flminer56
starting to shine!
Im a certified us faceters guild novice gem cutter as of 4/20
Member since September 2017
Posts: 37
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Post by flminer56 on Mar 18, 2018 12:20:49 GMT -5
Hi members, I just reached completing 100 cabochons on my Kinsley north cabbing setup with Johnson brothers wheels. This has taken me the last year . Anyway , I have pretty much worn the 280 grit soft wheel out and the 600 is not too far behind.
I thought they would have a longer life than this. I cut everything from sapphires down to opal but mostly agate , jasper, tiger eye, malachite.
Anyone here getting anymore life out of their wheels? Am I expecting too much from this brand (Johnson brothers)?
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 18, 2018 12:35:01 GMT -5
I think those 2 wheels always wear out the fastest. I switched to a 220 soft and I have have gotten more life out of it. Even the 600 is lasting longer. But, yeah, those 2 typically last me a 1 to 1 1/2 years. I cab a lot but not a whole lot. I have DP wheels, though. I have an 80 Johnson that runs well, but the size was a little off. I needed to put extra spacers on my arbor.
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flminer56
starting to shine!
Im a certified us faceters guild novice gem cutter as of 4/20
Member since September 2017
Posts: 37
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Post by flminer56 on Mar 18, 2018 12:57:21 GMT -5
Thanks junqie, I guess that's the nature of the beast.
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Post by broseph82 on Mar 19, 2018 9:48:42 GMT -5
Thanks junqie, I guess that's the nature of the beast. Us whom cab and make stuff quite extensively, we replace our 280 and 600 every 6mo. or so. I’m just replacing mine today and I bought them in Aug. when it takes too long to get out those 220 scratches you know it’s time. Def get Novas when you do replace!
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 19, 2018 10:20:08 GMT -5
I hear 6 months to a year for pro cutters and 1 to 3 years for hobbyists with DP Novas. The CabKing manufacturer told me his Chinese wheels last half as long in their testing but cost half as much. My pro cutter customers have said they got 1-2 months with Chinese wheels. Can't say for the JB wheels. I hear mixed results for their refurbished wheels.
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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 Mar 19, 2018 11:55:12 GMT -5
flminer56 - Don't buy new wheels. Re-diamond them. I've been doing so since 2010. It cost me about $3 to do an 8" x 3" belt on an expando drum. Here's a thread about it -http://forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/27289/refurbishing-diamond-wheels Please read the whole thing. There are lots of opinions & methods, some better than others. My method doesn't require expensive epoxy. I mix on a glass surface to eliminate waste. I don't remove the wheels (belts on expando drums), just re-coat them in place. Lynn
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 19, 2018 12:38:26 GMT -5
flminer56 - Don't buy new wheels. Re-diamond them. I've been doing so since 2010. It cost me about $3 to do an 8" x 3" belt on an expando drum. Here's a thread about it -http://forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/27289/refurbishing-diamond-wheels Please read the whole thing. There are lots of opinions & methods, some better than others. My method doesn't require expensive epoxy. I mix on a glass surface to eliminate waste. I don't remove the wheels (belts on expando drums), just re-coat them in place. Lynn Are you buying synthetic or natural diamonds?
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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 Mar 19, 2018 12:46:13 GMT -5
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