jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Feb 19, 2022 13:13:40 GMT -5
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 19, 2022 22:22:27 GMT -5
Those Vikings were big bucks for 1967.
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LazerFlash
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The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
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Post by LazerFlash on Feb 19, 2022 22:40:56 GMT -5
Wow! How loud would those metal barrels on that Little Gem be? denversue wouldn't have fun with one of those.
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quartzilla
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Post by quartzilla on Feb 19, 2022 22:44:55 GMT -5
The Viking Vibra Sonic look like the precursor to the Diamond Pacific sonic tumblers. The Slik Super De Lux looks pretty cheesy.
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LazerFlash
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The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
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Post by LazerFlash on Feb 19, 2022 22:46:09 GMT -5
Those Vikings were big bucks for 1967. None of them were inexpensive compared to today's dollar. $29.50 back then would equate to around $250 today!
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LazerFlash
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The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
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Post by LazerFlash on Feb 19, 2022 22:47:43 GMT -5
The Slik Super De Lux looks pretty cheesy. With a 7 pound capacity, it would fall over if the user didn't secure it to something.
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quartzilla
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Post by quartzilla on Feb 19, 2022 23:07:47 GMT -5
The Slik Super De Lux looks pretty cheesy. With a 7 pound capacity, it would fall over if the user didn't secure it to something. Lol that was my first thought too! Even the motor and pulley assembly looks pretty Mickey Mouse. I guess that’s why you still occasionally see old Gem Star and Loretones still spinning today and not those contraptions. Somewhere I have a old Gems And Minerals magazine that has a ad for what looks like a poor mans quad that looks like someone made in their garage and is touted as the ultimate in reliability for rough terrain when rock hunting. If I run across it I will post a pic. It’s funky as hell.
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quartzilla
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Post by quartzilla on Feb 20, 2022 8:53:37 GMT -5
Well I can’t find the add with the crazy atv but I ran across this!
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 20, 2022 10:32:07 GMT -5
Friend of ours probably still has a Viking VT-12. It only has one of the small barrels and the large barrel. May be why it didn't sell.
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Post by perkins17 on Feb 20, 2022 11:35:04 GMT -5
quartzilla, I would like to order the $28 8 inch trim saw please! It's funny to look back on old prices! There was recently a viking for $1200 dollars here so prices have gone up "a little"!
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 20, 2022 14:54:44 GMT -5
quartzilla , I would like to order the $28 8 inch trim saw please! It's funny to look back on old prices! There was recently a viking for $1200 dollars here so prices have gone up "a little"! Based on the purchasing power of the dollar then and now, there's not a lot of difference in the "affordability gap." Relentless inflation has devalued the dollar over the years. The difference between wages then and now plus a devalued dollar only creates the illusion that things were "cheap" back then. They weren't.
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Post by perkins17 on Feb 20, 2022 15:15:40 GMT -5
quartzilla , I would like to order the $28 8 inch trim saw please! It's funny to look back on old prices! There was recently a viking for $1200 dollars here so prices have gone up "a little"! Based on the purchasing power of the dollar then and now, there's not a lot of difference in the "affordability gap." Relentless inflation has devalued the dollar over the years. The difference between wages then and now plus a devalued dollar only creates the illusion that things were "cheap" back then. They weren't. You're definitely right about that. Inflation is a monster these days. I wonder if things will ever go back to the way they were.
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LazerFlash
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The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
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Post by LazerFlash on Feb 20, 2022 15:17:39 GMT -5
Based on the purchasing power of the dollar then and now, there's not a lot of difference in the "affordability gap." Relentless inflation has devalued the dollar over the years. The difference between wages then and now plus a devalued dollar only creates the illusion that things were "cheap" back then. They weren't. Eh, maybe, maybe not... The brand-new house in a bedroom community of NYC that my parents bought direct from the builder in 1967 cost them a mere $24,500. A house of the same model on a smaller lot in the same community recently sold for $600,000. Inflation only would equate the $24,500 to ~$205,000. So, where does the extra $400K come from - for a 50+ year old house? I guess perhaps what the real estate wonks say is true... Location, location, location. Or, is it a lot more complicated than that?
