alf
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2008
Posts: 11
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Post by alf on Aug 26, 2009 9:31:42 GMT -5
Hello RTH Community-
I have been bugging John with JSGems for the last few days about saws. I think he has grown weary of my endless questions and suggested I get some unbiased opinions from the board. (Kidding of course, John is not weary)
I am looking to purchase a 14" slab saw, and am torn between which saw to get. I have looked at Barranca, Covington, Lortone, etc. and would sincerely appreciate any advice you could offer as to which one will make me the happiest slabber. Can anyone share their experiences with me?
Thanks in advance, alf
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Aug 26, 2009 9:54:49 GMT -5
When you get up to that size range (14" up) they all make really good saws, Covington seems to build everything a little heavier duty, but they make you pay for it.
I haven't been shopping for a saw in a while, and my personal experience is mostly with a 40 year old 18" Lortone, but I have no complaints about it at all- (my next door neighbor bitches about the noise, but I don't mind it)
I expect you will be a happy slabber with any of those.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Aug 26, 2009 12:45:48 GMT -5
My saw is only 10", so I can't give first hand advice. I just recall seeing some complaints about the 14" Lortone Panther. You might try searching the threads for it.
Chuck
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bendsum
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 140
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Post by bendsum on Aug 26, 2009 14:04:57 GMT -5
another option build your own its what did and i have maybe $300 in it
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Aug 26, 2009 14:09:57 GMT -5
I have a 16" Covington and love it but it is the only slab saw I have ever used so............
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 26, 2009 14:52:21 GMT -5
Howdy, I've been looking at slab saws too and have about decided on the Barranca. Covington makes a good saw too but I believe their saws and Lortones too for that matter, are underpowered. The Barranca 14 has the largest motor ( 3/4HP) while Lortone runs a 1/4 and Covington a 1/2 HP. In my opinion, more horsepower is better when the blade gets duller and tends to bog down in the cuts. My old Lortone and my vastly underpowered antique Highland Park seemed to both seize up and stop cutting more often while my vastly over powered 10" saw blasts through everything. I know a lot of folks swear by both those other 14' saws but next time I'm going with the strongest motor I can get on a 14" saw and the folks at Barranca seem real fine to deal with too. Covington folks are nice and helpful too. Lortone, I'd not by again as my last saw from them was IMHO, kind of a poorly designed piece of crap....Mel
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alf
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2008
Posts: 11
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Post by alf on Aug 26, 2009 15:08:50 GMT -5
Mel:
Reading your post makes me want to do the Tim the Toolman Taylor grunt "arr arr more power" etc.
The larger motor was one of the the things that made me want to go with Barranca.
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 26, 2009 16:52:34 GMT -5
Here is an official update on the Barranca HP-14. Originally they were going to use a light duty 3/4 hp motor then decided to switch to a capacitor start heavy duty Baldor motor. Yesterday they announced they would stay with 3/4 hp but capacitor start, heavy duty Baldor. For those who don't know motors, Baldor is the last of the made in USA motors and in my experience the best motors available. Yes, Tim the tool man would be proud. 3/4 hp on 14", 1.5 hp on 18, 20, and 24". By the way, the well liked belt drive sytem on Highland Park can be found on their 18", 20", and 24" "Highland Precision" slab saws. The parent company (MK Diamond) purchased Highland Park when they went under and sold it to Contempo Lapidary who sold it to Diamond Pacific. Apparently MK/Barranca kept the rights to the venerable drive system. I often wondered if MK didn't kick themselves for dumping Highland Park.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Aug 26, 2009 20:18:52 GMT -5
I don't have any complaints with my 16 inch Covington, except that it could have a little more power. Also, are you sure that the 14 is as big as you want to go? My 16 is big enough most of the time, but there is times that I wish that it was an 18. If I had an 18 though, I'd probably wish that it was a 24, but honestly, the 16 seems like the perfect size to me.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 26, 2009 22:12:17 GMT -5
Randy: My saw I gave my buddy was a 20" HP. I decided next time I'd go smaller because the bulk of the rocks I find can be cut on a 14" ( that's what I had previously) and the difference in blade prices is almost two to one which means I can get new ones more often. Two other factors to consider are blade thickness ( my 20" lost one slab for every two cut due to width of the blade which sucks with the often expensive material I buy) and surface area of the blade edge bearing against the rock being cut. Put simply, the wider the cross section of rock your blade is grinding through, the more drag and the more your blade dulls. With my old 14" I got way more cuts per blade, way more slabs per stone due to the narrower kerf, and way less drag on the blade. Easier to just break the big boulders down to saw size and use the smaller saw......Mel
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 26, 2009 23:01:20 GMT -5
It doesn't take up 5' of garage space either like my HP24". Lots of times I wish I had a 14" or 16" for the rocks that are not 9".
