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Post by Peruano on Mar 20, 2023 16:23:41 GMT -5
I just reviewed the Kingsley North specs for the ctc6 machine and I'd endorse everything but the price. Having the flexibility to use an expando lets you use a variety of grits at a relatively modest cost (Silicon Carbide belts up to 600 at least) and potential aluminum oxide to get to higher grits. More importantly you can shape and knock rough spots off with the 180 or a coarser grit wheel prior to going into the tumbler or even better you can saw off the rough spots. Something that is seldom mentioned but seems to be a desirable possibility is to take a properly shined tumbler and using the trim saw option turning it into 1 or more cabachons -- many tumbled rocks have an adequately symetrical and rounded dome and once flattened on the backside can be more useful for many projects. Please understand I'm advocating any small saw and any arbor that will allow you to use a diamond wheel or wheels as a major extention of your range of options with the rocks that you love and want to see more of. Piecing together a set up from the used market should be possible. An inexpensive used or new tile saw with a lapidary blade, and a used 6" arbor of some sort should be at least half the cost of the rig you are looking at. The rock rascal in a used situation would be perfect. The cabmate new is equally costly, but if you could find a used one it would be ideal. Other small combos would also meet you needs. Let the wide world of Craigslist and FB Marketplace be your reading choice for awhile. And enjoy the search.
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Post by Peruano on Mar 18, 2023 6:43:46 GMT -5
Is the second wheel a hard wheel or soft like the nova wheels? I'd guess its hard if a 220 unless I'm thinking wrong - its been a while since I sold the pixie.
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Post by Peruano on Mar 13, 2023 18:35:10 GMT -5
Sorry to resurrect my own old thread but I now know the proper question to ask. My problem would be solved if I could move the arbor in the red bearing housing 3/8" further into the saw tank. I'm guessing that the shaft has no shoulders except that visible on the inboard side of the bearing and hence with a proper press or even a pulley puller, moving that arbor such as short distance relative to the bearings would not be 1. difficult or 2. illegal. Can anyone support my logic. I'm getting ready to take action. [imp]https://rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/i.php?/upload/2022/11/12/20221112102902-2677b8cd-me.jpg[/img] Here is the arbor that I want to move the shaft on.
That didn't work but the part is the red one in the above photos of the thread.
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Post by Peruano on Mar 13, 2023 7:27:32 GMT -5
I suspect it is a chalcedony nodule, and hence will be unaffected by most acids. If it has calcium deposits on it from salt water exposure, some of those will be removed. The problem with many acids is that they don't make salts disappear, they may change them into other salts, some of which are water soluble and some are not so problem remains in a different form. A good scrub in a detergent will remove some stuff, but surface staining is real chore even with chemicals. Hence there are dremels, sand paper, diamond wheels and other instruments for altering the appearance of rocks. You will learn a lot about your rock as you try different techniques.
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Post by Peruano on Mar 10, 2023 8:26:43 GMT -5
Forgive my crappy photography, but I'm tempted to insert a few OJ cabs finished in the not too distant past. Interestingly a couple show what look like historic healed fractures through the ocelli. I noticed the same in a couple of Tela's stones.
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Post by Peruano on Mar 10, 2023 7:47:56 GMT -5
Well welcome to the forum. Howdy do, to you too, digitty do.
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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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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 Peruano on Feb 26, 2023 9:29:15 GMT -5
and a heat gun allows careful bends in critical areas.
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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 Peruano on Feb 24, 2023 10:29:16 GMT -5
Do you believe in reincarnation? Jake had a dog too, but he held his on his lap. You don't have an antique car as well do you? You both have made valuable contributions to the forum.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 17, 2023 20:13:59 GMT -5
Watching it won't keep that from happening.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 14, 2023 8:22:54 GMT -5
Left Cottonwood headed west and saw an ominous cloud ahead. As we climbed out of Jerome, the snow was horizontal and accumulating. About half way to the pass fell in behind a snow plow which indeed did help clear the wheel tracks. It got really slick until we started dropping into the Prescott Valley. Spotty traces of rain off and on all the way to Quartzite and yes we were tangential to Wickenburg. We saw all forms of weather in one day. But the visual show at the rock show was worth the trip. We'll propose stopping for tea sometime when we go through in the future.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 13, 2023 19:44:15 GMT -5
My wife and I stopped in Q on way to San Diego for a couple of hours. Tony and spouse took most of our meager spending. Had fun in the $1 slab bin and then we discovered a barrel with like priced smalls. Hey, tomorrow is valentine's day so I told my wife she could have as many of the $1 slabs as she wanted. The 8 inch saw blade and a hand full of African blue lace topped out our hit and run visit. It had rained so was cool but of course no mud or puddles were evident. It just washed off the rocks. Thanks Tony!
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Post by Peruano on Feb 11, 2023 7:24:25 GMT -5
Some of the rocks you find in your end of Colorado, roll downhill and end up in New Mexico. Some on the other hand, just get transported in vehicles. Welcome.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 10, 2023 7:38:12 GMT -5
Its pretty, cab it carefully and you may end up with a spiderweb like beauty.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 8, 2023 10:24:56 GMT -5
Quartzite is a cultural experience; Tusocon is a commercial one. Quartzite is unwashed; Tucson is dressed up. Quartzite is the state fair or your family reunion; Tucson is a visit to Macey's. I can relax and go slow at Quartzite; I have to fret with parking, logistics, and indor venues in Tucson. I buy small amounts of rough at Quartzite; finished stuff at Tucson is good window shopping but not what I buy. Just my skewed views of two quite different events and experiences.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 7, 2023 14:46:59 GMT -5
its true, the street vendors used to sell lots of options of wire-based ear rings, but I was not aware that it had become a "labeled brand". I'm sure my wife has some of the original (ala 1969-70 versions in her trove). If I can find them, I'll try to trot them forth. I like Tela's version but it is a bit complex. Cheers.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 7, 2023 14:42:12 GMT -5
Yes, but all are good options once you learn how you can and should use them. Controling the coolant level in any saw helps moderate the mess from lateral spray etc. The rock rascal is a good saw ( used is more economical than new). You can devise spray shields for any saw, but you still have to have access for your hands unless you are dealing with a slab saw that has a power vice. The big issues on a trim saw are: 1. does the table drain adequately; 2. does it have adequate table space so you can accommodate the sizes of material desired; and 3. does it have the power and access to the coolant tanks so that it can be cleaned conveniently. A good blade on any saw with adequate power will work. Devising ways to control splash, spray, and overall mess are things you have to learn for any saw that you purchase. The best saw is the one that is available at the price you are willing to pay. So, in brief, go forth and purchase the new toy. You will enjoy it.
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Post by Peruano on Jan 31, 2023 13:30:16 GMT -5
Absolutely, slicing up tumbled stones can produce instant cabs; and yes some of them need remedial attention. In fact, I think correcting deficiencies in shape or doming of stones is a great learning technique for cabbing. Slicing off the top of a tumbled stone produces a cab and its up to you to decide if its shape, doming etc are acceptable or to go after it with the grind and polish ordeal. If you want to be precise about slicing up those little tumbled stones, glue them onto a 2x2 block of wood so that at least one edge is above the edge of the wood (i.e. the wood will slide on your trim saw while holding the stone). Use carpenters glue and let it setup for 24 hrs at room temp. Then you can slide the block along the surface of the trim saw and your stone will stay perpendicular to your saw blade and make cutting an uniform thickness much easier. It's a poor man's vice. Cut the last piece off of the stub with a wood saw and a 24 hr soak in soapy water will allow the water to penetrate the thin layer of wood and dissolve the glue freeing the last slab of stone.
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