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Feb 20, 2022 16:28:42 GMT -5
Based on the purchasing power of the dollar then and now, there's not a lot of difference in the "affordability gap." Relentless inflation has devalued the dollar over the years. The difference between wages then and now plus a devalued dollar only creates the illusion that things were "cheap" back then. They weren't. Eh, maybe, maybe not... The brand-new house in a bedroom community of NYC that my parents bought direct from the builder in 1967 cost them a mere $24,500. A house of the same model on a smaller lot in the same community recently sold for $600,000. Inflation only would equate the $24,500 to ~$205,000. So, where does the extra $400K come from - for a 50+ year old house? I guess perhaps what the real estate wonks say is true... Location, location, location. Or, is it a lot more complicated than that?
I'm neither an economist nor a real estate expert. I base my comments on personal experience trying to save up enough cash to buy lapidary equipment long ago. My first slab saw, a Highland Park 14", cost a hard-to-believe $200 or so then. It took me more than a year to squirrel away that amount on my $80-a-week salary. It cut heavily into my beer budget.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 20, 2022 19:48:02 GMT -5
Based on the purchasing power of the dollar then and now, there's not a lot of difference in the "affordability gap." Relentless inflation has devalued the dollar over the years. The difference between wages then and now plus a devalued dollar only creates the illusion that things were "cheap" back then. They weren't. Eh, maybe, maybe not... The brand-new house in a bedroom community of NYC that my parents bought direct from the builder in 1967 cost them a mere $24,500. A house of the same model on a smaller lot in the same community recently sold for $600,000. Inflation only would equate the $24,500 to ~$205,000. So, where does the extra $400K come from - for a 50+ year old house? I guess perhaps what the real estate wonks say is true... Location, location, location. Or, is it a lot more complicated than that?
It's more complicated than that. Supply and demand is driving prices up right now. We have a plethora of buyers due to people fleeing certain states and basically no inventory. In my county, the population is approximately 245,080. We are the 5th largest county in AZ. As of this minute, we have an inventory of 294 active listings on the market. This number includes every housing category - Site Built, Manufactured, Condo, Townhouse and Patio homes. 215 of them are site built and 73 are manufactured homes. When there is little inventory and an overabundance of buyers offering on the same piece of property, the prices go up. In the last 2 years, prices have gone way up because of folks leaving their cities and towns, mostly from the big cities to other states. Arizona has been one of those states that people are moving to. Phoenix has exploded. There are plenty of other states that are experiencing the same thing. You're lucky to find a site built home in my area over 1,200 sq. ft. for under $400K. Brand new manufactured homes that are being put up by investors are selling for $350K and up and you may or may not have a well that produces enough water. It's stupid crazy. People who own their homes are sitting tight here, mostly because they probably couldn't afford what another home would cost were they to sell theirs. Everyone is between a rock and a hard place right now. With inflation going full steam ahead and everyone's dollar buying them less, it's difficult for the lower and middle income folks to even think about buying a new home. Oh yeah, and interest rates are already going up, but the Fed is going to increase rates in March, maybe twice. Even though rates will still be under the historically "normal" 6-7% range, more buyers are emerging to beat the rising rates with extremely low inventory. That's not going to help, either. ETA: I am a licensed realtor in the state of Arizona.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Feb 21, 2022 5:35:21 GMT -5
Eh, maybe, maybe not... The brand-new house in a bedroom community of NYC that my parents bought direct from the builder in 1967 cost them a mere $24,500. A house of the same model on a smaller lot in the same community recently sold for $600,000. Inflation only would equate the $24,500 to ~$205,000. So, where does the extra $400K come from - for a 50+ year old house? I guess perhaps what the real estate wonks say is true... Location, location, location. Or, is it a lot more complicated than that?