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alf
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2008
Posts: 11
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Post by alf on Aug 27, 2009 8:23:33 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the input, I sincerely appreciate it. I think I am going to go with my original plan to get the Barranca.
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alf
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2008
Posts: 11
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Post by alf on Sept 28, 2009 8:53:36 GMT -5
Just a follow up post. I ordered the 14" Barranca from John at JSGems. It was shipped on a pallet in a wooden box and arrived damage free in about 1 week. It was thoroughly inspected by the dogs and met with their approval. I un-crated and had a friend come and help me put it on my table (heavy beast, 160 lbs or so). This saw is very well made, very solid and sturdy. When running, vibration is almost non-existent. I only had two minor (very) issues. The first, is that the saw blade, when running, throws oil under the lip of the lid and it leaks out around the hinges at an alarming rate. I first fixed this first with a paper towel folded up and placed in the hinges. I decided to do something more permanent and cut a piece of vinyl base board to fit that the lid would close down on and keep the splash out of the hinges. This worked great. The other minor issue is that the handle came off of the cross feed knob. The knob itself did not come off. It was the little thumb and finger do-hickey that makes turning the knob easy. My first thought was "piece of crap", but after keeping the handle do-hickey outside of the saw when running and putting it back in the hole and cranking it when it was time to move, I decided that I liked it because it wasn't oily and my delicate skin didn't get all messy. Now, I wonder if it is supposed to be that way... I don't know, but at this point, I consider it a feature instead of a problem. The saw is awesome. It has been chewing through agates and jaspers with no complaints since I received it. As I said earlier, there is almost no vibration. It is incredibly quiet for what it is doing... the dogs don't even seem to mind it. I can even cut in the garage while my little one sleeps. Don't get me wrong, it does make noise but the levels far exceed my expectations. The vice and cross feed work very well. Slabs come off the saw nice and even and smooth. To make a long story longer, I love this saw. I give the saw and John at JSGems two thumbs up.
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Post by Toad on Sept 28, 2009 9:25:32 GMT -5
Pictures please. Glad you're happy with it.
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 5, 2009 12:49:38 GMT -5
To keep the oil flinging under control I use bicycle fenders in all my saws. It keeps the coolant from running out around the hinges, and it's possible to see what's going on inside the saw through the viewing window.
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Oct 7, 2009 19:16:42 GMT -5
I bought a used saw from Tony (Catmandewe) and have been teetotally thrilled with it! For any one else looking, I recommend you contact Tony first! Susan
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Post by sandsman1 on Oct 7, 2009 21:21:30 GMT -5
rockoonz that sounds like a great idea after about two cuts even with clean oil my window is blocked -- how about a pic of how you attached it to the saw
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Oct 7, 2009 22:35:01 GMT -5
What Mel said. 14" or 16" seems to be the most versatile and economical size for slabbing. I am shopping too and the Barranca or Covington would both be great choices. I have also bugged John incessantly and have gleaned some information that makes the choice easier. the Lortone equipment is, in general, lighter duty all around in these sizes, anyway. Light construction means less frame and case rigidity and MORE NOISE AND VIBRATION. the underlying metaal matters, too. Stainless is great and aluminum is very rigid and corrosion resistant, but ir will scratch easily and and is brittle. I have seen used saws on ebay with cracks in their cast aluminum components. The worst thing about the Lortone, from what I hear, is that the 14" saws (please correct me if I'm wrong) have a high feed rate in the 14" which is not adjustable. That means lots more blade wear.
I am planning to join the local hobbyist club in a nearby town next week at their monthly meeting. They have equipm,ent for members' use and I'll be able to compare euipment and experiences of other members. I would hate to spend a wad of money on something I wasn't comfortable about. First hand experience and inspection is indispensible. You might try seeking out your local club, if any, for the same reasons. Good luck!
Mark H.
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Oct 8, 2009 22:26:48 GMT -5
I started at my local club a few years ago and their stuff is all donated and good to use but if you want to use the big saws they charged .25 an inch.and I also hated waiting in line to use something, when your on a roll you hate to stop.
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