catfish
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 39
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Post by catfish on Aug 15, 2021 19:37:03 GMT -5
I am so new to this hobby, I don’t even know where to start. I purchased some old equipment a Craftool TR8, a Craftsman polisher of some kind, a Chicago Electric Power tools Vibratory Tumblr. Also a Frantom monster that’s 40 inches wide and made with 1/8 inch steel. Very heavy. It has a saw on one end, a polisher on the other, and room in between for three big wheels. I got a really good buy, I think! Could I have just gotten the Frantom machine, and not worried with the other ones? I didn’t get any kind of manual, schematic of how to set up the motors, or anything other than “I never used it, I think it works”. After checking all the shafts and everything to make sure all of them were turning, I bought the machines. At the time that’s all I knew to check. I didn’t even think about the motors, that came in boxes. I haven’t unloaded all the motors yet, but one of them is an old GE that has a cloth covered cord. I think I got my picture uploading covered, as I did that first before I ever posted here, so the pix will be shortly in the lapidary machine, vintage repair thread. I need advice, schematics, and some manuals to tell me how to operate these things. I have a shed that I think is big enough to hold this machinery, as I don’t think I want the dust to get in the house. Is that smart? And I wonder about the actual worth of these machine artifacts.
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Post by mohs on Aug 15, 2021 19:49:19 GMT -5
I can’t speak to other machines
That Frantom tho If in good working order Is of some value
Definitely off to a high level start So you’ll get un-green pretty quick If you stick with it
If you post it as you say In the lapidary equip section Especially w/ pictures I’m sure you'll get lot of informed help
There as been may threads on refurbishing Especially the Frantom
Best w/ it and looking forward…
Ed
oyeah
Welcome to RTH
oyaeh again
yeah keep the equit out of the house garage rock fine
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catskillrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,270
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Post by catskillrocks on Aug 15, 2021 20:05:05 GMT -5
Welcome from Western New York.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,775
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Post by gemfeller on Aug 15, 2021 20:16:00 GMT -5
If the Frantom is in good condition you're off to a great start. Those machines were the best! You'll find lots of help here -- ask away! And welcome from Arizona.
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catfish
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 39
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Post by catfish on Aug 15, 2021 21:50:17 GMT -5
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Post by mohs on Aug 15, 2021 22:32:34 GMT -5
well mrcatfish you scored ! that really really nice
what area of the world do you reside in ?
I might suggest a local rock club or make a happy time hobby of it here. do lots of posting, reading, make rock pals
what kind of rocks do you have?
O I just read that you been collecting rock trucking
From what I see the folks who offer that to you did you well are they close ? seem like that would be advice source...
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catfish
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 39
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Post by catfish on Aug 15, 2021 23:04:22 GMT -5
I live in central western Florida, just south of Sarasota. I’m not sure what kind of rocks I have, they’re colorful and unusual,But I don’t know if they can stand up to polishing or sawing or whatever else I need to do to them to make them look good, right now it’s too late to do any looking around at my stuff. The guy I got it from could not help me at all with anything concerning any of this equipment. So here I am, got lots of equipment, no knowledge of how to do anything with it. But lots of wanna. I’ve only had the equipment five days, and just yesterday me and the li’l lady got it all out of the truck. I have picked up any unusual rock along the way in the lower 48 states.
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Post by mohs on Aug 15, 2021 23:20:32 GMT -5
That a lot you got take your time something to keep ya looking forward that really important is lil'lady on board with the idea ? you'll be making her rock'n pretty pendants in no time Florida got lots going on in lapidary dept you should have no troubles yeah--- it kind of late even here in Arizona I'm in Phoenix lived for short time in Fl. You seen a loy of the country that fabulous what your name? My name is Ed prefer to be called ... m stly
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catfish
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 39
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Post by catfish on Aug 16, 2021 7:38:46 GMT -5
Hey Ed, Thanks for the good encouragement. Yeah I’ve got to take my time with this, as I don’t know what I’m doing. I got the desire though.
I have been wanting an old car for a while, the little lady, I think, is happy that I got my mind on something else at this point. So yeah, I’m pretty sure she’s on board with it.
Yes, I saw a lot of the country. The only problem was with a 70 foot long vehicle, it’s hard to get to places you want to see, specially if you got a deadline to meet and a load to deliver.
I picked up a lot of rocks, at first I wrote on them with a sharpie where I found them, but I got so many, that fell by the wayside after a while. I think I found one meteorite, but I’m not positive, I got to get that looked at.
My name is Bill, but I prefer Catfish.
Have a good Monday Ed, and be safe out there in Arizona.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 16, 2021 7:53:38 GMT -5
Howdy and welcome from Virginia!
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 16, 2021 20:47:54 GMT -5
Hey Catfish! Welcome to the rabbit hole...errr...I mean forum from South Dakota! If it were me...and I'm not saying it would be right for you...I'd pick out some "so-so" rocks that I had and just start experimenting a little. Pick out some material that won't be missed that way if you mess it up, it's not a big deal. No matter what, it's going to be a learning process...so why not just jump in with both feet!? When you get comfortable with posting pictures (we ALL love pictures! ), I bet you'll get a lot of interest in that potential meteorite! (Hint hint LOL)
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catfish
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 39
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Post by catfish on Aug 17, 2021 13:46:31 GMT -5
Hey Jason, I got lots of pics I just took today, of my rocks and that meteorite. What section should I post them in? I’m kind of at a loss to figure that out. Thanks for the encouragement and all the great info. I am very comfortable with pix, I’m a photographer by another hobby.
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catfish
starting to shine!
Member since August 2021
Posts: 39
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Post by catfish on Aug 17, 2021 16:21:02 GMT -5
Hey Guys & Gals, I just posted all my raw rock photos on the lapidary equipment board. Check them out!
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 17, 2021 19:11:41 GMT -5
Hey Jason, I got lots of pics I just took today, of my rocks and that meteorite. What section should I post them in? I’m kind of at a loss to figure that out. Thanks for the encouragement and all the great info. I am very comfortable with pix, I’m a photographer by another hobby. I saw you got it figured out. You're going to be the envy of A LOT of people on here with all your new toys!
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cascadia
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2022
Posts: 5
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Post by cascadia on Mar 14, 2022 1:30:24 GMT -5
Hi catfish, did you ever happen to locate a manual for the Craftool TR-8? I recently acquired one myself and am having a hard time finding any useful information about them on the web.
Appreciate your time!
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Post by Starguy on Mar 14, 2022 19:23:16 GMT -5
Hey catfish . Welcome from North Idaho. It’s great to see you here and posting photos already is cool. You’ve got a nice machine. People here will answer any questions you have. Lapidary work is so fun.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 14, 2022 21:14:46 GMT -5
Old catfish hasn't logged on to the forum since 8/19/21. I don't think you're going to get an answer from him cascadia.
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Post by Pat on Mar 14, 2022 21:52:46 GMT -5
You did well!
What got you into the hobby? You came to the right place for any activity rock related. Good luck!
Welcome from California.
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cascadia
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2022
Posts: 5
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Post by cascadia on Mar 15, 2022 1:08:43 GMT -5
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