Sli′cer.
1. (Gem-cutting.) The circular saw of the lapidary. It is a disk of sheet-iron, revolving in a horizontal plane, and usually about 8 or 9 inches in diameter and 1/200 inch in thickness. To give it sufficient rigidity, it is hammered into a slightly concave form, about 1/6 inch in the entire diameter. This does not prevent the cutting of a straight section, as the commencement of a cut is in one plane and the trifling curvature gives way, being flattened [2208] by the kerf it has cut, and in which it is compelled to run. The slicer is firmly clamped, like a circular saw, between two flanges on its spindle, which is made of such a length that the edge of the slicer may be about three inches above the level of the bench. Diamond-dust moistened with water is employed as an abradant during the cutting process. In the illustration, the slicer is shown as mounted on the lapidary's bench and the stone mounted on a crane which keeps it constantly fed up to the slicer. The latter is seasoned, and plied with diamond-dust and lubricated with oil of brick.
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