spencerponds
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2022
Posts: 3
|
Post by spencerponds on Apr 5, 2022 15:19:15 GMT -5
Hello everyone! New board member here...
So, I am looking for a slab saw. The material I want to cut is petrified wood.
For years, my number 1 hobby is getting out and hunting for petrified wood. I've built up thousands of pounds of it, from small pieces, to pieces that weigh over 100 lbs.
I want to be able to cut decent sized slabs (I have hopes of starting a small business for additional income for the family)... as far as what size slabs, the bigger the better obviously; but, I'm not rich so money is a limiting factor.
I've found the process of looking at saws online a little overwhelming, but there are 2 that I keep looking at.
1) the Covington Engineering 20 inch slab saw
2) the Covington Engineering 16 inch combination slab saw (1172CS)
I'm really open to any suggestions here though. I'm not dead set on going with Covington. I also don't really know if I need a combination slab saw, as I already have a small trim saw.
Their 20 inch slab saw is also *significantly* more expensive than the 16 inch combination... amazing what that extra 4 inches costs.
Any advice, any at all, would be welcome.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Apr 5, 2022 15:33:06 GMT -5
And don’t forget that extra four inches is actually only two inches at best.
|
|
|
|
Post by stonemon on Apr 5, 2022 15:39:44 GMT -5
Welcome! Sometimes it is possible to pick up a good quality used saw for far less money than a new one. I stumbled on a great vintage 24" Frantom for $500 a few years back. Something to consider if you are looking for bang for your buck.
Anyway, welcome again and we look forward to seeing your wood!
|
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Apr 5, 2022 15:40:14 GMT -5
Covington is very good and when it's my Covington 16 it is really bad. The plus is the clutch system that allows for very fast cutting. The minuses are the clutch system that requires adjusting, blade jams and carriage drifting which can result in uneven slabs and jamming. I tried to make the relationship work...............
I bought a New 10" Higland Park which is quite slow, very reliable and has .032 kerf. It also has a vertical vise which works well with small or uneven rough. I only slab to make cabs so speed isn't important. I think it is a good idea to have different size saws. I would buy a Highland Park 16 except that I currently don't have enough rough to justify it.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Apr 5, 2022 15:48:33 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota!  I can't give you any thoughts with regards to those two particular saws...but I think Stonemon had some good advice with regards to being on the lookout for a used saw. You'll get into it cheaper and when/if the time comes to sell it, you'll come closer to breaking even versus that of a new saw. Just thinking about the money investment side of it... |
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Apr 5, 2022 16:04:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from South Dakota! I can't give you any thoughts with regards to those two particular saws...but I think Stonemon had some good advice with regards to being on the lookout for a used saw. You'll get into it cheaper and when/if the time comes to sell it, you'll come closer to breaking even versus that of a new saw. Just thinking about the money investment side of it... My experience with looking for used lapidary equipment is that it needs to be local (as far as you are willing to drive). Many sellers it is pick up only. |
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 5, 2022 21:22:25 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!
Whereabouts are you located? Some areas are easier to find used equipment than others.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Apr 6, 2022 3:41:48 GMT -5
I don't recomend Covington when it comes to rock saws of any size.
They did a pretty good job with other equipment, but their saws display innovation poorly suited to rock saws while they stubbornly stick with the worst commercial design out there.
If you are after new, and have deep pockets, Barranca Diamond and Diamond pacific make the best.
HP is okay if you don't mind getting it next year, assuming supply chain doesn't get worse. That will also apply if you need to repair it.
|
|
|
|
Post by vegasjames on Apr 6, 2022 5:11:31 GMT -5
Welcome from Southern Nevada.
|
|
|
|
Post by roy on Apr 6, 2022 10:35:47 GMT -5
i have two highland parks one old remodel and one new both 16" i have 2 framptons 1-24 and 1-14 i also have one new 20" BD that saw is my favorite
although all are good that one is the best but also the most expensive
|
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Apr 6, 2022 16:00:41 GMT -5
If I was head of the zoo, and controlled the saw purchases I would follow the order below:
1 Barranca Diamond = modern design, parts available
2. Highland Park (vintage age) Some parts replaceable with the new HP source
3. FranTom (also vintage but pretty darned comparable to HP vintage).
4. Covington (old style with belt drive feed mechanism - not the magic slippery clutch that goes out of adjustment if not handled with ultracare. Note: I have one of the old (20") covington saws that had a 3 sided hood (cover the other side with a towel) but with a vice driven forward by a belt and same motor as blade. If one stops, the other stops, and belt can be adjusted to slip if difficulty encountered.
