druusilla
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by druusilla on Apr 11, 2008 13:06:25 GMT -5
Hi all,
My name is Shelley and I'm a longtime rock hound who wants to start cutting and cabbing. I've been researching equipment to the point of total confusion! What I've come up with is going with the Covington brand - 10" trim saw and their 8" grinder/polisher unit- diamond with two grinding wheels and one expandable drum. I'm wondering if having to change the grits on the expandable drum 3-4 times is going to be much of a nuisance in the long run? They replace easy enough but I know people that use the Genie like being able to go through each step without having to stop and change grits. I'm thinking that I would be making multiple cabs before changing grits rather than working one cab start to finish. Does anyone have any ideas on this, and specifically, Covington equipment. Thanks, Shelley
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kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
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Post by kjohn0102 on Apr 11, 2008 13:32:44 GMT -5
Hi Shelley, and welcome! Just like you, I have just started to Cab. I got myself a CabMate and have to change out wheels at each step-it's a nuisance for sure, but I've talked to long time CabMate users who wouldn't upgrade for anything. You just have to try to manage your time and work on a lot of cabs at the same time. That said, if you can afford a Genie-by all means go!
KJ
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Post by Bikerrandy on Apr 11, 2008 14:07:04 GMT -5
I started cabbing in December, first-time cabber with a Genie. Speaking for myself, it was the right choice. I always make my purchases like I'm gonna own stuff forever. The 10 inch trim saw should provide a ton of cabbing materials. I started out with a Workforce tile saw and upgraded to a 16 inch Covington after the cash flow was right. You can get the Workforce from Home Depot for less than $100.
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Apr 11, 2008 16:03:04 GMT -5
I use a workforce for cutting and a cab machine much like the one your planning on getting. If you work groups of cabs belt changing is no big deal. I actually prefer it do to the fact that it forces me to take my time and make sure they are ready to move on to the next belt.
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cutter
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 129
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Post by cutter on Apr 11, 2008 18:06:17 GMT -5
I almost totally agree with Jurrasic Jonje. Building in quality control time can save a lot of headaches and frustration. But working with diamond from start to finish is like the commercial says "is priceless". If you can afford the Genie, go for it. Besides just being a lot faster, it's much cleaner than silicone carbide.
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Post by stoner on Apr 11, 2008 20:42:12 GMT -5
Like everyone else has said, if you have the money, then the Genie is the way to go. But the Genie uses 6" wheels as opposed to what you're looking at. I use an older Barranca GP8 and have it set up using diamond wheels and belts. I will sit and cut anywhere from a few to up to 20 cabs at a time, so changing belts isn't a problem for me. Personally, I like the 8" wheels and also the room I have between the wheels for doing larger items. Covington makes high quality machines and I think you'd do well getting the machine you mentioned. You can send me a personal message if you have any other concerns, I'd be glad to help.
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druusilla
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by druusilla on Apr 11, 2008 23:21:44 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! If I go with the Covington I'm going to set it up with diamond - not silicone carbide. A friend of mine who's been cutting for years thinks I should go with an 8" so that leaves out the Genie. Any opinions on 8" versus 6"? I think it would be nice to have the extra room and the belts should last a bit longer. Also, I guess in the future I could set up a new polisher with two belts to eliminate changing grits as often.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Apr 12, 2008 10:09:25 GMT -5
I don't think there's too much advantage of an 8 inch wheel, but you could always get the "Titan". It's the same as the Genie, but it has 8 inch wheels and costs around $3,000.
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Post by Tony W on Apr 12, 2008 23:11:33 GMT -5
Well, I wish I had bigger wheels and a bigger arbor so I could do bigger pieces without constantly knuckling the wheel next to the one I'm working.... and I'd rather have more wheels so I didn't have to stop at all once I get into the zone  So... If you can afford it go bigger now. I'm always trying to work pieces as big as my hand on my little 6" 1 1/2.... so I say go bigger! YOu'll out grow it quick if you go small. T |
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Post by stardiamond on Apr 13, 2008 20:12:26 GMT -5
I have a Genie and 'Tinkerbell"  I do almost all my cutting on the 8". The Genie is very slow by comparison. 8" allows for larger cabs. The biggest advantage of the Genie is could be used indoors. After a while, the biggest expense is the diamond wheels. A set of six 8"wheels is close to $1,000. |
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Post by bobby1 on Apr 13, 2008 22:55:24 GMT -5
If you want to do larger cabs, you need a machine with abundant clearance around and between the wheels. I designed and built this machine 30 years ago so I could do as large of cabs (and slabs) as possible. It has a diamond wheel on the right, an 8" (worn down to about 5") 220 S/C wheel for doing small cabs (opals, etc.) and a 8" expandable drum. I do all of my cabbing on this unit from very small (1/8" diameter) to very large (7" across) cabs, so having a machine with large wheels and spacing doesn't limit the size that you can do on the machine. If you can swing it, I would say go as large as you can on a machne.
IMG]http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s160/Rocksbob/Cabber007.jpg[/IMG]
Bob
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Post by bobby1 on Apr 13, 2008 22:57:53 GMT -5
For some reason the photo didn't copy, so here is another try.  Bob |
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Apr 14, 2008 9:19:35 GMT -5
If you can find a used unit it good shape that is probably the best bargain. I have an old 8" Star Diamond with an 80 grit diamond wheel, a 280 grit diamond flex (Nova) wheel and an expandable drum. I tumble finish my cabs so I generally use the 80 grit to rough out and 280 grit to remove lumps and bumps then into the tumbler. I keep 600 grit on my expandable drum. When cutting agates you want to sand finer so you might want sand to 600 then change to 1200 grit. Diamond belts last longer but of course are more expensive.
Genies and Titans are nice. I have the clubs Genie in my shop but rarely use it. I prefer my old Star Diamond with fresh water supply. The trays and bubblers are messy and annoy me. Plus with a Genie and Titan newbies tend to use every wheel for every stone. Which is not necessary. Most stones under 7 mohs can go from 600 to polish. YMMV
Rick
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druusilla
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2008
Posts: 7
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Post by druusilla on Apr 14, 2008 18:48:48 GMT -5
Thanks again for all of your helpful posts:) It's a lot of $ to spend, so I want to make sure I get the right stuff. Do a lot of you do like Rick - tumble your cabs to polish? New as I am to all of this I hadn't considered using my tumblers it would eliminate the need for the extra wheels I guess. Benefits/drawbacks to finishing them in the tumbler? Oh, and Rick, I've looked around for used, but it's really hard to come by, it seems lapidary stuff is grabbed up pretty quick. Shelley
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So... If you can afford it go bigger now. I'm always trying to work pieces as big as my hand on my little 6" 1 1/2.... so I say go bigger! YOu'll out grow it quick if you go small. T
