Hello everyone,
I am not new to lapidary but it has been so long I forget how, well some of it.
A bit of my background.... I am 63 years young and took early retirement to be my fathers caregiver, he is 93. Not a lot of money between the 2 of us but we manage.
I started construction right out of high school but most people refer to me as a geek. I turned on my first computer back in 1989. Started as a draftsman, went into 3D animation, had to learn a lot of systems administration and for a while sold computers. My last employment I was developer/administration and content manager for a website that educated personnel with valve maintenance - oil and gas.
My dad was a rockhound when I was a teenager and the entire family were members of the local Calgary Rockhound Club. We travelled a lot during the summers collecting rocks and crystals. I lost interest after falling off a roof shattering both my wrists. It was just too painful shaping a cab. I'm not sure I am up to it now.
So what am I doing here? Well perhaps I will give it a go but not sure I want to spend the cash to find out I can't handle it. But I think I have enough to get started without any expenses.
Dad had all the equipment. 10" slab saw, trim saw, grinders, polishing wheels, tumblers a flat bed polisher. Some years ago my brother borrowed most of the good stuff to see if his grand-children were interested. His wife says they bought it from dad. Dad doesn't remember that part of the deal but says they can keep it anyway.
Sometime along the years dad purchased a Star Diamond Model C-6 combo unit from his mechanic for $75.00. He says he had it running but from the work I have had to put into restore it I think not. I have attached a picture of it. I think I am missing something, I grind stone or a polishing wheel. I am hoping someone here can help me with that. See, there is three drip lines. One above each of the 2 grindstones but the third is above nothing, just beside the sanding wheel at the right end. I am also a little confused with the water valve system. Again I am hoping someone here has one of these machines and can advise me on some finishing restorations.
The trim saw was full of oily sediment,dad says he always used a good quality cutting oil but I found none. I guess brother got it. The 10" is also full of nothing but oily sediment. That's my next restore project but sure it only needs a good cleaning. This stuff has been sitting in the garage for over 20 years unused, unprotected.
Cheers,
Cadtoon
(Cad is the drafting in me and toon is from the animation)
If that's confusing, just call me Bob
