fisherman510
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 113
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Post by fisherman510 on Nov 4, 2008 18:48:13 GMT -5
I am beginning to think a little bit about a slab saw. What does everyone like or dislike. Thanks.
bob
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 4, 2008 18:52:32 GMT -5
The best saw for my needs was the Covington 16 inch saw with autofeed, which is also the ONLY new saw that you're gonna get for less than $2,000. I love the saw, and it doesn't take up half of the garage.
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Nov 4, 2008 20:31:40 GMT -5
I will second Randy's opinion execpt I went with weight feed for more personal blade speed control.
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Nov 5, 2008 11:51:25 GMT -5
I will tell you the pros about a slab saw you can cut big rocks...... The cons would be the amount of money they cost especially the blades.. If you want a slab saw I would shop for a used one unless you have an unlimited budget. Great place to look is at a local rock shop, Local rock club, and last but not least Craigslist.
Jason
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Nov 5, 2008 13:59:35 GMT -5
I dunno about one of them kind that are auto feed.. I like the one I have .. even tho I have to hand feed it.. helps me decide which way I want it cut .. and if it's even worth slabbin.. that sorta thing.. It's my monster rock saw! but I don't know how much they cost.. cuz mine was given to me as the best christmas present I have ever gotten.. lol
and I don't have to buy oil . or blades as often as those guys! heheh!
*smiles*
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Nov 5, 2008 15:05:25 GMT -5
I got my Lortone 18" off craigslist for $50 so there are deals out there worth waiting for.
I bought two blades as the one that was on it was really tired, but even using them quite a lot I expect they will last for several years unless really I screw-up and run something with the vise too loose.
Hand feeding is not really an option on larger saws that need oil (maybe it is with your "monster" Roxie- lol,) but auto-feed with auto-shut-off is really nice because you can start it and go work on other stuff while its cutting.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 5, 2008 18:16:09 GMT -5
That's what I do, set it up, turn it on, and go outside to cut more pendants. My slab saw runs all day long when it's up. Try feeding one by hand all day long!!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,484
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 5, 2008 19:23:55 GMT -5
I've had one 14 inch Lortone gravity feed and one Highland park 20". Power feed. Also have an old Beacon Star, I think, 10" which I really like. It has a power feed too. I didn't like the Lortone much as it was poorly built and hard to clean (also very very messy) The HP had a weird blade arbor alignment system but was a pretty good saw once I slowed down the feed rate by getting a larger pulley wheel. The power feed and vice setup were pretty reliable but the 20" blades were very pricey. I, like Randy, will probably go with a Covington 16 for my next rig as the blades are cheaper and the company has a good reputation. I may have a larger motor put on though because I think Covingtons are a bit underpowered compared to some of the other makes. The Covington 14's and 16's are lots lighter and easier to move around than the HP 20" which must've weighed at least 500 pounds and had a huge oil tank for which it was a real pain to keep enough oil in supply...Mel
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Nov 5, 2008 19:47:45 GMT -5
LOL Biker.. yeah you got a point.. but I ain't cutting rocks I can barely lift.. so when I get in the mood to get messy (cuz you get soaked) I can cut and cut until my hands are numb! or my ears start to ring.. lol...
I still like it.. but the thing I can't do is preforms.. mine is too big too fast and I'm afraid I'd loose a limb lol.. I think I also invest in a little tile saw , just so I can cut shapes.. . so whatever it is you do decide on I guess it should be based on your need .. Like the Biker Hell he only makes 500 pendants at a time.. .. me I ain't even close to that. lol..
*smiles*
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 5, 2008 19:55:10 GMT -5
Roxy darlin- my next investment will be a UV-45.... I want to do able to do more than 2,000 at a time. You wanna help me glue the bell-caps? ;D
Mel- I haven't had any problems at all with the motor that it came with, I was worried at first because of what other people said but this has turned out to be a great saw for a great price!
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,484
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 5, 2008 20:02:23 GMT -5
That's great to hear Randy. Several other folks told me a good saw should have at least a 3/4-1 HP motor to help the bogging down problems but I guess if you still really like your saw, that problem is probably more blade and coolant related. I'm gonna be shopping for a new saw as soon as this house is finished with remodeling and am pretty sure I'll go Covington too....Mel
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Nov 5, 2008 21:12:36 GMT -5
Good to hear the difference between Lortone and Covington. The Covington 16" is on my with list, BIG TIME!! I don't know when I'd ever be able to afford it, but maybe one day...
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Nov 5, 2008 22:45:25 GMT -5
2,000 at a time..... Biker are you for real?....... ? ..... . Hmmmm.......... ....... lol Yeah.. I could help ya glue some caps on.. But I'll cost ya... ;D
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 6, 2008 4:54:33 GMT -5
Yeah, I know the drill...... lol
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Nov 6, 2008 6:34:09 GMT -5
Lots of great information!
I'm still in the market for a saw myself. Lots of research and of course the best info comes from the folks on RTH. I like the Covington 16" for all the reasons mentioned above, but the saw I really like is the Lortone 18" with the adjustable power feed. I'm trying to justify paying the additional $1000 over the Covington, but I just can't seem to do it.
I make pendants similar to Randys only I work them in 3 lb tumblers. I end up with 30-40 per load and Randy gets 400. Dang!!! I can't fathom all that gluing!!! I need to retire
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Nov 6, 2008 12:32:04 GMT -5
Ahhhh! Atta boy Randy! .....LOL. ;D
Hey Fanatic.. make sure to post a pic of your saw when you get it K?
*smiles*
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Post by stonesthatrock on Nov 6, 2008 17:47:12 GMT -5
we have 2 18" lortones and think they are great. In 2 yrs we have had very little trouble, other then a dull blade. We bought our 2nd one at a show for $25.00 blade and all. I love the auto feed, set it and forget 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 Nov 6, 2008 19:55:04 GMT -5
Dayton makes good motors and the 1/2 horse that comes with the 16" has never bogged down on me and as Randy said it does not on the Power feed either. I agree The power feed is a convience. I also have a 10" Covington with it and it is great but on my 16" I like the weight feed. You can walk away from it once you spend a little time building up the weight gradually and then there is nothing to do until the cut is about done and you start pulling off weight. Personally I like watching the rock cut but I have been called very weird more than once.
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hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477
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Post by hope on Nov 6, 2008 22:33:29 GMT -5
Randy, I laughed out loud when I saw the squirrels. What a nice interruption from reading about saws.
Hope
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Nov 7, 2008 1:00:52 GMT -5
Midnight: I can't imagine how you can get even width slabs out of a hand-hold??? Typically, in my experience, slabs are cut for a uniform thickness for making cabs or shapes.
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