Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 14, 2010 12:18:33 GMT -5
Howdy folks,
You know, sometimes I've got to wonder about the folks who design and manufacture lapidary machines. I got my Genie pretty much when they first came out so a few years ago, I had to replace my burnt out motor. Got the motor/arbor from Diamond pacific and set it up. At the time I noticed the unit was mounted on kind of a plastic covered chipboard base and I figured well, since Genies throw off an not inconsiderable amount of water, the base wood must be waterproof huh? Well, I hadn't used it a lot till lately and yesterday when I went out to cut stones, I noticed the unit was rocking and the spray founts were not getting enough water because the trays are so out of level that the water is deep on one end and shallow on the other.
Anyway, looked at the base and it's absorbed water and is now curved like a rocking chair's rockers. Maybe it's just me, but I'd figure when I designed something that will inevitably get "WET". I'd sure want waterproof base for my unit.. Now I have to figure out how to flatten the damn base back out so it'll sit steady with level trays. I swear, I have to spend more time fixing friggin crappy lapidary gear than I do cutting rocks!.....Mel
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chasfire
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 180
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Post by chasfire on Jan 14, 2010 13:18:16 GMT -5
Mel: I had the same problem with a used Genie I bought. The base was bent in the middle where the weight of the motor overcame the strength of the press board base. I ended up taking the old base off and replacing it with a newer solid wood base. I agree that fixing crappy lapidary gear is a pain, but sometimes the price is right.
chasfire
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Post by 150FromFundy on Jan 14, 2010 14:10:47 GMT -5
Thanks for pointing this out. I have been reseasrching cabbing machines and most seem to brag of a stainless steel base and hood, or an aluminium base and hood. I hate it when a manufacturer cuts corners to save a few pennies. I guess I won't waste any time dreaming of Genie!
Perhaps cabbing machines are a little like pick-up trucks. Look at the gross vehcile weight and the price. Simply but the heaviest truck (or cabbing machine) that you can afford. The heavier it is, the longer it will last.
Darryl.
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Post by fishenman on Jan 14, 2010 14:18:51 GMT -5
I had to replace the bottom on my 30 year old Genie. I used an old ikea cabinet that had blue laminate on it. Fairly waterproof and spiffy looking too.
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Post by Woodyrock on Jan 14, 2010 16:43:48 GMT -5
Would it not be great if the manufactureer just put the unit on something like Starboard in the first place? Starboard is a plastic material used on boats. Woody
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 14, 2010 17:33:23 GMT -5
DP is nice enough to sell you a new base board in stock (particle board with laminate veneer) or plywood. I tell everyone to go to Home Depot and look for the 2' x 4' plywood pieces. CDX or other exterior glue type in 3/4". Use the original board for a template. If you can cut rocks you should be able to drill a few holes in wood. The Genie stock base board will last a lot of years. All the units with cast aluminum or stainless pans will be mounted on some kind of board as well.
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Jan 14, 2010 18:38:12 GMT -5
I too bought a used one and the base was curved, so I used an old section of counter top a friend had and mounted it and ran my water line underneath.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 14, 2010 18:56:10 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm with Woody. I'm not real handy and I've got a pile of lapidary machines waiting for repair as it is. One more stupid repair chore instead of being able to play with my stones is just what I need *L*. DP knows Genies get wet so why the heck don't the mount the machine properly on a waterproof base to begin with. ( (Incidently, a new base unit for a Genie is danged expensive too) To not do so is stupid and annoying.....Mel
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 14, 2010 20:15:56 GMT -5
mine is ok so far but when the time comes im gonna cut 5/8 plywood and coat it with fiberglass resign i did that with the floor i cut for my boat and its still strong and no soft spots and i usta hose it down everyday after fishing
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 14, 2010 22:09:25 GMT -5
Mel, I don't know what the thickness or dimentions on that base, but a plastic cutting board may work well too. Probably run less than 10 bucks at wally-mart.
Nate
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