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Post by Peruano on Oct 21, 2021 10:14:03 GMT -5
We talk a lot about entry level equipment and combo machines that combine saws and one or more wheels get offered up with some frequency, but rarely is the Cabmate machine mentioned. In my eyes it has several merits and in ways surpasses other combo machines. This is not a sales pitch; I don't have one to sell; don't work for Graves, nor am I limited to this machine in my own shop. I do own one and just happen to see its merits.  1. It has a small foot print, a redeeming feature if space is limited or portability will be desired. 2. It is versatile so you need not run a saw when you are preforming cabs or vice versa. Yes you have to attach or remove various accessory parts to switch functions but this is within the abilities of anyone doing lapidary. Most attachments are wing nuts and only the main arbor involves a wrench. 3. Everything is accessible so you are not reaching into obscure corners or performing unique yoga positions. 4. This is the quietest running machine I have in my shop. 5. The main arbor shaft can accept: a. a 6" saw blade (I have a very thin one and a more rigorous thicker one); b. six inch wheels (I have not tried to install an expando but believe it would be possible); c. vertical polishing pads can be screwed onto the end of the arbor shaft. d. a chuck for lathe or micropollishing work; and e. even a preformer guide (which I do not have) 6. It has a two speed motor which is handy for special grinding or polishing situations. Splatter is largely contained by a removable plexiglass plate attached on the side of the wheel when mounted. A small blade table and rudimentary vice clamp can be used in conjunction with the saw blade function. Unlike too much lapidary equipment, this machine is built from solid heavy metal so vibration is non-existent. The bottom tray is either heavy enamel coated or heavy plastic (I don't recall). It has a small drip water supply easily controled with a valve and moved for the different functions; clean up from the drip pan is via a drain or simple sponge-out. New, its expensive if supplied with the diamond wheels etc. but I have seen the rudimentary saw with varying attachments on the used outlets for $250-300. Like any used machine purchase you are like to have to buy a new wheel (s), but six inch wheels and belts are inexpensive compared to 8" analogs. So if space is limited or you envision special situations where a compact 6" machine would meet your needs, give some thought to the Cabmate. Its not a Pixie, but I can see advantages and disadvantages. |
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Post by Peruano on Oct 21, 2021 13:30:12 GMT -5
Or move it to a warm spot when the shop is bitterly cold; or slide it in the cargo bay of the RV on the trip to Quartzite.
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rewdownunder
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 357
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Post by rewdownunder on Oct 21, 2021 13:50:59 GMT -5
Thank you for the review. Always nice to have options with a small footprint. Not everyone has a big workspace or shop. Any idea on the weight including motor?
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 21, 2021 21:33:04 GMT -5
Thank you for the review. Always nice to have options with a small footprint. Not everyone has a big workspace or shop. Any idea on the weight including motor? According to the website, it says it only weighs 30 pounds... www.gravescompany.com/CabMate.htmlPeruano - Tom thanks for posting this review!  |
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Post by amygdule on Oct 22, 2021 1:25:56 GMT -5
Peruano The Cabmate is a great portable machine to cut, cab and polish rocks I have a 6" expando drum on mine right now. It's 3/8" wider than the hood, so you can't use the splash guard on the side. I acquired mine second hand about 20 years ago and I don't remember it having the side guard. Out of curiosity, what # is yours ? Mine is #2031 
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Post by Peruano on Oct 22, 2021 14:52:15 GMT -5
amygduleMy machine appears to be numbered 6721 so perhaps a later vintage than yours. The invoice is dated November 1996. The machine appears to still be in production with few mods evident from an advert I stumbled upon a year or so ago. Your query caused me to get out my accessories and install the drill chuck on the end of the arbor for polishing the crevices on some chalcedony bots and clusters I'm going to use bamboo chopsticks to carry the silicone carbide grits and the two speed motor should do the deed.
