docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 23, 2010 22:24:25 GMT -5
I'm considering a Barranca HP-14" saw. There is a promotional price right now and it comes with a BD201 seeries blade (notched rim) andmy question is whether this blade or a #)# series blade is a better value....I will have to replace them eventually and might get a break onthe price if I chose the cheaper blade (the 303). I have considered a COvington saw with similar features and wa swondering if any of youu have experience with both lines . The Covington saws come with a cheap chinese blade and are a little more expensive compared to John's price on the Barranca. i have a GP-8 cabber and I'm impressed with the quality of the maching. John tells me the Barrnca is a very fine saw, and I'm wondering if any of you are aware of anyt problems I might have with this over a COvington. John's comments about the absorption of Barranca into MK and in response to my comments about Barranca's customer service regarding a couple of bad belts that came with my grinder tend to make me think twice about the Barranca and the company's future. I have heard great things about Covington's service that carries some weight in my decision. Thanksin advance..... Mark H.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Feb 23, 2010 22:37:42 GMT -5
Well Mark, it sounds like your mind is made up already, and you just need someone to point that out. To me good customer service goes a long way. It's worth the extra price IMHO. Nate
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Post by catmandewe on Feb 24, 2010 1:21:52 GMT -5
I would go with the Barranca saw. I checked one out in Tuscon and it looks like a good solid saw. I bought 2 brand new Covingtons, and if I had to do it over again I would go with the Barrancas. The Covington saws are made out of a cheaper gauge metal so they tend to flex and get a little out of whack once in a while, and the blades that come with them are crap, also my experience with Covington customer service is less than stellar. You also can't go wrong with John. He will do you good.
Good luck with whatever you choose..............Tony
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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 Feb 24, 2010 11:31:43 GMT -5
If I buy another 14", I'll go with the Barranca too. They are a good outfit and I've heard great things about that blade which is a premium model. In addition, Barranca puts a 3/4 HP motor on their saw while Covington has a 1/2. With rocksaws *grunt grunt* "More Power" is a very good thing as the blade is less prone to slowing in the cut. Only thing I'm wondering about on the Barranca is I've never had a left side vice before which would be a little strange as I'm a rightie....Mel
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 24, 2010 13:01:58 GMT -5
John won't steer you astray and Tony has more experience with saws than most (all?) here, so I trust his opinion.
It seems to me that Covington sells just about every type of lapidary tool available (jack of all trades), whereas Barranca sticks with saws and grinders.
As for the left hand vise, that's what I have on my Star Diamond and I can't see that it makes any difference.
Chuck
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 24, 2010 15:23:37 GMT -5
Chuck, the HP-14 is modeled after the Star Diamond so very similar (even uses same vise castings and other parts). As far as left handed, if the saw is on end of table so you can stand facing the left side of saw the vise is fully accessible. I can't see why it matters which side of blade the vise goes myself. My Highland park is "right handed" but I have to stand on left side to vise up rocks.
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 24, 2010 20:08:50 GMT -5
Okay, now I'm confused. I thought the barranca was modeled after the Highland Park- hence HP. So let me get it straight- did Diamond Pacific buy out HP or did Barranca, or did it just fold without a trace? And, i think I'm convinced. As I told John, I have to pry a little more gold out of my teteth first to pay for it....
marrk H.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 24, 2010 22:00:20 GMT -5
Mark, Barranca's parent company MK Diamond bought Highland Park when they went bankrupt. They sold the Highland Park equipment line to Contempo Lapidary who in turn sold to Diamond Pacific. MK kept the Highland Park name trademark registered until lately. When Barranca redesigned their 18", 20", and 24" saws they incorporated the Highland Park belt drive system and renamed them "Highland Precision". And now that the trademark expired a guy in Texas is making "Highland Park" slab saws in China.
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bobh
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 55
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Post by bobh on Feb 24, 2010 22:06:33 GMT -5
Saw something in another forum about this Texas fellow and his plans to sell the new "Highland Park" saws in the mid-2000s. Haven't seen anything else on it. Bob
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Post by catmandewe on Feb 25, 2010 0:08:56 GMT -5
I saw the new Highland Park saw at the Pow-wow in Quartzsite. It does not have the name Highland Park on it, but it is an identical copy as far as looks, don't know about quality. There was a little chinese gal selling it, and when I asked her about the Highland Park cards they had on a stand inside the saw and why it didn't say Highland Park on the saw, she removed them and put them away. Said I would have to talk to the owner. Never did talk to any Texas fellow. I checked back later, but never did get any answers and the cards were still put away. They were selling new for $2850 for an 18" saw.
Tony
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 25, 2010 13:03:45 GMT -5
His name is John Rowland from Leander, TX. I can't remember his website/company anme but he also makes "Bond-Optic" and spheres and sphere cups. He told me in Austin that he was going to make Poly Arbors next (also Chinese).
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 26, 2010 1:05:02 GMT -5
oK. So now I know about the Highland Park, but where does Star Diamond get into the act? i though DP swallowed them up. the 14" saw I'm looking at was modeled after the Star Diamond saw line??
Markl H.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 26, 2010 10:43:18 GMT -5
Star Diamond was around for 30-40 years. They made a number of things including "notched rim blades" for all the manufacturers. They went under in 1998 and MK bought them out. The owner of MK transferred the company to a son who ran it under the Barranca name for about 10 years and then merge into MK as a subsidiary. Before Star Diamond went under they sold their tumbler line to Lortone. Barranca made some improvements to the Star Diamond equipment and continues to sell the PF10, TS6, GP6, Cab Combo. Your GP8 was also a former Star Diamond item. The original Star Diamond 14" saw was very similar to the HP14 but had a removable sump tank and saw hinged up to access it . HP 14 has a removable sump but saw body has to be removed after removing two bolts. I believe the saw sheet meal and hood are a little different as well. The vise and carriage are Star Diamond and it uses the same electric feed motor. I'm guessing motor is larger than Star Diamond also.
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