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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 21, 2013 13:29:57 GMT -5
Yup, and if you buy from John, you might be able to pick it up yourself, and save the shipping cost. Maybe get a weekend desert hounding trip in at the same time.
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 21, 2013 13:45:22 GMT -5
Nobody has asked, so I will. Do you have other saws? What rock do you want to cut with this? For what purpose?
Maybe you have several saws already, but your questions raise some doubt. Asking these questions will insure we don't give you great advice on buying absolutely the wrong saw for your situation, and possibly wasting a lot of money.
A lot of folks don't have rock this big, and most people don't want slabs this big. Cutting pet-wood rounds is an exception. Blocking larger rock to move it to a smaller saw for slabbing is another common use.
The advantage of the 16" you started looking at is that it straddles the 10" workhorse of the lapidary shop, and the ability to cut larger 4-5" diameter rough. The thicker blade is less efficient for slabbing, but the larger size capability is a trade off.
In 18", you almost need one or more smaller saws, unless the end product is polished slabs. That particular 18" has a very large box and is intended for professional use and making longer cuts.
Do you need this? Getting a saw just a bit beyond your needs (room to grow) and spending the difference on rock is a smart way to go.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2013 19:45:56 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 22, 2013 11:36:09 GMT -5
The saw you have chosen is a very good saw. As Daniel said, if this will be the only saw you own it would be wise to look at what your plans for it are and make sure it's a good fit. My first slab saw was a 20 inch and I did OK with just that and a 6 inch trimmer for awhile, but the addition of the 14 inch and later the 10 inch slab saw do make life easier if you don't count all the time I spend maintaining the "fleet".
Lee
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Feb 23, 2013 11:30:08 GMT -5
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,557
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Post by jamesp on Feb 23, 2013 11:35:39 GMT -5
It is good to ask what you ae needing the saw to do.If slabbing, steer to larger...
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bothunter
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2012
Posts: 11
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Post by bothunter on Mar 1, 2013 21:39:44 GMT -5
Hi Folks, After much tripping over my tongue, several times, while talking to John at JS GEMS, I have purchased a new saw. I will receive a BD HP18" slab saw. I know this is a long way from were this thread started and I did not buy a Covington Saw. I decided to purchase as much saw as I was comfortable with. The idea that this saw (BD HP 18) can run a 20" blade as well as an 18" blade sold me on the saw. I know blades are expensive, but we only live once and my time is shorter than most. I went through a lot of threads and was going to buy used till my wife said she would like a new saw, this really opened up my choices. Then reading about cheap saws and all the problems, it will most likely pay off in the long run to have bought a more expensive and better built saw. Caveat Emptor, buyer beware. Link to JSGems: www.jsgemslapidary.com/Barranca-Diamond-HP18-Highland-Precision-Slab-Saw/I certainly am more excited, than my wife, about the arrival. I hope to receive a shipping date, very soon, from John. Which leads to my next questions: I could use some help getting this saw into my garage. At 580 lbs, it's a bit on the heavy side. I have two boys and a wife, but if anyone is in the neighborhood when the saw arrives and wants to help? My zip code is 95252, which is Valley Springs, CA, about 35 miles east of Stockton and Lodi. If you wish to just cheer me on and applaud my efforts, your welcome also. Would be nice to me some fellow RTH members. So, if you want to, PM me and I will send you my phone number and address. I also purchased some rock saw oil from Covington Engineering. I bought 2 five gallon buckets. How much oil do you keep on hand for filling up with and how often do you put oil in to top it off? Are you using 2 galllons for every 100 lbs. of rock you cut? Just looking for a guideline. Respectfully, Paul
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Post by phil on Mar 1, 2013 22:31:30 GMT -5
You might find that the delivery truck will place the saw inside your garage for you as part of the delivery service. Just have a space ready and easily accessible. They'll probably deliver with a truck that has a forklift or at least a pallet jack. I'm too far away to help, and know from experience about moving heavy saws.... Now I pay/tip to have it put where I want it. A freshly baked loaf of bread, some cookies, anything you /wife feel like baking for them will probably be very appreciated!
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 2, 2013 0:05:37 GMT -5
Hey Paul, congrats on the new toy. Hope you can find help moving that beast. When I moved from Cal to S.D., I loaded a 24" HP on a truck with the help of a neighbor and his 2 football player sons. I can tell you that the 4 of us had a struggle loading it.
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Mar 3, 2013 9:46:53 GMT -5
Might consider having a floor jack and/or furniture dollies handy. Wheels probably won't be on it I don't know how they'd bolt it to the crate otherwise? Be nice if you could at least get it set on the concrete where it's going by the driver. When I move large and heavy items here I either use the chain hoist in the tree or ill make a temporary frame out of 6x6's in the barn and use my electric hoist and slings. The electric hoist is supposed to be for an elevator im building in the house so I guess ill have to get another one as it's been too useful elsewhere. I had planned on making a permanet hoisting frame in the barn with a trolley but I only have 1000 projects. At least.
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 3, 2013 10:29:57 GMT -5
Might consider having a floor jack and/or furniture dollies handy. Wheels probably won't be on it I don't know how they'd bolt it to the crate otherwise? Be nice if you could at least get it set on the concrete where it's going by the driver. When I move large and heavy items here I either use the chain hoist in the tree or ill make a temporary frame out of 6x6's in the barn and use my electric hoist and slings. The electric hoist is supposed to be for an elevator im building in the house so I guess ill have to get another one as it's been too useful elsewhere. I had planned on making a permanet hoisting frame in the barn with a trolley but I only have 1000 projects. At least. LOL, When I moved up to S.D., I had the same plan. I still have a 1 ton electric hoist and trolley wheels crated up in my shed.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 3, 2013 10:48:45 GMT -5
Yes, the casters will be in a box to allow the saw to be bolted down to a pallet. A floor jack or engine hoist (cherry picker) would be very handy.
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 3, 2013 23:48:10 GMT -5
To put wheels on my 24" FranTom I made a cradle like assembly out of wood and used my floor jack to lift one end at a time. Of course I didn't have to get it off of a pallet first Lee
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