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Post by stardiamond on Feb 26, 2020 19:20:22 GMT -5
I check ebay regularly for rocks and lapidary equipment. There are some nice deals on grinders and grinder saw combos that need some tlc. Most of them are local pickup. Something to keep an eye on.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 28, 2020 12:54:16 GMT -5
Lets talk about the options for used grinders/polishing arbors. Grinding options come with multipler wheels or a single wheel mount. That can provide the option of a change out of wheels or an expand wheel that will accept various grits of silicon carbide belts, aluminum oxide belts, or diamond belts (listed in order of cost). Combo units are tempting (1 side for grinding and the other for the saw). But the liability is that on most the saw is running even when you are grinding or vice versa. Many grinders/arbors will come with silicon carbide wheels (nothing wrong with them when they are in good condition and managed correctly but they can get out of round, water soaked, and blow apart if damaged or severely out of balance. So if you buy a grinder with silicon carbide wheels you are probably going to change them out for diamond or expando wheels. A great entry level machine can be a two mount arbor (one side could the rough wheel (80, 100, or 180) and the other side the expando for the grits going on up the scale. In many ways, I prefer and can justify economically using diamond belts instead of novo or other types of diamond wheels. But others will have other views. One point that bears repetition is be aware that you might have to invest in new wheels on any used machine and escpecially an older one that comes with silicon carbide wheels. With a wheel costing $65 to $135 per, replacing 4 or so wheels will make that $300 - 500 grinder get expensive. Buying one expando wheel at $75 and some $3 belts and maybe one or two in the $50 to 70 range is much more along the budget entry option. Mind you I have both systems (expando arbor and nova/hard wheels) and I use them both, but if I was at the start point (I'd be flexible and use expando wheel on a simple arbor with a minimal foot print. I recently studied the cabmate by Graves. Its expensive new but if you found a used one it can offer a lot on a small scale (saw, arbor for grinding, and a flat vertical plate for polishing and other approaches. Rock Rascal model t with saw and arbor is equally flexible if funds are limited. New is a bit rough but used is much more attractive. Just my perspectives hoping to stimulate thinking for those who come to this thread expecting guidance on buy a used setup.
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Post by stardiamond on Feb 28, 2020 13:31:14 GMT -5
There are more good options on wheels. I emailed jadecarver and mentioned what a pain it was to change the wheels on my big stardiamond machine. He replied that he has switched to arbors. A lot of inexpensive used arbors don't have hoods and that would require making some. Good six inch wheels can be had for an average of $60. The cabbing machines have the hoods and replacing the wheels is not too difficult. The cabbing machines usually have a polishing pad at the end. My stardiamond beast came with two hard wheels and a drum. I replaced thee wheels and removed the drum and added 3 more 8 inch soft wheels. The beast is permanently attached to a cabinet which is good for storage. It also has a separate area for a trim saw with mountings for a second motor and a separate on off switch. I paid $200 for it but that was a very long time ago.
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hummingbirdstones2
fully equipped rock polisher
Vince A., 1958-2023
Member since August 2018
Posts: 1,461
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Feb 28, 2020 22:01:18 GMT -5
I really like having an arbor with a 3" x 8" expando drum on it for larger stones.
We've cobbled together a couple of arbors buying used stuff over the years, and it's a great way to put together a shop if you aren't in a hurry.
You can still buy the Lortone splash pans / hoods ( kingsleynorth.com/lortone-splash-shield.html ) for a bare arbor setup. I found a pair used and saved a few bucks that way - but the factory pans are good if you don't want to spend the time it takes to make them.
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Post by Peruano on Feb 29, 2020 17:51:59 GMT -5
I agree the pan and hood option from Lortone allows you to adapt a good many arbors to lapidary efforts. I use this solution to add another working wheel to an old HP setup. The pan is big enough to adapt to a variety of solutions.
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