lastl98
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2007
Posts: 410
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Post by lastl98 on May 6, 2007 19:23:16 GMT -5
What would the experienced cabbers here recommend? My wife is now officially hooked & though I can look through Ebay for a "good" deal I think we want to start out with something that is new. I/we  want something that will bring us from a preform to a final finished cab & that will be VERY WELL MADE. We/she (again... lol) want something that we know that we can depend on & will have year after year of trouble free service. I do know that we would like to stay away from the expandable drums but one on the machine would be okay, however, I/we would like to use the longer lasting Diamond Core Drums that seemingly will last forever & don't have to replace the belts. Getting too old to have to messing with changing out belts and are afraid we could throw something else off while removing drums too often to do so. So Cabbers! What can you recomend? I/we (again lol) are leaning towards the Pixie machines but again we are stuck as to what exactly would work best for us. Price is somewhat important, but, if it's gonna last I'll find a way to pay for it! Thanks all! This place & it's members have always been extremely helpful, kind & knowledgeable. Last  |
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Post by stoner on May 6, 2007 19:31:20 GMT -5
Hey last. I'll say it first because I know everyone else will agree, if you can swing the money, get a Genie. The Pixie is nice too, basically the same machine except it uses 4" wheels. I use an old Barranca Diamond machine that I got for a great price, so that's why I don't mind changing belts, which by the way, is very simple to do if you use the Raytec True Circle belts. Congrats on deciding to take the plunge to get into cabbing. It's a blast!
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Post by rocklicker on May 6, 2007 22:24:32 GMT -5
Alright! more riders on the cabbing bus! Good job on deciding to take the plunge. Yeah, if you can afford a Genie go for it. I've never used one but those who do swear by them. There are some other nice machines out there and if you do cabs in batches then changing belts is not a big deal. You need to weigh your priorities as far as ease of use and cost. As far as well made, Covinton makes solid machines I believe.
Steve
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lastl98
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2007
Posts: 410
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Post by lastl98 on May 6, 2007 22:33:52 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for the advice & first hand experience knowledge. We're going to go with the Genie but now we need a good vendor? Any ideas? Many, many thanks as always, Last |
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Post by Tweetiepy on May 7, 2007 8:27:52 GMT -5
rockpeddler.com has prices cheaper than Diamond Pacific has!
I envy you! I'd love one of those too! You'll have a great time with that!
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lastl98
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2007
Posts: 410
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Post by lastl98 on May 7, 2007 12:15:15 GMT -5
Funny you should mention rockpeddler. My wife, being the wonderful internet crawler that she is, found the best deal at exactly there! Only question though is, has anyone dealt with them? Are they reliable? It's a lot of cash to throw out there.  lol Also, on a side note found out my wife may be going in for some elective surgery though should reduce her monthly pains & our out of pocket is gonna kill us. I/we will find a way to do this though! Thanks again everyone. Last |
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LastsGal
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 57
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Post by LastsGal on May 7, 2007 12:17:10 GMT -5
You be me for a couple of months and let me tell you it's "elective."  lmao |
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Post by larrywyland3 on May 7, 2007 15:10:16 GMT -5
I have bought wheels from them. They were quick in processing the order, but the Genie will probably be shipped direct from Diamond Pacific and they are in CA I think.
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oriongal
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2007
Posts: 96
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Post by oriongal on May 9, 2007 7:24:23 GMT -5
I've bought spare hoppers for my Mini-Sonic from them, and I found them the same, good prices, quick processing, reliable.
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Post by deb193 on May 9, 2007 8:26:07 GMT -5
I think several folks have recommended a similar unit from Bernie's lapidary - one that is much cheaper. There is also a home-made-looking genie knockoff from amberwerx that is only $700. The genie is nice, but I think it does cost a bit.
Give some attention to wether the machine can mount an endplate. Generally for polishing, but there are also diamond grinding and sanding plates that can be gotten. Many with a center hole, but some types of mount permit no center hole. THis is really convenient for face grinding/polishing a slab, chunk of faced rock, or half-nodule - something you really can't do on a wheel. I figure, why not have it all.
