hexic
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2013
Posts: 6
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Post by hexic on Jul 31, 2013 16:00:09 GMT -5
Hi all,
First time poster here. I found an LS18 on Craigslist that I am thinking about going to see this weekend. Trying to figure out a reasonable price on it. The saw at some point was in a mechanics garage and had used engine oil spilled on/inside of it. The blade looks like it has rust and there appears to be some inside/outside as well. The seller doesn't speak english so we're communicating through his son but it's tough. I'm going on the assumption I will need to replace the blade and possibly do a full tear down and cleaning. Going to try and maybe get some video of it running with the blade at least.
Can anyone offer some input on what I should offer? It'll cost me $150 just in gas to go get it. Thanks!
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Post by Peruano on Jul 31, 2013 18:31:07 GMT -5
I'm no saw expert but I can help you rationalize the first bid. 1. estimate what the saw (or its equivalent) would cost you if brand new or in perfect working order and clean. 2. Estimate what your grief or pleasure factor would be cleaning, retrofitting, and reassembling the saw to accomplish the work that is needed. 3. Try to determine if there are advantages in having this "used saw" versus a showroom store model. 4. Establish what the value of a saw now versus a saw later (whether used or new would be).
The crudest possible suggestion would be that a used saw that is not totally wrecked and mostly complete would be worth at least 50% of it new value and probably more if conveniently located, accompanied by other accessories, or rough, and you really want it. Don't buy if because its a bargain, but rather because you want it and it meets your needs, desires, or timing. Good luck. Tom
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 31, 2013 18:55:51 GMT -5
I would say less than 50%, but it does depend on location. some locations harder to find, some harder to sell. good bearings very important. life in the blade is a bonus.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 19:41:19 GMT -5
I personally would not pay more then $500 for it, but I live in an area where they come up frequently on craigslist. I would make the first offer of $250 since you need to spend so much on gas and travel to get it, if he is not getting any response he may take it. You can always go up.
Good luck.
Remember it is a slippery slope, this saw would just be the beginning of a major addition. :-)
Tim
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 31, 2013 19:56:51 GMT -5
Buying a saw in AZ, CA, or OR is in its own category. Supply and demand. Elsewhere in the country the market is different. If somebody offered me $250 on something I had already come down from $2000 to $1200, I would junk it before I sold it to them. On the other, Dad_Ohs got his saw for $200 because the seller did not want to wait and did not know how to reach a market in FL this one sold on ebay for less than $1200 in MI, but it was a lot older. www.ebay.com/itm/Lortone-LS-18-Lapidary-Saw-/151040740084?hash=item232abacaf4
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Post by roy on Aug 1, 2013 0:09:24 GMT -5
i would say if everything works you would be around 500
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Aug 1, 2013 5:15:32 GMT -5
If the blade is rusted that means someone has used water as a coolant or has left the saw outdoors exposed to the elements. Lortone saws don't hold up well using water unless they are drained, cleaned, dried and re-oiled immediately after use. Make sure the seller didn't just pour that used motor oil inside in order to hide severe rust.
A good new blade will run you about $350. If the blade is rusted then most likely the bearings and arbor will be too. You can get SKF brand (part number SYH3/4WF) replacement pillow block bearings for around $50-$60 each if you shop around. If the arbor needs to be replaced I think they run around $75 +shipping from Lortone. Check the threaded feed rod for rust too. If it is rusted badly you may have to replace it. Not sure on the price of a new threaded power feed rod but I would guess about $25. And while you must consider your gas costs towards your bottom line, that consideration has no actual bearing on the value of the saw. In the eastern U.S. a used 18" Lortone saw in good condition with a good blade and ready to use will sell for around $1200. One in VERY good condition with "low mileage" may bring as much as $1450.
The saw you are describing sounds rough. So if the blade, bearings, arbor, and power feed rod are rusted enough to have to be replaced you are looking at a minimum of $575 for parts plus your time and labor which should bring the value of the saw down to less than $500. If the bottom interior of the saw is pitted with rust enough that it might leak, then the price should be MUCH less than $500. If you get there and find that all the saw really needs is a good cleaning, and maybe new belts, then it may be worth paying $800+. I have two 18" Lortone saws which I bought used and have been getting good service from them both. If you just keep your blade dressed, use a good quality cutting oil, use the slow speed pulley on the power feed system, and clean your saw and change cutting oil regularly then you can get years of trouble free service from those models.
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Aug 1, 2013 7:13:34 GMT -5
I'd offer $300, but I don't pay up for anything very often. See what they say. Hopefully they haven't looked it up on ebay already and think it's worth 1000's lol. Considering gas and time and it being for personal use and not resale if I really wanted it $500 would be the outter limits. It has to be in better shape than the picture im getting in my head to be worth 50% of it's original value. I had an LS18 that was a few years ago but near new appearance it took over a month of ebay to get $1700 out of it and it had a spare blade with it.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 2, 2013 11:34:11 GMT -5
LS 18 is quite small for 18 inch saw, good if you need to conserve shop space, bad if you have really big rocks as the vice capacity is small for the saw size. And about that vice, if you get the saw, every time you clamp a rock in check well before cutting. I am the primary equipment repair guy for our local rock club shop and replacing blades in the lortone when a rock slips out is a big part of the job.
Lee
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hexic
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2013
Posts: 6
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Post by hexic on Aug 2, 2013 20:12:29 GMT -5
Thanks for all the helpful responses folks. The seller sent me a video of it running and I wasn't too encouraged with the sound. I passed and am in the process of getting an old HP instead.
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Post by jakesrocks on Aug 2, 2013 21:23:55 GMT -5
You'll probably be better off with the HP.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 2, 2013 23:19:27 GMT -5
You will surely like the HP better.
Lee
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hexic
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2013
Posts: 6
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Post by hexic on Aug 2, 2013 23:23:31 GMT -5
I have no doubts on that.
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