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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 26, 2020 20:44:41 GMT -5
Well, I did it. I did NOT buy anything yet. I convinced the husband to consider the trip itself an anniversary gift (it's 7 hours away from us) since seller sounds like they're getting more and more interested in splitting it up. I figure I'll bite. Now just waiting to see when our schedules align so I can go look. Man oh man! When you first posted your original questions about this, I thought maybe you were just posing a thought provoking question for others to ponder. I didn't think you were really considering this! Good for you!!! Now, while you're waiting to make the trip, you're going to need to catch up on episodes of Pawn Stars and American Pickers so you can learn the true art of negotiating/bargaining for the best price! You know we'll all be hoping for (dare I say expecting) updates along with pictures!
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Post by Mel on Oct 27, 2020 10:32:27 GMT -5
jasoninsd - Like the saying goes, "lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself" right? Too bad none of you guys live nearby! Come on up to Canada We've got all the maple syrup you could ever need! Got a few more pictures yesterday and most of the equipment looks pretty rough. He has a trim saw that's rusty as all get out, an opal saw and a 14" rock saw, a bench grinder and an inverted polisher. I've never heard of an inverted polisher.... anyone? Also a diamond genie and a flat lap (which I am interested in). Rock-wise, I'm really hoping to find some nice amazonite, chrysocolla, malachite, agate and jaspers. Definitely won't be buying the whole collection, sorry to disappoint If nothing else, it's a road trip, and my favourite rock store is in the same area, so win/win, and I will definitely take some pictures, whether I buy or not.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 27, 2020 19:55:35 GMT -5
"Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself!" - Yep! That seems to have been my modus operandi for the majority of my life! I definitely wasn't rooting for you to pick up the whole collection. I have an idea a lot of the material is going to be hit or miss trying to find some good/great stuff. I really do hope there's still some good rocks to go through as it sounds like most of the equipment is more on the "miss" side. I've got my fingers for you that you hit a proverbial gold mine with the rocks though... I'm curious if anyone pitches in on that "inverted polisher"...the only thing I can think is someone installed the barrel of a Lortone upside down! LOL
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quartz
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breakin' rocks in the hot sun
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Post by quartz on Oct 27, 2020 22:29:56 GMT -5
The inverted polisher mentioned is probably one made by Richardson's in Madras, Oregon, or a knockoff thereof. It is a stand with a half-horsepower motor mounted shaft down on it. On the shaft is a 7" disc backer to which a variety of grit discs can be attached to dry polish mainly flat surfaces. Richardson's uses them to polish the thundereggs people find and want cut and polished. It also has a shroud partially around the sanding disc with a vacuum hookup on the back side if it. See: richardsonrockranch.com/lapidary-equipment/
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Post by Mel on Oct 28, 2020 9:12:39 GMT -5
The inverted polisher mentioned is probably one made by Richardson's in Madras, Oregon, or a knockoff thereof. It is a stand with a half-horsepower motor mounted shaft down on it. On the shaft is a 7" disc backer to which a variety of grit discs can be attached to dry polish mainly flat surfaces. Richardson's uses them to polish the thundereggs people find and want cut and polished. It also has a shroud partially around the sanding disc with a vacuum hookup on the back side if it. See: richardsonrockranch.com/lapidary-equipment/ quartz - Thank you!!! That is exactly what it is. I suppose it could be interesting....? How good/useful are they, do you know? I'm going to assume they're either very niche, or fairly average, based on my previous "extensive" ten minutes of Google research.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 28, 2020 9:43:49 GMT -5
Those thundereggs are from the Richardson Ranch also... They shut down the digging, so prices are up a bit... $2.00 a pound at the store, but see others selling them from $3.00 - $4.00 a pound now.. Crazy!
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Post by stephan on Oct 28, 2020 10:36:47 GMT -5
jasoninsd - Like the saying goes, "lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself" right? Too bad none of you guys live nearby! Come on up to Canada We've got all the maple syrup you could ever need! Got a few more pictures yesterday and most of the equipment looks pretty rough. He has a trim saw that's rusty as all get out, an opal saw and a 14" rock saw, a bench grinder and an inverted polisher. I've never heard of an inverted polisher.... anyone? Also a diamond genie and a flat lap (which I am interested in). Rock-wise, I'm really hoping to find some nice amazonite, chrysocolla, malachite, agate and jaspers. Definitely won't be buying the whole collection, sorry to disappoint If nothing else, it's a road trip, and my favourite rock store is in the same area, so win/win, and I will definitely take some pictures, whether I buy or not. If the Genie is in good condition, and the price is reasonable, that could be a nice thing. I am quite happy with mine. When I looked at the pics from the ad, it was hard to tell what they had, especially wrt some of the things you are seeking. It did look like there was a nice selection of rhodonite, though. That usually makes for nice cabs.
