rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Oct 19, 2024 17:07:00 GMT -5
I just had a nice conversation with Glen at Jerrys Rock & Gem in Kent who carries Covington and now Lortone and he told me they're shipping once again. I don't know when they'll update Covington's website but they just got a batch of new tumblers in the other day. Says they're going to add saws to the Lortone offering again (Including the LS 10 although it sounds like the 12 incher is among the first). If you ever find yourself near Kent, WA you should drop by and pay him a visit. Great little shop.
- Rob
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rockinrenn
starting to shine!
Member since December 2023
Posts: 41
Member is Online
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Post by rockinrenn on Oct 19, 2024 20:19:21 GMT -5
Rob,
I'm glad to hear it, but................It took them almost 6 months to deliver a 16" Covington slab saw; I'm wondering how long it will take to really make an impact.
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Oct 20, 2024 10:33:16 GMT -5
Rob,
I'm glad to hear it, but................It took them almost 6 months to deliver a 16" Covington slab saw; I'm wondering how long it will take to really make an impact.
According to Glen, he's got a bunch of Lortone stuff. Haven't heard a thing about any Covington issues but TBH it kind of looks like it's an all-over-the-place kind of thing. Maybe raw material sourcing? Kingsley North seems to be running spotty on their cabbers. Highland Park seems to only have their 6s around right now (I've heard the 8s are having a v2 made so they most likely are getting a shipment soon). Even smaller stuff is having problems getting in stock. I had to put together my own cooling system components for a Drop saw because the pump supplied by the manufacturer wasn't in stock for arounc 4 months. - Rob |
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 20, 2024 10:41:46 GMT -5
rocknrob do you know if they will still be manufacturing out of the Mukilteo Lortone factory location or did it all get moved to Idaho?
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Oct 20, 2024 10:53:21 GMT -5
rocknrob do you know if they will still be manufacturing out of the Mukilteo Lortone factory location or did it all get moved to Idaho? ] I'm about 75% sure it's all being made in Idaho. It would be nice to see the details of the purchase. - Rob |
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 20, 2024 11:04:06 GMT -5
rocknrob do you know if they will still be manufacturing out of the Mukilteo Lortone factory location or did it all get moved to Idaho? ] I'm about 75% sure it's all being made in Idaho. It would be nice to see the details of the purchase. - Rob I would think so too, they could avoid the WA taxes and keep it all in one place. When I come North next year, I want to visit Covington if at all possible. They have been super helpful in many of my projects, even to machining a few custom parts for me. Also a wealth of practical knowledge for the DIY people. I hope this purchase can keep them competitive enough to stay in business, they are pretty much the current target for HP China, the only one left really. |
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,173
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 20, 2024 11:37:13 GMT -5
Take a look at the Lortone website: lortone.com/ and click on contact, it gives you an inquiry form for Covington, (everyone probably already knows that). I ordered a Lortone part from Covington/Lortone last week and it will be here tomorrow, and it's coming from Idaho. |
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lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by lapidary1234 on Oct 27, 2024 20:15:42 GMT -5
I'm curious to find out if covington will be manufacturing the lortone equipment at all or if they just bought the patents/rights to the name.
For that matter, I'm not too sure they even manufacture their own saws anymore. A big part of why my it may have taken so long to get a saw delivered may be because the parts are manufactured in China and then just assembled in Idaho.
I have heard this is the reasoning why my highland park set up their operations in China...so they could be close to the manufacturing hub. I believe highland park keeps a close eye on the production/manufacturing of their equipment.
Either way, it will be nice to be able to get parts (and machines) from lortone again. They have always been first choice for me with tumblers!
