standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325 
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Post by standles on Feb 18, 2021 17:22:36 GMT -5
Hello All:
I have been rock tumbling and collecting for a few years. I now want to venture into cutting and shaping (Cabs, Shapes, etc) as well. I have been researching and struggling to decide what I need as a non professional to be happy. Options are..
1: Hitech Slant Cabber and Hi-tech 10" saw ($)
2: Slant Cabber and Covington 10" trim saw ($$)
3: Highland Park CB8 Cabber and HP Production 10" trim saw. ($$$)
HiTech option gets me up and running asap with other options 6-8 weeks lead time.
I am shying away from (1) as it seem plastic and cheap on both
I am open to suggestion, criticism and other opinions
Since any is a significant investment I just don't want to buy again in 3-5yrs what I should have bought to begin with.
Thanks, Steven
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nik
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2019
Posts: 315
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Post by nik on Feb 18, 2021 18:36:38 GMT -5
Depending on where you are, it might be worth looking around for used equipment. Even an old loretone two wheel arbor with one hard wheel and some belts will do what you are asking.
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 18, 2021 19:42:10 GMT -5
I've got the 8" Hi-Tech Slant Cabber and a 10" wet tile saw from Harbor Freight.
The biggest issue with a slant cabber (or any flat lap) is having to change the disks. It doesn't bother me, but it's something to consider.
I think the only thing I can't do with the slant cabber that I would be able to do with a cabbing machine is "inside swoops"...but I have a dremel if I feel I really need to do that.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 18, 2021 20:15:57 GMT -5
Depending on where you are, it might be worth looking around for used equipment. Even an old loretone two wheel arbor with one hard wheel and some belts will do what you are asking. Yeah I have been searching FB marketplace, Ebay, Craigslist, and classifieds around but it is a dry hole. I am in NW FL and we have few rocks and seems fewer lapidary aficionados. I even thought about making do for now with an ARBOR and get a couple of wheels. I have a motor already off an old AC VAC Pump. I keep looking but am growing impatient. My vice I guess. Thanks for the input. |
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 18, 2021 20:17:02 GMT -5
I've got the 8" Hi-Tech Slant Cabber and a 10" wet tile saw from Harbor Freight. The biggest issue with a slant cabber (or any flat lap) is having to change the disks. It doesn't bother me, but it's something to consider. I think the only thing I can't do with the slant cabber that I would be able to do with a cabbing machine is "inside swoops"...but I have a dremel if I feel I really need to do that. Good to know. Might reconsider going in lighter. I just didn't think a wet tile saw was suited well to lapidary even though I see a bunch of folks using them. |
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on Feb 18, 2021 20:19:28 GMT -5
I've got the 8" Hi-Tech Slant Cabber and a 10" wet tile saw from Harbor Freight. The biggest issue with a slant cabber (or any flat lap) is having to change the disks. It doesn't bother me, but it's something to consider. I think the only thing I can't do with the slant cabber that I would be able to do with a cabbing machine is "inside swoops"...but I have a dremel if I feel I really need to do that. Good to know. Might reconsider going in lighter. I just didn't think a wet tile saw was suited well to lapidary even though I see a bunch of folks using them. I was in your boat long ago. I opted for a nicer tile saw from Harbor Freight. Fast forward to this week (I have a thread under equipment also) and I'm wanting something better and safer. I ordered the CB8 from HP and bought a 10'' real rock trim saw  Looking forward to them all arriving. |
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Post by greig on Feb 18, 2021 20:56:06 GMT -5
I took a course and used the Hi_Tech slant cab there. It worked great, but the teacher suggested it needs one more disk that is not provided with the package. I forget which one he added to his kits, but think it might have been a 600 grit diamond electroplated, to use after the 180 electroplated and before moving to the 325 diamond smoothing disk. He sells a lot of them and had no issue recommending the machines. I didn't buy one because I already have a flat lap that I bought used.
Greig
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 18, 2021 21:12:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the insight
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Post by rmf on Feb 19, 2021 6:35:28 GMT -5
My initial cabbing machine was a Lortone Lu6. Which had a 6" trim saw and a shaft available for a SiC wheel or expandable drum. This was the old one before lortone expanded it to take a coarse wheel and a drum. I wore myself out changing wheels and belts all the time. In fact I still cab by the batch since I got in the habit of roughing out a bunch then doing each step to reduce wheel/belt change out. Yet if you don't have room something compact is great. At the time I was looking at a Sears horizontal cab grinder and the local rock shop encouraged me to get a grinder with vertical wheels since they were easier to hold the stone. I have never regretted the decision for my starter machine. The lu6 plus templates, dop wax, polish(tin Oxide), oil and belts plus a few slabs was $129. I had $5 left over.
