nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Mar 23, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Howdy all! I am on the hunt for some fossilized wood, still in the rough. Enough to fill a shoebox or more. Medium to larger pieces would be great. If you could post some pics / price / shipping cost (I'm in Henderson NV 89011) , hopefully we can make a deal. If you prefer you can send me a message instead of posting, but if you post and I don't buy it maybe someone else will? then it's a win win, lol. Thanks for your time .
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Feb 2, 2017 23:47:34 GMT -5
Nice work!
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Feb 1, 2017 22:37:45 GMT -5
All of yall are too kind. I do thank you for the kind words
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Feb 1, 2017 15:31:58 GMT -5
Thank you, I would had to remove a lot from the face of it to bring it back to even on the front.
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Feb 1, 2017 15:19:41 GMT -5
Howdy all, I just finished my first necklace (first is the since that I was paid to make, lol). He wanted a unique gift for his wife's upcoming birthday. We talk about what she like's and decided on a 18" 4mm silver rope necklace with 3 birthstones ( Amethyst for her, Amethyst for child 1, and Peridot for child 2). And since she is an avid collector of heart shaped rocks, he wanted her stone to be heart shaped. Only ran into one problem when making the heart, an inclusion surfaced in the front and caused a small pocket. Rather than regrinding and losing a lot of the stone I cleaned out the void and embedded a very small faceted ruby. He was happy with the results and he said she loves it. I know I have a long way to go to be on pare with everyone else here, but I am enjoying the path to get there. Hope yall like it.
Here is the stone that will become the heart
Preformed and prepolished
Polished with ruby embedded
And the finished piece
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 24, 2016 0:49:52 GMT -5
If a great deal on a cabbing grinder/polisher pops up, but I will most likely be building my own.
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 23, 2016 15:12:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up on it, but I'm down in Henderson (Las Vegas area) NV. And it look's like they got a nibble from a guy 10 miles away already.
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 13, 2016 2:04:06 GMT -5
I'm thinking along the lines of a 1" OD shaft 36" L with the pulley for the belt/motor centered with 4 pillow block solid mounted bearings ( 1 for each end and 1 on each side of pulley) When it comes time to replace a wheel it will just be a matter of loosening the set screws and the whole shaft should slide out. From experience I offer this advice then I'll shut up about it. Skip the end bearings- you don't need them. It seems as easy as loosening set screws and moving the shaft but it's never that easy after water and wear have done their business. Why do it if you don't have to? I have a home built unit - 1" shaft 36" long with centered pully and two bearing blocks approx. 8" apart - and it purrs like a kitten. Lol, no need to "shut up about it", do you happen to have a pic of your build? The more visuals I have the better I build. I originally thought of doing 2 but saw some people had wobble and figured I would err on the side of caution
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 13, 2016 1:45:11 GMT -5
I use exclusively Nova wheels and my *opinion* is the cost different between the 6" and the 8" just isn't worth it - plus I have bad luck with the 8" delaminating in the middle. Nobody else seems to have this problem so it must just be me being heavy handed. Anyway, the 8" wheels delaminate and the 6" don't and are $50 less so I put up with the smaller width. Regarding machines - it has been said already but watch Craigslist. I see wheel units all the time for $500 and less. Most are the awkward outside pulley design which are a PITA to take apart and change wheels. I'm sure someone will disagree with me because they are set in their ways but trust me - if you have a chance to buy or build a center pulley setup do it and you won't regret it. Also - if you're on Facebook I see machines come up all the time on the Lapidary Equipment Marketplace. Bluesky78987 good to see you posting Just checked out your link to FB and asked to join, your right, they do have lots of items for sale, yippee, lol
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 13, 2016 1:28:00 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for replying. I will most likely build my own set up (unless a super deal on a good used one falls in my lap, lol). It seems to me the most important part is the wheels and that is where I will put the most money. Building the holder, trays, and mounts won't be much of a bother and I enjoy building as much as I enjoy creating. I'm thinking along the lines of a 1" OD shaft 36" L with the pulley for the belt/motor centered with 4 pillow block solid mounted bearings ( 1 for each end and 1 on each side of pulley) , 3 or 4 wheels each side. I usually overbuild stuff but I know it will last a long time. When it comes time to replace a wheel it will just be a matter of loosening the set screws and the whole shaft should slide out. Even with me living in the desert I believe I will still go with stainless steel on the shaft just in case. The mounts will be outside the wet areas so they should be safe. I've already made in the past a flat lap machine so I won't need any additions to the ends. Each wheel will have a water line with individual controls. I will be looking up each of yalls suggestions on the wheels, thank you all for the support.
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 12, 2016 0:01:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. After looking at several of the prebuilt systems I figured my best bet will be to build the machine myself but am now trying to see what would be the best wheels to plan my build around. There are so many different style of wheels ( ie. soft, hard, expanding, solid, 6", 8") , so now I am asking what wheels would work best. Thanks for the advice
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 11, 2016 23:32:56 GMT -5
After seeing on here the self built cab machines I think I will rephrase my question, What set of wheels are more recommended? 6" or 8" ---pros and cons of each verses price?
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Dec 11, 2016 21:41:57 GMT -5
Howdy all, what would yall suggest as a decent cabbing machine? (model number and maker) I am looking at adding one to my arsenal of tools but figured I would ask the pro's here for advice on what machines to look into and perhaps some to stay away from. Hoping for it to be in the under $500 bracket. Thanks for any tips
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Sept 16, 2016 18:44:32 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for the advice. I went to the manufactures web site and have ordered and received MK-303 7 x .030 x 5/8 for $56 ($5 shipping). On their website they say their MK-301 Gemking needs oil cooling and the MK-303 Professional " Designed for use with a water soluble coolant". Thanks for the thumbs up on my use of the wooden hand screw clamps. I knew I wanted something that could safely hold the stones (without crushing them) but have a flat surface to be able to "slide" it through the blade. It made cutting a lot less stressful and if I had to step away for a minute I knew I could continue cutting without throwing the "cut" off. I am now just waiting on the Pulse Width Modulator to show up. Once I have that installed, hopefully, I will be able to get back to slicing up some stones.
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Sept 13, 2016 21:56:15 GMT -5
Unless you slowed the arbor speed down on your tile saw you don't want to use a lapidary blade. A 7 inch 303 should run between about 1600 and 1800 RPM. A MK 225 hot dog blade will probably suit you better at about half the price if you shop. I see what your saying about arbor speed. This motor turns a 7" blade at 3300 rpms and can cause it to glaze over (researched it after you brought it up) so I am thinking of using an AC 0-220V 50A Pulse Width Modulator PWM Electric Motor Speed Controller Max 10000W and that should slow the rpms (without any damage to motor) to about 1650 rpms and even slower if I needed to. Would this be a correct assumption?
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Sept 13, 2016 21:49:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I have raised the "arm" up high enough for me to see the blade as it goes through the rock, it got slow even on thin pieces
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Sept 12, 2016 22:24:27 GMT -5
Thank you for the info
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Sept 12, 2016 21:25:05 GMT -5
Thank you very much for the advise, I will check them out.
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Sept 11, 2016 20:41:13 GMT -5
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Jan 5, 2015 20:32:18 GMT -5
Just got them in today, all I can say is WOW!!!! Super Sized!! I am going to have to design something nice to make out of these pieces. Thank you so much
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