RockingRuralMo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2022
Posts: 138
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Post by RockingRuralMo on May 16, 2023 10:52:29 GMT -5
I got a Cabking for Christmas! (My sweetie loves me!)
I've got 80 and 220 hard diamond wheels, and 280, 600, 1200, and 3000 resin wheels.
When I go from the 220 to the 280 I seem to be losing a LOT of time - like, I spend more time on that wheel easily than any other. Pretty sure I spent 20 minutes or more on an agate and nearly the same on an obsidian this week. Is that normal? Am I getting off of 220 too fast? Or is that just the reality of switching from hard wheels to resin?
I saw a guy on youtube (here) go "backwards" back up to 60 and 140 resin wheels and then to 300, and that looked exciting. Is that practical for a hobbiest, or do I just need to sit back and enjoy the process?
Is there a way to do a "quick change" on a cabking so I can add more wheels? (I have a poly arbor I've been meaning to rebuild, but back-burnered that when I got the cabking.)
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Post by stardiamond on May 16, 2023 12:35:02 GMT -5
The most common mistake is overuse of the 280 soft. A soft wheel gives the cab a hug and it is aggressive but not too aggressive. Guilty as charged.
My new method is an aggressive 80 grit (top textured) and then a worn 80 grit. The first wheel cuts very fast, the second wheel fine tunes the shape and removes the scratches from the top. The 280 becomes a sanding wheel like the 600 and 12020.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 16, 2023 13:04:36 GMT -5
It's really common to have that issue starting out.Make triple sure that you spend enough time on the 220 hard before move onto the 280 soft. Also, don't use excessive pressure on the wheel. Those 2 wheels will do the job, you're just new. Keep working at it. Also, you may have glazed your 280. You can use a piece of obsidian or a dressing stick to deglaze the diamonds.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 16, 2023 19:30:02 GMT -5
I think it's important to not give up too soon. But, there is a workaround. I use a 220 soft instead of a 280 soft. DP doesn't make them anymore, but Johnson Bros Lapidary does. I prefer the more aggressive soft wheel. It transitions nicely to the 600. But, like I said, the wheels you mention will do the job and it's a good thing to learn how to use the wheels.
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Post by liveoak on May 16, 2023 19:42:28 GMT -5
After I read that on the forum, I purchased a 220 soft wheel from Johnson Brothers.
I actually got a 4" so I had a different size available if needed, since I'm using it on a separate arbor.
And so far, I've found it useful for troublesome stones that I'm having a hard time getting rid of scratches on (clear agates).
But at this point, I'm using it less than I thought I would.
Not sorry I got it- but I think with patience the 280 does do the job.
Patty
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agatewhisperer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2020
Posts: 836
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Post by agatewhisperer on May 16, 2023 21:29:11 GMT -5
I also got a cab king and had the same issues you describe. I wasn't spending enough time shaping on the 220 hard wheel. When they're brand new they cut super aggressively so it made me shy away from it but just use a light touch and practice getting that dome shape will make the 280 go a lot quicker. That was my experience at least
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Post by rmf on May 18, 2023 4:20:51 GMT -5
RockingRuralMo I had for years used the wheels you listed in your original post. I would go through a 280 grit fast by comparison to the other wheels. I took a recommendation and tried a 220 grit Nova wheel and that fixed my problems. Then DP decided to kill the 220 grit Nova. The scratches from hard wheels dig into the cab much deeper and soft wheels. Even in the early 1970 when I was using SiC wheels/belts I went from 80 grit SiC hard wheel to an 80 grit belt on a expandable drum. The scratches for the "same grit" are much reduced, leaving a satiny sheen. I am currently testing going from a 600 grit hard wheel to 600 grit Nova and and I have to push less and the 600 Nova is not being over worked. INHO the jump from 220 Hard to 280 soft (Nova wheel type) is too large and the 280 is being over worked.
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