whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 16, 2014 23:05:20 GMT -5
I would like to get a grinder so that I can grind some of the stones before I put them into a tumbler. Just looking to save a little time in the initial 60/90 grit stage. In reading posts jamesp mentions a rounded cup diamond wheel available at harbor freight and this sounds like the wheel I should use. But what grinder do I need to have to attach that wheel to? Not a handheld. There are so many bench grinders with such & such hp and fast rpms. Would anyone have a recommendation for a specific grinder that I could get to do this relatively cheap? Or do I just need to start looking at the more expensive lapidary specific grinders? In that case, what would be the recommendation? Right now just on overload from all the numbers and wheels and sizes that I have no clue! Hopefully this makes some sense to some of you veteran tumblers. Thanks!
--Kathy
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Post by braders on Sept 16, 2014 23:20:46 GMT -5
I know its hell on blades but I use my a cheap 7in tile saw from home depot precut and use side of blade to grind and round . I also have the cups ...ya just gotta make sure the grinder has same arbor and style. Problem with it is dust lost of dust youll have to make means to get rid of , also its a bit tough on smaller stones to keep a grip. But works great and very fast . im sure he will chime in with way more info Cheers
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Sept 17, 2014 1:43:43 GMT -5
Woodcraft offers a 1725 R.P.M. grinder on sale for $100 a couple times a year. I don't know the shaft size, whether one of the HF wheels would screw on or not.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,622
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 17, 2014 3:51:53 GMT -5
Hello Kathy, Welcome to the board! I noticed in another thread that you stated that you are from near Columbus, OH. Due to the great deposits of colorful Ohio Flint you guys have up there, lapidary has been a popular hobby in Ohio for several decades now. As a result used lapidary equipment frequently shows up on Craigslist throughout the state. So if you do a daily search on CL for lapidary you may be able to find a good deal without having to wait too long. Larry C.
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 17, 2014 7:59:10 GMT -5
I know its hell on blades but I use my a cheap 7in tile saw from home depot precut and use side of blade to grind and round . I also have the cups ...ya just gotta make sure the grinder has same arbor and style. Problem with it is dust lost of dust youll have to make means to get rid of , also its a bit tough on smaller stones to keep a grip. But works great and very fast . im sure he will chime in with way more info Cheers Thanks braders. I will look into the tile saw option. That sounds like a way to solve two issues in one since I don't have a saw either. My interest in the tumbling is very recent and I really don't want to invest a lot in machinery until I am sure that it would be used enough to warrant the price. --Kathy
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 17, 2014 8:00:52 GMT -5
Woodcraft offers a 1725 R.P.M. grinder on sale for $100 a couple times a year. I don't know the shaft size, whether one of the HF wheels would screw on or not. I will look that grinder up and check out the shaft size. Thanks quartz! --Kathy
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Post by orrum on Sept 17, 2014 8:06:43 GMT -5
X2 Qualriver.
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 17, 2014 8:08:00 GMT -5
Hello Kathy, Welcome to the board! I noticed in another thread that you stated that you are from near Columbus, OH. Due to the great deposits of colorful Ohio Flint you guys have up there, lapidary has been a popular hobby in Ohio for several decades now. As a result used lapidary equipment frequently shows up on Craigslist throughout the state. So if you do a daily search on CL for lapidary you may be able to find a good deal without having to wait too long. Larry C. Thanks for the welcome Larry. I do have some flint. Cardiobill was very kind and gave me some flint and some obsidian to get me started on the first tumble. Now, into the second week of course grind. I have been checking craigslist for lapidary items. Not much at all has shown up. But then again, only been checking for a few weeks. I will continue to check. Thanks! --Kathy
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,622
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 17, 2014 9:23:08 GMT -5
Kathy, I don't know if you saw this listing on Craigslist in Middletown, OH or not but someone has a Star Diamond Cabbing Unit, a Vintage Faceting Machine, a Rock Rascal Trim Saw, and a homemade Buffing Arbor listed for $500. If the owner hasn't sold it yet then the listing is 3 days old today so you may be able to talk them down a little on price. The Faceting machine would likely bring $300-$350 on eBay which after eBay fees would help you recoup about half the cost of all four pieces. Having $250 into a Star Diamond Cabbing Machine and Rock Rascal model "J" Trim Saw would be a pretty sweet deal! dayton.craigslist.org/tls/4668179937.htmlLarry C.
