djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 16, 2016 17:47:05 GMT -5
Welcome from another Georgian (Milledgeville). I really do believe that RTH is the best rockin forum. Always helpful with advice, opinion and ready to point you in the right direction. Have fun!
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 16, 2016 17:42:40 GMT -5
Welcome, taryn, from a fellow Georgian! You will find a crowd of friendly, helpful folks here willing to assist you with advice and opinion. I've been on for a year and these rockers are my "go to" source for all things rock. Enjoy your time here! Don
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 11, 2016 17:18:21 GMT -5
You won't get the grit erosion from your diamond wheels, but its still worth a rinse off of your stone when moving to the next wheel. Spin them dry, keep oil off of them, and don't gouge them with sharp edges and they will last almost forever (or at least so long you won't remember what you paid for them when its time to replace them. Enjoy the grind after you break them in with a good piece of agate (to take off the high spots). Tom Thanks, Tom. I had not thought to rinse and spin them dry - will now! Don
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 10, 2016 20:55:44 GMT -5
Just WoW! Sure is beautiful. Thanks
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 10, 2016 18:59:35 GMT -5
My old Frantom only vibrated with a buffing head installed. It ran very smooth with lumpy old SC wheels. See how it runs with new wheels. Got the two new wheels installed last night. Worked with them for about an hour. Really do like these diamond galaxy wheels from jsgemslapidary.com/ . Much less vibration with these therefore it is quieter in the shop and BEST OF ALL no wheel sludge! As I continue up the learning curve with diamond wheels, I expect to have questions and am confident that you guys will supply the answers. Thanks again John and all who donated 2 cents!
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 7, 2016 19:06:12 GMT -5
Your work is beautiful as always. It gives me something to aim for. Thank you. Don
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 7, 2016 13:35:11 GMT -5
I love he bright orange / red moss the best. I have several "Mel Rios" that are similar. Beautiful. Also thanks for the sticker Brian. dj
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 7, 2016 8:19:02 GMT -5
I think it is the center of a small Laguna agate nodule. If not then possibly a small Moctezuma agate nodule. dj
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 6, 2016 23:03:55 GMT -5
Gotta love those colors!
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 6, 2016 22:54:19 GMT -5
But pretty: More to follow
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 5, 2016 14:37:55 GMT -5
How much of the 220 is left? Old safety rule was wear down to the label on side (leaves about a 6" wheel left). I've never tried mixing SC and diamond but guess it will work. Once you see how nice diamond cuts with no wheel sludge like SC you will likely save the SC wheel for blade dressing. I just boxed your order for 8" wheels but will answer anyway. You can put 6" wheels on any 8" machine as long as hoods cover adequately. Ive sold a few Titans minus wheels to pro cutters that install 6" wheels so they can work stones near bottom of wheels. Thanks for the order too. As you know from my order, I've decided to go with both diamond wheels. The thought of "no wheel sludge" is worth the switch! Thanks for your time and advice. I have noticed a vibration in the drive lately and if that continues, with the new wheels, I will look at the possibility of new bearings. Is that reasonable? The shaft is true and I don't recall any vibration when these wheels (Rio) were new. thanks, dj
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 4, 2016 13:07:14 GMT -5
You said it: The surprises are what makes cutting them fun.
I think that the surprises make the whole hobby fun. Thanks for sharing your cuts.
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 3, 2016 16:49:22 GMT -5
The Frantom combo came with a split drum on end and a big sponge to keep it wet. To put an expando on that end you would need to add a water supply and a pan and hood. I never got around to doing it to the one I had but it would be a complete unit that way. You really need two hard wheels to shape your stones. I lean toward 100 and 220 with the theory that 100 grinds a little slower than 80 but leaves less deep scratches so final shaping with 220 is faster. Since you have to remove a bearing to replace wheels best to install good hard wheels (like Diamond Pacific Galaxy)rather than cheapie bargain wheels. All will cut better and last longer than SC wheels. Thank much. I have he Frantom apart now and want to replace only the SiC 100 with Diamond Pacific Galaxy per your recommendation. Should not be a problem to replace one (100) and leave SiC 200 wheel till it wears out? Do you see any problems there? I want to get used to the Diamond and hate to waste the remains of the 200. In addition, any problems with going from 8" SiC to 6" diamond? Again, I really appreciate your advice and have put a DPG 100 in the cart. Will wait for your response. Don
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 2, 2016 17:29:59 GMT -5
I second Don's advice. I used SiC wheels when I was a kid. I remember concave surfaces! After I wore out my first plated diamond wheel, I bought a sintered wheel. I will probably never have to replace it. Lynn Thanks much, Lynn. Do you have a recommendation for where to find the best prices on sintered wheels? dj
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 2, 2016 17:25:43 GMT -5
Ditch the SC wheels and replace with hard diamond plated equivalents. If you have deep pockets, get sintered diamond wheels. What does the rest of your polishing setup look like? Thanks for your input! My Frantom Combo has a 10" blade for slabbing, one 100 grit SiC and one 200 grit SiC wheel. Past that I move to a home made grind/polisher. I use Stadea velcro backed 4" pads at 30 through 6000 grit, plus two buffing pads. I get pretty good results but am working on adding a polishing set up with polish/buff wheels. I also have a 6" trim saw - home made - that I bought cheap off eBay. Recommendations are welcome! Thanks again. dj
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 2, 2016 12:17:23 GMT -5
To the elders of the (RTH) tribe:
I have now gone through the second 100 Grit 8" SC wheel on my Frantom. I can not seem to stop gouging out the center so that it cups - concave. I have tried, especially on the current wheel, to keep the rock moving so that it is not in one place but so far the 100 g wheel and so some extent the 200 g wheel are high (and sharp) on the outer edges and concave in the center. It is frustrating because I think I am missing something about "how" to grind! Just don't know what I don't know.
I've considered a Tee shaped Diamond grinding wheel dresser. And just take off the outer sharp edges as they develop, but that seems wasteful. I hate waste, that's why I have so many boxes and cans of small scraps of stone left-overs, lol. (Wife doesn't lol : ( but tolerates my hoarding! I'm lucky.
Anyway, I am considering going to diamond wheels and just beginning to research the options. Soft / flex / hard / belts, etc....
All advice, opinion, help is GREATLY appreciated. Your input will give me direction to begin studying the choices and save me some time.
Thank you,
still a novice/tenderfoot
Don
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 1, 2016 18:40:42 GMT -5
I like the first one but that black plume is KNOCKOUT! Love it.
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Mar 1, 2016 10:35:34 GMT -5
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Feb 21, 2016 13:55:03 GMT -5
Signed - good idea.
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Feb 16, 2016 18:02:09 GMT -5
MK303C and Barranca 303C are same blades. Barranca label even has an MK logo on it now. They do say "oil use only" but they supply them with their water cooled saws. Just dry blade after use. They keep saying they will change it to "oil cooling preferred" as blade cores are high carbon tool steel so will rust if left in water. The Frantom should have two nubs on table with holes. The vise slides on a rod attached to those nubs. I bought the rod and bronze bushings for mine at ACE Hardware. The vise may be harder to find. Thank you. I do dry and spray the blade with WD40 after each use. Any chance you could post a photo of the vise. I have rods and bushings but you are right, the vise is the trick! Don
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