meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Feb 22, 2015 22:52:14 GMT -5
I'm thinking about getting a cabbing machine. I'm interested in the smaller ones (Pixie, Cab King 6 or similar). If you have one or have a recommendation I would appreciate it. I'd like to know what you like and dislike about a particular machine. It would really help me make a decision.
Thanks, Andrea
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,634
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Post by QuailRiver on Feb 22, 2015 23:52:18 GMT -5
I wouldn't get the Pixie unless you only plan to cut small or soft stones. The 4" wheels will cut too slowly and wear out too quickly on larger cabs of hard materials. And the smaller radius of a 4" wheel will be slightly more difficult to get a smooth flat or convex surface on larger cabs than a larger diameter wheel will. Aside from that IMO the most significant differences between the "ready to use" 6" wheeled machines on the market is the quality of the grinding and sanding wheels. For a beginner the Diamond Pacific Galaxy wheels or the Crystalite Crystal Ring Wheels are very good. I prefer the resin and diamond coated soft wheels to Expando drums for sanding (though either will work). And as far as the soft wheels go I prefer the Diamond Pacific Nova Wheels to the Chinese Imported Soft Wheels. I don't know much about the quality of the motor on the Cab King but I believe I read something recently where even Baldor is importing their small motors now too so there may be no significant differences there. I prefer a clean water feed to a recirculating type unless there is some type of filtering system being used for the recirculated water. Aside from those things most of the other features just come down to personal preferences. Larry C.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 23, 2015 1:11:09 GMT -5
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Feb 23, 2015 2:55:33 GMT -5
I second Lee's recommendation of the Kingsley North all stailess cab machine. That is the machine that I chose when I got into making cabs. I had them upgrade the wheels to D/P Galaxi and Nova wheels. I can't compare it to any other because this is the only machine that I have ever owned. However it being all stainles steel made sense and the gravity fed water system also made sense ( no chance of contamination. Also it is made in the USA. Good luck Stu
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 23, 2015 9:45:06 GMT -5
ditto me too. I have that one, although I set up the wheels with two expando and some belts. Looking back, I would just get the standard kit.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Feb 23, 2015 10:27:58 GMT -5
QuailRiver Thanks for the great info. I'll stay away from the Pixie and I'll be sure to look into the Galaxy and Nova wheels. A clean water feed also makes sense. Rockoonz Thanks for the link. I didn't even know Kingsley North made a cabbing machine. unclestu It's good to know that the wheels can be upgraded. By doing so does it make the machine comparable to the Genie? The description says it comes with a 1/3 hp motor and a drip water system but the instruction manual says these are optional. I'm assuming it came with a motor and clean water system. Is that right? Also, I see that a light is available to order separately but I don't see a magnifier available like the one Diamond Pacific has. I think a magnifier might be helpful to me but maybe the one from DP could be used with it. Can you post pictures of a couple of cabs you have made with this setup? Thanks again, Andrea
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Feb 23, 2015 10:31:27 GMT -5
deb193redux Thanks, it sounds like all good reviews for the Kingsley North machine. That may be the best way to go. Thanks, Andrea
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 23, 2015 12:35:02 GMT -5
Not to be argumentative but the Kingsley unit (arbor assy.) is made in China and a copy of the Lortone unit. Made by same manufacturer as Cab King. As far as Baldor, they are still made in USA but company was bought by a European company a few years ago.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Feb 23, 2015 12:59:16 GMT -5
johnjsgems I've looked at your website and you have great prices. Which cabbing machine would you recommend? Thanks, Andrea
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 23, 2015 13:36:32 GMT -5
Depends on budget. The belt driven Kingsley units seem to work fine. The direct drive Cab King or Genie will have more power but I doubt a beginner would notice. The belt driven unit motor will cost a lot less to replace than either Cab King or Genie. I have a Genie myself and would not trade it for any other 6" machine. Maybe the Barranca Diamond GP6 6 Wheel but price is astronomical. I agree on the Diamond Pacific wheels. The Galaxy wheels are the best electroplated wheels and nobody can duplicate the Novas for performance or longevity.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,634
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Post by QuailRiver on Feb 23, 2015 14:59:46 GMT -5
Not to be argumentative but the Kingsley unit (arbor assy.) is made in China and a copy of the Lortone unit. Made by same manufacturer as Cab King. As far as Baldor, they are still made in USA but company was bought by a European company a few years ago. Sorry John but not all of their motors are made in the USA anymore. The world is changing. From their website: "These products are produced at 26 plants in the US, Canada, England, Mexico and China." I'm pretty sure I read somewhere else that Baldor's smaller fractional AC motors are made in Mexico and/or China now. Larry C. www.baldor.com/about/
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 23, 2015 15:11:48 GMT -5
Maybe that explains why the Baldors are having problems. I'll have to check the data plates and see.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Feb 23, 2015 15:21:47 GMT -5
Depends on budget. The belt driven Kingsley units seem to work fine. The direct drive Cab King or Genie will have more power but I doubt a beginner would notice. The belt driven unit motor will cost a lot less to replace than either Cab King or Genie. I have a Genie myself and would not trade it for any other 6" machine. Maybe the Barranca Diamond GP6 6 Wheel but price is astronomical. I agree on the Diamond Pacific wheels. The Galaxy wheels are the best electroplated wheels and nobody can duplicate the Novas for performance or longevity. Now you've go me leaning towards the Genie. Every time I try to learn about new things I end up more confused…lol. I'll figure it out eventually. Thanks, Andrea
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cccbock
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2011
Posts: 499
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Post by cccbock on Feb 23, 2015 15:22:20 GMT -5
build your own .........thats what I did......six wheeler......all diamond wheels......total cost was around 700 dollars as opposed to 1400 dollars for a new machine...........I am not a real good craftsman but I have some dandy cabs on my machine........I use a 4 inch tile saw for trimming .........