It's more complicated than that. Supply and demand is driving prices up right now. We have a plethora of buyers due to people fleeing certain states and basically no inventory. In my county, the population is approximately 245,080. We are the 5th largest county in AZ. As of this minute, we have an inventory of 294 active listings on the market. This number includes every housing category - Site Built, Manufactured, Condo, Townhouse and Patio homes. 215 of them are site built and 73 are manufactured homes. When there is little inventory and an overabundance of buyers offering on the same piece of property, the prices go up. In the last 2 years, prices have gone way up because of folks leaving their cities and towns, mostly from the big cities to other states. Arizona has been one of those states that people are moving to. Phoenix has exploded. There are plenty of other states that are experiencing the same thing. You're lucky to find a site built home in my area over 1,200 sq. ft. for under $400K. Brand new manufactured homes that are being put up by investors are selling for $350K and up and you may or may not have a well that produces enough water. It's stupid crazy. People who own their homes are sitting tight here, mostly because they probably couldn't afford what another home would cost were they to sell theirs. Everyone is between a rock and a hard place right now. With inflation going full steam ahead and everyone's dollar buying them less, it's difficult for the lower and middle income folks to even think about buying a new home. Oh yeah, and interest rates are already going up, but the Fed is going to increase rates in March, maybe twice. Even though rates will still be under the historically "normal" 6-7% range, more buyers are emerging to beat the rising rates with extremely low inventory. That's not going to help, either. ETA: I am a licensed realtor in the state of Arizona. You should be in the right business. Robin I bought 5 acres in a scenic and remote area of the North Georgia mountains about 4 years ago. I rented heavy equipment and cleared/graded for a cabin, put in roads and gravel, septic tank. Basically did what I could do by myself. Started looking for builders, that is where the problem began. There is a 2 year backlog and they want $200/sqft for a conservative build ! No contractors from the city wants to make the trip up there due to the 100+ switchbacks on the mountain roads. I'm stuck. And land/lots are still selling as fast as they are listed. My lot has almost quadrupled in value. Looks like I will sell it and make out fine. May take proceeds and buy a fixer upper. I had looked at a larger piece of land back in 2017 that could have been divided off the road frontage into 5 lots. Dang it, could have made a big chunk on that one but have retired from the property leverage game. Hind sight fore sight... They also raised the standards of their building codes about 3 times higher than needed. Squeezing out lower income buyers. They are wanting that big $$$. And the building inspector likes to turn his nose up at construction done by outside contractors. It has become a racket. For instance they only allowed 2 homes to be built on slabs in 2020, they insist on poured wall foundations. And insist on central heat and air. No right to heat with only a wood stove ? That is the beauty of being in the Smokies ! I can not see eye to eye with their controls. I left $4000 on the table when I abandoned the architect's plans. You are so right. People are moving away from the city. I guess Covid gave them a bad taste along with the shortages. I need to sell before the interest rate attack is in place ! Thanks for the heads up. ETA Backwoods central Florida is being bought up by Californians. They seem discouraged by the politics in their home state. Looking for a more conservative quiet environment. Well they found the right place to go !
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Feb 21, 2022 5:57:01 GMT -5
Well I can’t find the add with the crazy atv but I ran across this! This tumbler has a similar barrel to the unit you posted on the left quartzilla. The drum is 20 inches in diameter and holds 50 pounds. Even at 12 rpm it beat rocks to hell and back even when running thick slurry. Maybe it was the sharp outside edge or the large diameter...did ok with all small rocks. Not impressed with this shape. I wonder how that one worked out. I will say that most of the rock saws we have today were designed back in the 60's or earlier right here in the USA. Good designs. There must be 20 ads for different rock saws in that 1967 magazine.
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Post by 1dave on Feb 21, 2022 6:36:49 GMT -5
Try my new design. Your grand children can start a batch and have it done as a retirement gift!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Feb 21, 2022 6:41:57 GMT -5
Maybe my wife would volunteer on a larger version 1dave !
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 21, 2022 8:40:04 GMT -5
Maybe my wife would volunteer on a larger version 1dave ! Shame on you, James!
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