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Post by Mel on Sept 11, 2020 20:30:30 GMT -5
Looking for some advice from people who know more than I.
I posted about building our dream shop, which will have a dedicated rock area. Now I'm trying to figure out what machine(s) are going to be the most useful; I've only been doing rotary polishing and some hand polishing so far. Mostly looking to make cabs, and do some mosaic/intarsia work with my slabs. Currently cutting the majority of my rocks on a 10" saw, but it's way too big for the smaller stuff, and I value my fingers... Curious about a lap, but not sure it'd be worth it since I'm not planning to polish any big pieces but we all know how that goes....
I'm thinking a combo unit with trim saw & sanding/polishing wheels is probably my best choice, because I like a little bit of versatility in a small footprint, but I'm also worried I might outgrow it and be on the hunt for something new in a year or two. Being in Canada, my selection is kinda limited since I don't want to pay through the nose for shipping.
What did you buy as your first setup? What would you suggest for someone new to the "heavy hitters" equipment wise?
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nik
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2019
Posts: 315
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Post by nik on Sept 12, 2020 6:04:20 GMT -5
I ran an old Loretone 2 wheel arbor with one hard wheel and an expanding drum with belts and a 6 inch trim saw for about 20 years. While more wheels can speed up the process, stopping the machine to swap belts is not a big deal. However, I will say that making the switch from silicon carbide to diamond abrasives completely changed the experience for the better. It just makes everything faster and easier, although there is a bit of a learning curve on the road to a good polish.
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Post by rmf on Sept 12, 2020 19:22:14 GMT -5
Like the previous post I started with a Lortone LU6 in those days it only had one wheel slot and a 6" saw. Later the LU6x-120 had tow slots and a 6" saw. Lortone is no longer making these. The LU6 did not have sealed bearings but the LU6x-120 did which mad it a great machine. If they made it in Stainless that would have been better.
So a lot of this comes down to how you work. I am a big guy and I like my elbow room so when I upgraded from the Lu6 I went to 8" two wheel Beacon star units that is soon to be 50 years ago. I still use them but most cabs now are cut on a Diamond Pacific Titan. The titan is great but there is not enough room between wheels to make me real happy.
If I were going to replace today I would try a CabKing. I would want to lay hands on one first but that is where I would start. If you like room Lortone has both 6" x 6 wheel stainless units, 6"&8" x 2 wheels and 4 wheel units. Then again that assumes $$$ is no object. There are alot of good used grinders you may be able to try a lot cheaper.
If you have the space you tend to fill it. make it comfortable
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Post by Mel on Sept 21, 2020 21:11:14 GMT -5
Excellent point rmf. For now, our new shop is on hold but I have a decent enough workspace in our current garage. I really like the appeal of an "all in one", and found a deal on a newer LU6 for $750 (CDN). I'm thinking I'd be stupid not to buy it, but then the practical part of me is like "What if you need bigger....." even though I'm not planning on anything really big in the near future (famous last words). I've looked at some Covingtons online, some other brands as well (names escape me, sorry, quite a day), and some HiTech saws, but nothing really caught me the way the Lortone one does. Must be the blue.
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Post by taylor on Sept 21, 2020 21:57:12 GMT -5
Our first cab machine was an 8" unit that ran 2 silicon carbide wheels, 2 expando drums, and a polishing pad. It may have been a Beacon Star--too much paint to really know. Got it for $350, used it for five years, learned a lot, and resold it for $350. Point being that lapidary equipment is not hard to resell if you outgrow or don't like. We joined the local lapidary club and used their Diamond Pacific machines. Lesson learned: Diamonds are a girl's best friend! The diamond media cut time to cab a stone at least in half. We are currently running Cab King. I prefer the water supply from the top rather than the geyser set-up. Works great for making cabochons. Old equipment will get you started for less $$. Club equipment will let you learn and test drive before you buy...
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Post by stardiamond on Sept 21, 2020 23:18:47 GMT -5
The minimum configuration for me would be something that trims preforms, a two wheel water cooled arbor and a polishing pad. Most of the time, I only work with two wheels at a time with a total of 9 wheels. Working in batches and being able to swap out wheels easily, one arbor will work. Ideally, a person doesn't want to go back and forth, proceed from lower grit to higher grit. Working on one cab from start to finish isn't efficient. I usually do 5 or 6 at a time because I want to finish them quickly. I could cut 20 preforms and work using only wheel in a cabbing session.
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Post by Mel on Sept 23, 2020 18:58:24 GMT -5
Thanks stardiamond ! I took the plunge and bought the LU6X I found. It should be here in about 10 days or so. Not sure what I want to do first; have lots of slab material, and lots of cab material.... taylor, I would love to use a local clubs machine, but the closest club is almost 3 hours away, and closed down because of Covid. Plus, if I'm going to look like an idiot, I prefer my privacy. Thankfully YouTube exists so I have a fair idea of what I'm in in for.
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Post by stephan on Sept 23, 2020 22:46:12 GMT -5
Thanks stardiamond ! I took the plunge and bought the LU6X I found. It should be here in about 10 days or so. Not sure what I want to do first; have lots of slab material, and lots of cab material.... taylor , I would love to use a local clubs machine, but the closest club is almost 3 hours away, and closed down because of Covid. Plus, if I'm going to look like an idiot, I prefer my privacy. Thankfully YouTube exists so I have a fair idea of what I'm in in for. Clubs are great. In ours, there was always a good mix of experts (some professional lapidaries, some geologists) who could advise through any process, and newbies, so I was never the only idiot. I also got to use their equipment to get experience, so I bought the same kind (Diamond Pacific Genie).
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Post by Mel on Sept 24, 2020 12:28:05 GMT -5
I looked at the Diamond Pacific stuff. Definitely nice stuff. Just a liiiiittle too much for me yet. Though th husband did surprise me saying he thinks I should get a Cab King at some point.
Someone might have forgot to mention that the Lortone is coming....
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Post by pauls on Sept 24, 2020 22:12:40 GMT -5
Thanks stardiamond ! I took the plunge and bought the LU6X I found. It should be here in about 10 days or so. Not sure what I want to do first; have lots of slab material, and lots of cab material.... taylor, I would love to use a local clubs machine, but the closest club is almost 3 hours away, and closed down because of Covid. Plus, if I'm going to look like an idiot, I prefer my privacy. Thankfully YouTube exists so I have a fair idea of what I'm in in for. Every person on here started where you are now, you aren't an idiot for not knowing things you don't know you need to know.
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Post by Mel on Sept 25, 2020 8:55:39 GMT -5
pauls You are totally right on that; I tell my clients the same thing (work IT). I just can't seem to take my own advice.
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