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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2017 18:49:55 GMT -5
 Biggest TIP I can give and I'm sure most of the guys here that have been doing this forever, will agree: Don't skimp on buying a "slab" saw!!! My Story: I was in need of a saw that would do more than trim. A saw that could simply cut a rock like this  Not just these  I bought the 10" manual feed unit I have pictured above. I've spent more time trying to get it to work than it actually working. I'm very angry today!!! The unit was around $750. Not cheap monetarily mind you but a lot less expensive than other units that the guys give us advice to buy. Well that and their slant cabber of inferior quality will be shipped back tomorrow!!! I'm buying a "Big Girl Saw" tonight!!! Happy Birthday to Me If you need a slab saw and don't have the money, save it!!! {climbing off my soap box now} |
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Post by Pat on Feb 21, 2017 18:55:36 GMT -5
melhill1659. How disappointing. What don't you like about it? Not working is a good reason, but I am wondering why it isn't working. Why did you buy this one?
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Don
Cave Dweller 
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Feb 21, 2017 18:59:50 GMT -5
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Post by captbob on Feb 21, 2017 19:27:35 GMT -5
That BD 10 does look like a sweet little saw! Might want to check with John johnjsgems to see if they have any demo units from the Tucson show on sale. Only thing I don't like about it is with the arbor under that table, it really limits the size of rocks it can cut. With you wanting to make cabs, it might be a good saw for you Mel. The Lortones are a good saw and less expensive, but I'm a firm believer in ya get what ya pay for. |
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Post by MrP on Feb 21, 2017 19:32:28 GMT -5
melhill1659 I vote for the lortone LS12. I have both the LS10 and LS12. Fantastic saw IMO.................................MrP
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2017 20:42:16 GMT -5
Pat I don't have a clue why I bought that saw. Probably was looking around, noticed it and the price so I bought it. It is a family owned company that are wonderful. I hate it didn't work! I couldn't keep the little screws in the arbor tightened so it would move and throw my blade off balance. Also the motor on the first one never got up to the proper rpm's. My second unit, besides having to take all the stuff off to get to the arbor screws worked great until my 3rd rock. Then it just got slower until it stalled.
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2017 20:46:22 GMT -5
Thanks guys captbob I'm thinking 12"to14" definitely power feed. I'm tired of playing around. MrP I'm studying up on the LS12-c now! Does anyone have any input on the Highland Precision 14"  |
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Feb 21, 2017 20:48:14 GMT -5
I like the Hi-Tech trim saws with the variable speed motor. I have both their 6 and 4" saws. But I don't do any slabbing on them, it's strictly trim work.
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 21, 2017 20:55:28 GMT -5
I like the Hi-Tech trim saws with the variable speed motor. I have both their 6 and 4" saws. But I don't do any slabbing on them, it's strictly trim work. That's great! Like I said I think the family is great an I really hope they continue to do well. I'm not totally against some of it maybe operator error even. I tried everything I knew to do cause I wanted it to work. |
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Post by roy on Feb 22, 2017 11:29:26 GMT -5
save your money and get you the 12" or maybe the 14"
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Post by captbob on Feb 22, 2017 11:40:51 GMT -5
Thanks guys captbob I'm thinking 12"to14" definitely power feed. I'm tired of playing around. MrP I'm studying up on the LS12-c now! Does anyone have any input on the Highland Precision 14"The BD HP-14 (Highland Precision 14) is what I have. saw porn in a crate  don't get no better - IMHO  Not so clean anymore! |
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 22, 2017 11:58:45 GMT -5
To cool!!! I'll have to to wait on that kind of saw porn! She's a beauty though! captbob |
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Post by toiv0 on Feb 22, 2017 12:22:01 GMT -5
Thanks guys captbob I'm thinking 12"to14" definitely power feed. I'm tired of playing around. MrP I'm studying up on the LS12-c now! Does anyone have any input on the Highland Precision 14"The BD HP-14 (Highland Precision 14) is what I have. saw porn in a crate don't get no better - IMHO Not so clean anymore! Didn't someone say the vice on the bd is not so good looking? |
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Post by captbob on Feb 22, 2017 12:31:31 GMT -5
Tim, (Azrockgeek) didn't seem to like it for some reason. The faucet type handle to tighten the vise is a bit harder to use than the T handles on our bigger saws. I got used to it quickly and have had zero problems with it. Just use a dish towel on it to get a better grip when tightening it - no biggie to me.
The whole thing is just super well built. No tin and tough as a tank. BD saws are more expensive, but cry once / buy once. I'm sure other brands are good saws also, but these BD saws are more like the saws of old that can get passed down over generations. My opinion anyway.
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Post by toiv0 on Feb 22, 2017 13:09:06 GMT -5
Tim, (Azrockgeek) didn't seem to like it for some reason. The faucet type handle to tighten the vise is a bit harder to use than the T handles on our bigger saws. I got used to it quickly and have had zero problems with it. Just use a dish towel on it to get a better grip when tightening it - no biggie to me. The whole thing is just super well built. No tin and tough as a tank. BD saws are more expensive, but cry once / buy once. I'm sure other brands are good saws also, but these BD saws are more like the saws of old that can get passed down over generations. My opinion anyway. What is the kerf on the blade, I would assume its a Barranca blade? |
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Feb 22, 2017 13:09:32 GMT -5
I bought a used LS12 @ a good price ($750), used it 3 years heavily as a slab saw, same blade, and this thing cut like there's no tomorrow. I recently stripped it down, sandblasted, painted and replaced the bearings. Now a happy new rock lover owns it, and it only set her back $950. Loved that saw, but lost my shop space so had to downsize, (for now)  |
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Post by captbob on Feb 22, 2017 13:25:35 GMT -5
What is the kerf on the blade, I would assume its a Barranca blade? It comes with a BD-301 blade, 14" x .065" Bought a back up blade from John when I got the saw in case something stupid happens. Hope something stupid never happens! |
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 22, 2017 15:45:49 GMT -5
I bought a used LS12 @ a good price ($750), used it 3 years heavily as a slab saw, same blade, and this thing cut like there's no tomorrow. I recently stripped it down, sandblasted, painted and replaced the bearings. Now a happy new rock lover owns it, and it only set her back $950. Loved that saw, but lost my shop space so had to downsize, (for now) Thanks for the info! I'm excited to get it for sure!!! |
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Feb 23, 2017 0:01:22 GMT -5
Well melhill1659 have you tried looking for anything used you may get lucky? try your local craigslist and sale sites, i picked up some nice saws for pennies on the dollar.
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Post by melhill1659 on Feb 23, 2017 9:17:05 GMT -5
Well melhill1659 have you tried looking for anything used you may get lucky? try your local craigslist and sale sites, i picked up some nice saws for pennies on the dollar. I tried that a year ago and that how I ended up with my vintage 1969 Highland Park combo unit. Even though I learned a lot having to refurbish it I'm not mechanically inclined. Hard to trust people trying to unload used equipment when I don't have a jamesp or one of you guys to help tweak it 😂so I purchased a new one. Plus if there are people here in Ms that does lapidary work They Must Be Hiding! Now one day when my hubby decides to build my real shop and I want to add a Big Boy Saw I will look around and even travel to get one used. |
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