have a circular saw and angle grinder on hand.

We were a little leary about using the cutoff to make fine cuts at first, but it's now almost all we use... my foreman's much better at it than I am, and he gets "precision" cuts beautifully... see this thread (those cuts are all with a circular saw, but I assure you he does that with the cutoff as well).

Give the bigger saw a try, you won't be disappointed

[mrusk]

If you are cutting large peices, i'd just use a demo saw.

I am doing 750 sq feet of irregular bluestone wet laid right now. All the joints are 1 inch. We are cutting most peices with a 7inch bosch grinder. The only reason we use the grinder is because its easier then starting the saw every 5 minutes and you can mark the stone on yours knees, reach over grab the grinder and start cutting. No up and down movement.

Maybe even look at a worm drive saw?

[N. Solutions]

Thanks for the good feedback guys, I use a demo/partner saw a lot, nothing is faster for cutting stone. The reason we use 4"-5" blades is for the precision and the ease of use. Like mrusk said, the ease of picking up a small electric saw for detail cuts compared to starting up a gas saw is one major advantage, the other is that the larger the blade is the less curved you can make a cut, precision is gone no matter how good you are because at 2" deep with a 14" blade you can't turn the thing to cut a tight arch.

The primary reason I bought a wet saw is b/c the dust created by dry saws is dangerous for my crew and a nuisnance for homeowners and neighbors.

Mrusk, do you score the underside of the bluestone then snap it for a natural edge or do you cut the topside and then rough-up the smooth edges? We try really hard not to make anything look too contrived or unnatural but sometimes its tough when you're cutting a lot.

The devil is in the details and I'm a big sinner...