Slant Cabber

The equipment choice depends on usage; where will it be used, how will it be used and how much will it be used. I believe a slant cabber is a light usage machine. For heavier usage I would recommend a used machine something like this:

www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Diamond-GP6-Lapidary-Cabbing-Machine-GP-6-Rock-Cabochon-Grinder-Polisher-/202861549127?hash=item2f3b7d9647%3Ag%3AEAYAAOSwsNNd9m7I&nma=true&si=Wh%252F%252BTUAwBKlbO3ZJV2tQvcMLuak%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Another choice would be a lapidary arbor where work can be batched and wheel swapped out for each stage.

Diamond Pacific wheels are expensive. Top wheels reasonable.

www.ebay.com/itm/TOP-4-set-pcs-6-SOFT-lapidary-diamond-resin-polishing-wheels-nova-like-cabbing/264571392868?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190212102350%26meid%3Dee1193b3108d4788a245293277ea5630%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D202861549127%26itm%3D264571392868%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985

A full set of wheels can be fairly in expensive
www.ebay.com/str/TOP-solid/Lapidary-wheels/_i.html?_storecat=11724976014

I have only tried this one and was extremely satisfied.

www.ebay.com/itm/TOP-6-grit-80-lapidary-diamond-cabbing-polishing-grinding-wheel-80grit/264571381969?hash=item3d99aee8d1:g:J8EAAOSwa-dWsPEg

A "home depot" or similar bench grinder isn't made for wet grinding, and I think the speed is also incorrect for lapidary work. If you grind dry, you'll build up a lot of heat and ruin the wheels or your work piece, and create a lot of bad dust. Water serves to lubricate and cool the grinding and polishing work, as well as to control that dust.

Money is always a factor it seams. I had thought about using a drip unit, but didn't think of soeeds. My $500 budget will double at the least, I'm sure. Thanks much for giving me this information!

Here's a bit of an idea for a very basic cabbing machine, you will need an arbor made for wet conditions. A 220 grit diamond wheel will do nicely on one end. an expanding drum on the other end that you can slip different grit belts on and off. Or alternatively undo the nut and slip a different soft wheel on.
Have a look at what other people have done for home made units on threads here, There are some good builds and if you can do it yourself it can work out fairly economical.
Hans in China have expanding drums for around $22 last time I looked, belts for the drums were similar price.

What pauls said. Look around for used lapidary arbors that are set up for wet grinding like these: www.facebook.com/michael.sage.520?__tn__=%2CdC-R-R&eid=ARDbeEnyaNsJdHV-Uwy2TnutKYXx2LxrnaTYCpSJrOoPC5S98y7YSQb5DzYrQaC-wdXsEEi7u7jyfQK7&hc_ref=ARSsA1BvHUjcVrDjx3kR1ogt0-P7SS3n9GdtvKMpzOvAlWYwW185Vy1btg2oqbIAjsM&fref=nf&post_id=3165139650163368

These are fully restored for $275 each and the guy might ship to you. Add needed wheels and a used motor and you'd be close to your stated budget. Check your local Craigslist and Fleabay. You can do perfectly adequate work on that kind of set-up and I think you'd be much happier than with a slant machine. I have an old Lortone slant cabber but I use it exclusively for polishing and the occasional high-dome cab that requires a flexible sanding surface.

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