Joy
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2005
Posts: 69
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Post by Joy on Sept 6, 2009 3:12:37 GMT -5
I'm looking for a 14" slab saw and like the specs for the Barranca. However, it seems the blade placement is for a left-handed person. With most saws, the blade is on the LEFT and the rock vise is on the RIGHT. With the Barranca, the blade is on the RIGHT and vise on the LEFT. What's up with that? It feels awkward as heck. Comments please! Joy
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Sept 6, 2009 8:14:15 GMT -5
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Sept 6, 2009 10:45:08 GMT -5
I saw that too and found it kind of interesting. Not sure it matters to me which side the vice is on but I am a bit curious about how much space there is for the rock on the far side of the vice and how many cuts you can get from the cross feed without resetting the workpiece in the vice. It does look a bit cramped for having the capacity to make a lot of cuts. It's always nice to be able to get six or eight 1/4 inch parallel slabs before you have to move the rock. I'll have to phone them and ask about that because while most listings mention this, theirs does not....Mel
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 6, 2009 15:06:04 GMT -5
Mel, the cross feed distance is 3 7/16" and maximum vise opening is 5 3/4". The vise is on left side as I assume the Star Diamond saw it was based on was. Depending on saw location it should not matter. On a free standing table or base you can stand on left side of saw and operate the vise with your right hand. If you use it with left side against the wall or in the middle of a longer table you may indeed need to use your left hand. The vise is much stronger and the saw is heavier duty (and heavier) than the Lortone. It has a much more powerful motor and the removable sludge tank looks to me to be a handy thing although it would take two normal people (or one big Texan) to lift the saw off the tank. The feed rate of 3/16" per minute provides smooth cuts and is easy on the blade. If you need any other spec's I should have them.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 6, 2009 15:14:28 GMT -5
By the way, Jack, the "HP" does refer to Highland Park in a way as the parent company (MK Diamond) bought Highland Park when they cratered. When they redesigned their 18", 20", and 24" saws they incorporated the Highland Park belt drive system and changed model name to "Highland Precision". Mk sold Highland Park to Contempo Lapidary who in turn sold it to Diamond Pacific. I assume Diamond Pacific owns the "Highland Park" brand name. The HP-4 is base on the old Star Diamond table top 14". MK bought Star Diamond in 1998 when they cratered.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Sept 6, 2009 20:05:04 GMT -5
that looks odd to me.....i wonder if i could get used to it. you can send me one and i will try it out for you. lmao
mary ann
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Post by akansan on Sept 8, 2009 8:57:58 GMT -5
That setup looks similar to the Lortone 14" drop saw I had - vice on left, blade on right. Well, the blade on the Lortone was in the middle, but you get the idea.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 8, 2009 10:06:48 GMT -5
Blade on the right would be awkward to me as well, especially after cranking the vise with my right hand for three years. It would be like trying to eat with the other hand. I can do it, but it just wouldn't feel right.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 8, 2009 12:20:13 GMT -5
Mel, Here is another dimension. From left tank wall to blade is 13 1/4". That means max rock size would be 13 1/4" long, 5" high, and 5 3/4' wide. Be advised some manufacturers list taller cutting heights by using shorter blade washers. For proper blade tensioning/support 1/6 the blade diameter is recommended. Shorter washers means easier dishing/blade damage.
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Post by Toad on Sept 8, 2009 12:20:55 GMT -5
LOL, you all crack me up. Try being a southpaw in a right-handed world. We get used to doing stuff however it is set up. Though I have to admit, when I get used to doing something one way, there is a transition period when learning to do it another. But never fear, you can do it.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,456
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Post by Sabre52 on Sept 8, 2009 15:52:30 GMT -5
John, Thanks for all the great information. I think that saw is definitely the one I'm gonna get even though it's freaking built assbackwards. Sounds like there's plenty of room to get at least a half dozen consecutive slabs off a rock and I really love the idea of a more powerful motor.
*LOL* Toad, Man I'm so strongly right handed that the only thing I do with my left hand is steer my horses. A vice crank on that side of the saw is so weird I'd definitely have to walk around to the other side so I could use my right hand like John says.....Mel
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Post by Toad on Sept 8, 2009 15:58:16 GMT -5
*LOL* Toad, Man I'm so strongly right handed that the only thing I do with my left hand is steer my horses. A vice crank on that side of the saw is so weird I'd definitely have to walk around to the other side so I could use my right hand like John says.....Mel Well, my dad was one of those militant lefties - and proud of it. I worked with him for a summer doing decks and patio covers and he could swing that hammer all day long with his left arm. I couldn't, so i had to learn to use both. The funny thing is that every once in a while there would be a nail where a left-hand swing just wouldn't cut - he'd have to call me over. Diversity is the key...
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