meviva
Cave Dweller 
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474 
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Post by meviva on Mar 18, 2016 14:57:58 GMT -5
I'm still looking for a slab saw. Does anyone know anything about these two saws? Are they good saws? Are they easy to operate? LSS-14P Panther Rock Saw and LS12C Rock Saw Both are on this page at: www.therockshed.com/equipment12.htmlThanks, Andrea |
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
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Post by Sabre52 on Mar 18, 2016 15:12:57 GMT -5
I've never known anyone with the 12" but have known a guy with the 14" saw. He had two major complaints. #1 the box leaked oil right from the factory which had to be fixed and #2, the most important from my standpoint, he cut mostly agate and thought the fixed rate power feed fed the hard rocks too fast with no way to make it feed slower. Blade had to be changed out pretty often and he said he was not getting a very long blade life. In addition, blade would sometimes bog down in the cut and seize up burning the drive belt because the rock was being forced into the saw too fast. Haven't used one myself so this is just what I heard. I did have a Lortone 14" drop saw which was a piece of garbage, coolant pump always broke down, not enough weight on the blade to cut harder rocks without adding extra weights, dished blades all the time, and to top it off, was a booger to clean as the whole upper part of the saw had to be lifted from the coolant tray...Mel
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Post by woodman on Mar 18, 2016 16:28:03 GMT -5
I have a 10 inch and a 18 inch lortone saws. No problem with either. In looking at the pictures of the two you are looking at, I would not like the clamping system. The one on the 18 is a much easier clamp to use. My 10 inch has the clamp like the 12 and 14, but since I don't use it very much I tend to forget how much of a pain the clamp is. Bigger is always better.  |
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Post by radio on Mar 18, 2016 16:34:32 GMT -5
I have had 2 12 inch Lortones. The first was bought used and used so much I finally had to overhaul the carriage as it was worn so badly you could move it about 1/4 inch sideways. Gave it to a friend when I moved, then a few months later bought a new one.
Not a bad saw, but as noted above, they do have some shortcomings, particularly in the cleaning department. I have cut about everything imaginable with mine and the only problem I have experienced was with Psilomelane. The blade will gum up and stop cutting and the feed keeps on pushing causing a helluva bind on the blade.
I've never noticed a feed rate problem with Agates, or shortened blade life, but I don't cut as many Agates as a lot of folks
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Post by captbob on Mar 18, 2016 16:40:17 GMT -5
It's the 14" Panther that has the faster feed rate. I've never owned one, but lots of reading about them guaranteed that I never will. Too many folks on too forums posting too many complaints.
Does your saw have to be new? Older machines sure seem to be built better unless you are going to a high end saw. I'd wait and look for a deal on older machine if you have the time to do so.
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 18, 2016 20:38:11 GMT -5
The 14" Panther has a 7RPM feed motor.
Traded out for the 4RPM motor from the 12 it's ok. I like the bookend style vice from other saws better than the vertical clamp bar on the smaller Lortone saws. My older 12 is OK but I use the HP and FranTom saws more.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Mar 18, 2016 22:02:26 GMT -5
I have both the Lortone 12" and 14" Panther saws. Personally I like the over/under clamping system. When using with wooden wedges, where needed for support, I have had very few rocks slip in the vise.
IMO the feed rate is much too fast on the 14" Panther for cutting hard materials so I replaced the powerfeed motor on my 14" panther with the slower powerfeed motor used on the 12" saw. Works much better now with fewer problems.
Also on the 12" Lortone, I have found that the threaded feed rod is weak and flexes a little under strain. So I replaced the arbor and motor pulleys to increase the blade speed so there is less resistance when sawing.
Oil mist escapes badly around the edges of the lids on both my 12" and 14" Lortones. So I have to drape rags over the top down past the seams of the lids/reservoirs on the fronts and sides to help catch oil mist.
When I purchases these new they came with cheap Chinese made bearings. JBC brand insert bearings if my memory serves me correctly. Using these saws 40-50 hours per week I was only getting about 4 months use out of those bearings. And they are a real PITN to change. I don't know why Lortone hasn't redesigned the saw so higher quality pillar block bearings can be used. I got tired of changing bearings so frequently so I searched and found some old stock U.S.A. made bearings and have been getting much better service out of these. But when all of the old stock U.S.A. made bearings sitting around on dusty shelves are gone then they are gone and it will be back to the imports.
