johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 139
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Post by johnthor1963 on Aug 22, 2023 17:33:39 GMT -5
I"m looking for a little info for this machine. I would like to get into mild cabbing and wire wrapping. I found out soon after turning it on that it is going to take a lot of skill to produce any thing and a lot of patience. So to get used to the machine i've been grinding and shaping rocks for my tumbler trying to round them moving thru the wheels taking out the grind marks and put a mild polish on them. Being so new to this world i'm hoping for a few suggestions on how to practice and what i should be working on to start attaining a skill level to proceed to a next level. i also need a little guidance on what i should put on the the left and right sides of the shaft and a good source for them. thx for reading and be well
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 22, 2023 18:26:13 GMT -5
Wheels are not to death will us part. Start with a standard configuration and then adapt. 80 and 220 hard and 280, 600,1200 and 14,000. Wheels are left to right. I have bought soft wheels from HP and johnsonbrothers and hard wheels from jadecarver and the Lithuanian top wheels. 6 wheels should cost $500-800.
Why did you pick this machine? Why did you pick 8 inches instead of six inches?
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 22, 2023 20:28:47 GMT -5
I have 60 and 220 hard, then 280, 600, 1200, and 3000 soft wheels. The 60, 220, and 280 are on one side and the other three are on the other side of the machine. My suggestion to start with cabbing, work on some harder material before you work softer material. The harder material has a LOT more room for error than soft material. One wrong move with soft material can create a completely jacked up cab. If you make the wrong move with hard material, the error is only a small one...and can easily be fixed. Work some material that's a dime a dozen. For me, that was Prairie Agates because I can find them all day long out here...and they're some of the hardest material I've ever worked. If you're not working "precious" material, you won't be heart broken if you make a mistake. Don't be afraid to GO FOR IT!!
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 22, 2023 21:22:41 GMT -5
Jason is your 60 sintered?
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,258
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Post by chris1956 on Aug 22, 2023 21:30:46 GMT -5
I agree with Jason on finding something that you can easily and cheaply get your hands on and practice on that until you feel confident in moving on to other materials. Hard is best to break in your wheels.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
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Post by QuailRiver on Aug 22, 2023 23:20:33 GMT -5
There are YouTube videos on cutting cabochons so you may want to check that out. And looking at your initial post I see you are from Fort Wayne. So if you haven't already, you may want to check out the Three Rivers Gem and Mineral Club which meets in Fort Wayne. You can get more info on the club at their website linked here: Edit: For some reason the link won't post. So just goggle "Three Rivers Gem and Mineral Club".
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 139
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Post by johnthor1963 on Aug 23, 2023 9:39:33 GMT -5
I picked the 8 inch over 6 inch is bigger is better a long with belt drive. The thought that if a motor failure would be easy to replace. I kinda jumped in to this as you can tell but I’m really glad I did it’s creative and relaxing to a point. I set it up with a80,140,220 hard wheels and 600,1200,3000,8000 resin wheels. A little different from what was posted but it’s all in the learning. I have been using grinding hard materials such as black onyx for tumbling. What do I need for the ends of the shaft to flatten and polish the stones for starting out. When I search these items it’s confusing all the variations and methods right now to keep straight. Flat grinding on left side of shaft polish on right side. Could you share the best route on these subjects for the learning curve is steep for a beginner. And thank you for the info about the Three Rivers Gem society they have a meeting last week of this month and I’m going to check it out thank you for that one I think that will help. Thx for your input.
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 23, 2023 11:11:36 GMT -5
Going from 220 hard to 600 soft would require a lot of time on the 600. My current left side is a worn 80 hard, a HP 140 soft and a rez 280 soft. You could pick a 220 soft from johnsonbrothers instead of a 220. hard.
I went from a belt driven 8 inch to a 6 inch Genie, back to the 8 inch for 5 wheels and now everything on the Genie. I thought an 8 inch would cut faster but a 6 inch with a more aggressive 80 grit cuts for me as fast. An 8 inch is better for really large cabs.
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 139
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Post by johnthor1963 on Aug 23, 2023 13:04:38 GMT -5
Stardiamond if I’m understanding you the soft 220 wheel will in stead of the hard will remove the scratches from the first two wheels and make it easier on the 600 wheel to remove the scratches left from 220 hard wheel. Making a little less work trying to get everything smoothed out. The things that work always take trial and error to get things right or at least a little help from someone who is kind enough to point us in a direction towards success. Thank you for the help.
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Post by stardiamond on Aug 23, 2023 18:04:06 GMT -5
yes.
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johnthor1963
starting to spend too much on rocks
Cattle dogs rock
Member since June 2023
Posts: 139
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Post by johnthor1963 on Sept 2, 2023 8:46:12 GMT -5
Thank you stardiamond for the advice on the 280 soft wheel. I installed it and instantly seen a remarkable difference going into the 600 grit wheel. I have another question about a magnetic full face flat lap with the 1/4-20 screw on plate. When you spin it on and tighten it,I’m almost thinking that when I shut off the machine the weight of the disc will cause it to spin off or am I over thinking that one. Thx for helping.
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 2, 2023 8:54:25 GMT -5
Thank you stardiamond for the advice on the 280 soft wheel. I installed it and instantly seen a remarkable difference going into the 600 grit wheel. I have another question about a magnetic full face flat lap with the 1/4-20 screw on plate. When you spin it on and tighten it,I’m almost thinking that when I shut off the machine the weight of the disc will cause it to spin off or am I over thinking that one. Thx for helping. I have disks on both ends of my arbor...have yet to have one spin loose...
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