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Feb 23, 2015 15:32:48 GMT -5
build your own .........thats what I did......six wheeler......all diamond wheels......total cost was around 700 dollars as opposed to 1400 dollars for a new machine...........I am not a real good craftsman but I have some dandy cabs on my machine........I use a 4 inch tile saw for trimming ......… That's a good idea but I would have no clue how to build one. Andrea
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Post by Jugglerguy on Feb 23, 2015 15:36:41 GMT -5
Not to be argumentative but the Kingsley unit (arbor assy.) is made in China and a copy of the Lortone unit. Made by same manufacturer as Cab King. As far as Baldor, they are still made in USA but company was bought by a European company a few years ago. I'm confused. According to this page, Kingsley's arbors are made by Lortone. On the other hand, this arbor makes no mention of Lortone or being made in the USA. Are you saying that Kingsley has an exact replicas of Lortone's machines made in China, yet they still sell Lortone's machines too? If that's true, I can't believe that Lortone hasn't sued them and is still doing business with them.
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 23, 2015 15:39:01 GMT -5
Are the trays on the Genie metal or plastic?
Also, I don't like the spritzer on the Genie. Finally, you can change out a separate motor with no problem.
There are people who swear by Genie though.
The Kingsly package is convenient. But you can get the unit w/o wheels, buy the overhead plumbing (I think they have a kit), and then get the DP wheels. (Hard to beat the free shipping however.)
At this point it is a few bucks this way or that. Longer lasting wheels or not. The decision is not so critical. You cabs will depend more on how long you have to practice, how well you look at the rock, and the quality of rough you work.
Don't anguish or stress. None of the options you mention are bad choices.
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 23, 2015 15:45:22 GMT -5
Not to be argumentative but the Kingsley unit (arbor assy.) is made in China and a copy of the Lortone unit. Made by same manufacturer as Cab King. As far as Baldor, they are still made in USA but company was bought by a European company a few years ago. I'm confused. According to this page, Kingsley's arbors are made by Lortone. On the other hand, this arbor makes no mention of Lortone or being made in the USA. Are you saying that Kingsley has an exact replicas of Lortone's machines made in China, yet they still sell Lortone's machines too? If that's true, I can't believe that Lortone hasn't sued them and is still doing business with them. Not to put too fine a point on it but Lortone hardly has the patent on an arbor, some bearings, a drive pulley, and a metal shield/tray. That is the basic design of every belt driven machine. Lortone was one of the 1st to go stainless, but again no patent. Someone on another board has suggested that the spot welds and some of the clearances on the knockoff are not as good as Lortone. So I am not sure of "exact". But the generic is just not as surprising to me as it seems to you.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Feb 23, 2015 15:49:22 GMT -5
I just find it disappointing when one company just copies another. They could at least put their own twist or improvement on it. Those machines appear identical to me.
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 23, 2015 16:45:58 GMT -5
How many companies put their own twist on a kitchen blender? OR a shop vacuum? Does the LS18 not look almost exactly like 5 or 6 older brands of slab saw? They are not going for a designer award, but to deliver at a market point that will sell.
We don't object when Kingsly (or other large retailer) offers a "house" brand of saw blades, core drills, rotary tools, ... etc.
At the end of the day it is wheels on an arbor. The quality does make a difference, but the quality of the abrasives usually matters more.
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