fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Jun 5, 2008 5:57:49 GMT -5
Looking for some advice from the experienced 'slabbers'. I'm saving up for my first slab saw and my budget will be a mere $1500 - thats what I told Cindy anyway. I've been looking closely at the Lortone LSS-14P Panther. I'd like to hear what others think of this saw and I'd also like your opinions on other saws of comparable price. I do this strictly as a hobby. I don't cab, but I do WF and tumble and make pendants. This would NOT be used as a production saw. Thanx in advance
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Jun 5, 2008 10:19:13 GMT -5
"This would NOT be used as a production saw." Yup, that's what they all say..... Get the biggest saw your budget will handle. Keep your eyes open for a good used saw..you might be able to pick up a 18"-20" for that money.
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Jun 5, 2008 11:54:28 GMT -5
I figure you're right about that lparker, but it doesn't answer my question about the Lortone Saw quality
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 5, 2008 12:15:47 GMT -5
I was faced with the same decision some months ago. I was considering the Lortone Panther. After some research and feedback here I bought the 16" Covington for $1698. Bikerrandy has the same saw and he recommends it.
My interest in the Lortone was the high cutting speed and was told that it can have problems. The Covington looks a lot sturdier. I haven't been able to setup and use my saw yet. Life sometimes gets in the way of rocks.
Here are some remarks from someone who sells Covington:
I am familiar with the Panther saw. The problem we, and others, have had with it is the feed rate is faster than most blades can handle. This results in bent blades, burned out motors and ruined rough. The blade that comes with the Panther works fine until it gets a little bit worn. Then, it slows down its cutting speed and jams when the vise continues to feed the rock into the blade faster than it can cut. In my experience working with one, it's a bad design. I gave it away to a friend who likes to tinker with things and modify equipment. Even he doesn't like the saw after investing a lot of time, money and modifications into it.
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 5, 2008 12:39:03 GMT -5
Going used and getting to 18" seems a good balance. What yopu can cut with 18" is just more useful for typical chunks of rock than 14" - more than 18" and you will often be cutting things that don;t really need a saw that big. It is silly to risk a 24" blade when cutting a 14" sized rock.
Pay attention to size of vice, amount of cross-feed, if there is adjustable feed rate, if there is valve to drain tank, .... other convenience and flexiability features.
Also are parts available or is there custom build components?
For $1500 I think you can get a lot of hobby saw.
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Post by bobby1 on Jun 5, 2008 21:44:46 GMT -5
I have the same experience with the Panther. The blade speed and the feed speed are too fast. Their concept of a high speed saw was to speed everything up. Cutting rocks faster doesn't work that way. I quit using mine a few years ago. In the near future I'm going to get a slower speed feed motor and change pulleys on the motor to see if I can redeem the saw. Bob
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Post by catmandewe on Jun 5, 2008 22:51:52 GMT -5
I have 2 royal rock saws, I am very pleased with them. (16" and 18") The feed rate is automatically adjusted, so it feeds fast until it meets some resistance, then it slows the speed down based on the resistance vs the spring tension. I also love the clamp system on them, I am trying to figure out how to make one like it for my big saw. They are still being manufactured in Portland, but I think they make them on an as ordered basis. I did see a new one on ebay last week, and emailed the guy about some parts, and he said he could get me the parts I need. The guy who is selling them on ebay has very little feedback and is very slow to answer emails, so I cannot recommend him as of yet. I bought both of mine used, and so far I have less in both of my saws than your total allotted budget.
I haven't ever played with any fancy new saws, so I cannot give an opinion on any of those.
Good luck with whatever you get......................Tony
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 5, 2008 23:49:09 GMT -5
Looking for some advice from the experienced 'slabbers'. I'm saving up for my first slab saw and my budget will be a mere $1500 - thats what I told Cindy anyway. I've been looking closely at the Lortone LSS-14P Panther. I'd like to hear what others think of this saw and I'd also like your opinions on other saws of comparable price. I do this strictly as a hobby. I don't cab, but I do WF and tumble and make pendants. This would NOT be used as a production saw. Thanx in advance I have that saw. I have to say it cuts as smooth as butter. I never see any saw marks in my cuts. I wish I had a bigger saw (what saw would ever be big enough?). The clamp mechanism leaves a little to be desired but there should be no problem modifying it (I have some ideas). I really like this saw.
