Cutting Live Rock

Xolsiion · 10/04/2009, 08:38 PM

Any have a good method for cutting Live Rock? I want to separate two corals on the same rock...

I've heard that Dremel's work well - anyone know of a particular bit or anything that needs to be used?

Aquarist007 · 10/04/2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xolsiion

Any have a good method for cutting Live Rock? I want to separate two corals on the same rock...

I've heard that Dremel's work well - anyone know of a particular bit or anything that needs to be used?

I use a big pry bar and a hammer

matt880305 · 10/04/2009, 09:31 PM

for the dremel i would say a cut off blade but they are kinda expensive so i would say go with capn idea.

Matthew DeKing

dawaterboy · 10/04/2009, 09:36 PM

I use the c4 method

Thruthfully I go with the hammer and flathead screwdriver. Use a craftsman just in case you break the handle.

Aquarist007 · 10/04/2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawaterboy

I use the c4 method

Thruthfully I go with the hammer and flathead screwdriver. Use a craftsman just in case you break the handle.

A disclaimer---this method should not be tried in the display tank

blue44magnum · 10/04/2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capn_hylinur

a disclaimer---this method should not be tried in the display tank

lol

lordofthereef · 10/04/2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawaterboy

i use the c4 method

Thruthfully i go with the hammer and flathead screwdriver. Use a craftsman just in case you break the handle.

+1

Xolsiion · 10/05/2009, 04:36 AM

Sounds like most people use the 'chisel' method. I guess my only worry with that is that the rock doesn't break in the right spot and I end up not separating the two different pieces the way I want.

Steve71175 · 10/05/2009, 06:52 AM

I plan on cutting/drilling some live rock for a new tank I'm setting up. I will be curing the new live rock in the display tank as there is nothing in it right now. Should I do the cutting/drilling before or after the curing process is complete?

Marchingbandjs · 10/05/2009, 07:20 AM

I would do it before, that way you will have more surface area for it to cure, and more area for bacteria to form. I would go chisel and hammer.. you can find a crack or a little ditch, put the chisel in there, and then it will split right down the fault line.

thegrun · 10/05/2009, 07:30 AM

If you chisel score lines around the rock where you want it to break, you have a much better chance of a clean cut where you want it. It also helps to place a wedge under the rock at the bottom break point.

cj hill · 10/05/2009, 09:09 AM

i use my tile saw

Xolsiion · 10/05/2009, 10:41 AM

So if there isn't a fault line I should create one with my chisel and then eventually give it a much harder hit to break it along the new fault I created? With my two coral covering the rock its very important for me to separate it in the right spot - that was why i thought a dremel that I could control would be a safer bet...

Seventy · 10/05/2009, 11:07 AM

If you want to create weak spots to 'control' the break you could try getting a masonry bit for an electric drill and put some holes in it. Most people have access to a drill and the bits don't cost very much. I used to use an 18v cordless hammerdrill with masonry bits to drill in concrete foundation slabs. Since LR probably isn't as dense as concrete you probably don't need a hammerdrill.

I would drill a couple of holes and tap a screwdriver into them until it splits.

Marchingbandjs · 10/05/2009, 02:19 PM

There are many options, drilling, dremel, scouring. the overall end is you are creating a spot in the rock which is weaker and will have a greater tendency to crack, so why chisel it it will crack in the spots of least resistance It has to be impossible that there is no fault on the rock, but if there arent any, i would say scour the rock or if u wanna spend money use a drill or dremel..

10/04/2009, 08:38 PM	#1
Xolsiion Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 195	Cutting Live Rock Any have a good method for cutting Live Rock? I want to separate two corals on the same rock... I've heard that Dremel's work well - anyone know of a particular bit or anything that needs to be used? __________________ A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it. --Rabindranath Tagore Current Tank Info: 28G Bowfront, 48W T5 10,000K/Actinic: Softies, Duncan, Frogspawn, False Percula \|30G, 24 3W LEDs Cool White/Royal Blue, Softies, Yellow-Tail Damsel

10/05/2009, 04:36 AM	#8
Xolsiion Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 195	Sounds like most people use the 'chisel' method. I guess my only worry with that is that the rock doesn't break in the right spot and I end up not separating the two different pieces the way I want. __________________ A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it. --Rabindranath Tagore Current Tank Info: 28G Bowfront, 48W T5 10,000K/Actinic: Softies, Duncan, Frogspawn, False Percula \|30G, 24 3W LEDs Cool White/Royal Blue, Softies, Yellow-Tail Damsel

10/05/2009, 10:41 AM	#13
Xolsiion Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 195	So if there isn't a fault line I should create one with my chisel and then eventually give it a much harder hit to break it along the new fault I created? With my two coral covering the rock its very important for me to separate it in the right spot - that was why i thought a dremel that I could control would be a safer bet... __________________ A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it. --Rabindranath Tagore Current Tank Info: 28G Bowfront, 48W T5 10,000K/Actinic: Softies, Duncan, Frogspawn, False Percula \|30G, 24 3W LEDs Cool White/Royal Blue, Softies, Yellow-Tail Damsel

10/04/2009, 09:31 PM	#3
matt880305 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: montgomery, il Posts: 844	for the dremel i would say a cut off blade but they are kinda expensive so i would say go with capn idea. Matthew DeKing

10/04/2009, 09:36 PM	#4
dawaterboy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: waterford, mi Posts: 214	I use the c4 method Thruthfully I go with the hammer and flathead screwdriver. Use a craftsman just in case you break the handle.

10/05/2009, 06:52 AM	#9
Steve71175 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 47	I plan on cutting/drilling some live rock for a new tank I'm setting up. I will be curing the new live rock in the display tank as there is nothing in it right now. Should I do the cutting/drilling before or after the curing process is complete?

10/05/2009, 07:20 AM	#10
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	I would do it before, that way you will have more surface area for it to cure, and more area for bacteria to form. I would go chisel and hammer.. you can find a crack or a little ditch, put the chisel in there, and then it will split right down the fault line.

10/05/2009, 07:30 AM	#11
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If you chisel score lines around the rock where you want it to break, you have a much better chance of a clean cut where you want it. It also helps to place a wedge under the rock at the bottom break point.

10/05/2009, 09:09 AM	#12
cj hill Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: utah Posts: 110	i use my tile saw

10/05/2009, 11:07 AM	#14
Seventy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: OKC Posts: 100	If you want to create weak spots to 'control' the break you could try getting a masonry bit for an electric drill and put some holes in it. Most people have access to a drill and the bits don't cost very much. I used to use an 18v cordless hammerdrill with masonry bits to drill in concrete foundation slabs. Since LR probably isn't as dense as concrete you probably don't need a hammerdrill. I would drill a couple of holes and tap a screwdriver into them until it splits.

10/05/2009, 02:19 PM	#15
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	There are many options, drilling, dremel, scouring. the overall end is you are creating a spot in the rock which is weaker and will have a greater tendency to crack, so why chisel it it will crack in the spots of least resistance It has to be impossible that there is no fault on the rock, but if there arent any, i would say scour the rock or if u wanna spend money use a drill or dremel..