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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 17, 2022 19:21:48 GMT -5
I'm sure this question has been asked a hundred times, but IF someone had extra material for cabs, and IF next years tax return is still a thing, and IF I ever get sick of tumbling...
What would be a good bare bones starting point?
Is there anything in the $200-300 range?
I'd shop around but you guys are the experts, so I'm being a little lazy about it tbh...
I don't have the room or the cash for a full on setup, it's just not in the cards right now, but my collection of other material is starting to add up.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 17, 2022 19:28:10 GMT -5
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 17, 2022 19:33:05 GMT -5
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penguinrocks
starting to shine!
Member since August 2022
Posts: 36
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Post by penguinrocks on Nov 17, 2022 19:42:19 GMT -5
I'm curious to know what's the biggest drawback in using a slanted lap like this vs. cabbing wheels? I'm still really new at cabbing and I've only ever used the wheels at my local club, but they're only open two days a week and I usually have to work one of those days. Thinking it might be nice to have an option to do a bit at home, but I'm also on a budget..... |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,536
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 17, 2022 19:47:07 GMT -5
I can’t speak on other options because I was fortunate enough to start on the wheels. But…. If you put some money away, you can find good deals on lapidary machines on Craigslist. In my area, there is a genie going for $1000, and I’d be willing to bet you can talk them down more if you find one in your area. I have seen them as low as $700 on Craigslist in the past.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 17, 2022 19:52:08 GMT -5
I can’t speak on other options because I was fortunate enough to start on the wheels. But…. If you put some money away, you can find good deals on lapidary machines on Craigslist. In my area, there is a genie going for $1000, and I’d be willing to bet you can talk them down more if you find one in your area. I have seen them as low as $700 on Craigslist in the past. Not around here! Doh! It's hard to get used lapidary equipment unless you are out West. But, I agree that would be the best way to go. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 17, 2022 19:53:40 GMT -5
I'm curious to know what's the biggest drawback in using a slanted lap like this vs. cabbing wheels? I'm still really new at cabbing and I've only ever used the wheels at my local club, but they're only open two days a week and I usually have to work one of those days. Thinking it might be nice to have an option to do a bit at home, but I'm also on a budget..... It takes much longer to cab on a flat lap and the skills are much different. I started on a genie. Then I bought a flat lap for other tings and found it extremely difficult to use the flat lap after using wheels. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 17, 2022 19:57:05 GMT -5
I'm curious to know what's the biggest drawback in using a slanted lap like this vs. cabbing wheels? I'm still really new at cabbing and I've only ever used the wheels at my local club, but they're only open two days a week and I usually have to work one of those days. Thinking it might be nice to have an option to do a bit at home, but I'm also on a budget..... Time is a factor. Not necessarily time it takes to grind/polish, but changing out the disks. With the cabbing machine, you can just move back and forth between grits as needed...whereas on a slant cabber, you have to change out the disks every time you want to change grits. Which wouldn't seem like a problem until you find scratches you missed on the previous stage then it's a back and forth game. Also, flat domes are wickedly harder on a flat lap than they are on wheels. It comes down to the point of contact. On wheels, the point of contact is smaller than that on a flat lap (slant cabber). |
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 17, 2022 20:19:14 GMT -5
jasoninsd Was that the one downstairs in your work area? Sounds like I need to be patient and wait for the right timing and deal either way Both of the machines you put forward look very tidy and handy.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 17, 2022 20:25:45 GMT -5
jasoninsd Was that the one downstairs in your work area? Sounds like I need to be patient and wait for the right timing and deal either way That's the Hi-Tech 8" Slant Cabber...the same one I put in the link above. I like the fact that it slants, as it provides a better view of the contact point where cab meets disk. A flat lap will accomplish the same result...but with a lot more effort. If you can keep your eye out for a used slant cabber, I think it's great entry level machine for cabbing... |
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 17, 2022 21:10:27 GMT -5
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Post by perkins17 on Nov 17, 2022 23:34:49 GMT -5
I would have to say a simple 2-wheel machine with an 80 hard diamond on one side and an expando drum on the other would be the cheapest/best starter setup. I rolled around 100 dollars into my machine and got a very nice setup out of it. I can't say this enough, but check marketplace and craigslist daily. I search "lapidary" around three times a week. Buying new works for some, but often times used equipment is more durable and at a more reasonable cost. I have basically all used stuff in my shop, and I haven't had much trouble with it. Also, if you can, visit a rock club and try out some of the machines. Not everyone can use a flat lap, and not everyone is good on a genie either. I hope that makes a little sense.
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Post by roy on Nov 18, 2022 11:45:11 GMT -5
i started out with a ameratool flat top i think there around the 500 mark
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 18, 2022 13:31:00 GMT -5
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 18, 2022 15:08:37 GMT -5
I might have to do facebook just for these types of things... |
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 18, 2022 15:26:33 GMT -5
I have zero interest in social media. Facebook has become a platform for corporate advertising and individuals selling stuff. I'm up to 11 lapidary groups I check daily.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,198
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 19, 2022 10:54:55 GMT -5
As Perkins said something with an expanding drum might be a good choice. I got my first machine for 200. It's an old Beacon Star with 3 wet spaces. I put on 2 hard wheel and an expanding drum. I got SIC belts for the drum. Later, as I got more involved I started getting a couple of diamond belts.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Nov 19, 2022 21:01:34 GMT -5
Son Of Beach how mechanical are you? Building a machine is doable and will save you tons of $$$
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 20, 2022 8:13:50 GMT -5
As Perkins said something with an expanding drum might be a good choice. I got my first machine for 200. It's an old Beacon Star with 3 wet spaces. I put on 2 hard wheel and an expanding drum. I got SIC belts for the drum. Later, as I got more involved I started getting a couple of diamond belts. Man, this is like a foreign language to me,pieces I don't know the terminology on.
What is the expanding drum for?
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Post by Son Of Beach on Nov 20, 2022 8:16:25 GMT -5
Son Of Beach how mechanical are you? Building a machine is doable and will save you tons of $$$ I can put things together and make them fit and cobble some things together.
But I don't know how to weld, solder, or really any electrical...
I have thought about tackling a project like this when I get more room and some kind of workspace, just not setup for it right now.
But if it's simple buy the parts, with shafts and bearings, mounts, etc. I could probably make that work.
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