Cable saw to cut thick coral and rock

[karimwassef]

Has anyone used this method to cut large sections?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002...ting+cable&dpPl=1&dpID=31QIqCWuGqL&ref=plSrch

I have some big colonies and very tight (and twisted) spacings. This seems like the only easy option?

 

[mcgyvr]

That would take forever I'd bet..

 

[ericarenee]

I am not sure how you would hold it still to be able to cut it.. Not to mention that cable gets dull Super Quick.. I have used them for cutting pvc a few times when nothing else would fit..

Band or scroll saw is the best option . They make them for wet cutting.

 

[karimwassef]

The rock is too big and heavy to take out without wreaking the tank.

The coral has encrusted a section that's about a square foot.

 

[ericarenee]

The rock is too big and heavy to take out without wreaking the tank.

The coral has encrusted a section that's about a square foot.

get a Flex extension for a Dremmel tool .I would say either spiral or aggregate bonded type blade would be best. You will have to clean the cable before and after use VERY GOOD. They are cheap and it would not likely be worth saving after in the saltwater for a bit.

 

[karimwassef]

I have a flex extension for the dremel. It won't work. I have to saw through 10" of coral and rock.

 

[karimwassef]

It's a hydnophora so the skeleton can get crushed unless I can make a smooth clean cut

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/1EA842A5-FB0C-4B38-94D6-92A24E0A804B_zpswjvgoiwn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/1EA842A5-FB0C-4B38-94D6-92A24E0A804B_zpswjvgoiwn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1EA842A5-FB0C-4B38-94D6-92A24E0A804B_zpswjvgoiwn.jpg"></a>

 

[Gorgok]

Those flex things are packed full of grease, so make sure you clean it up good before using it. Not sure on the material, but i wouldn't be surprised if it did have copper coating and such (or bronze) on the wire or in bushings.

 

[karimwassef]

It says stainless steel.

Can I make one from stainless steel wire by pressing it with a grooved press?

 

[Gorgok]

Not that wire, i meant the drive cable in a dremel extension. Its somewhat like a guitar string (spiral the correct way to tighten under load on the tool).

That string saw might work on the coral though as most i have ever cut were really quite soft. On the other hand the base rock i have has spots that are extremely hard, and i wouldn't expect that to work cutting it (except if it only hits soft spots, then a toothpick would probably work).

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I'd go ahead with the cable saw. Coral is pretty soft. Might even be fine on the rock, too. I've cut a lot of rock and like Gorgok, I occasionally found hard spots - but mostly it was very soft as well.

I think the biggest challenge will be putting enough pressure on that it actually cuts, but not so much that you disurb the coral or rock (i.e. pull the whole coral off the rock, or cause a rock slide).

 

[karimwassef]

The rock is attached to a larger suspended PVC frame. It shouldn't move.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Well, let us know how it goes. This is an interesting problem.