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quartz
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breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,332
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Post by quartz on Oct 28, 2020 23:41:36 GMT -5
Mel, the "inverted polisher" is a fairly useful tool for flat surfaces such as thundereggs. We have a knockoff of it, the rocks heat really quickly and a cooling dip should be readily available. I've cracked a couple pieces by letting them get too hot. Best suitable for thicker than slab pieces, thin stuff tends to get the fingernails trimmed too. The dust coming off it needs tended to, and wearing a particle mask is advised. This machine is also good for knocking down saw nubs and anything one might want to do on an edge of a thinner part. You mentioned a Genie, great tool, if you get it the capacitor should be replaced, especially if it has been setting more than say six months. The cap. is located under the mounting base of the machine and mine cost about 6 dollars U.S. to replace. A bad capacitor makes the motor heat and it will burn up in short order, or the motor will buzz and not start at all. A fresh cap. lasts for a long time though.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,332
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Post by quartz on Oct 29, 2020 22:19:27 GMT -5
I can safely assume at least two people are reading what I put up, thank you. Regarding the high speed sander as Richardson"s calls it: Unless you can see a real use for the machine like it for working t-eggs, geodes, or something similar and plan to do quite a bit of it, it is in our opinion hard to justify buying one unless it is super cheap. We have had ours for I think 21 years now, came as a part of a group of machines purchased from one person. In reality it is the least used of our inventory of a fairly complete hobby rock shop. Not meaning to rain on anyone's parade, trying to be honest. I purposely wanted to let sink in what I wrote yesterday, now give it some real thought. If you see an honest need/use for the sander and the price is right, go for it, they do have their positive uses.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 30, 2020 7:31:34 GMT -5
I can safely assume at least two people are reading what I put up, thank you. Regarding the high speed sander as Richardson"s calls it: Unless you can see a real use for the machine like it for working t-eggs, geodes, or something similar and plan to do quite a bit of it, it is in our opinion hard to justify buying one unless it is super cheap. We have had ours for I think 21 years now, came as a part of a group of machines purchased from one person. In reality it is the least used of our inventory of a fairly complete hobby rock shop. Not meaning to rain on anyone's parade, trying to be honest. I purposely wanted to let sink in what I wrote yesterday, now give it some real thought. If you see an honest need/use for the sander and the price is right, go for it, they do have their positive uses. I'm one of at least two! Thanks for posting your views on this. Too many people try to be politically correct with everything they say - or withhold information in order to spare people's "feelings". I believe this actually skews the truth - and to me it too often borders on deceit. I find it very disheartening that so many people are "offended" by someone speaking the truth. The truth just IS...whether people like it or not. And that's the truth!
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 30, 2020 8:27:02 GMT -5
You mentioned a Genie, great tool, if you get it the capacitor should be replaced, especially if it has been setting more than say six months. The cap. is located under the mounting base of the machine and mine cost about 6 dollars U.S. to replace. A bad capacitor makes the motor heat and it will burn up in short order, or the motor will buzz and not start at all. A fresh cap. lasts for a long time though. Thank you so much for this info. I had no idea. Often, during the winter, my poor Gene will sit unused for a long time. I would never have known the problem had the capacitor gone bad. Well, I may have after scouring the net or asking here. Either way, you saved me from sheer panic, at the least.
How would I know if it is bad considering the motor is somewhat hot normally?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 30, 2020 9:00:26 GMT -5
You mentioned a Genie, great tool, if you get it the capacitor should be replaced, especially if it has been setting more than say six months. The cap. is located under the mounting base of the machine and mine cost about 6 dollars U.S. to replace. A bad capacitor makes the motor heat and it will burn up in short order, or the motor will buzz and not start at all. A fresh cap. lasts for a long time though. Thank you so much for this info. I had no idea. Often, during the winter, my poor Gene will sit unused for a long time. I would never have known the problem had the capacitor gone bad. Well, I may have after scouring the net or asking here. Either way, you saved me from sheer panic, at the least.
How would I know if it is bad considering the motor is somewhat hot normally?
Tela, when it gets hot it's REALLY hot when the capacitor goes. You can smell it burning. You can also hear the capacitor kind of pop when it goes. I just didn't know what the sound was. Vince and I both have had that happen to our machines. They were bought used and we didn't know about that capacitor problem. They have to be sitting a long while. DP told me if it hasn't run in about 1-1/2 to 2 years to change it. If I were buying another one from an unknown source I would automatically change it out. They are not expensive, but buying a new motor is. The other thing is that Baldor stopped making the motors on the original Genies. I know Don was having fits about it.
