karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Dec 24, 2008 18:51:36 GMT -5
I have been using the 6.5 in Swap top for trim and very small slabs. What is recommended for the next step up. I have a lot of specimens I would like to slab. 3 to 5" in Diameter. What is best equipment for price? Any suggestions or articles? KAROCK
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 24, 2008 20:39:31 GMT -5
A 10" trim/slab saw (most brands) cuts 3"-3.5", 12" cuts about 1" more, etc. You probably should go to 14" or 16". I think the Covington is the best choice in that size range. Lortone is popular but their feed rate has a reputation of ruining blades when blades dull a little. In used saws stick with Highland Park as first choice and Frantom, Star Diamond, or Covington as "tied for second". Be careful of unheard of or home-built saws as finding parts becomes getting to know a machine shop/fabricator to make parts.
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Post by texaswoodie on Dec 25, 2008 12:25:30 GMT -5
My 14" will cut a 3.5 x 5 max.
Curt
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 26, 2008 17:09:11 GMT -5
Yep, 14 or 16 inch Covington with auto-feed. The 16 inch will cut some pretty big stuff.
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ksk
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 69
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Post by ksk on Dec 27, 2008 14:06:17 GMT -5
I've been seriously looking at the Covington 10" with autofeed, but it's a lot of money. Also considering the 7" Workforce option to see if my interest holds. The other idea I had was Home Depot has a 7" Husky saw with sliding table and water pump and stand for about $280. If you added rock clamp and a gravity feed, you may get more mileage than just the Workforce alone.
Still pondering...
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Dec 28, 2008 19:23:15 GMT -5
I have been shopping, too. The COvington saws are very respected, but really pricey compared to the Lortones. A saw is just a motor, arbor, blade, metal box to hold it, and some sortrt of feed and vise assembly. It shouldn't cost what it odes, so I have no problem paying a lot less for a Lortone or other brand, They are so mechanically simple they should be easily repaired if needed. That means a used saw could be a tremendous bargain compared to a hew one. Lortone offers saws with different feed rates, too, and the faster one (I think it's 15" per hour) might be a problem. You can't adjust the feed rate on the cheaper saws, either. I have seen Lortone 10" saws on eBay in stainless steel, which are oddly absenmnt from their last catalog (they go from 8 to 12 inch, with no 10" offerings) l- a great idea, as most used saws seem really rusty. Some other (not necessarily Lortone) have stainless tops or aluminum construction which is even better. Lortone offers a 14" saw for about $1700, complete, less shipping. Workforce has a step up saw that I believe has a fence. Check out the HD web site. It's cheaper than the Husky. I've got a 6" trim saw but I need a bigger saw for slabbing, and the longer I think about it, the igger a saw I want, and the less I can afford it. You mighty save a lot of money buying the motor, belt and blade separately from another source as these are premium priced and can add another few hundred to the price of a base saw without same. you save on shipping, too.
Mark H.
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Post by catmandewe on Dec 28, 2008 20:55:50 GMT -5
I have a Covington 24" saw with auto feed for sale if anyone is interested in it. I can let it go for $2,000 or best offer. I will be going to Arizona next week and can deliver it anywhere along the way.
PM me if interested..............Tony
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ksk
having dreams about rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 69
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Post by ksk on Dec 29, 2008 9:19:10 GMT -5
For me, the big selling points on the Covington are the table and base are aluminum (good for using water ) and the hood (keeps the mess down).
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Dec 29, 2008 11:21:14 GMT -5
You don't want to use water on any saw larger than a 10 inch. I actually think that it's messier with water as when it dries you get all of the dry dust all over everything but this is my personal opinion.
Jason
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Jan 3, 2009 14:34:01 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I will purchase something in March, any further comments are welcome KARock
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Mar 9, 2009 20:29:07 GMT -5
So...have you purchased anything yet? I, too, am interested in a 10" Covington. Mostly because I'm not at ALL mechanically inclined, and like the hood, and the use of water and I rarely saw big rocks. I like my slabs small and cute. lol!
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Post by stonesthatrock on Mar 9, 2009 20:59:39 GMT -5
tony?? your coming to az ? whatca bringing me lol ralph and mary ann
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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 Mar 10, 2009 5:27:18 GMT -5
docharbor - shop around and I think you'll find that Covington is priced competitively with Lortone. You said you could get a Lortone 14" for $1700. Thats the fast feedrate model that some have had issues with. I just bought a Covington 16" new and delivered to New York for $1900 and that included the power feed option and the leg kit. Much better saw for the same price.
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Mar 10, 2009 15:05:28 GMT -5
I have the Covington 10 inch with powerfeed and love it.You can get one without the motor and other accessories for a lot less.If you want to cut bigger than 3 to 5 inch then consider a 16 inch.Another option is to build one,not hard at all.I collected all the parts and materiel and then built it in one weekend.It was a really fun project and saved me a bunch of money. Mike
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Mar 11, 2009 2:24:58 GMT -5
Good to hear it, Mudshark! I find that most of the rock I cut are about that size. Larger ones, I can probably break up or take it to the local rock shop to 1/2 into a more managable size. Do you use water or oil?
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Mar 11, 2009 15:02:53 GMT -5
Deedolce,I use mineral oil in my 10 and 16 inch saws.A 10 inch can run on either water or oil but anything bigger than 10 inch needs oil. Mike
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