bagofhammers
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2012
Posts: 4
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Post by bagofhammers on Feb 22, 2012 12:30:13 GMT -5
I'm considering putting together a simple cabbing machine, based on the "low dollar lapidary machine" tutorial from this board, for preforming stones prior to tumbling. I've found some amazingly cheap silicon carbide belts for expanding drums at the Rock Shed, they're $2.60 for a six inch belt. How long would those last?
I realize that it would depend on the hardness of the rock, size of the cabochon, etc. But, as a ballpark estimate, is a belt good for "a couple of stones" or a couple of dozen"?
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 22, 2012 14:46:09 GMT -5
I think it's in the hands of the cabber. For somebody like me, a couple of stones. For bobby1, hundreds. You'll wear out the 220 fastest, in my experience. 400 and 600 last quite a bit longer. Chuck
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Post by talkingstones on Feb 22, 2012 19:19:18 GMT -5
I'm replacing mine with diamond belts. Mine SC belts just were not holding for more than 6-8 hours. The diamond ones were shipped today so I will let you know if they are worth the money when they arrive.
Cathy
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 22, 2012 19:35:57 GMT -5
For me the diamond belts were worth the money; in large part it depends on how hard the stones are that you are working with, though.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Feb 22, 2012 22:00:16 GMT -5
If you want the best price on SiC belts, try Santa Fe Jewelers Supply. 8" belts start at $1.30 each & got down to $1.10 in quantity. I just got an order for myself, my club & some friends.
Lynn
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Feb 22, 2012 22:14:54 GMT -5
I have had SC belts on my 6" in the past. I was only working softer stone like picasso marble, serpentine and banded onyx. For that I must have made over 50 cabs with them. I could only get them up to 600 grit. I replaced with 6 diamond wheels. The problem now is a thiner wheel the belts were an inch wider so I had got used to that. The bottom line is that they are cheap and thats a good way to get started and work your way up.
Jason
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Feb 22, 2012 23:22:34 GMT -5
that is all I used on my old Gem Maker cabbingmachine and to tell you true, that is the best way to start out. You learn true form and how to properly use each belt grit. I wouldnt have had it any other way, but sure am glad I got a great deal on a Genie years ago,lol
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Post by bobby1 on Feb 22, 2012 23:52:41 GMT -5
I use 8" silicon carbide belts exclusively for all of my sanding. As they begin wearing down to a finer grit level I just use them as the next finer grit in my sanding steps, thus I don't consider them "worn out" until the seam fails many years later. I sort them in vertical slots where the new 220 grit, for instance, is in the top slot, next down is a slightly worn one and so on to the most worn 220 grit belt on the bottom. Depending on the size of the cab it will determine which 220 belt I will use. If I have a very small cab I will use one of the more worn 220 belts for my first sanding step. Then I will probably go to a medium worn 400, and so on. Just because the belt is worn down some doesn't mean that it has to be replaced. It just means that I use it in a later step. I have been using this method for over 35 years of cabbing with significant success. I have used and taught on Genies with diamond sanding belts and I agree that they do a good job but it is no better than silicon carbide sanding belts. You can't beat the price and performance of the s/c belts and the useful life time of them, either. Just my personal opinion and experience with them. Bob
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Feb 23, 2012 0:49:58 GMT -5
Bagofhammers, you mention in your post that you are considering SC belts for preforming for tumbling. You will do better with a coarse, SC or diamond grinding wheel for preforming. The SC sanding belts aren't meant for shaping, just sanding out scratches.
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Post by talkingstones on Feb 23, 2012 5:50:28 GMT -5
Qualriver, that makes a lot of sense, now that I think about it, and really does support what I have seen working with my sc belts. At the 600 level they do seem to wear longer and better but the 220 and 400 I just go right through. That's why I decided on the upgrade. It was costing me more in the aggravation time for shipping and replacing the belts in the middle of a rock than I wanted to put up with. After reading your post, I think I'll still hang onto them for finishing off at each stage. Interesting point!
Cathy
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bagofhammers
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2012
Posts: 4
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Post by bagofhammers on Feb 23, 2012 8:32:01 GMT -5
Thanks to all, especially quailriver! It sounds like at least one diamond wheel for shaping is in order.
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Post by bobby1 on Feb 23, 2012 11:22:07 GMT -5
Yes, At least one diamond grinding wheel for the rough shaping steps. My first step is on a 120 grit diamond wheel, then on to the S/C sanding belts. Bob
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