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newwavedave
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2020
Posts: 3
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Post by newwavedave on Feb 25, 2023 16:23:29 GMT -5
We talk a lot about entry level equipment and combo machines that combine saws and one or more wheels get offered up with some frequency, but rarely is the Cabmate machine mentioned. In my eyes it has several merits and in ways surpasses other combo machines. This is not a sales pitch; I don't have one to sell; don't work for Graves, nor am I limited to this machine in my own shop. I do own one and just happen to see its merits. 1. It has a small foot print, a redeeming feature if space is limited or portability will be desired. 2. It is versatile so you need not run a saw when you are preforming cabs or vice versa. Yes you have to attach or remove various accessory parts to switch functions but this is within the abilities of anyone doing lapidary. Most attachments are wing nuts and only the main arbor involves a wrench. 3. Everything is accessible so you are not reaching into obscure corners or performing unique yoga positions. 4. This is the quietest running machine I have in my shop. 5. The main arbor shaft can accept: a. a 6" saw blade (I have a very thin one and a more rigorous thicker one); b. six inch wheels (I have not tried to install an expando but believe it would be possible); c. vertical polishing pads can be screwed onto the end of the arbor shaft. d. a chuck for lathe or micropollishing work; and e. even a preformer guide (which I do not have) 6. It has a two speed motor which is handy for special grinding or polishing situations. Splatter is largely contained by a removable plexiglass plate attached on the side of the wheel when mounted. A small blade table and rudimentary vice clamp can be used in conjunction with the saw blade function. Unlike too much lapidary equipment, this machine is built from solid heavy metal so vibration is non-existent. The bottom tray is either heavy enamel coated or heavy plastic (I don't recall). It has a small drip water supply easily controled with a valve and moved for the different functions; clean up from the drip pan is via a drain or simple sponge-out. New, its expensive if supplied with the diamond wheels etc. but I have seen the rudimentary saw with varying attachments on the used outlets for $250-300. Like any used machine purchase you are like to have to buy a new wheel (s), but six inch wheels and belts are inexpensive compared to 8" analogs. So if space is limited or you envision special situations where a compact 6" machine would meet your needs, give some thought to the Cabmate. Its not a Pixie, but I can see advantages and disadvantages. |
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newwavedave
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2020
Posts: 3
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Post by newwavedave on Feb 25, 2023 16:24:49 GMT -5
I know this is an old post, but I found it while looking for a belt guard for a CabMate. I have one that is well over 30 years old and still works like a charm. I actually just upgraded it to a new sintered 220 wheel to trim all of my cabs on. This was my dad's old machine, and there is honestly o other machine on the market like it. Two years ago I actually bought parts from Graves, but today it looks like they finally closed their doors. If someone out there had a belt guard for it you can find me through email at leatonent@gmail.com
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 25, 2023 17:57:31 GMT -5
I know this is an old post, but I found it while looking for a belt guard for a CabMate. I have one that is well over 30 years old and still works like a charm. I actually just upgraded it to a new sintered 220 wheel to trim all of my cabs on. This was my dad's old machine, and there is honestly o other machine on the market like it. Two years ago I actually bought parts from Graves, but today it looks like they finally closed their doors. If someone out there had a belt guard for it you can find me through email at leatonent@gmail.com Please edit your email address. Bots routinely skim email addresses for nefarious purposes. It should look like this. lea tonent at g mail dot com no spaces. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 26, 2023 2:57:32 GMT -5
newwavedave I responded to a similar post on FB, assume it was you. I saw an ad for two of the machines out east but got no reply when I messaged them, assume they sold quickly. My 2nd machine has no belt guard, plan to fabricate one from some of the scrap C purlin I'll have after I replace the roof on my shop. I'll get some pics when I do and post a thread.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 26, 2023 9:20:11 GMT -5
As I recall the belt is covered by a flat piece of metal sheeting, with a hole in the center to allow space for the main arbor's end.
thus it should be easy to fabricate a plexiglass or metal copy and a bracket. If desired, I can trace the outline of the piece for your use. I'm traveling now but will be back in my shop by mid March. Let me know. Its a great machine, and safety is important
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 26, 2023 12:26:57 GMT -5
As I recall the belt is covered by a flat piece of metal sheeting, with a hole in the center to allow space for the main arbor's end. thus it should be easy to fabricate a plexiglass or metal copy and a bracket. If desired, I can trace the outline of the piece for your use. I'm traveling now but will be back in my shop by mid March. Let me know. Its a great machine, and safety is important They have a couple bends, that's why I'll cut from some of the leftover purlin, it already has a nice sharp bend to it so I only have to do a redneck bend at the back...   |
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Post by Peruano on Feb 26, 2023 12:48:46 GMT -5
Mine is a bit different, but since I can't see it now, I"m at a loss to say how. I just know I've seen enough folks from farms and machine shops missing appendages (primarily fingers) to be a strong believer in belt guards and other safety features.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 26, 2023 13:31:18 GMT -5
Peruano I resemble that remark, fortunately only a couple finger tips. In the lumber mill town I was raised in a full 10 fully functional fingers may have been the anomaly.
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 477
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Post by hypodactylus on Feb 26, 2023 14:11:01 GMT -5
Of course I see this thread, think that this might just be a machine for me, only to see they went out of business... Darn.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 27, 2023 16:44:46 GMT -5
But a machine that was sold for something like 30 years,it should exist on the used market (with luck).
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newwavedave
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2020
Posts: 3
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Post by newwavedave on Apr 2, 2023 16:46:48 GMT -5
I know this is an old post, but I was doing some research on my CabMate and came across this. I have one that is much older than the one you have pictured here. It is missing the tank, and many years ago dad discarded the side guard because it's much easier and faster to change wheels out without it, and it really doesn't make that much mess. I own an 8 inch cabber with both hard and soft wheels and love it, but the CabMate does work for me that I can't do on the 8 inch. Number one is that it's fabulous for preforming and making calibrated cabs. I see in the photo that you posted that you are missing part of your bezel table that makes those possible. Having that built on table makes getting the perfect shape of the cab easy. I've now expanded to an 80 and 220 sintered wheel, along with some soft wheel and a 2 inch expanding drum for belts. I probably use it at least as much as I use my big machine, though all finish work is done on the 8 inch because of the room it has to work and not having to swap wheels for the next grit. I have used multiple machines on the market, and in all honesty, I have never found a single one that was made with the quality and durability of the CabMate. If the old man hadn't been such an old goat who didn't know how to treat his customers I believe he would still be a market contender. In just the last few weeks he finally closed his doors and took down his website.
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