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 28, 2024 2:47:25 GMT -5
I'm curious to find out if covington will be manufacturing the lortone equipment at all or if they just bought the patents/rights to the name. For that matter, I'm not too sure they even manufacture their own saws anymore. A big part of why my it may have taken so long to get a saw delivered may be because the parts are manufactured in China and then just assembled in Idaho. I have heard this is the reasoning why my highland park set up their operations in China...so they could be close to the manufacturing hub. I believe highland park keeps a close eye on the production/manufacturing of their equipment. Either way, it will be nice to be able to get parts (and machines) from lortone again. They have always been first choice for me with tumblers! Some of the parts on Covington equipment like motors and bearings may be Chinese, but only because they have become about the only source. The major parts are all US made, not too long ago I needed blade flanges that were not a diameter they sell off the shelf, and they had 2 sets the size I needed in my mailbox less than 3 weeks later. If delivery of a saw is a bit slow it may be more like they are running with less people now to keep costs down and stay competitive. The HP in China is called HP because John was in the copywright office the day DP let their rights to the name lapse, not because he has any ties to the original company. He and brother Sherman made the choice to manufacture in China, and I think you are correct that they are the QC, stuck doing 100% on everything they make to prevent the poor fit and finish the first saws had, and are typical of made in China. They have definitely improved the quality and have designed some improvements to the reverse engineered copies of Lortone and HP saws, plus added a designed from the ground saw that uses some of the best parts found on a number of classic saws. US dollar inflation and increases in shipping costs from China for HP have really helped Covington, the saws aren't as far apart in price as they were. I do wonder if they will make any of the original lortone equipment, or if they just bought the fabricating equipment and the name to keep them out of HP's hands. I met Greg(?) the Lortone grandson and CEO several years ago when the company I worked for was making some parts for them and quoting more, and I can imagine he would have been quite pleased to ensure there wouldn't be Chinese tools with a Lortone logo on them... |
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jone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2023
Posts: 112
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Post by jone on Nov 4, 2024 11:00:43 GMT -5
Lortone QT-12 tumbler lid liner just wore out (after about a year since I purchased the tumbler new). Luckily I ordered a couple spare when I got the machine.
But it would be nice to know if parts are going to be available again anytime soon...
Covington website has a link for Lortone parts which has only 3 items...as below
3# Barrel - $37.50
33B Belt - $2.95
3A Belt - $2.50
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Nov 5, 2024 9:30:11 GMT -5
Lortone QT-12 tumbler lid liner just wore out (after about a year since I purchased the tumbler new). Luckily I ordered a couple spare when I got the machine. But it would be nice to know if parts are going to be available again anytime soon... Covington website has a link for Lortone parts which has only 3 items...as below 3# Barrel - $37.50 33B Belt - $2.95 3A Belt - $2.50 Since it's part of a wear n tear thing I don't think I've ever seen lids for sale by themselves. However I have not looked much outside of an overdeveloped sense of curiosity. - Rob |
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Post by roy on Nov 5, 2024 14:58:00 GMT -5
] I'm about 75% sure it's all being made in Idaho. It would be nice to see the details of the purchase. - Rob I would think so too, they could avoid the WA taxes and keep it all in one place. When I come North next year, I want to visit Covington if at all possible. They have been super helpful in many of my projects, even to machining a few custom parts for me. Also a wealth of practical knowledge for the DIY people. I hope this purchase can keep them competitive enough to stay in business, they are pretty much the current target for HP China, the only one left really. i for see the china thing hitting rock bottom soon either we start charging more tax on there product or they go to war either way i see the hp boys having some big issues soon if they have not already |
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 5, 2024 15:26:45 GMT -5
I would think so too, they could avoid the WA taxes and keep it all in one place. When I come North next year, I want to visit Covington if at all possible. They have been super helpful in many of my projects, even to machining a few custom parts for me. Also a wealth of practical knowledge for the DIY people. I hope this purchase can keep them competitive enough to stay in business, they are pretty much the current target for HP China, the only one left really. i for see the china thing hitting rock bottom soon either we start charging more tax on there product or they go to war either way i see the hp boys having some big issues soon if they have not already Recently heard something about them changing their US warehouse location, again, no idea if it's even true. You know anything? Tried to get a feed screw for an older HP14/16 and got no answers. |
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rocknrob
has rocks in the head
If Costco only sold slabs in bulk...
Member since May 2024
Posts: 655
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Post by rocknrob on Nov 6, 2024 11:03:15 GMT -5
Yeah, I anticipate some problems coming in for Highland Park. Probably why their Black Friday sale is so wide reaching, trying to move as much as they can before tariffs come in.
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Post by roy on Nov 8, 2024 18:15:39 GMT -5
i for see the china thing hitting rock bottom soon either we start charging more tax on there product or they go to war either way i see the hp boys having some big issues soon if they have not already Recently heard something about them changing their US warehouse location, again, no idea if it's even true. You know anything? Tried to get a feed screw for an older HP14/16 and got no answers. i talked with both brothers a few months back took 6 weeks to get a shaft for my 16 had to come straight from china so it seems they are already having issue i didnt ask because always say how great it is over there |
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