gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 336
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Post by gunsil on Apr 17, 2023 12:19:53 GMT -5
Deals are out there, but you gotta spend time and effort to find them. I search ebay and craigslist often. I posted last month that there was a brand new Lortone 12" saw recently for $900 on craigslist. I got an original HP 14" saw in fine condition on ebay a few years ago for $450 plus $160 motor freight shipping, a true bargain. Watching estate sale notices can also be rewarding. My Titan is an older one, but it came from an estate sale for $700 with used but usable wheels. Last year I found a Barranca 6" combo machine that retails for $2400 on craigslist for $500, got it for a friend. If you are diligent paying modern prices can be avoided. I was at a gem and mineral club sale Saturday, they were selling a really nice Raytech 6" saw complete with motor, vise, new blade, and autofeed for $500, another deal. I didn't need it and left it behind. Asking around gem and mineral clubs can also yield good deals on lapidary gear.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 17, 2023 12:59:49 GMT -5
Another thing to think about when looking online is the best deals on lapidary equipment are from people who don't have the word lapidary in their vocabulary, so using the kind of search terms that someone might use to describe grandpas rock polisher may find you a deal, and one that others may never see.
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neural
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2019
Posts: 129
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Post by neural on Apr 29, 2023 17:41:20 GMT -5
With the way prices are currently ($130 for a Nova wheel?! (ebay)) I think building your own machine is getting to be the best option overall.
Of course, knowing where to start is critical too. While I have a 6" cab machine, I think if I needed a new one I'd go back to using the diamond polishing pads (with the little hexagon patterns) and make a vertical soft flat lap. Still doesn't really help if there's no place to buy a decent arbor, bearings, and motor to turn it with etc.
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Post by perkins17 on Apr 29, 2023 20:29:50 GMT -5
I personally run mostly battered oldies but goodies equipment wise. I don't have enough money to even think about buying new saws or cab units, and I'm rebuilding a star diamond qt12 I bought for 30. I think it's best to know the equipment you're looking at, and I've read through hundreds of threads on here to gain the understanding I have of both new and used equipment. I'm in total agreement with you guys, as I'm a cabber, tumbler, and lapper on a very low budget.
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vance71975
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2022
Posts: 760
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Post by vance71975 on Apr 29, 2023 23:43:36 GMT -5
Well, As far as tumblers go, Tumble-Bee is very reasonable by comparison to other brands. The body is plastic. The main sell point however, is the customer service, they respond very quickly, and if you have any issues and you send them a photo of the issue, they replace and make it right ASAP. In 8 months of constant use, I have had 2 problems, A warping barrel, they send a replacement barrel no charge, and the plastic around the drive shaft bearing wore out because of the warped barrel, they send a new base within 3 days, also at no charge to me AND told me to keep the old base for parts. In 8 months, I have not even broken a belt. tumble-bee.com/collections/rock-tumblersThe customer service alone has made me a loyal customer, especially considering from what I have read you cant even get Loretone to email you back these days.
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,028
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Post by wargrafix on Jun 11, 2023 14:27:25 GMT -5
Watches the price of a soil pipe cutter.......kills that option for sure. damnnnnnnn
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Post by Mel on Jun 25, 2023 16:00:10 GMT -5
Another thing to think about when looking online is the best deals on lapidary equipment are from people who don't have the word lapidary in their vocabulary, so using the kind of search terms that someone might use to describe grandpas rock polisher may find you a deal, and one that others may never see. I've read on other forums of people going to tool auctions and finding lapidary machines for $100 because sellers having no idea; lots of people thought they were fancy bench grinders. Seems to be really common at woodworking tool auctions for some reason. I'm still hoping to luck into one of these fancy bench grinders at bench grinder prices myself. Everything out my way is ridiculous and rare.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 25, 2023 16:28:03 GMT -5
Another thing to think about when looking online is the best deals on lapidary equipment are from people who don't have the word lapidary in their vocabulary, so using the kind of search terms that someone might use to describe grandpas rock polisher may find you a deal, and one that others may never see. I've read on other forums of people going to tool auctions and finding lapidary machines for $100 because sellers having no idea; lots of people thought they were fancy bench grinders. Seems to be really common at woodworking tool auctions for some reason. I'm still hoping to luck into one of these fancy bench grinders at bench grinder prices myself. Everything out my way is ridiculous and rare. That's a really good tip! Thank you.
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 25, 2023 17:03:29 GMT -5
Lapidary is an expensive hobby. My previous hobby was golf which I believe is more expensive. I don't tumble and that is a less expensive hobby. The problem with getting cabbing equipment is that new equipment is expensive. There is a tremendous amount of less expensive used equipment but most sellers don't ship. This site has a lot of used equipment and maybe you can find some near where you live. www.facebook.com/groups/LapidaryEquipmentMarketplaceThe key to cabbing is selling your work and hopefully make the hobby self funding.
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