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Post by Starguy on Apr 5, 2015 11:38:54 GMT -5
I just ordered a brand new 16" covington slab saw. Free shipping and 5 gallons of oil were included. It will take a week or two to get here. It's going to seem like a year.
I can't wait to start cutting some slabs. I have a bunch of Bruneau jasper, Montana (Yellowstone river) agates, and other assorted agates that I have been sitting on for 20 years or more. It's time to start doing something with them. I'll post pictures when it gets here.
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Post by broseph82 on Apr 5, 2015 13:31:39 GMT -5
Good luck. Your week or two may be 3 or 4. Hopefully not though. Make sure you get your exact blade you ordered too.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 5, 2015 13:42:01 GMT -5
broseph82It should come with a 301 blade. I'll make sure to check it when it arrives. Thanks for the advice.
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Post by jakesrocks on Apr 5, 2015 14:07:57 GMT -5
Glad to hear you didn't go with the Covington blade. They're junk.
I've seen others on here put down the Covington 16" saws. I've had mine for about 3 years now and except for a couple of minor, easy to fix problems, mine is still running strong.
First thing to fix. Remove the set screws from both pulleys. put a dab of non hardening Lock Tite on them and put them back in. Tighten them down good. For some reason, the set screws like to come loose on the Covington saws, and you'll end up being chased out of your shop by a high speed runaway pulley.
Second thing to fix. Before putting oil in your saw, remove the drain plug. Fit a short piece of pipe which is threaded at both ends in the hole, and put a valve on the end of the pipe. The drain plug on its own is way too close to the side of the saw. When it comes time to clean the saw, oil will spill down the side of the saw when you remove the plug. I wish Covington had redesigned their saws with a large drain in the bottom, instead of the side.
Third problem you've already taken care of by opting for the 301 blade. Mine came with the Covington blade. After the first 4 or 5 rocks, I ordered a 303S from Tony. The Covington blade now hangs on my garage wall.
Have fun with your new toy. They're a good saw if you treat them right.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 5, 2015 21:40:06 GMT -5
jakesrocksThanks for the advice Don. I already heard about the set screw issue. That's a great idea to add a better drain to the saw. I'm definitely going to add a drain pipe and ball valve to ease cleaning. Great advice. Thanks
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 7, 2015 10:15:46 GMT -5
When I first met the guy from BD we were looking at his PF10 (formerly Star Diamond). He complained about the 1/4" pipe plug to drain coolant and said if it didn't plug up from sludge there was no way to drain it without making a mess. The next month at another show the PF10 had a 1/2" drain pipe extending to base board edge and a cap. A ball valve would have been nice but at least he enlarged and extended it. Nice to deal with people that recognize their equipment can be improved and make the changes. Most companies have the "we've always done it that way" attitude.
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Post by snowmom on Apr 7, 2015 17:47:42 GMT -5
Starguy, I can't wait to see what you do with this! watching with interest.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,687
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 7, 2015 18:37:51 GMT -5
Congrads on the new saw!!!!! Look out,the addiction starts as soon as you throw the 1st rock in!!!!! Thumbs up
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Post by gingerkid on Apr 8, 2015 13:15:04 GMT -5
Congratulations are in order for your new slab saw, Starguy! Cannot wait to see your pics of it when it arrives. I have a bunch of Bruneau jasper, Montana (Yellowstone river) agates, and other assorted agates that I have been sitting on for 20 years or more. It's time to start doing something with them. uhm, sitting there for 20 years?! Have wondered if you and your family were in the canyons. Have you been working any of your beautiful star garnets lately?
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Post by Starguy on Apr 8, 2015 18:57:03 GMT -5
gingerkidHi Jan. I didn't collect the Bruneau myself. I bought it at Quartzite back in the 80s. Probably more like 30 years than 20. My, how time flies. I haven't been working on garnets much lately. I need to because they sell easily and I have lots of them. The new saw is paid for but now I'll need to start looking fo slabbing rocks. We we went canyoneering in Utah last week. We hiked about 36 miles in 4 days. Awesome hikes. I can't even describe how fun it was. We hiked the big west fork of Red Breaks canyon, we did a desert wander in Little Valley, a great hike called forty mile willow loop and hiked part of coyote gulch. I definitely knocked off a couple hikes that were on my bucket list. I can't wait to get the saw. It's been a dream for a lot of years. Hopefully I'll have enough patience to make some minor modifications recommended by others here before I fill it with oil. Later Brent.
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Post by gingerkid on Apr 10, 2015 11:11:41 GMT -5
Starguy, please post pics on the forum of your new saw and the modifications you make to it - and trip pics! (finally saw the movie "127 Hours" and enjoyed it ) Please give me a holler when you have some star garnets, especially cabs, that you may want to sell.
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 10, 2015 17:25:51 GMT -5
I bought a Covington 1172CS in 2008. Never had time to slab. I retired this summer and unpacked it. I will have it up and running next week. I put together the stand and it was too low for me. I'm either putting it on the bench I have my Genie or on a heavy round patio table. It came with a MK 301 blade. I have the receipt somewhere, but I know the price has gone up considerably. I'm glad I bought it when I did.
I also have some nice rough that I accumulated over the years. I'm apprehensive about using it because I've never used a large power feed slab saw before.
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Post by gingerkid on Apr 10, 2015 22:47:35 GMT -5
Wow, stardiamond, you have had your saw since 2008? Glad you are finally going to enjoy it since you retired. I read some of your posts and noticed you have a lot of interesting lapidary-related projects going on.
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Apr 13, 2015 18:33:26 GMT -5
Covington makes a decent product- probably the best bang for the buck in a mid-size saw.I have an older 18" unit that has cut thousands of square inches of material.
A couple pieces of advice. Never ever take apart the washer clutch system on the back of the saw (assuming they still use this system). Trust me on this. Also, the Covington vise system leaves a bit to be desired, as you will discover. I supplement the factory vise with a bar clamp spanning across the front and rear vise jaws. Use the bar clamp and factory clamp in conjunction until you cannot move the rock with your hand. This will prevent a loose rock from trashing your blade.
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Post by Starguy on Apr 13, 2015 19:59:16 GMT -5
mikeinsjcThat's a great idea. Thanks for the advice. Do you use wooden wedges and shims to secure the rock too? I understand the trouble a loose rock can cause if it moves during sawing. I've been thinking of all kinds of ways to secure the rocks. I'm pretty new to slabbing so I appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks, Brent
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 15, 2015 15:16:48 GMT -5
I finally got my saw put together and put it on my work bench. I've been playing with the vise and the cross adjustment. Last thing to do is add oil. Instructions are very sketchy. First of many stupid questions; how high do I fill the oil? How much of blade to cover?
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jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
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Post by jerrys on Apr 15, 2015 15:58:16 GMT -5
Start with 1/2" of the bottom of the blade covered with oil. Depending on the size of the saw or how much oil is moved, you may want to add a little more.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,687
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 15, 2015 16:50:20 GMT -5
That's what I also do,about a 1/2 or so.................Git to cutting-LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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