unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 19, 2012 11:24:38 GMT -5
Hi all I am thinking about getting my 1st slab saw and was thinking about bidding on this one from one of our members: www.ebay.com/itm/120896203890?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619I know nothing about saws but I know it is time to get one. I am spending to much $ on ready cut slabs. Do you think that this is a good saw tostart with? Should I be looking at a larger saw? I live in NJ so there are few used ones available and I am not a do it yourself kind of guy. Would a 10" saw be big enough to cut the type of rocks that I would be buying online? The auction ends today and would appreciate any help Thanks Stu
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Apr 19, 2012 11:30:57 GMT -5
That looks like a nice saw, the only thing missing I would want is a hood to cover it while running. 10" will cut rocks that are about fist sized. I use mine all the time. The cosmo agate slab I sent you for the KCC was cut on my 10" an that's about the limit of what I can cut on it.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2012 12:17:00 GMT -5
Hard to say Stu. I would love to have it as a trim saw along side my 12". Mel sends rock to me that he can not cut in his 10" but in your case a lot of the rock you get may be smaller. Half of the rocks that I cut would not fit in that saw but I can not cut a lot of the smaller rocks in my big saw because by the time I get them in the vice they do not reach the blade. There are a lot of pluses and minuses for that saw. It does look pretty much maintenance free and if there is any it would be quite easy. Looks like I did not really help you at all. Good luck either way. I am sure you would have a lot of fun with it. Jim
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Post by manofglass on Apr 19, 2012 12:21:29 GMT -5
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 19, 2012 12:31:49 GMT -5
big big factor is cost (imo) what can you afford, how much are you willing to spend, I think most people start with tile saws, they are easy to find, cheap and easy to use. Cost and size generally go hand in hand.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 19, 2012 12:32:11 GMT -5
If you can get it close to the current bid and have a used or inexpensive motor it looks good. New bearings are a plus in used equipment. I sold a really nice HP 10" with power feed and motor for $500 and thought it was a little high. I wanted to keep it so priced it high. I've sold 10" saws in good shape with motor for $400-$450 without power feed. Where equipment is more available prices are a little lower though. It is a nice looking saw.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 19, 2012 12:48:43 GMT -5
By the way, 10" saws are great first slab saws. Especially if "trim and slab" type. Most will cut 3.5" rocks which are a pretty common size.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2012 12:48:45 GMT -5
I am also shopping used for a saw. I have my eye on a 24" but have not pulled the trigger because it is not working. Repairs are likely minor, but...
My feeling is buy the largest saw your pocketbook can afford. In photography you get the best results with the best glass. I always buy the best quality lenses I can afford. I have never been disappointed. Likely I will not with this philosophy in saws either.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 19, 2012 16:01:40 GMT -5
In general I agree with you shotgunner, but if you don't bring home big enough rough for the saw, that extra size is going to waste.
Chuck
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 19, 2012 16:44:31 GMT -5
I am also shopping used for a saw. I have my eye on a 24" but have not pulled the trigger because it is not working. Repairs are likely minor, but... My feeling is buy the largest saw your pocketbook can afford. In photography you get the best results with the best glass. I always buy the best quality lenses I can afford. I have never been disappointed. Likely I will not with this philosophy in saws either. the question has to be, Do you want 8" slabs or faces? Otherwise you end up cutting large rock into chunks that you take to a smaller saw that has a thinner blade and less waste. If the end result is going to be to trim the slabs up into shapes, than do not spend the money on the 24" saw and expensive 24" blade. If you want to make 8" display slabs, pet wood rounds, or even large bookends ... etc, than go ahead. You can block larger rough with an angle grinder. The most all-around useful size for cutting slabs that will be trimmed out is 18" or less. Sometimes 10" can be just a little too small, but 12" 16" and 18" have a pretty god balance of cost waste and practicality.
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 19, 2012 17:00:37 GMT -5
Hi all I am thinking about getting my 1st slab saw and was thinking about bidding on this one from one of our members: www.ebay.com/itm/120896203890?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619I know nothing about saws but I know it is time to get one. I am spending to much $ on ready cut slabs. Do you think that this is a good saw tostart with? Should I be looking at a larger saw? I live in NJ so there are few used ones available and I am not a do it yourself kind of guy. Would a 10" saw be big enough to cut the type of rocks that I would be buying online? The auction ends today and would appreciate any help Thanks Stu Stu - it looks clean, and new bearings are a plus. But I thought the price was at the high end. I owned that saw in PA in 2005-2006 I got it with a hood and motor for $250 plus $39 shipping. It would cost a bit more today. I sold that one when I moved to Oregon, but I bought the same saw w/o the autofeed for a guy in Oregon who fixed up saws. He had refurbished the bearings, but the tank was a bit dinged up. Still, I only paid $137, and added a $25 used motor and am stil using it today without a hood as my main trim saw. The autofeed assemblies of this type are about $190 to $220. So if you figure $160 for the base, and add another $190 for the autofeed, you get about $350. With a used blade, you are right at the opening bid of $375. So an OK buy (if the bidding does not go too high) but not a super bargan. This is nice for a 1st saw becasue you can slab and trim. You can't go much over 3" for the cut on a 10" saw. You can find a of rock that size, or break up larger rock. Still, a lot of what is sold is jsut a bit larger, and I really like my 12" for the range of sizes it handles. Good luck whatever you decide!
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 19, 2012 17:17:06 GMT -5
For one saw only it is hard to beat the versatility of a 10" saw. Even if you had an 18" or 20" saw you would find many times (maybe most of the time) the 10" is still handy. Compare blade thickness between a 24" and 10" and figure with 24" your kerf losses at 1 slab every cut almost. Compare blade prices, electricity use, space requirements as well. Ideally you will end up with a barn full of saws. Big ones, little ones, water saws, etc.
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Apr 19, 2012 17:18:45 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your help. Deb I think you are right about it being a 10" and somewhat limited in size of rocks it can cut. I have a nice 6" trim saw and with having to get a hood and a motor it is far from a screeming good deal. I think I will wait for a 12 or 14" saw as I will outgrow a 10" to quickly. Stu
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 19, 2012 17:28:33 GMT -5
Since you already have a 6" saw that makes sense. I thought we were talking first/only saw. For strictly slabbing a 14" would be really nice. Shotgunner, when I get home I need to clean up my HP24 and probably sell it. Since you are semi local I'll let you know when I do.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2012 12:25:36 GMT -5
thanks John. I may be interested. I have my eye on another machine that doesn't work. Price good, may still get it.
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