If you don't use your machine for a few months, that's not going to be long enough to cause a capacitor failure. If you're worried about it, just turn your machine one every once in a while and let it run for a few minutes.
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 30, 2020 9:07:05 GMT -5
Thank you so much for this info. I had no idea. Often, during the winter, my poor Gene will sit unused for a long time. I would never have known the problem had the capacitor gone bad. Well, I may have after scouring the net or asking here. Either way, you saved me from sheer panic, at the least.
How would I know if it is bad considering the motor is somewhat hot normally?
Tela, when it gets hot it's REALLY hot when the capacitor goes. You can smell it burning. You can also hear the capacitor kind of pop when it goes. I just didn't know what the sound was. Vince and I both have had that happen to our machines. They were bought used and we didn't know about that capacitor problem. They have to be sitting a long while. DP told me if it hasn't run in about 1-1/2 to 2 years to change it. If I were buying another one from an unknown source I would automatically change it out. They are not expensive, but buying a new motor is. The other thing is that Baldor stopped making the motors on the original Genies. I know Don was having fits about it.
If you don't use your machine for a few months, that's not going to be long enough to cause a capacitor failure. If you're worried about it, just turn your machine one every once in a while and let it run for a few minutes.
Thanks, Robin! I just checked, I have a Baldor.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 30, 2020 9:33:33 GMT -5
Thanks, Robin! I just checked, I have a Baldor. The new models are Baldors, too. They just stopped making the model the Genies used last year-ish.
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Post by Mel on Nov 3, 2020 14:37:25 GMT -5
I can safely assume at least two people are reading what I put up, thank you. Regarding the high speed sander as Richardson"s calls it: Unless you can see a real use for the machine like it for working t-eggs, geodes, or something similar and plan to do quite a bit of it, it is in our opinion hard to justify buying one unless it is super cheap. We have had ours for I think 21 years now, came as a part of a group of machines purchased from one person. In reality it is the least used of our inventory of a fairly complete hobby rock shop. Not meaning to rain on anyone's parade, trying to be honest. I purposely wanted to let sink in what I wrote yesterday, now give it some real thought. If you see an honest need/use for the sander and the price is right, go for it, they do have their positive uses. This is EXACTLY the kind of advice I come here for. I can't see myself using it much; I don't do a lot of big pieces, and honestly, I'd rather have a flat lap for polishing flats anyways. I'll find out tomorrow when we're going.
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quartz
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breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,332
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Post by quartz on Nov 3, 2020 22:58:02 GMT -5
Mel, we have a fairly large vibrating flat lap and I built a 20 inch rotary one, both are pretty frequently used, I think your choice is a good one from the sound of what you have. Good luck on your trip.
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Post by Mel on Nov 13, 2020 14:55:56 GMT -5
I had go give up on this guy. Makes me sad but after what seems like two dozen emails asking for photos and getting nothing.....I'm not going to chase smoke.
I had mentioned upfront I'm 7 hours away and very interested but I NEED photos to see exactly HOW interested I am (never mind the ~24" of snow we got last week). I can't understand why with that much inventory, you wouldn't try to give as much information as you could as fast as you could.
Bah.
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Post by HankRocks on Nov 13, 2020 16:06:34 GMT -5
I had go give up on this guy. Makes me sad but after what seems like two dozen emails asking for photos and getting nothing.....I'm not going to chase smoke. I had mentioned upfront I'm 7 hours away and very interested but I NEED photos to see exactly HOW interested I am (never mind the ~24" of snow we got last week). I can't understand why with that much inventory, you wouldn't try to give as much information as you could as fast as you could. Bah. It might be that he's either technically challenged with the sending pictures process or is hesitant about selling. No point in making a 14 hour round trip unless there's something at the end of the trip. It would also be nice if you were to get some general idea about pricing. I have known a few of folks who tend to be upset when someone makes an offer especially in an estate type sale. If you got there and made an offer he didn't like and shuts the whole process down, you have wasted your time. Henry
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 13, 2020 19:27:37 GMT -5
Well darnit! I was really hoping this would work out for you, but it sounds like this might be too much of a headache to try and work out. Patience isn't my strongest characteristic ...so you made about 22 more emails than I would've had the wherewithal to make. LOL Fingers crossed that you'll find a better deal...maybe a tad closer.
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quartz
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breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,332
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Post by quartz on Nov 13, 2020 23:33:32 GMT -5
Well nuts, it's pretty rotten for someone to just vaporize on you. Hopefully something better will come along.
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