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Post by stardiamond on Apr 19, 2021 17:18:14 GMT -5
I ordered the saw on December and unpacked it this Saturday. There is no user manual with operating instructions. I called today for information and all I got was a link to a youtube video that discussed how much oil to add. I also was told I only needed to add oil.
I plugged it in and put a rock in the vise. The on/off switch was stuck on so I plugged it into a power strip. The power feed didn't work. I called again and was referred to another youtube video that showed how to fix the mounting bracket when it was installed backward.
I watched the video and decided that it shouldn't be my problem. My guess is that is some kind of an electrical problem and I'm not an electrician. There's a button on the box where there is a plug outside the motor covering. I found out that it is a switch for the power feed. I pressed it and nothing happened. I put an alligator clip on the threaded feed top verify that it wasn't turning. I sent 2 emails asking for a better resolution and have had no reply but the email was sent only a few hours ago. I paid for the saw using paypal so I opened a case to protect myself.
It was disappointing because I was looking forward to cutting rough that was best suited to a small saw. I am not looking forward to having to drain the oil and attempt to box up the saw to send it back. The saws are currently out of stock. I think the best resolution would be to hire someone with electrical skills to determine what is wrong and repair it. Most likely and electrical issue and worst case the feed motor and switch can be replaced at Highland Park's expense.
I'm posting this because of the lack of instructions and support. I'll update when I have more information. Other than not working, I like it.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 19, 2021 18:21:08 GMT -5
That sucks. I was somewhat shocked when I visited their website to see the saws are made in China! (to their specifications- which it appears in your case- to mean a non functioning saw). I am considering a 14" (out of stock, but I can make a first payment on it if I choose), but based on your outcome of this issue, I may be looking elsewhere! I really hope this gets resolved in a positive manner.
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 19, 2021 18:39:00 GMT -5
I don't look for things made in China, but so many things are made there. I will buy electronics like mice and remote controls. I won't buy n95 masks. It really doesn't matter where the saw is made as long as Highland Park stands behind it. The fact that the saw didn't work means there are quality control issues. I expect the problem to be resolved. Covington has great support, but I wanted to add a smaller saw. $1100 with free shipping and no sales tax is like getting the saw for under $1000.
It was delivered in 8 days.
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Post by Rockindad on Apr 19, 2021 19:14:22 GMT -5
That just plain old sucks. You are about to find out real fast what kind of company they are and I hope you share whatever the outcome.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325 
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Post by standles on Apr 19, 2021 19:21:36 GMT -5
stardiamond sorry to hear you had a bad experience. I bought my cabber and 10" trim saw from them with no issues. BTW. Neither of my machines came with user manuals either and I figured if they did I couldn't understand them anyway  They were very attentive for me. When asking details and shipping info they bugged me almost to death even after it arrived and I told them I was happy. Most likely what is happening is the front line Phones/Email is only covering minor things. I know when I had more detailed questions they kicked me up the chain. As for the others and stuff out of stock. The model they are using is drop a deposit and save a place on the next container from China. It seems they are selling them as fast as they can get them in. Other might be only build whats needed and ship when container full. I had to wait 6 weeks for my 2 machines
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on Apr 19, 2021 20:32:59 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your saw. I am an electrician. If I can be of any help feel free to pm me. One question that comes to mind is you did plug the motor into the outlet by the feed switch on the front of the box?
I bought the 12" saw and it was delivered last Friday. Put oil in it and started cutting slabs. I had never run a slab saw before nor had I ever seen one in operation. Once I decide to order from HP I went to their web site and read everything they had that had to do with the saw I purchased. I watch the videos also. I have to say that it was more enlightening for me to watch the video than to flip through the manual. Once the saw arrive I felt confident that I could use it with no problems. Those videos did help me to get to know the saw so I was up to speed before it arrive.. I have had no problems with my saw. HP bent over backward to answer all of my question and concerns prior to receiving it. The information on their web site is very informative and answers many question one might have on maintaining the saw after purchase. Would a buy another one. At this point you bet I would.
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 19, 2021 20:43:02 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your saw. I am an electrician. If I can be of any help feel free to pm me. One question that comes to mind is you did plug the motor into the outlet by the feed switch on the front of the box? I bought the 12" saw and it was delivered last Friday. Put oil in it and started cutting slabs. I had never run a slab saw before nor had I ever seen one in operation. Once I decide to order from HP I went to their web site and read everything they had that had to do with the saw I purchased. I watch the videos also. I have to say that it was more enlightening for me to watch the video than to flip through the manual. Once the saw arrive I felt confident that I could use it with no problems. Those videos did help me to get to know the saw so I was up to speed before it arrive.. I have had no problems with my saw. HP bent over backward to answer all of my question and concerns prior to receiving it. The information on their web site is very informative and answers many question one might have on maintaining the saw after purchase. Would a buy another one. At this point you bet I would. I plugged the feed motor plug into outlet next to the switch and the long power cord into a power source. |
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on Apr 19, 2021 20:49:22 GMT -5
Good…the next think I would do is plug the feed motor into 110volt outlet to see if the motor runs. It should start up instantly. That will tell you if it is the motor or the controls in the box.
