Showtime
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 284
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Post by Showtime on Jan 17, 2006 3:08:54 GMT -5
Man is this addiction hard to kick!! I am tryin to decide what to do with my tax return check and amd thinkin about sending it to Graves to get a CAB6 with the acc. package $1295.00
it includes (100 grit metal bond diamond wheel, 360 grit metal bond diamond wheel, 600 grit diamond resin belt, 1200 grit diamond melt, 8000 grit diamond belt, 50000 grit diamond belt, and 4 each 6 inch x 1 1/2 inch expanding drums.)
but also looked at the Lortone GCD Diamond Cabochon Arbor $ 1,250.00
(An effective and economical 6" Diamond unit. Features two 1½" metal bond diamond wheels (100/600 mesh), four expandable drums with resin bond diamond belts (600/1200/8000/14,000 mesh), plus polishing head with resin bond diamond disc (50,000 mesh). 1/3 hp motor included.)
now a question for you cabbers what are the ++'s of each?
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 17, 2006 8:44:30 GMT -5
i'm not familiar with either one of those units. i have the Diamond Pacific Genie and am very happy with it. i think quite a few people in here have the same set up (Kim, Banjo, Sands and Arkie)....?
KD
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 17, 2006 14:32:28 GMT -5
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 17, 2006 15:28:05 GMT -5
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offbeat
no posts
Member since May 2010
Posts: 0
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Post by offbeat on Jan 17, 2006 15:58:44 GMT -5
ST,
I'm using an old Highland Park unit. Started off with all 8" hard wheels. I now have one semi hard wheel, alum. w/foam 8"X3" (400 grit) and an expandable 8"X3" (600/1200 grit) and two hard wheels for 80 and 220. I love the expandable for finishing the radius of a stone. It makes doing the round domes on my cabs soooo much easier. I can reduce the speed so that the expadable is softer or speed it up and have a harder grinding surface. I have it set up on the end of the arbor so switching belts is easy. I plan on adding some hard diamond belts when the rock budget allows. All stations are water fed. Don't know if you have any clubs or friends that might have something you could look at and maybe try out. This would be really nice as cab machines are a little on the pricey side. Just my 2 cents, good luck, you will love grinding them rocks!! Bill
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Post by stoner on Jan 17, 2006 19:21:57 GMT -5
Hey Showtime. I have the same unit as Bill and I just added an 80g wheel so now I have 80,100,220 hard wheels, a Nove 280 and a Nova 1200 and an expandable wheel. The only problem I have with my unit is haveing to stop the machine to change belts. But the price was right for me, as I got the grinder and an 18" slab saw for $450.
I think if you're gonna spend that much money, a couple hunderd more would buy the Genie and you would have it all.
Ed
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fatrichie
has rocks in the head
Member since July 2004
Posts: 651
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Post by fatrichie on Jan 19, 2006 22:34:42 GMT -5
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Jan 24, 2006 13:15:58 GMT -5
I'd have to say that the Genie is just about the best machine I have worked on, and if you want to save a few bucks the 4" Pixie is available. I have a flat lap like fatrichie, and it is great when faceting or edging, but after using the Genie I have only since used it for pre-forms cause it's easier to just leave one 100g disk on there. Funny thing is, I have seen some wonderful cabs produced on some of the most basic machines as well. I love the Nova wheels and have had it for maybe a year and the wheels are still great as long as I keep them wet in use. Too bad you can't just demo different machines for a week until you decide. Good Luck. ps. I need to post some cab photos on here some day. Or do cab photos still go in the photo section?  I'm getting too lazy/busy to photograph them.  -Banjo |
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slim7309
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 116
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Post by slim7309 on Jan 24, 2006 15:03:50 GMT -5
Hey Showtime, The Diamond Pacific machines are great all diamond wheels & self contained-over the years my little hobby has grown-i started off with a All you need machine -it's a flat lap 6in & then you add on- i made some beautiful cabs on that machine -then i bought a diamond pacific pixie with a 4in wheel had it for 4 years & the wheels are not too close an great for opals too -it's a great starter machine --then i bought my self a Diamond Pacific Titan with a 8in. wheel --where the wheels are wider apart & for the saws-one 6in trim & a 18in. but as your hobby grows you'll keep on adding-i was talking to bez from Ariz. about Fire Agate & he told me to tumble it & yes i do have that machine somewhere i just got to find it now--so just buy the best for your money- the genie sounds great & if you should buy that machine make sure you break in the wheels right. Good Luck, Slim
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Showtime
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 284
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Post by Showtime on Jan 24, 2006 18:56:36 GMT -5
ok now feeling like a deer in headlights here Huh break the wheels in? I thought I have done my homework on this and haven't ran across anything mentioning this HUH? oh-oh LOL
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 24, 2006 21:36:01 GMT -5
i probably misused my Genie to start with, but that is what you do as a newbie ( i fouled a few saw blades when i got the first saw too)....don't stall, Showtime, jump in and go! you got great support in here!!
