New and very first cab machine/saw combo recommendations

[finegemdesigns]

You generally get what you pay for. My one complaint with Covington is with my 16" slab saw.

I bought the budget model instead of more expensive and the vise has aluminum instead of all steel components. This meant that after a few years some of the aluminum parts had wear so bad I had to retrofit the unit.

My Lortone LS-10 also had a similar problem with aluminum vise parts.

My Covington 4 wheel grinding unit is awesome though and no problems at all for many years of use.

I understand the space issue since when I started in my 20's I lived in a studio apartment and slept in my living room. My lapidary setup was on my kitchen table. But even then I still had a separate trim saw and grinding setup. But my grinding was done on a used Prismatic 8" faceting machine not vertical wheels.

This was back when I was cutting quartz handpieces for the metaphysical market.

[Fegbri]

Thanks all!! I think I am just going to jump in with the Covington.

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Yeah, Covington is a brand you should be quite happy with. Given the space limitations you mentioned later in this thread it should be an excellent choice. Like Fine Gem Designs mentions, though, separate saw and grinder units are desirable if you can fit them in.

Later on, when you have more space - and will probably have acquired larger rough - you can always pick up a larger saw. I started with an Inland "All-In-Wonder" due to space limitations, so I know how that is.