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Post by roy on Sept 17, 2014 9:30:26 GMT -5
i have a friend that has a rock rascal for sale in arizona it is a trim saw and one grinding wheel let me know and i will put you in contact with him
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Post by captbob on Sept 17, 2014 10:33:28 GMT -5
I have to second the saw route. You can shape pretty well with a trim saw and it's faster than grinding. With a grinder, the stone is going to get hot pretty fast. And, you also have the problem of maintaining your hold on the stone. Losing your grip on a stone against a fast spinning grinding wheel usually doesn't end well.
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Post by mohs on Sept 17, 2014 10:47:18 GMT -5
gotta second the above! a 3250 rpm bench grinder is a very bad idea !!!
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 17, 2014 13:44:36 GMT -5
Kathy, I don't know if you saw this listing on Craigslist in Middletown, OH or not but someone has a Star Diamond Cabbing Unit, a Vintage Faceting Machine, a Rock Rascal Trim Saw, and a homemade Buffing Arbor listed for $500. If the owner hasn't sold it yet then the listing is 3 days old today so you may be able to talk them down a little on price. The Faceting machine would likely bring $300-$350 on eBay which after eBay fees would help you recoup about half the cost of all four pieces. Having $250 into a Star Diamond Cabbing Machine and Rock Rascal model "J" Trim Saw would be a pretty sweet deal! dayton.craigslist.org/tls/4668179937.htmlLarry C. You know, Larry, I did see that. I didn't think much about it. But let me tell you why. In the add he lists the four machines and then he has a picture of all of them and then an individual picture of each. I can't even match the name of the machine to the picture! Well I do know which one is the saw! Lol. I like your idea, though and think I might give him a call. Then figure them out if I get them. Thank you for the info, because I honestly have no idea concerning costs of used lapidary items. Also be aware that you might get a pm asking you to identify machines!
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 17, 2014 13:47:44 GMT -5
i have a friend that has a rock rascal for sale in arizona it is a trim saw and one grinding wheel let me know and i will put you in contact with him Thank you for the offer Roy. I will keep that in mind and let you know if I want to take a look.
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 879
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Post by cardiobill on Sept 17, 2014 21:45:43 GMT -5
Kathy I agree with the others that a cheap tile saw is a great way to go. Its amazing what you can do with it. You just use the edge of the blade and grind away. I cut all my hearts with them and then tumble them. I also shape up some rough at times to speed up the process of tumbling. They are really loud though. Your neighbors may not appreciate it if you live in suburbia I don't know how loud a grinder would be in comparison Bill
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Sept 18, 2014 7:40:51 GMT -5
Kathy ...that's how it starts... "I just want to grind the rough edges and make the tumble faster and better" "Maybe I'll buy a harbor freight tile saw" "Oh there's a cheap arbor I can buy"
And just like that you're hooked and sinking more money into making pretty rocks that you can't use for anything and can't possibly explain this fixation on hard surfaces to anyone other that the obsessive's on this forum!
It's like the gold rush or Treasure of the Sierra Madre, it takes over your every waking moment.
Just kidding, sort of. Welcome to the forum, its a great way to stay busy
charlie
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 18, 2014 14:27:48 GMT -5
Kathy I agree with the others that a cheap tile saw is a great way to go. Its amazing what you can do with it. You just use the edge of the blade and grind away. I cut all my hearts with them and then tumble them. I also shape up some rough at times to speed up the process of tumbling. They are really loud though. Your neighbors may not appreciate it if you live in suburbia I don't know how loud a grinder would be in comparison Bill Thanks Bill. Probably going with the tile saw. Probably have a few weeks before I "need" it. Tumblers are busy rolling for now. You do a great job on your hearts!
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whatamidoing
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since August 2014
Posts: 86
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Post by whatamidoing on Sept 18, 2014 14:31:48 GMT -5
Kathy ...that's how it starts... "I just want to grind the rough edges and make the tumble faster and better" "Maybe I'll buy a harbor freight tile saw" "Oh there's a cheap arbor I can buy" And just like that you're hooked and sinking more money into making pretty rocks that you can't use for anything and can't possibly explain this fixation on hard surfaces to anyone other that the obsessive's on this forum! It's like the gold rush or Treasure of the Sierra Madre, it takes over your every waking moment. Just kidding, sort of. Welcome to the forum, its a great way to stay busy charlie I can just imagine this happening! Lol Thanks for the welcome.
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