Cabbing Machine Recommendations Needed

[fernwood]

Was wondering if anyone here uses either of these?


The Rockshed Custom All Diamond Grinder features 6" diameter diamond wheel grinding and polishing machine for all your cabbing needs.  $999.00 plus shipping.

ncludes 2 Steel Bonded diamond wheels - 6" diameter x 1.5" width in 80 and 180 diamond grit for the initial quick grinding and shaping of the cabochon or specimen and 4 - 6" x 1 1/2"soft Resin Bond diamond wheels in grit sizes 280, 600, 1200 and 3000 for the final sanding of your cabochon or specimen

Includes 1 each - 6" diameter aluminum polishing disc and felt polishing pad to create a final polish on your cabs and specimens

Includes a Texas Gusher water system to lubricate and cool the diamond wheels while you are grinding - This gusher system sits in the tray below and spits water upward to cool the wheels while you are grinding. The tray can be drained after use for cleaning and re-filled the next time you need it.

Includes a starter pack of dop sticks, dop wax, diamond polish paste and a book on Cabachon Cutting

1/3 HP, 110V Dayton Motor with 6 month warranty.

Kingsley North  6" ALL DIAMOND GRINDING / POLISHING MACHINE  $995.00


This machine is a stainless steel, all diamond grinding and polishing machine. Heavy duty construction, 3/4ö stainless steel shaft, removable splash hood (4 screws), has a belt guard and motor mount that you attach to rear of unit. 1/3 HP, 1725 RPM thermal protected ball bearing Dayton motor. Both shaft ends are taped to accept a 1/4-20 screw on disc. Supplied with a wheel wetter watering system (you add water to the bottom of the pad and the wheel wetter pumps water to the wheel above). Including: Two 6ö x 1 1/2ö metal bonded diamond grinding wheels, 80 and 220 grit Four 6ö x 1 1/2ö resin diamond bonded wheels, 280, 600, 1200 and 3000 grits 5-1/2ö 1/4-20 right hand canvas polishing disc 2 grams of 14000 diamond compound book on how to use diamond abrasive One year warranty on motor and machine Dimension 26ö long x 19 1/2ö deep. (with motor mount) and 7ö high. By the same supplier as the CabKing. FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL 48 STATES.

This unit is also listed with  the following, but no price was listed:


Take the guess work out of selecting your cabbing machine and trim saw. We've combined the popular Kingsley North cabbing machine and the Rock Rascal trim saw along with all the needed accessories. Free shipping to the continental 48 states.



This package deal includes:



Kingsley North Cabbing Machine - 6" Wheels (complete)

6" Rock Rascal trim saw

Extra 6" HSP Sintered rim saw blade

Gem lube saw coolant

Kingsley North Dop buddy

Dop wax

Dop stick

Have a couple strong offers on my property, so checking a variety of options.  
Thanks

[rockjunquie]

I don't know about the grinder, but I have that saw and it's pretty good. I chose to use water rather than oil. They are a bitch to clean- at least I think so. But, otherwise, I'm good with it. It's quiet, it's heavy duty and I can use it in the house.

[julieooly]

I think what I'd want to know is the manufacturer of the resin bond wheels. My CK came with Galaxy wheels and when they've worn out I've replaced them with Nova which is far superior, but if this is the first time you're cabbing on resin bond wheels you won't know the difference until you gain some experience.

Second thing is the water coming up from the tray means you'll be spraying dirty water back onto your work. I would not recommend this and would look for a machine with an overhead water system.

Third thing is how you clean the trays underneath. My Lortone Lu6x is steel and has a tray with a hole and a drain tube. The fact that it's steel means you need to keep it dry when you aren't using it to prevent rust. The drain system simply does not work properly on this machine and you have to lift and tilt the entire thing to drain it. I definitely would not buy this machine again for cabbing. The CabKing is plastic and the trays drain from the back which is a better feature although many of us have modified the system (if you get one ask us). The CK is great in the fact you don't have to clean anything when you're done.

If you're not familiar with Minnesota Lapidary they have a huge catalog and Val the owner is great. www.laidarysupplies.com

Hope this helps, I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback. I'd opt to spend more in the beginning and get better quality, and I'd probably get an 8" wheel too.

Good Luck

[fernwood]

Wonder if I could rig a drain system to the tray.

Have a very strict budget, but want to get something.

[rockjunquie]

I've only ever used the underneath geysers and I have never had an issue with there not being enough water or with contamination. Ever. My first tray gets absolutely filthy but it's not been an issue. If you are cost conscious don't overlook the geysers. They are not bad. I haven't used the other kind, but I don't need to to know that the geysers are just fine.

[hummingbirdstones]

Jul 17, 2019 8:45:39 GMT -5 fernwood said:

Wonder if I could rig a drain system to the tray.

Have a very strict budget, but want to get something.

From the picture, it appears there is a brass drain on the front of the tray.  You would put plastic tubing on it and drain it into a bucket.  I can't tell if the tray is removable or not, so you would need to tilt the machine up if it's not.  Email them and ask about it.

