gunner1975
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2013
Posts: 3
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Post by gunner1975 on Jan 8, 2013 17:51:02 GMT -5
Hello All, I ended up buying the FranTom grinder yesterday. Apparently the unit belonged to the gentlemans mother and hadn't been out of the box since the late 70's. He also threw in about 200 pounds of rock that she had been collecting since the 50's. I've attached a pic to this post (ugh, my pic is too big. i'll try to resize it later), and have added a link to imageshack that has a lot of close ups of the unit and the rocks (lots and lots of polished slabs). I'll probably be putting up some of the bigger rocks for trade on the facebook Lapidary Swap Shop so keep an eye out there if you see anything that interest you. imageshack.us/g/1/9955780/
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Post by Peruano on Jan 8, 2013 17:58:54 GMT -5
Score! The only fault of the deal was not getting to walk over hill and dale to collect all those rocks. Getting a large number of slabs will let you get right after that grinder. Good luck. Tom
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 8, 2013 18:16:15 GMT -5
You didn't buy it, you stole it! What a great deal, it looks in great condition. And 200 pounds of rocks to boot - SCORE!!! What a nice way to jump with both feet into this hobby. I can ignore the siren song of eBay, but it takes willpower to stay away from Craigslist.
Oh, and welcome to the forum! Jean
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,104
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Post by Thunder69 on Jan 8, 2013 19:18:00 GMT -5
Thats a hellofa deal...Great job....JOhn
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 8, 2013 21:15:43 GMT -5
Good deal. If you like grinding, you can replace the stone wheels w/ 3 diamond ones. Maybe also the outer drum w/ and 8" expando.
Now you need a saw!
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Jan 8, 2013 22:25:45 GMT -5
great deal and what a score!! gratz... welcome to the forum.
Putting slabs on FB lap swap shop is a great way to add even more material to your supply, but I don't know if everyone here os on FB so you might consider putting some of the material on here for trade and see if you get any bites from the members as you always have the opportunity to say no to a trade or if not interest, put it on the swap shop afterwards... just a suggestion, do what you feel is good for you!!
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Jan 8, 2013 23:23:31 GMT -5
Nice machine you have there, and a pile of mtl. to work too. Rebuilt one like it for a friend some years ago, it has seen a lot of use since, very durable. Lucky you.
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Jan 9, 2013 3:05:30 GMT -5
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 9, 2013 10:04:41 GMT -5
I had a similar unit with a 10" saw on left side where your drums are. You are better off without the attached saw. I always hated covering the wheels to keep the oil mist off. And without drums the grinders were not very useful. Very good units, comparable in quality to HP.
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