washougal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 29
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Post by washougal on Feb 10, 2011 15:56:14 GMT -5
I was thinking of finally getting a decent slab saw, something like a 14-18" Lortone, Covington, or something like that. I'd like one made in the USA. So I thought I'd leave a post for advice on what to look for or avoid, or what features are important. I just do this for fun so it won't get that much use but I would like to get something that would do a nice job and hold up. Thanks for any help on this!
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 10, 2011 16:41:23 GMT -5
A friend recently bought the Lortone Panther 14" saw, and has been very happy with it. Just before that, I bought the Covington 16" saw. The only complaint I have with the Covington is the blade that came with it. The blade isn't aggressive enough to keep up with the power feed, so I'm replacing it with the MK - 303S. Don
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washougal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 29
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Post by washougal on Feb 10, 2011 17:14:27 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I had wondered about what quality of blades come with these things, and I had thought that the Covington would come with a good one in that it has a fairly high price tag. But, the world is full of surprises. The Lortone Panther 14" really looked good and I was leaning that way. It would be nice to have a little bigger saw in that I have a lot of large chunks of Biggs jasper I would like to saw, but I can always trim them up a little to get them to a usable size. Thanks much David
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 10, 2011 17:50:56 GMT -5
The Panther comes with the better MK 303 blade. Those Covington gold blades are only fit for cutting softer material. I'll save mine for cutting onyx and obsidian. I don't know how much Biggs you've cut, but it's messy stuff to cut. You'll need to strain your oil often. And that stuff smells god awful when you cab it. I've been cabbing Biggs in my kitchen, and my wife made me quit because of the smell. Beautiful material though. Don
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washougal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 29
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Post by washougal on Feb 10, 2011 20:22:22 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I never made it as far as the kitchen. My wife directed me to the door leading under the house when I started to drag in rock equipment. I've noticed that smell with Biggs. Interesting stuff, I live pretty close to there and make the trip often. Thanks for tip on straining the oil. I am going with the Lortone. It looks like the right machine for me. David
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 10, 2011 21:12:23 GMT -5
I have a trucker friend that was hauling wind tower pieces up to the Biggs area. Between runs he went out hounding. He set me up with several nice chunks of Biggs. Including a nice chunk of black Biggs. Don
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cabjunky
has rocks in the head
Regency Rose Plume
Member since November 2008
Posts: 683
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Post by cabjunky on Feb 10, 2011 22:27:04 GMT -5
I recently aquired a 18" used lortone, and have been happy with its performance so far. It's not as heavy duty as the old highland park's, but it's asawell constructed as the covington models, and the replacement parts that I ordered to get the saw operational again were fairly priced, and the people were extremly helpful when I called them.
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 10, 2011 23:08:28 GMT -5
Covington switched back to MK blades this year on everything above 10". They are calling them "their" blades but they have same description/picture/specs as the optional MK blades last year. Another nice 14" saw is the Barranca, modeled after the old Star Diamond saw.
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washougal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 29
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Post by washougal on Feb 11, 2011 0:17:10 GMT -5
Don, I saw some pictures on another site from a trucker that had collected Biggs, maybe it was the same guy, looked like he found some really nice pieces. I found one vein of what seemed like the black variety and dug out a few chunks, but I'm not exactly sure what the black looks like that people refer to. Most of what I have found is the brown and porcelain, and some with blue mixed in. It is really beautiful material and great fun to look for, save for the occasional snake. I recently discovered my wife could move at blinding speed when a little rattlesnake registered a complaint. She's not 20 anymore but doesn't appear to have lost a step.
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washougal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 29
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Post by washougal on Feb 11, 2011 0:23:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the great comments on the saws. I'll check out that Barranca. That sounds interesting. I exchanged emails with the Lortone folks today. I was happy to find they are in Washington State, as am I. Real responsive. I sent an email and got a great answer back in just a few minutes.
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Post by Woodyrock on Feb 11, 2011 1:47:08 GMT -5
David:
You might watch for a used Highland Park saw. These were the Cadillac of saws, and seem to never wear out.
BTW, watch for the OSP whilst digging that Biggs, they take a dim view of you doing that, assuming you are working the original site.
Woody...used to live in Washougal, wife from Camas.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 11, 2011 4:14:06 GMT -5
There are a couple of local guys I know that fix up the older saws, I really prefer my old 14 inch Highland Park or the 18 inch ROC hydraulic feed saw over anything thats on the market new nowadays. If you ever want to have a digging party let me know I'm in Vancouver.
Lee
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washougal
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 29
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Post by washougal on Feb 11, 2011 12:04:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the comments on the Highland Park saws. I didn't know they had that reputation. Woody, glad to hear you used to live in these parts. Still plenty of agates in the river, and the Camas mill still supplies all that delectable odor without charging a dang thing for it. And thanks for the tip on the OSP. I'm not in the areas where they might kick about it, but its' good to know they do. I did hear of some guy that found a spot in the Deschutes campground parking lot that he's been digging. I suppose they'll eventually start noticing some of the asphalt has gone missing. thanks again Dave
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 11, 2011 23:31:18 GMT -5
Don, I saw some pictures on another site from a trucker that had collected Biggs, maybe it was the same guy, looked like he found some really nice pieces. I found one vein of what seemed like the black variety and dug out a few chunks, but I'm not exactly sure what the black looks like that people refer to. Most of what I have found is the brown and porcelain, and some with blue mixed in. It is really beautiful material and great fun to look for, save for the occasional snake. I recently discovered my wife could move at blinding speed when a little rattlesnake registered a complaint. She's not 20 anymore but doesn't appear to have lost a step. ;D ;D, Been there, done that with the buzz tails. lol. The trucker is a member of the same 2 sites as me. His member name is montanamadman. Great guy, and a lot of fun to be around. Doesn't sell much of what he collects, but loves to trade. Don
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