Hope someone can help with this. I have a wet diamond cutter which I was planning to use to make straight cuts in a dense La Rochelle limestone. The problem is that it has lots of fossils and when I hit one it does not cut cleanly.

Would it be worthwhile hiring a more heavy duty wet cutter which cuts in a downwards motion compared to mine which cuts horizontally? What other options are there?

What cutter is it you are using ?

It is a Axminster AWTC180 Tile Saw

I should also say that it was fine cutting applestone limestone - it is the fossils in La rochelle limestone that are the problem.

Ok I think the problem you have is lack of power. If you read the user reviews for that saw you will see it does not fare to well.

What cutter would you recommend? Just a bit worried about spending a lot hiring/buying one and then being hit with the same problem.

I would be looking at at least 600w maybe even 800w.
It depends what the hire shops have available.
My Dewalt DW24000 has no issues with cutting through anything I have shown it so far but it not just about power, The cutting wheel needs to be quality too.

Have you tried any with fossils? Are you sure they will they not just pop out when the blade hits them whatever the power.

Cant say as I have but i would be very suprised if the wheel didnt just cut through albeit with a slight resistance.

I did a limestone job a couple of weeks ago. Again, I used my D24000 and it whizzed through the 20mm thick fossilised stones with no issues.

You just need a more powerful cutter with a decent blade.

I agree, it is more a blade issue than the cutter..

I don't suppose your cutter is available for hire at all? I live on the Cambs/Essex/Suffolk boarder too - not far from Haverhill.

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

I did a limestone job a couple of weeks ago. Again, I used my D24000 and it whizzed through the 20mm thick fossilised stones with no issues.

You just need a more powerful cutter with a decent blade.

What do people think of this one for hire from Jewson's for the job? Also what would be a recommended blade to use with it?

Jewson Builders Merchant - Building Materials and Supplies

LARGE DIAMOND TILE CUTTER - ELECTRIC

Portable tile saw suitable for materials up to 30mm thick. Stainless steel working surface tilts for mitre cuts. Easy cleaning. Precision guide. Removable galvanised tank.

Specifications

Size h x w x l: 287mm x 500mm x 560mm
Max. blade diameter: 250mm
Rot. speed of blade: 3000rpm
Power: 1kW
Weight: 24kg
Sound pressure level: 71dBA
EN12418

I'm sure that Jewson one will do the job but so will yours, I believe. The blade makes all the difference. I have a Titan machine which looks very much like yours and has pretty much the same spec. Fitted with a Marcrist CK850 blade (From TradeTiler) it cuts fossil limestone very cleanly. The blade will cost you more than the machine, though !