KD
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Showtime
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 284
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Post by Showtime on Jan 24, 2006 22:17:01 GMT -5
Thank you all for your opinions and my decision is... I just got a call from the local tech collage. and they had a drop out in their Lapidary program I start on the 8th of Feb and I guess I am just gonna wait and see what they are using and what I actually need goes till May so I shoul dlearn lots and get my hands on a lot of different equipment Thanx again This dammed disease....  |
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slim7309
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 116
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Post by slim7309 on Jan 24, 2006 22:33:24 GMT -5
Ya know i saw your reply & i smiled- when ever you get a new machine you have to break in the wheels by putting a slab of anything against the wheels to cut down the diamond a little bit ok that way you won't tear up your stone that your working on -- Slim-PSS in school you will learn a lot & bring a pen & notebook & jot down everything- your gonna need it down the line & again Have Fun, Slim
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jan 25, 2006 11:36:54 GMT -5
You Stubble and Tumble, Slab and Cab- it ain't a disease- it's well much worse! With a disease there is always hope of a cure! Congrats on the classes- Take notes and let me know if they have a text book or anything- Heck I would love to buy a good lap book!
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Jan 26, 2006 2:01:50 GMT -5
I've been contimplating a Lortone LU6X-130 to start with myself. I have a very limited budget, and simply can't afford anything over $500.00. The price of the LU6X-130 will set me back $580.00, and that doesn't include shipping. It would break the bank account, but maybe it would be worth saving up for. The Ameritool looks just as pricey, but doesn't have a saw. I could get a Covington 497 saw/grinder, and then perhaps the Ameritool later.
With all this equipment and expansion, does anybody ever sell the things they make? I paid $1,500.00 for a commercial mixer that I use to bake with. I've had it for just about two years, and it's paid for its self with the money saved when baking instead of buying at Starbucks. I like the hobby, but I would also like some return on my equipment investment. I will say this: I've wanted to get into cab making back when I was in 4th grade, but my parents would not help purchase the necessary tools. I guess it costed too much even back then.
MrCoffee
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Post by deb193 on Jan 26, 2006 2:10:39 GMT -5
If you wait a while, I'll let you know what I think of the Inland SwapTop saw/grinder. (You can get trim saw, shaper/grinder, & flat-lap for $319 drop-shipped on ebay.) I just got the trim saw & shaper, but I may even order the flat-lap top if the saw & grinder seem ok. I'm not expecting it to be real sturdy for th eprice, but it has to work. I have been using their band saw for two days now and it works fine for the price. www.inlandlipidary.comLater |
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drupe
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2005
Posts: 1,245
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Post by drupe on Jan 26, 2006 9:10:01 GMT -5
MrCoffee
You are correct, it can get a little pricey. But you can recoup some of your expenditures. Just look at some of KD's, Rockyracoon, Banjocreeks and others work. They sell on Ebay, shows to individuals. You could emulate them. Good Luck. Love this hobby.
Pete
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jan 26, 2006 10:28:19 GMT -5
You want return on your investment? Well I have not sold a darn thing- But I have given away a few pieces- and had offers- but to truely get a return- you got to be ready to sell- that is my problem- I don't feel my stuff is good enough to sell! |
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Showtime
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 284
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Post by Showtime on Jan 27, 2006 13:16:52 GMT -5
If you wait a while, I'll let you know what I think of the Inland SwapTop saw/grinder..quote] I have the swap top saw grinder combo it's great at shaping and grinding edges but it is vertical wheel and it's only about a inch wide I have tried to do a dome on a small cab on it and it is a exercise in paitence.. |
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