5. Highland Park (current versions). Despite teeth gnashing over where they are built (China if you have to ask) and some quality control issues, its probably a value purchase and hopefully there will be lots of them in play to provide technical support, parts, and a secondary market for resale.
6. Current Covington versions - probably good machines in competent hands.
7. Outlier due to rarity would be a Raytech slab saw. Unique design and super well suited for cutting geodes, thundereggs, and other round rocks.
I'd buy moderate sizes (14 -20") rather than supersized ones because of major oil requirements and size/weight issues for the giant versions. (not to mention blade costs as the size goes up).
A chop saw can be useful but a standard slab saw is more suited to most situations. A vice with vertical jaws is much more useful than the horizontal jawed versions.
This is off the top of my head and I'm sure I have garbled features or omitted candidates. But . . . I have given a lot of thought to saws and their features.
|
|
|
|
Post by Starguy on Apr 6, 2022 19:30:59 GMT -5
spencerpondsI would not recommend the Covington 16” combination saw. It is pretty light duty and more of a hobbiest saw. It seems like a good price but I think you would be disappointed. My recommendation would be to save up the extra money for a heavier duty saw. It sounds like you need a true production saw. I would suggest you follow the recommendations of some of the earlier posts. Good luck. Let us know what you decide on. Pictures are good too.
|
|
spencerponds
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2022
Posts: 3
|
Post by spencerponds on Apr 7, 2022 15:41:34 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! Whereabouts are you located? Some areas are easier to find used equipment than others. Thanks for the replies everyone! I am in Colorado, around the Denver area. I want to look into used equipment, but don't really know how to go about it... I've checked Craigslist before, but haven't really found anything. I probably need to check it more often. Anyone have any advice on locating used equipment for sale? I've thought about checking out estate sales, and there are a couple lapidary stores in the area that I could call. For some reason, I always kind of shied away from the idea of buying used equipment, I guess out of concern over the amount of wear and tear on used saws... but considering the price (and the lead times that I've seen) on new ones, I think it is probably the best idea at this point, especially since this will be kind of a business venture for side cash for me. It would be awful to dump a couple thousand into a new saw, then not be able to make anything worthy of sale, or not find people willing to buy it. |
|
stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
|
Post by stefan on Apr 7, 2022 15:44:38 GMT -5
I have a Highland Park (new China) 14". Love it to death! ZERO issues and great customer follow-up. I have cut some Pet wood with it and it did very well. Pet wood can be very fractured (not ideal when cutting as on bad break and you can kiss a several hundred dollar blade goodbye) so no matter what you purchase, you will want to be careful when cutting. If you have any specific questions on the CHina made HP just let me know as I have I very good working knowledge with this saw (I have the 14"). Here are some Pet wood slices:  |
|
|
|
Post by stonemon on Apr 7, 2022 17:37:42 GMT -5
Check with Tony, catmandewe He usually has a selection of saws. He is based in Idaho but he may be able to help you |
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 7, 2022 18:26:37 GMT -5
Also check Facebook Marketplace for your area and the Lapidary Equipment Facebook page.
Are you a member of your local rock club? That is also a good place to find used equipment.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Apr 7, 2022 18:28:58 GMT -5
I'd be surprised if you can't find a slab saw in your area within a few months. There is one (18") for sale on Albuquerque CL for $1500. Not many specifics but telephones work here.
I've driven half way to CO Sprgs for a bargain slab saw and driving may be necessary to shop used. Ship me a telephone number by PM if you want a few other ideas. Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Apr 7, 2022 21:19:58 GMT -5
stefan the downside with a new HP right now is shipping. My friend who buys a lot of parts from them is looking at huge delays, and they are wisely not warehousing in China betting on it to improve, so even if it does they will have a backlog for awhile. I was very fortunate to find some old stock bearings for the saw I'm rebuilding now on ebay, it could be a year or more from them, and the original Fafnir bearings are better than Chinese. Speaking of which, in a couple or 3 weeks I will have an original US made Highland Park J2 18" saw ready for pickup, Not a ground up rebuild, but everything that had any noticable wear replaced. spencerponds unfortunately I am 800 plus miles away. I could offer a list of what to check in a used saw, but I'm sure Tom and many others could do as well or better.
|
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Apr 7, 2022 21:48:26 GMT -5
There's also a forum member in southern Idaho who might have a saw... .
|
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Apr 8, 2022 13:08:05 GMT -5
There's also a forum member in southern Idaho who might have a saw... .
I have about 20 saws but I have a backlog of rebuilding them, I have 5 on deck right now, so lead time might be a while. Tony |
|
