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Post by lonetreestudios on Oct 21, 2010 14:56:19 GMT -5
So...if you were in the market for a new 24" slab saw, which way would you go? Covington (~$4550 + blade and freight), Diamond Pacific TR series (~$8200 + blade and freight), or Highland Precision/Barranca/MK Diamond (~5600 WITH blade + freight)?? From what I can see, the main reason for the TR's high price is the hydraulic drive and filtering system. The filtering system I would like (and you can buy it as a kit), but I am sketchy on the hyd drive as it would be nice when it worked, but talk about a pain if it got a hiccup. The Covi and HP are closer when you figure in the price of a new MK301 or 303 (do they even still make the old 297?), but my only experience with Barranca beyond hand polishers was their Fireball sphere machine, and it was great when it worked, which was not often, but they had great customer service. My Covi 16 has been a workhorse, but I am starting to look for something bigger.... Other pros/cons on these guys?
Just curious what everyone else has/wants for a 24 incher.... Thanks!
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Oct 21, 2010 15:40:06 GMT -5
I would try to find an old highland park or frantom saw.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 21, 2010 16:03:29 GMT -5
Both Diamond Pacific and Barranca have styled their saws after the old Highland Park saws. Diamond pacific has added their hydraulic feed to the old H.P. saw. If you can find an old H.P. in good working order, I'd go with that. Otherwise I think I'd go with Barranca.
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Post by rockmanken on Oct 21, 2010 16:19:36 GMT -5
I bought a used 24" covington in 1970 and used it until the mid 80's and sold it. The man that bought it still uses it and it runs fine. For a new one, I would go with Diamond Pacific if it was me. But it is not, so I would get a used one from catmandewe. Ken
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 21, 2010 17:33:50 GMT -5
Covington just came out with new catalog. 24" comes with 303S (misprint says 301) for $5750 or $5950 depending on vise. Barranca goes on sale Nov 15th for $5650. Barranca will deliver to AZ border for free usually. These are list prices. Tony (catmandew) has (or had) a nearly new 18" and 30" Covington and a load of HP and other used saws for sale.
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Oct 21, 2010 21:52:11 GMT -5
for that kind of money you can buy another acre of land somewhere, just not in Fl.
I spent a huge $475 on a used HP and love it
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 21, 2010 22:12:44 GMT -5
Heck, I'll sell ya 4 acres of my land here in S.D. for that much, then buy me a new 24" saw.
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 22, 2010 1:21:33 GMT -5
I love my hydraulic feed 18 inch saw, and IMO anything larger than 18 should be hydraulic for sure.
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Oct 22, 2010 12:57:12 GMT -5
I was noticing some of these new expensive saws don't even use square guide rails!
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Oct 22, 2010 15:05:26 GMT -5
I would go for a used one even if you need to rebuild it some. It would be allot cheaper than a new one and may out last them, if its a highland park I'm sure it will. George
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Oct 22, 2010 17:36:13 GMT -5
yeah the older stuff was built to last
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