Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 11, 2004 9:36:44 GMT -5
Yippee! After an excrutiating 2+ week wait...(fed ex temporarily lost 2 of the packages!) the Lortone Comb Unit finally arrived! (Dented slightly, but hey I can't complain..it won't hurt it....was dented on the lower right side of the case and shouldn't affect the arbor any!)
Weird looking blade. It's spray painted blue. Looks cheap...but prays it cuts ok.
Now to the task of putting it together. I used to write "how-to" painting books and I cringe every time I see instructions. I guess I'm an instructions nerd or something, because I always have a tough time with the "quality" of instructions provided with equipment. The instructions with the Lortone Comb Unit doesn't seem the best. *prays it goes together ok*
Will hopefully update everyone this evening. AND...maybe in the next 48 hrs or so...will show my first attempts at cutting/polishing a cab! (Then again...if it's ugly as a mud fence....maybe not) *snickers*
I am soo excited! (btw...it also came with some cab templates and an aluminum pencil...Yeah!) I'm all set to go!
Thanks to everyone for their help in choosing the unit! Wish me luck!
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Post by Cher on Oct 11, 2004 9:56:58 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]~ YIPPEE ~[/glow] You lucky dog you ... have fun, hope it all goes together for you with no problems.
Cher
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 11, 2004 10:05:26 GMT -5
*weeps*
I'm so motor/electric challenged! I already have serious doubts!
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 11, 2004 10:55:44 GMT -5
you can do it, Emerald.....hang in there, read the instructions and go slow. my saw came with a Lortone blue blade too and it didn't last very long but i think that is because it was supposed to be used with oil and i was using water. also, being a novice, i wasn't really sure what i was doing.....
good luck! KD
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 11, 2004 11:11:50 GMT -5
KD, That is good to know. After reading your original post, I did get the oil and plan to use that from the start. However, after looking at this painted blade I thought it was cheap and went ahead and while on the phone with Kingsley North, asked them send me another (not the same brand) I think I'm being paranoid. Oh well...guess I'll have a spare blade now! (I actually called them thinking they left the blade out of the package. The dop wax was missing too...not a big issue...but actually thought another box was missing)
I managed to get the grinding wheel and rubber drum installed ok. Now I'm working on the motor. ;D
When I fire up this thing for the first time I think I'm going to have a heart attack! *chuckles*
So far, I have to say Kingsley North has been very good to work with. Jen was especially helpful and willing to answer all of my questions.
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Oct 11, 2004 11:16:30 GMT -5
Hello Emerald,
Congratulations ... you are going to love your new machine. It will open up a whole new love of rocks for you.
There is just something about cutting a rock in half and seeing it for the very first time. You become a discoverer ... and that is a lot of fun in itself.
Hang in there and if there is anything that I can be of service with, just let me know.
Enjoy,
John
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Post by docone31 on Oct 11, 2004 11:57:19 GMT -5
It is a shame the unit was dented. I doubt it will affect the performance, but a shame nonetheless. That unit is what I am going to put in our new shop for the public to watch the monkey at work. I did replace the corundum wheel with a diamond 100 grit. The rubber drum does the rest including polishing with a leather buff. I think you will be pleased with with the unit. As to the blade, I went to a conventional solid blade, .018. The blue one cut well, but the .018 really cut. Good luck.
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 11, 2004 12:25:42 GMT -5
Hi all... Have my hair tied up...cleaned my googles,getting ready to add the oil lube and I'm off! ;D
First piece I'm cutting is something I found when I was with Cookie! I'm a wuss, but I have the vice in place and all of the splash guards. Till I'm comfortable with this, I'll keep using the vise. I turned the unit on...and surprisingly, it's rather quiet. *turns on good music to cut by*
Doc...will be interesting to compare notes after I have some time with this unit. ;D
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Post by sandsman1 on Oct 11, 2004 13:12:54 GMT -5
doitup EM after about 5 cuts you will start feeling at ease with it then it will start being fun,, they just put the blue paint on them so they dont rust up before there sold and to identify there blades i think they paint everything blue it will start to wear off more with each cut,, since your useing oil it wont matter it wont start to rust
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 11, 2004 14:08:55 GMT -5
Cutting is the easy part... The HARD part is getting it set up in the vice thingee so you can make a square cut! The vice seems clumsy to me. Or is it just me that's clumsy?
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 11, 2004 14:27:53 GMT -5
i used the vise thingy at first, but now just use my bare paws.....took a while to feel comfortable with that....but i found it is a lot easier without the vise.
KD
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 11, 2004 15:53:59 GMT -5
*nods*
I disposed of the vise about an hour ago. *grins evily*
Oh man...Cookie's gonna go nuts. Found rutilated in some of the stone we got together! Fairly clear with White streaks. Does that count?
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Oct 11, 2004 16:09:42 GMT -5
emerald, you just posted the 11111'th post, and i just did the 11112'th!!!
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 11, 2004 16:40:37 GMT -5
;D
Cool!
Next step...mark & trim slabs! Yar! *said in a piratey voice* I be havin' a good time!
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 11, 2004 17:48:18 GMT -5
just as we knew you would!
remember to stop for food and water and the occasional bathroom break....bend the knees occasionally....
KD
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JKowalski33
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 451
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Post by JKowalski33 on Oct 11, 2004 18:14:06 GMT -5
so krazydiamond, you just cut freehandedly? do you make slabs like that? if so, how are they even thickness throughout?
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 11, 2004 18:27:10 GMT -5
YEEEHAAAW EMERALD! You go girlfriend. I want a saw soooo bad. Some of the stuff I'm tumbling is smokey with the white lines in it, but I don't know if that counts or not Sure is pretty, tho. Take it from a troll, you can cross my bridge to slab anytime Too Much Fun! cookie
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 11, 2004 18:41:44 GMT -5
yes, Jkowalski33, since the saw pretty much cuts in a straight line, the thickness of the slab is more or less consistent...and with guiding it from both sides (unlike the vise) seems to be easier on the blade, tho a little harder on the finger nails.
once you have the slab cut, it's all eyeball on the preform, and i'm still stingy with my rough and try to use most of it in the tumblers....i haven't tried any real fancy shapes or carving...yet...
but then i am just a troll, too.
KD
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 11, 2004 22:29:38 GMT -5
can't wait to here more about it and see some pics.
kim
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 11, 2004 22:58:24 GMT -5
Me 2 Me 2! Pics, please. You have the technology cookie
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