quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 22, 2011 14:52:30 GMT -5
Greetings. My dad is a rock hound (and knows nothing of the internet) and he's been spending the day with me looking through saws and such. At large we've found (and he's leaning) towards the Lortone LU6X-130 www.lortone.com/combos_laps.html which there are a few threads here on. So questions being: Would it be better to have the saw/arbor combo or are they better as two separate pieces of equipment? Are there better recommendations (or manufacturers)? Just some general guidance/advice or even sharing where you started out and how the experience was would be helpful. Thanks for you time and consideration, it's appreciated!
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Post by rockmanken on Jan 22, 2011 15:23:23 GMT -5
Seperate would be better, in my opionion. The cheapest way is to get a 7" tile saw from Home Depot or Lowe's. It is limited to 1 1/4" cutting height, though. Depends on what you need a saw for. Check out www.jsgemslapidary.com John is a member here and will treat you right. Also, www.kingsleynorth.comMost ALL manufacturers are good or they couldn't sell their items. If you have the funds, the Genie is the way to go. I personally would go with the stainless steel unit from Kingsley North if I had to do it over again. And a 10" saw with a feed. That way you could cut slabs and trim slabs, too. Don't get in a hurry and look around for used units. They were built to last. Tony (catmandewe) on here has some used equiptment, as do a few others. Could also try craigslist for your area. Ken
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
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Post by drjo on Jan 22, 2011 16:19:38 GMT -5
1) Welcome you'll find every answer you need in here Lortone makes nice equipment. 2)What are ya'll wanting to do...cabs, specimens, ?... How big? 3) Are ya'll any good at DIY? We've got a bunch of good stuff to make (and save alot of money) in the 'home made equipment' section. 4)Separates are favored it you have the room for them, that way only one thing is running at a time. 5) Check out -in-one unit www.gravescompany.com/cabmate.htmDr Joe .
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quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 22, 2011 17:33:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback!
Right now what he does is hunts (superior) agates and he's looking to cut them. Size wise I don't know for certain but a 6" blade seems to be all he needs, so I imagine nothing too large. His initial intentions were to start with a saw but him and I both know he'll venture further (especially after watching Stonesthatrock's video).
DIY isn't so much for him (he's not that sort of guy) however I am (so I could consider building it for him), I'm not sure if he has preference or not.
Feedback is good so far, as separate is better and probably better fit his initial intentions and going forward. Start him out with a nice saw and then do the arbor could come later. Are there any key things to watch for in choosing a saw?
The provided links help bunches too, thanks both! Googling for the saws returns a dizzing list.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 22, 2011 17:48:13 GMT -5
If you think your dad will want to get further into this hobby than just slicing a few lakes agates, I would suggest starting him out with a 10" saw with power feed. They're a little bit expensive, but will cut larger rocks than the tile saws will. Quite often our members have good used saws and related equipment for sale at very reasonably prices, so keep an eye on the posts. Don
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
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Post by drjo on Jan 23, 2011 10:54:35 GMT -5
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quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 25, 2011 19:55:40 GMT -5
Lots to consider, but I wanted to thank you all for helping out, it's appreciated. I've talked with him and I think it's definite we'll do separate equipment. It'll take me a little bit to get through everything for him, but I do want to start at checking out the 10" with power feed (I might chip in a bit of coin and make it birthday/xmas for him since he's otherwise so hard to shop for). I will be sure to check out JohnJSgems site as well, he comes highly recommended =) !
Again, thank you all!
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 25, 2011 20:20:24 GMT -5
You'll have a hard time beating Johns prices. I just bought 6 diamond wheels and a 16" saw blade from him, and saved a couple hundred $$$.
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quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 25, 2011 21:00:21 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 25, 2011 21:22:33 GMT -5
Here's the link to Johns business. Check his prices before you buy, and contact him. He gives members of this site special deals. www.jsgemslapidary.com/Don
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quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 26, 2011 8:06:24 GMT -5
That is where I got the links from above from. I went through the Product Catagories -> Lapidary Saws to find the ones above, did I go wrong somewhere?
