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[Agatebrain]

I'm in dire need of a real slab saw and despite the challenges of space in my garage, I think I could fit a medium sized saw on my work bench.  I've pondered the market and considered several manufacturers.  Just tonight found a 16" auto feed by covington Engineering that appears affordable, albeit 5mos backlogged.  Any saw under 5k I. This diameter must have a glaring corner cut, but I don't have the experience to know where that manifests.  Anyone had any experience with this or other covington saws?  I'm inclined  to like them based on being made in my region, and happy with my ameritool flatap by them.  Here's the saw I'm lookin at...


https://kingsleynorth.com/16-combination-slab-saw-complete-covington-engineering-1172cs.html

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Welcome.

I'm not sure what the "corner cut" in your post refers to. I've heard from a couple of people who've had trouble with clutch adjustments on some Covington saws. Perhaps their level of mechanical aptitude didn't allow them to avoid the problems?

You didn't mention the general area where you live. if you're in an area where used saws are available you might consider that option.

[Agatebrain]

I agree with the insight, a used 12" Lortone slipped through my fingers recently, I've only been in the hunt for a few months, and I would drive a few hundred miles for the right deal if I saw it, particularly if there were agates to pick along the way.  MT doesnt see a whole lot in the used lapidary equipment sector, but if anyone here knows of a resource around here like cigar box saws, that place is awesome!  My only frame of reference is several of the local agate hounds posting on YouTube are slabbing with covington saws, and feeding many a large agate with gusto, which is mostly what I have to cut.  All I know is I spend way too much time taking saw marks out of the slabs I cut on my cheap 7" tile saw.  Appreciate everyone's insights on this and the other posts on this forum.  Have already learned a lot. 

[55fossil]

    I have a 24 inch Covington slab saw that I really like. The saw is fine but finding quality blades has been a nightmare. I discussed this with one of the big wigs at the Covington store in Meridian, Idaho. He said there has been an issue with saw blades during the Covid era, but I am pretty pleased with the saw. I purchased some of the saw sharpening blocks and frequently sharpen the blade to keep my cuts good and get the sharp corners when I cube a block of jasper.
     Do you want a good saw or a project? Used saws have gotten so expensive and parts are super hard to come buys. I have an 18 inch Frantom I rebuilt and you have to search for every piece and wait for the boat to come in. If you want to cut soon I would try and find a new saw... and you will have to wait for that too. best of luck finding that saw.

[lithicbeads]

Even quality tile saws are unavailable. covington may be assembled in the US but obviously their supply chain is not US just like everyone else.

[bilquest]

Have you considered Highland Park?  They have re-engineered the Lortone LS-12 (theirs is model HT-12) and It's reasonably priced (<2K).  From the last spam mail I got from them, they are currently in stock.  Free shipping too!

[Agatebrain]

Just took another lecherous look at HP.  they seem more compact and not as deep, which might be a disadvantage on a longer piece of rough if I should be so lucky, most the bigger agates I have waiting to cut are 7-8" Dia and round, though I have a few longer pieces of pet wood that would be nice to face.   HP might fit my workspace more reasonably.  I like how the oil drain is on the side corner and not the bottom.  I agree with earlier feedback, unless it's a good condition used saw, I don't really need a project saw, takes me long enough to finish a pendant. Has anyone posted a video on how to raise your blade on shims to get a taller cut? Thanks all for your suggestions.  Trying not to make an impulsive investment on such a large piece of equipment is hard.  It's funny how just last year when I bought my lap, I was adverse to the notion that this hobby would pull me into these larger investments...

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Ain't that how it goes... . The "larger investments" part, that is.

Good to hear you're enjoying what you're doing well enough to want to acquire more equipment.

[R.U. Sirius]

Yep, the "almost there" and the "sunk cost"... it adds up quickly, and not very predictably. From parts needed to refurbish the old "cheap" equipment, to consumables such as new blades and wheels and compounds, to shelving and that awesome book on jaspers or agates, to inevitable errors getting items that actually will never fit or work in your setup.

And rough, lots of rough.

It is often said that, besides silicosis and abrasions and electrocution, one very real risk of this hobby is... going broke.

So, while I cannot offer first-hand advice when it comes to Covington saws, I hope the above is as useful as it is obvious in hindsight. Pick your battles, and only one or few at a time.

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Yeah. That last bit is "seriously" good advice.

It's sad that not so many years ago one could buy a functional shop full of used equipment for what a slab saw costs now.

[irockhound]

Yep prices are going way too high!  I won't get into the slab and rough prices this year at Quartzsite as it is killing the entry level people.  About the equipment though I agree that buying used is still a great way to build the shop.  I just picked up an almost brand new Genie for 500. and 2 years ago got a used Genie in great condition with a ton of spare wheels for 400.   Saws are probably just as easy.  My brother was a fool and at his recent auction sold his 2 rock saws with no reserve so they both went for $1.00 a piece.  Deals are out there.

[Agatebrain]

As a followup, I went for the HP HT-14.  With only the crappy tile saw I previously was cutting with for contrast, I'm loving this machine.  Took a little time to get belt tension just right, but now it's running pretty nicely.   Hard to believe all the things I can now do when I have a slab humming away, it's like Christmas morning everytime I hear my piece drop at the end of the cut.  I learned pretty quick that I needed to superglue my rough to 2x4 scraps to get the most out of a piece.  As a general question- I am getting a fair bit of oil vapor escaping along the hinge and sides and wondering if that's common with HPs and what folks remedy that with.  Its almost nice enough to open up the window and stick a fan in to try and suck out the vapor, but was curious what types of shop dust/oil collection systems everyone uses if at all. 

[peruano]

Congratulations on the HP saw purchase.  If you are getting lots of mist you probably have too much oil in the tank. Having the oil come up on the bottom of the blade 1/4" or so is plenty. My gauge is whether oil is regularly dripping (not necessarily a constant flow) off of the front of the blade guard when the saw is running.  Some folks use Antil-Smoke additives (a bit in the oil) to reduce misting but not necessary in my eyes.  I'm partial to wood glue for holding stones on wooden stubs.  I use the regular (not waterproof) glue, let the glue dry overnight at room temperature and saw away.  Wood glue is brittle at cold temps so heat your shop or store them in the house until you are ready to saw if its winter.  Removal is just a matter of sawing the wood stub reasonably thin behind the last rock slab and soaking it in water overnight.  The wafer of wood will float off or scrape away with little effort. 
BTW I have the old style HP 14 and while I have not tried it, my measurements suggest that a 16" blade would fit on it.
Happy sawing!