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 5, 2008 23:52:58 GMT -5
I was faced with the same decision some months ago. I was considering the Lortone Panther. After some research and feedback here I bought the 16" Covington for $1698. Bikerrandy has the same saw and he recommends it. My interest in the Lortone was the high cutting speed and was told that it can have problems. The Covington looks a lot sturdier. I haven't been able to setup and use my saw yet. Life sometimes gets in the way of rocks. Here are some remarks from someone who sells Covington: I am familiar with the Panther saw. The problem we, and others, have had with it is the feed rate is faster than most blades can handle. This results in bent blades, burned out motors and ruined rough. The blade that comes with the Panther works fine until it gets a little bit worn. Then, it slows down its cutting speed and jams when the vise continues to feed the rock into the blade faster than it can cut. In my experience working with one, it's a bad design. I gave it away to a friend who likes to tinker with things and modify equipment. Even he doesn't like the saw after investing a lot of time, money and modifications into it. I've had mine for 4 years now and have not experienced this. First I ever heard of it. In fact, if the feed was so fast as anyone might claim you would see saw marks. No? I never have. Maybe disaster is pending?
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 6, 2008 0:38:44 GMT -5
Lortone actually claims the feed is so fast. The say to use only the special Panther blade because the made the saw go so fast.
But, I imagint the exact viscosity of the oil, frequency of cleaning, proper clamping ... etc all lead to different results for folks
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 6, 2008 13:51:18 GMT -5
Lortone actually claims the feed is so fast. The say to use only the special Panther blade because the made the saw go so fast. But, I imagint the exact viscosity of the oil, frequency of cleaning, proper clamping ... etc all lead to different results for folks Thinking back my saw might be an LS-14 and not the LSS-14. I'll have to look. The new version have a higher feed rate. Mine cuts pretty damn slow. I guess I can clock the speed this weekend. It has to be the smoothest cut I have ever seen. I'm sure you all have seen slabs with the saw marks in them. My cuts look like you could almost start with a 600 wheel right from the saw. I dunno. I want an 18 inch or bigger, But I plan on making one my way cheaper.
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
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Post by Gem'n I on Jun 6, 2008 21:00:16 GMT -5
I also have an 18 Royal like Tony and it is a real Tank. They used to sell the inner workings as a kit but I have never seen anything advertised from them in a really long time. That could be an easy way to get into a good saw for a cheap price....all you would need is a sheet metal box to hold it.
Larry
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Jun 9, 2008 6:15:27 GMT -5
Thanx for the inputs everyone. Still haven't made any decisions. I'll continue my research and hopefully others will respond as well.
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Jun 11, 2008 17:57:34 GMT -5
I have made lots of cuts on my Covington 18" and my Lortone-LS10. The panther is a heavier duty model than the one I got, but mine was new in the box, sealed, for $325.00! I got my Covington 18" used for $500., just had to drive 5 hours roundtrip to pick it up. I wish I had a forklift along to help move it-HEAVY. It weighs 3 times what my buddies Lortone LS18 does and will run forever. I have had MANY saws over the years and either a Covington or Highland Park are the best made and most durable. Comments made about the feedrate of the Panther being fast are correct, you can fold a blade up quickly.
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 19, 2008 0:38:44 GMT -5
Thanx for the inputs everyone. Still haven't made any decisions. I'll continue my research and hopefully others will respond as well. My saw is the LSS-14. I love it. It cuts very smooth. I talked to lortone about speed issues mentioned here. He said it was a fast cutting saw. He indicated that a reduced speed feed motor could be used but was only necessary cutting very hard materials like Jade. I cut Brazilian agate occasionally, pet wood etc. and have never had any issues. Lortone said you need to dress the blades every 5 or 6 slabs. The built in dresser is easy to use and only needs a light touch for a few seconds. That's what I know about the Lortone LSS-14. HTH I'd like to build 24".
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