|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 9, 2015 18:27:49 GMT -5
I took a chance a few weeks ago and ordered a 14,000 nova wheel off ebay. It was list as new old stock and never used. My previous highest grit was 3,000 and that one had a texture on it when I bought it. This 14,000 wheel was smooth and glossy and has some air bubble holes in it. I guess I am wondering if this is normal or if this is how they used to look years ago? It came in its original box and looked unused. This is it mounted after cabbing about 10 agate cabs to try to break it in. Does not seem broke in at all yet to me though. Thanks for any help Chuck
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
|
Post by gemfeller on Sept 9, 2015 19:26:19 GMT -5
It's really hard to say since your image isn't adjusted for white balance and emphasizes red tones. 14K Novas are basically white with only a very slight yellowish tint. Those big pockmarks raise a little suspicion to me as well although DP could have changed its formula after my wheel was made. So does the general surface of the wheel after only 10 cabs. The 14K Novas are very slow to break in but they last almost forever. I cut a lot of cabs and my 10-year-old 14K still shows some of the crinkly recesses on its edges like the brand-new, never-used wheel in the image below. If yours didn't look like mine out-of-the-box in the image below, I think someone's got some 'splainin to do.
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 9, 2015 19:40:09 GMT -5
color is actually pretty acurate in the photo. It is deep yellow/gold in color. The smooth surface shown is exactly how it came. 10 cabs has not altered it in any way. The seller did state that this was from an estate sale and he was told the owner had not worked on rocks for the last 15 years so I guess I was holding out hope that they were just made different back then. No big deal either way. You win some you lose some when trying to save a buck.
Chuck
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,881
|
Post by Tommy on Sept 9, 2015 20:27:26 GMT -5
Looks like a re-coat to me.
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 9, 2015 20:47:31 GMT -5
gemfeller Tommy - Thanks guys. You just confirmed my suspicion. I e-mailed the seller just to explain the situation but I don't expect anything to come of it. I'll order a new one in the morning. For what it is worth my agate cabs done on that wheel have come out good and I just ran 4 pudding stone wine stoppers across that wheel then a 50,000 nova and they looked great too. I just do not like uncertainty so I want to know what exactly I am using so that wheel has to go. Chuck
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 9, 2015 22:07:00 GMT -5
johnjsgems Anyone know for sure that 15-20 years ago they did not look like that from the factory? I only paid $40 bucks for it but the seller did message back to say that if I am sure it is re-coated he would refund the money. Thanks again Chuck
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Sept 9, 2015 22:16:35 GMT -5
I have one in the basement that's about that old and hardly never used. I'll check it in the morning.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
|
Post by gemfeller on Sept 9, 2015 22:30:57 GMT -5
The thing that puzzles me is that the wheel core itself appears brand new, never used. Why would someone re-coat a brand new wheel, especially since it's stamped 14K? (I had the thought that maybe the previous owner re-coated another grit he had on hand because he needed a 14K but after looking carefully at your image that doesn't seem to be the case). Puzzling, but if it's doing a good job for you why worry?
FYI, the wheel in my image was purchased about 7-8 years ago from a cutter who'd had it for several years as a back-up wheel. I bought my Genie used in 1989 and the 14K it came with was identical with the one in my image except for a bit of wear.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Sept 9, 2015 23:25:01 GMT -5
You could call Don at DP and ask. I bought my Genie around 2000 and my wheels all looked like gemfeller's.
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Sept 10, 2015 9:46:46 GMT -5
My 14,000 wheel took a very long time to break in.
|
|
|
Post by roy on Sept 10, 2015 9:51:03 GMT -5
mine is white to and this one looks like a reman job get your money back
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Sept 10, 2015 12:03:06 GMT -5
Finally dug mine out. It came with my Genie in the early 90's. Except from showing some wear, it looks the same as the pic Rick posted. My guess is you were sold a wheel which had been re coated.
|
|
barclay
has rocks in the head
Lowly Padawan of rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 510
|
Post by barclay on Sept 10, 2015 12:46:31 GMT -5
I cruised by teh Diamond Pacific shop a couple of weeks ago and picked up some of their "seconds". They only sell them from the shop. The folks there had to point out the defects in the wheels, I could not see them. I can't see Diamond Pacific letting a wheel with craters in it out of their shop. They spray paint their "second" wheels red so that people can't try and return them as defective. I agree with the folks who say that this wheel has been recoated (badly).
|
|
|
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Sept 10, 2015 12:56:29 GMT -5
Well I sent that same photo to DP and here's their reply. I'll update update again when I get more info.
From diamond pacific: Many years ago (20 plus) 14,000 grit Nova wheels did have a slick surface and the wheels, which start out cream colored, will yellow over time. That being said, the air bubbles would have been unusual. If you could send over the numbers stamped into the side of the wheel center we could determine when the wheel was produced and give you a better answer.
Chuck
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Sept 10, 2015 14:57:17 GMT -5
My 14,000 was cream colored and slick and I got it on ebay years ago. The 600 and 1200 grit wheels I got from Johnson brothers were slick until broken in and they work fine.
|
|
|
Post by orrum on Sept 11, 2015 19:53:49 GMT -5
My opinion is if it tastes good eat it. If it has alcohol in it drink it. If it shines rocks use the thing or else send it to me!!!
|
|
|
Post by phil on Sept 12, 2015 12:31:18 GMT -5
I'd just use it. doesn't matter what it looks like, color, etc... if it works, use it! No big deal... That core shows no use what so ever. There's no way to clean a used wheel that clean... so it's old and discolored... if it polishes, it's good! $40? you got a deal.....
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,881
|
Post by Tommy on Sept 12, 2015 21:35:45 GMT -5
There's no way to clean a used wheel that clean... so it's old and discolored... I agree - Chuck I'm changing my earlier opinion. Like Phil said there's no way it would be so clean if it was used and re-coated PLUS the red "never run dry" label would have been long gone.
|
|