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lastl98
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2007
Posts: 410
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Post by lastl98 on May 9, 2007 15:19:23 GMT -5
Well, thank you very much deb193-Daniel! We are looking for a unit with mostly the steel core diamond grinding wheels. I'm a little confused with the listings on Bernie's lapidary website. Are you referring to the GP-6 unit? It looks like they have two versions. One with belts & one with pads? Though they both appear to come with the longer lasting steel core diamond wheels as well. Could you direct us to which unit would have less changeable belt/expandable drums as we would like to not have to change out belts as much as possible. We did notice that even the Genie (or at least the one we were looking at) has at least one drum with changeable belts but the less expensive ones seem to have more or perhaps I'm confused? Also, does Bernie's lapidary have a good rep as a vendor? Anyone deal with them either? Sorry for all the questions but this is a Big Deal Purchase for us & we want to get it right! Also agree with the side buffing wheel, definitely would come in very handy for the larger/flat pieces as you've suggested. Thanks as always, Last |
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Post by akansan on May 9, 2007 19:34:34 GMT -5
Basically, anything less than 6 stations you're going to have to change out belts on if you're running diamond. Even with the 6 stations, you might choose to change out belts on one of the stations. However, the belt changing isn't difficult.
The GP-6 is a 4 station & 1 end plate unit - two solid wheels, two expandable drums, and then the end plate.
The nice thing about expandable drums & belts is it does give you additional grits at a lesser expense. The Genie doesn't have the expandable drum, but does have an optional end-lap piece. There are other 6-station arbors out there right now, though. Didn't someone mention that Lortone also has one out now?
Anyway - it's a good idea to look at what wheels you'll need constantly, look at original price, and then go from there. Graves has a machine - 6 stations - that is 2 hard wheels and 4 drums & an endplate.
But yeah - overall value the GP-6 is probably your best bet. It gets you started very quickly with everything you need. And truly, the expandable drums are nice in situations.
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Post by beefjello on May 9, 2007 22:08:31 GMT -5
I have my eye on the GP6 w/belts unit as well. Last, I've ordered twice from Bernie's and have been very pleased both times. I'm intrigued with this Amber Werx unit.. Daniel do you know of anyone who has bought and/or used one? Def has the homemade look to it, but 6 wheels as opposed to 2 w/drums and it's less expensive... hmmm. www.amber-werx.com/equipment/new/ezkutter.html |
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Post by stoner on May 9, 2007 22:48:53 GMT -5
Brian, what I don't like about the Amber-werx machine is the shaft is only 3/4" and it's supported only in the middle by the 2 bearings and it looks like all the wheels are Nova sanding wheels, no hard diamond wheels. But it's a good example of how easy it is to make your own grinder.
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lastl98
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2007
Posts: 410
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Post by lastl98 on May 9, 2007 23:28:06 GMT -5
With our sincerest thanks & gratitude we have made our decision. Thank you to everyone who has responded not only here but through PM as well (what an awesome forum this is!) to help us with our choices. We'll post up the pictures once we've received our cabber & I can honestly say that this place has been a literal "Gold Mine" (pun intended) with helping & guiding us. ;D Each of us has our own needs/wants & of course budget as to what we eventually get. But, we can honestly say without a doubt that for us this is the absolute best choice. However, we are going to leave it as a surprise as to what we purchase, though we're pretty sure, that at least one member here already knows where we are going to end up! So keep an eye out in the "members photos" section. Again, my wife & I truly can not thank everyone enough for all that you've done in helping us to decide! Oh, in the end, the wife 'did' get the final say. . . . . Don't they always? LOL Last |
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Post by beefjello on May 10, 2007 8:04:31 GMT -5
Ah, ok those are sanding wheels, not hard ones. Thanks Ed, still so much to learn here |
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lastl98
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2007
Posts: 410
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Post by lastl98 on May 14, 2007 22:21:59 GMT -5
Should have her by the end of this week! Can't wait to post up the pics! You'll never see it that clean again! LOL Gina ordered it on Friday & they promised us a shipping/tracking number by Tuesday! I've now, however, come to the conclusion that if I ever sit behind it, it will only be by hanging on my wife's back! Thanks again for all of the advice & opinions! We are really excited!!!! Can ya tell? LOL Last |
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Post by deb193 on May 14, 2007 22:58:22 GMT -5
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want something that will bring us from a preform to a final finished cab & that will be VERY WELL MADE. 
lol