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
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Post by drjo on Jan 26, 2011 8:22:57 GMT -5
No, sometimes people just don't read previous posts Covington also has a 10" trim saw kit for cheap #186TST\K Model #186 It's manual but you can add accessories as you like, check with JSGEMS on it. They also have a nice little 6" combo unit #457BGS Model #457 Take your time, order some catologs and research...research...research. Dr Joe .
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 26, 2011 9:02:57 GMT -5
One of the better catalogs is Kingsley North. www.kingsleynorth.com/ Don't order manufacturers catalogs. Their prices are almost higher than lapidary companies. You can order a catalog online from Kingsley, and have it in a couple of days. Don
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 27, 2011 14:01:02 GMT -5
I would really consider buying used---that will leave you a little money left over for a grinder. Highland Park is the Cadillac of saws, but Star Diamond, Beacon Star, Lortone, Covington, Great Western are all good saws and easily overhauled (except for the vise).
It's nice to have another Minnesotan on the board. Welcome!
Chuck
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 27, 2011 14:12:29 GMT -5
Don't forget Star Diamond. My first saw was a second or third hand Star Diamond 10" with weight feed. I used it from the mid 80's until last year, when I gave it to a friend just getting started in the hobby. Can't beat those older saws. They were built to last. Don
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quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 29, 2011 16:27:07 GMT -5
Hehe, thanks. I have been keeping my eyes open for used saws and such. I should be getting together with him next week and going over everything again with him. Thanks again for the help, I'll let you know how it goes!
@ Hard Rock Cafe: Hehe, ya, we're just a bit south of you there. My old man (rock-wise) has it pretty good, he has access to operational and abandoned rock quarries, so a pretty fitting hobby for him, that combined with hunting mushrooms, he's always out looking for something. Myself, I'm in the river valley and I'm not quite that avid yet, but I did get my daughter and I (and son but he doesn't go with yet too young) a tumbler. We geocache in the non-winter months so we try to find what we can as we go. What I can say is Minnesota (and Wisconsin) have endless places for (beautiful) adventures!
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 29, 2011 17:25:41 GMT -5
Quandtum, What part of MN are you from ? I have a brother in law in Minneapolis, and friends in Colorado that will be moving to Ely, MN in the next year. You should come next door to S.D. to do some hounding sometime. The grasslands and Black Hills of S.D. are world class rockhounding places.
Don
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quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 29, 2011 18:15:51 GMT -5
My old man is in Rochester, and I'm west of there in the river valley. I definitely plan to come to S.D. some time too. When I was in high school I was part of a few geology projects, one of them was a summer field trip to the Black Hills to study the rocks... It was one of my all time favorite trips and want very much to show my kids the experience. They're still pretty young yet so be a few more years when they can somewhat appreciate the trip as well. When I go it be cool to take the old man (otherwise he doesn't venture far on his own), having some nice spots to stop and hunt rocks would surely entice him!
We also have a few relatives in CO and wife, kids and I are planning to venture out there this summer if all goes well (hoping to geocache a few travel bugs, find some rocks on the way).
My dad sure would dig talking with you guys too, it's too bad I can't convince him to try using a computer/internet (I think he has a computer phobia... or is just very happy being tech ignorant). I know what it's like to be over the top into something and having someone to share it with, I think he'd be surprised how fun it would be to have people to chat with on one of his big interests.
Next time he's down though I'm going to sit him in my chair here and show him around the forum boards here.
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quandtum
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2011
Posts: 8
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Post by quandtum on Jan 29, 2011 18:16:26 GMT -5
*** err east of there in the river valley (Mississippi)....
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 29, 2011 20:34:43 GMT -5
Mtself and a bunch of friends from another wiki meet in the Black Hills every June, for a week of rockhounding and swapping rock lies. If you can get " the old man " up and moving, you'd be more than welcome to join us. A couple of the folks live in Rapid City, and know all of the good places to go.
Don
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