I also have older model Lortone 10" and 18" slab saws. IMO the Lortone 10" slab saws were the best 10" slab saws ever designed - real work horses. But that model has been discontinued. Go figure. My 18" Lortone is an early 70s model. It's been a pretty good saw but I did replace the three step pulley on the powerfeed with a 7" diameter pulley to slow down the powerfeed rate for cutting larger agates.
I buy out old collections and have bought and sold a number of older Lortone saws. IMO the older models were better. The ones with the original gold color paint were from the 1960s. The metallic seafoam colored paint from the early 70s. And the turquoise blue colored paint from the mid 70s to current. IMO, if you're a mechanically inclined person your best value would be if you can find an older model in fairly good condition, spend a couple of weekends tuning it up and use the money saved to buy some really nice quality cutting rough to slab.
Larry C.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2016 22:10:08 GMT -5
Rockoonz QuailRiverLee and Larry 2 very informative posts. Thanks from a lurker for sharing your knowledge. Treat yourself to a beer or a molten chocolate cake. You have earned it.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Mar 18, 2016 22:46:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys. I was hoping these would be good saws. I haven't looked at used ones. I'll look at Craig's list and eBay tomorrow. I would need one that was in working order because I'm not mechanically inclined.
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70karmann
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 190
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Post by 70karmann on Mar 19, 2016 0:10:06 GMT -5
I have three Lortones two 10s and a 12. All work just great. No blade issues or misting ( I use an additive called mx-5 ) . This additive is clear non toxic and odorless.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2016 0:27:12 GMT -5
I have three Lortones two 10s and a 12. All work just great. No blade issues or misting ( I use an additive called mx-5 ) . This additive is clear non toxic and odorless. Bardahl no smoke works as well. More options make easier solutions. |
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 26, 2016 18:36:48 GMT -5
I like my LS12, although I did sell it when I moved to Texas. You often find them used in the $300-$600 range.
A guy in Lubbock had two fixer uppers he was selling for $200 total, but he may have decided not to sell.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Mar 31, 2016 19:18:00 GMT -5
Well, I ordered an HP14 slab saw the other day. It's going to take several weeks before it ships but I am soooooo excited!!!!
Andrea
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Post by captbob on Mar 31, 2016 21:39:52 GMT -5
I take it (hope) you mean the Barranca Diamond HP14 and not one of those Chinese knockoffs of the old Highland park design.
If you're gonna go, go first class!
I bought one of those saws last year and it is one of the best built machines I've ever owned.
That's one fine addition to that new shop you are building.
You should be excited!
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Mar 31, 2016 21:58:26 GMT -5
captbob yes it is a Barranca Diamond!! Now I hope I will be able to work it. I'm sure this is how I will be feeling once it gets here  What oil do you use with yours? Andrea
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Post by captbob on Mar 31, 2016 23:13:43 GMT -5
Food Grade mineral oil. That doesn't mean it's edible! Just suitable for machines used in the food processing industry. I'm sure many oil types could be used, I just like the mineral oil myself. No smell and easy to clean up off the rocks.
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 31, 2016 23:38:59 GMT -5
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timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
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Post by timloco on Apr 4, 2016 18:40:32 GMT -5
I have the 14" Panther and I love it. I have not had too many issues with it, I keep it all tight and adjusted. It's got a fast feed rate but I'm still using the first blade after a couple of years now and it's not worn down too much. I replaced the factory belt though it stretched too much. I cut mainly agate so I hardly have to dress the blade at all. Not sure I'm a big fan of the vice on it though.
I also have a Lortone 10" trim saw and I have not had any issues with it all for 2 years so far. I hand feed it and I probably have too heavy a hand for it but I'm still on the first blade.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on May 18, 2016 13:03:51 GMT -5
Good news......my Barranca Diamond HP14 has just been delivered.  Bad news.....it was delivered to my husband's shop and I have to wait til he brings it home. Time for me to go to the feed store and get the horse laxative (mineral oil).  Andrea |
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Post by woodman on May 18, 2016 13:34:12 GMT -5
I use the horse laxative in my 18" Lortone/Spartan. really like it, no smell and esy to clean up.
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What oil do you use with yours? 
