Couple questions about some saws I bought

[Don B.]

I wanted a small saw to do some trim cutting, and slicing smaller rocks, so I hit up a local auction yesterday. I gave myself a budget of $100. I was anxious to get a saw, so the first one I was bidding on was a Highland Park E4. It had no motor, the blade was shot, one of the mounts to hold the table to the pan is busted off, and the arbor didn't appear to spin freely. I was anxious to get a saw though, and wasn't sure what they would go for, so I bid on it anyways, and picked it up for $50. The second saw I bid on is a Highland Park 8TS. Overall, it looked in ok shape. The blade was also completely shot, but there was a new blade in the box that I don't think most people realized came with it. I ended up picking it up for $35. I got it home, switched out the blade, put some water in, and cut some rocks without having to do anything to it. So, my questions are...

1. I was anxious to get a saw, and I think I did good on the prices, but for as cheap as stuff was selling at the auction (A 16" slab saw went for $90), I am no longer sure that the prices I assumed stuff should sell far were right, or if the market for lapidary equipment in my area just sucks. I think $85 for just one saw was fine in my mind, and I got two for that price.

2. On the 8TS, the blade is extremely easy to replace. On the E4, it doesn't seem so easy. I assume I just loosen the locking collar, and slide the arbor out of the way a bit, and tilt the blade a bit to get it off, or is there something else I am missing that needs to be done?

--Don

[QuailRiver]

Lapidary equipment demand is greater in some areas of the country than others and that does effect the prices. But there is no question but that secondary market prices and sales are down everywhere. And not just on Lapidary equipment. My eBay new-old-stock surplus furniture and cabinet hardware sales are down to about 15-20% of what they were averaging six months ago and I have read several posts by other eBayers stating similar drops in their sales too. Markets fluctuate and I've noticed that there are drops in election years particularly.

Larry C.

[johnjsgems]

POst pictures and you will get more advise. Most trim saws you unbolt table to change blade. If nut on left, left hand thread.

[Fossilman]

Good buys...That 16" saw for $90.00 was a steal too!!!!

[roy]

all of those prices were a steal

[Don B.]

Sept 19, 2016 23:11:49 GMT -5 johnjsgems said:

POst pictures and you will get more advise. Most trim saws you unbolt table to change blade. If nut on left, left hand thread.

I will try to get some pictures later, but the arbor is connected to the bottom of the table on this old E4.

[Don B.]

Here is the E4







And here is the 8TS