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Post by tkrueger3 on Oct 3, 2010 12:10:30 GMT -5
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Oct 5, 2010 18:34:14 GMT -5
I've followed so many people's advice here. I had to sort of track all the suggestions on a spreadsheet and ended up with a used but great condition 8" Hi Tech that works fabulously! I think it was Ken who told me one day, "you don't need to set that up outside, you can set it up in your living room"... I thought he was nuts then, but now I've moved to a new house and have it set up in my basement. I can't believe how clean it runs, barely any water get's thrown at all. After buying this I decided to buy one of the Gryphon Grinders when they went on sale for like $30, and now I use my tile saw to cut out my preform, with the blades on it that Tom is suggesting above, then I use my Gryphon to pre-shape my preform, and also for cutting grooves for wire wrapping (bought a groove bit for $8 for it), all on suggestions from members here.
So, cheapo tile saw with cheapo blade. Gryphon Grinder with 1" grinding bit and additional groove bit. I've adopted the wetting system from my Hi Tech flat lap to the Gryphon cause it uses only a sponge and I found that to be a total pain in the rear. Then I the flat lap, and a new set of wheels from suggesitons also here on this site.
Gosh, I think I ended up with something like $1000 worth of equipment and spent maybe $400! I'd take a 60% off special any day!!!
I love this site and the members here!!!
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Post by llana2go on Oct 8, 2010 20:56:49 GMT -5
I just bought a 6" Inland flat lap yesterday. Gotta save this thread 'cause sounds like I'm gonna have to do some modifications. I had been looking at them but wasn't sure about buying one, but started going to a lapidary class last Monday and the instructor said he had had several students that had the inland and they really liked it. So, I found one on ebay that I could afford. I have a serious lack of money and after starting this class, I want to make cabs NOW! So, having to wait another month or so to get the money saved was out of the question!
I made my first cab on a Pixie and decided right then that that's the machine I really want, so the inland will have to do til I can save up for Pixie. Might be able to get one about 2025!
Speaking of rock snot, I didn't think about that when I got dressed and wore a white t-shirt. I thought it would be ruined, but I didn't get even a small drop on it. I was more than a little surprised. Is that normal for a Pixie or just the way the machine was set up? The wheel was plenty wet but it didn't sling rock snot every where.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 8, 2010 22:10:12 GMT -5
All the Diamond Pacific unitsare that way. The water hits bottom of wheel and excess is thrown to back cover. True of any "spritzer" water system.
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 8, 2010 22:20:14 GMT -5
The only modification I've made to my 8" inland was to replace the cheap water valve with a brass fish tank air control valve. The little water tank leaves a lot to be desired. If the Inland wasn't my kitchen counter machine, I'd toss that little tank and get at least a 1 gal. tank to set above it.
Don
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Post by llana2go on Oct 8, 2010 23:18:28 GMT -5
Don, I live full time in my 5th wheel, so I have a serious lack of space. I have a little table with a lower shelf where I can store it, but when I use it, it will have to be set up on a small crafting table. I might have to sell the sofa so I'll have more room to work on makin' cabs! LOL!
John, I thought that was a pretty nifty water system. Couldn't one set up that kind of water system on just about any cabbing machine?
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 9, 2010 11:11:30 GMT -5
You should contact Jo, (NatureNut), and find out how she manages all of her cutting, polishing and wire wrapping in an RV. She seems to have it all figured out. Don
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Post by llana2go on Oct 16, 2010 16:50:13 GMT -5
I got my 6" Inland yesterday. Got it all set up this morning and have been doing some free form shaping with some pieces of broken slabs all day.
I LOVE this little machine (so far). I haven't had any problem with it vibrating or sliding around on the table. The only real complaint I have is the water reservoir is small and has to be filled frequently. I can upgrade to 8" discs. That's a plus for when I get more experienced and want a bigger work area. I am ambidextrous and it is easy and comfortable when using either hand. I was kinda worried about that 'cause the AmeriTool flat lap I used in the lapidary class was not real comfortable and my wrists got tired fast.
I really love it because the whole unit is so small and I have plenty of room on my craft table for a lamp, etc. And, I can sit in my favorite chair and when my back starts hurting, I can rotate away from the table, prop my feet up on the ottoman, and recline back and give my back a rest.
Don, I don't think I'm gonna have to worry about where to store it, I may never put it up! After I cleaned up all the mess I had stacked in the corner, I discovered I really have quite a bit of room.
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