I am not overly enamored with the motor location on the HP CB8 but the machine looks solid and if I were in the market today for a new machine it would be on my short list. The cabking would be on my short list as well. Cabbing is not just what you get use to (slant vs vertical) but what makes you most productive. I think there are more people out there using vertical wheels and that means more wheel options and vendors. Fewer options on the slant grinder. Also, though patience is not my strong suite sometimes it is worth the wait to get exactly the thing that provides the best long term result. I hate having to go buy another machine because the first machine did not meet all my needs.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 19, 2021 8:53:24 GMT -5
My initial cabbing machine was a Lortone Lu6. Which had a 6" trim saw and a shaft available for a SiC wheel or expandable drum. This was the old one before lortone expanded it to take a coarse wheel and a drum. I wore myself out changing wheels and belts all the time. In fact I still cab by the batch since I got in the habit of roughing out a bunch then doing each step to reduce wheel/belt change out. Yet if you don't have room something compact is great. At the time I was looking at a Sears horizontal cab grinder and the local rock shop encouraged me to get a grinder with vertical wheels since they were easier to hold the stone. I have never regretted the decision for my starter machine. The lu6 plus templates, dop wax, polish(tin Oxide), oil and belts plus a few slabs was $129. I had $5 left over. I am not overly enamored with the motor location on the HP CB8 but the machine looks solid and if I were in the market today for a new machine it would be on my short list. The cabking would be on my short list as well. Cabbing is not just what you get use to (slant vs vertical) but what makes you most productive. I think there are more people out there using vertical wheels and that means more wheel options and vendors. Fewer options on the slant grinder. Also, though patience is not my strong suite sometimes it is worth the wait to get exactly the thing that provides the best long term result. I hate having to go buy another machine because the first machine did not meet all my needs. Thanks for the insight and you make some interesting points. I was looking at the cabking but ran across (more that I cared for) comments and complaints about bearing issues and some other minor nits. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 19, 2021 9:03:12 GMT -5
Just to see if I had any aptitude for cutting stones, I bought an "inexpensive" flat lap / saw / glass grinder unit. Later I bought a used Genie.
Still use a flat lap (different brand) for some things, but once I got a machine with wheels I never looked back. Wheels are so much easier and more efficient that it's worth more to have them.
It's nice to have a flat lap with variable speed for polishing or for soft stones. It also makes flattening backs easier for most people. Those things can be done on the end of a wheeled machine if it's tapped for spin-on heads, though, and could save you the cost of the flat lap.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 19, 2021 10:29:06 GMT -5
Just to see if I had any aptitude for cutting stones, I bought an "inexpensive" flat lap / saw / glass grinder unit. Later I bought a used Genie.
Still use a flat lap (different brand) for some things, but once I got a machine with wheels I never looked back. Wheels are so much easier and more efficient that it's worth more to have them.
It's nice to have a flat lap with variable speed for polishing or for soft stones. It also makes flattening backs easier for most people. Those things can be done on the end of a wheeled machine if it's tapped for spin-on heads, though, and could save you the cost of the flat lap.
You are in my head. I definitely am lusting over the sexy 6 wheel cabbing machines for 2000-2500 but the practical me is screaming by the 600 flat lap to see if you even can do it or like doing it. The the other shoulder hollers back ... but thats 600.00 in wheels or slabs or saw you could use. LOL! |
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Post by victor1941 on Feb 19, 2021 13:52:15 GMT -5
Standles, I use a flat lap and vibe for my cabs but also have a wheeled machine with tapped end. The saw(s) size will a determined by the material size. I would get better equipment and also check this site because several members sell good used equipment.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 19, 2021 20:36:11 GMT -5
Yeah, your comment about $600 worth of wheels or saw or "whatever" is right to the point.
I bought the most inexpensive flat lap possible and ended up with a good bit invested in laps and backers. Even 6" steel toppers and resin discs get pricey when you add them all up. If you're buying 8" add another 30-50%.
The variable speed flat lap really is a great thing to have - in addition to a six-wheel machine. But you'll probably find a reasonably priced second hand flat lap a lot more easily than a cabbing machine.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 19, 2021 23:26:14 GMT -5
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 20, 2021 21:05:22 GMT -5
Well 1/2 of the question was answered today. I decided to hold off on the Wheeled Cabbing machine and started with a HiTech 8" slant cabber. Figured I could learn on it and still need it as a flat lap (facing cut geodes, flattening backs of cab, etc.) later.
The saw is still up in the air but with encouragement of a couple forum members I am considering just building my own for now.
I will update again once that decision is made.
Many thanks for all the input and advice. I really appreciate the warm welcome.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 20, 2021 22:00:25 GMT -5
Well, good for you. You'll be up and running and having all kinds of fun very soon!
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 20, 2021 22:55:41 GMT -5
Well 1/2 of the question was answered today. I decided to hold off on the Wheeled Cabbing machine and started with a HiTech 8" slant cabber. Figured I could learn on it and still need it as a flat lap (facing cut geodes, flattening backs of cab, etc.) later. The saw is still up in the air but with encouragement of a couple forum members I am considering just building my own for now. I will update again once that decision is made. Many thanks for all the input and advice. I really appreciate the warm welcome. I haven't had mine for very long, nor am I one of the more experienced members, but if you've got any questions about the slant cabber, give me a shout and I'll try to answer - or help you find the answer you need. Congratulations on jumping down the rabbit hole!  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2021 21:06:52 GMT -5
My Two Cents.
I would buy a cabbing machine.
It is what you will eventually
End up using .
Right now, it seems they are hard to come by,
Covid/ shortages etc.
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standles
spending too much on rocks
Well all I got was a rock ... Cool!
Member since February 2021
Posts: 325
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Post by standles on Feb 21, 2021 21:37:40 GMT -5
My Two Cents. I would buy a cabbing machine. It is what you will eventually End up using . Right now, it seems they are hard to come by, Covid/ shortages etc. "hard to come by" That is an understatement. Seems everything lately is that way. Saws, CAB machines, Tumblers, etc. Or maybe it is just I always pick what is most popular. I can say it has been frustrating of late because it seems like everytime I go looking for something (no matter what it is) it is out of stock or 5 times normal price. Thanks for the 2 cents. I will most likely end up there but want to make sure I am going to stick with it before dropping 2K+ on a cab machines Steven |
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Looking forward to them all arriving.