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 19, 2021 21:49:42 GMT -5
Good…the next think I would do is plug the feed motor into 110volt outlet to see if the motor runs. It should start up instantly. That will tell you if it is the motor or the controls in the box. Really good suggestion. I worked with computers and that is called eliminating a variable. Either the motor or the box is the problem so eliminate the box. I now have a 50/50 chance that I can slab tomorrow which is better tan no chance. |
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on Apr 19, 2021 21:57:44 GMT -5
well good luck. I hope the slabs are flying off that machine tomorrow.
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 20, 2021 10:47:46 GMT -5
I plugged the cord from the feed motor into the same power strip as the saw motor and no change. It doesn't mean that the feed motor is bad. The plug might not be connected to anything.
I think I'll turn on the way back machine and cut some slabs with the trim saw. I did this for a long time and the only issue is it kills blades.
I ordered a 8 inch mk303 type blade on ebay so I can slab with the old blades until they die. The blade is $42 plus tax with free shipping. I need to ream it out to one inch. MK303 on amazon are $52 plus tax so I thought I'd try the other blade.
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on Apr 20, 2021 14:05:53 GMT -5
No….but it does tell you the problem is at the motor. I would call HP and tell them what you found and ask them to ship out a new motor, with the cord and plug wired in ready to go. But then again you may just want to send the whole thing back. Once you get this issue resolved it should cut slabs for a long time to come.
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 20, 2021 14:16:44 GMT -5
No….but it does tell you the problem is at the motor. I would call HP and tell them what you found and ask them to ship out a new motor, with the cord and plug wired in ready to go. But then again you may just want to send the whole thing back. Once you get this issue resolved it should cut slabs for a long time to come. The first thing is for them to start communicating with me. I sent two emails and opened a case on Paypal that was emailed to them by paypal. I don't like the idea of returning it, draining the clean oil, trying to box it up and waiting for a long time for a replacement. My electrical skills are limited so my first choice would be to hire someone to trouble shoot (paid for by Highland Park) and get replacement parts sent. Until the cover is removed, I can only guess. I'm not touching it until I have an understanding in writing. I also need to hire someone to fix my Covington, vise and carriage. I have plenty to work on so I am in no hurry. |
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on Apr 20, 2021 15:42:04 GMT -5
Well good luck
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 20, 2021 20:08:46 GMT -5
About 5:30pm, I got a call from Highland Park. They wanted to work with me then but I was doing something else and was also about to make dinner. He is calling back at 10:00am and was interested in helping me. There is a 6ft cord attached to the large motor and a 2ft cord from the drive motor. I plugged the short cord into the power box near the drive motor. It is suppose to be the other way around.
Saw motor to the box and the short cord to the power supply. The button outside the power box starts the saw and the off switch stops it. There is no documentation for the saw and the videos didn't discuss how to plug it in. I've got a rock in the vise and doing the first cut. Assuming I get a few slabs cut, I'll let him know the saw is working properly.
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neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 132
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Post by neural on Apr 20, 2021 20:57:15 GMT -5
I think you made an excellent choice by contacting them via opening a case on Paypal. This appears to be an electrical issue. If you've plugged the machine in properly to a functioning outlet and it is still not working, it's not your responsibility to risk your life to fix their defect.
If it's working, just make sure that the cords aren't getting hot. It sounds like the machine was wired differently, but if both components run off the same voltage, etc. it's all going to be one "loop" as electricity goes anyway. I'd definitely needle the guy with questions and make sure it's set up right.
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on Apr 20, 2021 21:17:07 GMT -5
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 20, 2021 21:52:21 GMT -5
Fact - there is no user manual.
Fact - When I asked for documentation the only video I was referred to was about coolant level.
Fact - I asked for specifics about how to set the saw up.
Fact - even the most basic piece of equipment has set up instructions.
Fact - Since the saw ships from China, I can understand no instructions in the box. Clear set up instructions should be on their website for each model.
I am not being unreasonable in my expectations. A person shouldn't have to go on a treasure hunt.
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billdean
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2020
Posts: 153
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Post by billdean on Apr 20, 2021 22:14:16 GMT -5
Fact - there is no user manual. Fact - When I asked for documentation the only video I was referred to was about coolant level. Fact - I asked for specifics about how to set the saw up. Fact - even the most basic piece of equipment has set up instructions. Fact - Since the saw ships from China, I can understand no instructions in the box. Clear set up instructions should be on their website for each model. I am not being unreasonable in my expectations. A person shouldn't have to go on a treasure hunt. Fact - This is all un-true Fact - There is a user manual….All the saws set up the same way Fact - They cover all of this on their web site If your that dissatisfied send it back an quit complaining |
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 20, 2021 23:02:24 GMT -5
This is the user manual and does not apply to the 10 inch saw. I don't understand why you are being so adversarial. Highland Park Lapidary Owners Manual for 10, 16, 18, 24 and 36 inch slab saws  |
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They were very attentive for me. When asking details and shipping info they bugged me almost to death even after it arrived and I told them I was happy. Most likely what is happening is the front line Phones/Email is only covering minor things. I know when I had more detailed questions they kicked me up the chain.
