bendsum
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 140
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Post by bendsum on Jul 5, 2009 0:33:25 GMT -5
Hello everyone i have been a lurker for awhile and thought it time to post i am lookin to get a saw for cuttin slabs (I am a flintknapper) and was wondering what size wold you recomend? i have a workforce frome homedepot but its just knot doin what i need as far as slabs. i was looking at this and was wonderin if its a good deal www.cabbingmachines.com/ten-inch_saws.shtml also can anyone set me up with plans for a grider?
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Jul 5, 2009 0:39:46 GMT -5
Covington makes good saws, but for the money I would recommend finding a saw with cross feed as well as auto feed. It's my personal preference though. Also for the amount of money that new saw costs you could find a good used 18 inch for the same money and would be perfect for what you need.
Jason
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Post by deb193redux on Jul 5, 2009 11:06:25 GMT -5
I thought I saw cross-feed listed. Was not sure if it was slide or crank though.
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Jul 5, 2009 11:53:30 GMT -5
The Covington does have a cross feed,you loosen a knob on the vise vise and adjust with a knob for slab thickness.It's a good saw and will cut a rock up to about three and a half inches.Johnsgems will give you a good price on one.
I have my cabbing machine posted in homemade equipment,it can give you some ideas on how to build a really simple grinder.
Mike
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Post by stonesthatrock on Jul 6, 2009 13:08:35 GMT -5
that looks like a good saw, but ralph and i really don't like that kind of vise. To us it was hard to work with. mary ann
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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 Jul 8, 2009 17:02:25 GMT -5
Unless you are dieing for a slab saw, I would hold off and look around! I got my 18" Covington for $500. with a spare blade used and my Lortone 10" NEW for $300. The Covington is a massive beast but well worth the price. The previous owner used it to slice obsidian to supply knappers in an area a few hundred miles away. It has seen a lot of use, but I expect my kids will sell it when I kick the bucket. This may sound morbid, but keep your eyes open for estate sales and auctions. Check Craig's List regularly. Keep your eyes open on the sell lists here and at dirtyrockhounds.com for bargains. I see MANY great saws go for less than $800 that will handle much bigger rocks. If you could get the saw for $350 I would say jump on it in a minute, just expensive new. MY opinion from 20 years in the hobby. Look for Covington, Highland Park, Star Diamond, Raytech or Frantom for a great saw!
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bendsum
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 140
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Post by bendsum on Jul 8, 2009 20:30:53 GMT -5
im whatchin a 18" homemade saw on ebay if the price stays where its at i will be happy
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Jul 8, 2009 22:54:50 GMT -5
My budget was limited so I looked around for larger Tile saws. I finally found a 10" MK tile saw (on Craig's list) with a stand on wheels that lock ( which used to be a dog grooming table with adjustable height) It also had an exta motor. Got the whole thing for $250. It works just fine for now. Good luck!
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Jul 20, 2009 20:22:15 GMT -5
Keep in mind that a large saw uses a large and very expensive blade. It uses lots of oil and weighs a ton. If it's used you havve a massive, dirty, unwarranted machine to haul home yourself, a vehicle to cleqn out afterward if you're not really lucky, and a hernia to have repauired. Shipping is horribly expensive (hundreds) for some of these brutes. For a knapper, a small saw would work fine. Good ones at a good price are rare in much of the country. In prime rochounding areas there are many more used saws for sale and you can save on shipping if you live nearby. John at JSGems.com can match this price and his service is terrific. If I boughty a 10" saw today, it would be this Covington, no doubt about it. I've researched mysellf and It seems the best made for the money. the new Lortone mentioned is without ANYTHING in the way of accessories- I think the hood is extra, maybe the motor, and it isn't as sturdy. Some Lortone saws run at very high feed rates and are reputed to be brutal on your expensive blades. Good luck with the huunt.
Mark H.
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