sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Oct 16, 2012 8:36:08 GMT -5
You could've knocked me over with a feather this morning when my wife asked me to gather info as to why we need a bull wheel. I've been telling her for months that experienced people swear by them. We currently have three tumblers (two rotary, one vibrating), a vibrating lap, combo trim saw/cabbing machine, Richardson Ranch Polisher (just bought last week in garage sale) and a 16" slab saw. I've never been terribly excited about the final polish we get on our slabs, although the cabs are great as are the tumblers, for the most part. As a retired Army guy, I don't like to wait for anything to happen, I want it as fast as I can. Sometimes it feels like going through the cabbing process, as well as the slabbing and then polishing process is as fast as watching grass grow! ;D
I've read all the ads for the Bull Wheel at the various places that sell them, but I'd rather have input from those who have and use them routinely. Just exactly what do they do and what is the benefit of having one? Are they better than what I already have and if so, would they replace anything I already have?
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Oct 16, 2012 10:19:36 GMT -5
good question. why do you need one? I've never felt the need. Then again, I don't polish slabs.
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Post by catmandewe on Oct 16, 2012 10:48:49 GMT -5
Once you use it you will probably find it indispensable. Put it to work and see if you like it.
Tony
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Oct 16, 2012 13:05:30 GMT -5
Once you use it you will probably find it indispensable. Put it to work and see if you like it. Tony I don't have one. I]m just trying to see if I can justify it to myself financially. Did you get my email? Denny
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Post by catmandewe on Oct 16, 2012 14:55:51 GMT -5
Oh I thought you got one at the yard sale.
I just looked and I did, I sent you a reply.
Tony
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Post by mohs on Oct 16, 2012 21:51:30 GMT -5
I've heard of them - have no idea what they look like
So how about one you fine folks post a picture of bull wheel ?
otherwise, were just talking a bunch of bull ;D
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Post by mohs on Oct 16, 2012 21:51:48 GMT -5
mostly
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Oct 17, 2012 8:36:12 GMT -5
I've heard of them - have no idea what they look like So how about one you fine folks post a picture of bull wheel ? otherwise, were just talking a bunch of bull ;D www.therockshed.com/rocklapidary.html
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 17, 2012 8:57:50 GMT -5
Bull wheels are 4" X 12" expanding drums. The unit usually comes with a 12" polish head also. Made by Texas Rocks originally I think and now made by Polaris. Pretty "spendy" as they say in the Northwest. You can't find diamond belts to fit as far as I know. Since you already have the Richardson and the vibe lap, not sure what advantage the Bull Wheel unit would be. An arbor with standard 8" X 3" drums would do just as well and you could use diamond belts and easier to find SC belts as well.
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Post by mohs on Oct 17, 2012 9:40:46 GMT -5
I think that's great advice above by John After seeing the picture in the link Thanks!! I want one ! But its way down on my priority list Obviously your big into slabs and must have lots of thunder eggs Plus you have the Richardson Buff hhhmmmm so if you have spare bucks I guess, the bull wheel may still be a good investment lapidary equipment doesn't lose much value and that ain't no bull Best! Ed
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Oct 18, 2012 1:50:55 GMT -5
If you already have a Richardsen's and vibe flat lap, just add an expanding drum unit.
We have both 6" & 8" units, and they're quite cost effective. Silicon Carbide belts are inexpensive, and if you prefer, diamond belts are more expensive, but much faster and longer lasting.
The sweetest thing is that you can set up a two drum unit, on a used arbor with inexpensive motor and Harbor Freight "router speed control" for a fraction of the cost of a Bull Wheel. This will give you a very flexible unit that will operate as high RPM as your motor is rated.
Kris
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 18, 2012 8:39:30 GMT -5
Bull wheel in the lower left side (with plastic bag over the polishing wheel) My Bull Wheel is just a polisher, no grinding attachments,, made for flat polishing slabs and halves. Trim saw is waiting on bearings before I can use it. Sorry I don't have a better picture.
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 18, 2012 8:58:26 GMT -5
He has the Richardson 12" polish head already. He was asking about the bull wheel (4" X 12" expando). A polish head is not a wheel even though many people call them that.
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Oct 18, 2012 14:46:37 GMT -5
I think that's great advice above by John After seeing the picture in the link Thanks!! I want one ! But its way down on my priority list Obviously your big into slabs and must have lots of thunder eggs Plus you have the Richardson Buff hhhmmmm so if you have spare bucks I guess, the bull wheel may still be a good investment lapidary equipment doesn't lose much value and that ain't no bull Best! Ed Actually I only have three thundereggs that were given to me by friends in OR when I visited up there this summer. But yes, I do love to make slabs. My wife takes over after I'm through for cabs. I prefer agates, jaspers and wonderstone that we find ourselves but also enjoy rocks that folks from this and another forum send to me as opposed to buying from eBay. I enjoy trading rough or slabs so that keeps everything fresh.
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Post by mohs on Oct 18, 2012 16:01:36 GMT -5
Hey Pal I only have 3 thunder eggs too! A friend visited Richardson and brought them back for me She claims her sister is due to visit AZ and bringing me some more! Probably can't have enough T-Eggs So what part of the world are you doing this wonderstone- jasp/ag collecting?
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Oct 18, 2012 16:51:05 GMT -5
Hey Pal I only have 3 thunder eggs too! A friend visited Richardson and brought them back for me She claims her sister is due to visit AZ and bringing me some more! Probably can't have enough T-Eggs So what part of the world are you doing this wonderstone- jasp/ag collecting? Well, I live in central Texas so you can forget about it here. I got most of my stuff in OR, ID, UT, and CO this summer. I mailed 27 LFRBs to myself at home. EXCELLENT summer!
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 18, 2012 21:34:54 GMT -5
He has the Richardson 12" polish head already. He was asking about the bull wheel (4" X 12" expando). A polish head is not a wheel even though many people call them that. Really? !!!!! I didn't know that ... That's the name it was given when I got it so I have been echoing it to others.... Thanks for clearing that up for me!! I have a spare motor I got in my last deal and am looking to set it up similar to my polishing wheel except with an expando wheel so I can do some cab work too!!
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 18, 2012 21:41:58 GMT -5
Hey Pal I only have 3 thunder eggs too! Probably can't have enough T-Eggs HA !!! I have a 5 gallon bucket of them, a blue tote container of them, and a box of them!!! All Uncut !!! I have way too many of them !!!! I have them in small, medium, & Large sizes..... Singles, doubles, triples.. even a few quads..... I have half a 5 gallon bucket of sliced T. Eggs too.... If either of you ever want to trade some slabs for some of my eggs... drop me a line!! Mario
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 19, 2012 9:06:27 GMT -5
The Bull Wheel unit always had the 12" buff head as well. Somehow people started calling the buff heads bull wheels. I mean a lot of people do. The Bull Wheels were out of production for many years so many people likely never saw one. I think John Rowland at China Park is either making one or plans to.
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on Oct 19, 2012 14:31:47 GMT -5
He already is as it is in his catalog right now.
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