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[Royhall]

Hello, I have been using an Inland all in wonder for a bit now(but still new) and have saved up some money for a cabbing machine and a saw, while I found lots of info on various cabbing machines I have found little information on trim/slab saw units.
I was hoping to get a 10 inch trim saw, while looking at those I saw some with power and gravity feeds and covers which would seem to indicate they can do small slabbing work.

I was looking at Lortone, Covington, diamond pacific, etc.  So far the Covington 10 inch Trim Saw seems to be able to take the largest slab rock about 3 5/8 inch rough.
These wold likely mostly be used for trim but occasional small slab.  My space is limited so at this time I cannot get separate trim and slab saws but I hope to in the future.
Questions;
Would the above Covington be a good choice, and am I missing any candidates?
Are there any tricks to using these?

[jakesrocks]

If you could find an older, 1980's or earlier Covington saw I'd say go for it. But I've been hearing a lot of bad talk about the newer saws. I have an early Covington 10" with power feed that I bought 2nd or 3rd hand back in the 90's. It's still going strong. Back when mine was built, the power feed had an American made motor & gearing. The new saws have Chinese made motors & gearing which don't seem to last. Even the older saws used a 2 part sump which can be a real pain to clean out. The older saws had a higher rim around the table which helped to contain the cutting oil. Covington lowered the rim on the newer saws, and I'm told that they leak oil.

If I was going to buy a new 10" saw, I'd look at the remake of the old Highland Park saws.

[johnjsgems]

I sell the Covington saws (and others) and hear hard to clean and finicky clutch.  Most of the clutch problems go away with a good 301 MK/BD blade replacement.  I do here oil leaks but don't know if it is from overfilling.  If you must have a power feed the Covington is probably a good value for the money.  Made in USA.  They use all Dayton motors or did but they can be from anywhere.  If you don't need a power feed I'll plug my "Cut Above" saw (formerly Gy-Roc Preformer).  Lowest priced 10" saw and tallest cut at 4".  Top quality or economy blade choice.