apalmy
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2007
Posts: 24
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Post by apalmy on Jul 5, 2007 23:13:37 GMT -5
Hi all,
Okay I know you get what you pay for but, I'm a beginner and the hubby won't let me spend a lot. Where ca I get a decent cabber for less than $400 . I was thinking Inland but, can't find anything good about them except the price.
Thanks ahead for any advice
Ann
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Post by deb193 on Jul 6, 2007 14:35:53 GMT -5
Yes. Inland = bad.
Used market is very good on the budget.
Do you want to go all the way to polish? Do you want wheels or discs? Would you consider a grinding wheel and an expando drum for everything else? Do you have (or would you go get) a used motor?
I think a used Lortone 2-station arbor, with one 80g diamond wheel from jadecarver.com and a 2.5" expando drum with a set of diamond belts might be the most versitle and cost efficient wheel system.
A motor with a 1/2" thread shaft adaptor and a master lap with a set of diamond discs has also got to be a pretty cheap way to go.
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Post by BuiltonRock on Jul 11, 2007 12:44:04 GMT -5
Ann, I too am pretty new maybe 18 months into it and I recently purchased a used Lortone Pro Max 8C on e-bay for 288.00 shipping and all. It has the grinding wheel which I want to change to diamond but I have two SC wheels to wear down first. It has an expanding drum which is okay but you have to change the belts for each stage, then there is a polishing pad on the end. All in all I like it very much and it works well. I have a workforce tile saw from home depot ($88.00) to cut my preforms, then grind, sand and polish on the lortone arbor. www.lonniesinc.com/Products/Tools/Lapidary/lortone_max-pro_8C.htmHope this helped a little john ps, you can see the first few cabs I made with this set up under "creating cabochons" (on third page right now) titled "First cabs for Builtonrock" |
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Post by Lady B on Jul 11, 2007 15:17:51 GMT -5
Another great example of the more experienced helping out us newbies. Thanks Daniel and John for posting your respective answers. I now have a much better idea of what I could start out with for cabbing equipment. And thanks to you, too, Ann for starting this thread.
BTW John, I went over and checked out the posting of your first few cabs. They are really nice. My favorite is the Mexican Crazy Lace.
Lady B
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apalmy
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2007
Posts: 24
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Post by apalmy on Jul 12, 2007 1:32:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice.
Right now I'm just looking for something to help shape and take off rough spots before putting them in my tumbler.
I have to prove to my husband that I'm going to stick with this before I can spend a lot on good stuff.
I've read a couople of posts about people using dremels as a cheap way out for this kinda work. What are your ideas on that?
Thanks
Ann
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Post by BuiltonRock on Jul 12, 2007 1:40:13 GMT -5
Dremels are great! I have an off brand paid 35.00 bucks for it. Just pay attention to RPM's and probably want variable speed. I started with a silicon carbide bit from Lowes but quickly found out I need diamond burrs, my first set came off e-bay for 12.00 but now I buy from Daniel Lopais (I think). They will shape your stone and drill holes if wanted. john ps lopacki.com/burrs/ |
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Post by larrywyland3 on Jul 12, 2007 10:22:37 GMT -5
Another RTH member posted this a while back: www.marblemuseum.org/articles/tenn.htmlA sphere is probably the hardest shape to make; without a machine designed to do it. This really goes to show that you can accomplish great things without spending huge amounts of money |
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raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
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Post by raqy on Jul 29, 2007 19:16:38 GMT -5
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