Lapidaryforum.net
Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => What Equipment to Buy and Where to Get it. => Topic started by: icebird28 on August 10, 2018, 05:32:43 PM
-
Thanks for letting me join. I was a member of a local gem society and there was probably at least 40 years between me and the next youngest person. I had faceted a couple of stones but my interest has been revived all these years later. I've become interested in cabs and spheres and was wondering if anyone had anyone advice on automatic machines for cabs, spheres or both. I don't have a steady hand so, I've seen an automatic cab machine but the sizes are way too big. Does anyone have some advice where I might source one?
-
I just looked online and found "rock's automatic cabbing machine, 2 head". It says it comes with 3 masters down to 25x18 so I don't know what you consider big. I am pretty sure if you made your own master for a different sized cab you could use it with these machines. I assume these work sort of like a panto-graph and you just put in the master which defines how far the grinder is allowed to grind into your material.
As for sphere making there are plenty of great sphere makers on the forum and I am sure they will join in. Although I have never heard of an automatic sphere machine there may be one. I do know that sphere making has evolved from the old days of welding pipe caps for your motors and using Silicone Carbide grit which was very messy and high time and attention costs or the grit would dry out or not enough grit. The new Diamond cups I think have made it as "automatic" as it can be.
Anyway thought I would give a quick answer and then the experts in those areas can elaborate. I am still very much old school cabbing with fingers and no dops. Thank God I kicked Rhuematoid Arthritis's arse and have been symptom free for 5 years and completely off medication.
-
Automatic cabbers are expensive and not easy to use they require a lot of set up time and experimentation.They only shape the stone so you must sand and polish it.If you use the auto cabbers and a vibe tumbler you can do it all automatically but very little rough is good enough to process in that manner today.Plus the expense.
-
Sphere making is hands on cutting the preform and hand grinding the preform before it goes into the machine. Don’t need a steady hand, but it can be physically a lot of work. Mainly on the bigger spheres
When it goes into the machine than it’s kind of automatic. Other than adjustments to keep it orbiting