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Post by artisianswindow on Aug 15, 2018 15:47:46 GMT -5
I have been tumbling for a long time but now its time to slab. I live in Canada but visit the US a few times a year and would like to purhcase a 14" slab saw. I am looking for input on what is the best, why and where to purchase
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goatgrinder
spending too much on rocks
Make mine a man cave
Member since January 2017
Posts: 368 
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Post by goatgrinder on Aug 15, 2018 18:36:00 GMT -5
Go bigger. Why 14" instead of "16, "18, or "24? Get the biggest that you can and you can still cut small. Whereas small will not cut big. Best.
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 15, 2018 19:21:04 GMT -5
If you have some mechanical aptitude, finding and rehabilitating an old saw is a good idea. I wanted to buy a new saw in 2007 and the choices were the Lortone Panther and the Covington combo. I bought the Covington and it sat in the box until 2014 when I retired. I knew very little about slab saws and really regret my decision. The two things of concern are the vise and the power feed. Some saws have adjustable speed feed. The Covington has a clutch and I believe mine needs to be replaced. It feeds to fast and stalls. Someone posted here about a Chinese made saw with the Highland name, but there hasn't been any feedback.
A larger saw will cut bigger rocks but the blades are more expensive and the thicker blade eats more material. Most of my rough is smaller and I would be better off with a saw with a smaller blade. The saw you pick should reflect what you want to cut. I would like to have a larger saw with a good feed and a smaller saw to deal with smaller, pricier rough.
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Post by woodman on Aug 15, 2018 20:55:50 GMT -5
I have a 30", an 18", a 10" and a 6 inch trim saw. Use the one that does what it is made for. What I don't have is enough room in my shop! I was fine until I moved in the 30" 5 years ago!!
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Post by taylor on Aug 15, 2018 21:27:27 GMT -5
woodman has it right! We started with a 10" and then added both larger and smaller saws. We also change blades on the 10" depending on material being cut. We also have a band saw and a ring saw that we use occasionally.
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