[fernwood]

Jul 17, 2019 9:00:35 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

Jul 17, 2019 8:45:39 GMT -5 fernwood said:

Wonder if I could rig a drain system to the tray.

Have a very strict budget, but want to get something.

From the picture, it appears there is a brass drain on the front of the tray.  You would put plastic tubing on it and drain it into a bucket.  I can't tell if the tray is removable or not, so you would need to tilt the machine up if it's not.  Email them and ask about it.

Sounds good.  I have my utility room sink set up for draining grits/polishes into a pail, as needed.  

[minerken]

I would strongly suggest looking at this system. I started with one of these and although a little awkward compared to a full blown system  it works very well up to about 30 x 40 cabs. You should be able to easily replace the SiC wheel with a diamond (with bushings), and other nova or genie type wheels.The spin on polishing head works well with SiC disks and polishing pads. You will never out grow the need for a trim saw so there is no loose there and they are good saws. Check e-bay and I'll bet you can find a good deal on one of these.

from the rock shed (Rock Rascal)

combo saw grinder image

Model T 6"
Combination
Lapidary Unit

$440.00



Model T - 6" Combination Lapidary Saw and Grinder
*Made in USA

A portable combination unit complete with a 6" Pro-Slicer Diamond Blade, 6" silicon carbide grinding wheel, 6" aluminum head with sponge rubber pad, wet or dry silicon carbide sanding discs and a 6" felt polishing pad. It is powered by a 1/4 hp motor. One side cuts and trims, the other side grinds, sands and polishes. This is a good unit for faceters or anyone needing a complete, compact, portable lapidary unit to grind, cut and polish small stones.

See our shipping notes at the bottom of the page.

[minerken]

www.ebay.com/itm/Rock-Rascal-Model-T-Lapidary-Trim-Saw-and-Grinding-Wheel-combo/192973210621?hash=item2cee1983fd:g:m7YAAOSwwhtdHA~D

[rockjunquie]

Jul 17, 2019 11:39:24 GMT -5 minerken said:

www.ebay.com/itm/Rock-Rascal-Model-T-Lapidary-Trim-Saw-and-Grinding-Wheel-combo/192973210621?hash=item2cee1983fd:g:m7YAAOSwwhtdHA~D

Since you have a rock rascal, what is the best way (easiest way) to clean it besides the plug. I have a hard time getting the sludge out.

[minerken]

Jul 17, 2019 11:50:15 GMT -5 rockjunquie said:

Jul 17, 2019 11:39:24 GMT -5 minerken said:

www.ebay.com/itm/Rock-Rascal-Model-T-Lapidary-Trim-Saw-and-Grinding-Wheel-combo/192973210621?hash=item2cee1983fd:g:m7YAAOSwwhtdHA~D

Since you have a rock rascal, what is the best way (easiest way) to clean it besides the plug. I have a hard time getting the sludge out.

I don't know of an easy way. I use a narrow putty blade and take the saw blade off. I know the drain plug is too small IMO and have considered drilling it out and making it larger. Cleaning it is probably the biggest drawback of the saw but aren't they all a PITA really.

[minerken]

Actually I like this type of trowel best
www.amazon.com/Flat-Margin-Trowel/dp/B00PP563V0/ref=pd_cp_469_1?pd_rd_w=BKo5p&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=2C6KQ5MEQTMTZY0NDV74&pd_rd_r=0fcbdfdd-a8bf-11e9-86f6-a19ddd3ac577&pd_rd_wg=5zzfG&pd_rd_i=B00PP563V0&psc=1&refRID=2C6KQ5MEQTMTZY0NDV74

[Rockoonz]

My recommendation for a cabber is another one from kingsley, the stainless 6 wheel unit from Lortone. It will outlast the Chinese copy many times over for just a little more money.
My problem with rock rascals is the bearings, you have to buy a complete arbor assembly if I recall.

[minerken]

Had to go out and look at mine. I don't believe you need to buy the whole assembly

[rockjunquie]

Jul 17, 2019 17:22:18 GMT -5 minerken said:

Had to go out and look at mine. I don't believe you need to buy the whole assembly

What kind of blade is that? Looks pretty aggressive.

[Rockoonz]

Jul 17, 2019 17:22:18 GMT -5 minerken said:

Had to go out and look at mine. I don't believe you need to buy the whole assembly

It's been awhile so I could be wrong, but I worked on one that had the inner bearing race machined into the arbor shaft, and thought it was a rock rascal. I have had so many of them apart over the years that I could easily be mistaken.

[minerken]

rockjunquie that's one of those cheapo's from Kingsley about all I use unless I have some primium stuff which is not very often.

[rockjunquie]

Jul 17, 2019 20:03:36 GMT -5 minerken said:

rockjunquie that's one of those cheapo's from Kingsley about all I use unless I have some primium stuff which is not very often.

Thanks! I've been getting the cheapos on ebay and they don't look nearly as good.

[minerken]

kingsleynorth.com/kingsley-north-notched-rim-diamond-saw-blades.html

[rockjunquie]

Jul 17, 2019 20:09:55 GMT -5 minerken said:

kingsleynorth.com/kingsley-north-notched-rim-diamond-saw-blades.html

Great thanks!