bmw2002
starting to shine!
Member since April 2017
Posts: 34 
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Post by bmw2002 on Jun 8, 2018 18:19:32 GMT -5
I went back and resurrected the old JB thread on RTH about Johnson Brothers. I may have missed more recent posts, but it seems like the last ones were around early 2015 and before. The topic was a mixed bag. Some liked them and others did not. I came across their booth at Quartzite, and I tried to talk to them, but they seemed defensive. OK, who knows? Any one deal with them lately and wish to comment?
I really do not wish to do my own rehab of grinding wheels, especially the soft ones. I do not wish to experiment with epoxy, and diamond grit as it takes way from my stone grinding, sanding, polishing and carving. Any recommendation on their refurbishment of wheels? I had a friend who sent them a wheel, and never heard back. What I cannot understand is, if they are dishonest, unreliable, and just too much trouble, then why do they remain in business as long as they have? Maybe I am naive. I cannot find anyone else that rehabs old wheels. Is there enough of a price difference between new ones and rehabs?
If there are more reliable rehab guys out there, that would be great to know. Thanks!
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
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Post by gemfeller on Jun 8, 2018 19:52:44 GMT -5
Well, Tommy will be along soon to disagree with me, but I purchased a couple of their Super Nova soft wheels and had 4 wheels refurbished not long ago. They've had a fair amount of use and I'm very happy with them so far. You can expect them to have a lot less "give" than DP Novas but I like that for my style of cutting. The ordering process is a little weird but it's gone well for me on this and previous orders. They *will* keep your CC info on file and I don't think they take PayPal.
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hh5
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 136
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Post by hh5 on Jun 8, 2018 20:30:25 GMT -5
Can't speak to the resurfacing issue but I purchased diamond belts twice in the last year from them and the belts were good quality.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 9, 2018 0:13:30 GMT -5
When we stopped into their booth in Quartzsite a few years age they were quite indifferent, seemed to me they were saying just give me your money and leave already. Perhaps in their Hindi minds Americans are dalit.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 9, 2018 6:29:25 GMT -5
For the cost savings, you are probably getting a good deal. True, on a refurbished wheel, a delamination or other booboo may occur. Cultural differences may exist in the way communications occur, but they are a good long lived company filling a niche in the market. There are bad actors out there, but the Johnson Bros are not among them.
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,848
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Post by Dr DG on Jun 11, 2018 11:04:37 GMT -5
you should buy new wheels, Johnson brothers wheels are crap, will not last long. poor workmanship
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 12, 2018 11:12:09 GMT -5
You should ask how Ed Johnson feels about the current owners. To be kind I hear very mixed reviews ranging from great to the above "crap" reference.
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 12, 2018 13:21:54 GMT -5
I bought 8 inch soft wheels from them 4 years ago and was very pleased. I haven't used the wheels for almost two years and they had very little wear so I won't bein the market for a few more years. The price is about half of Nova and will revisit the situation when the time comes. I am not interested in refinished wheels.
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,848
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Post by Dr DG on Jun 12, 2018 14:00:07 GMT -5
I talked to Ed at the North Orange County Rock show. I asked him about the wheels, he did not want to talk about it. but he did show me some great cabs he made.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 12, 2018 19:13:57 GMT -5
Yes, Ed has been doing shows selling cabs for the widow of a good friend that died. When Ed owned Johnson Bros. it was a wholesale only company but you only needed a resale license to buy from him. Discounts were based on quantity so a small time low volume dealer could buy at discount or a larger volume seller could buy more for a higher discount. He made Proslicer blades and Rock Rascal equipment. Yogi, the new owner recently bought the GyRoc line of tumblers from Tagit, or so I heard from the head of Covington, who heard it from Ed Johnson.
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