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[Fegbri]

I think I finally decided on a graves Cabmate for my first machine. Don't have a lot of money or space, so I think this is great solution. My question is what would you reccomend in addition to the all diamond package to get started? Here's what it comes with:
Includes the assembled unit with a package of diamond accessories which includes a 6 x .012 Diamond blade, 180 Grit diamond wheel (6 x 1 1/2), 600 Grit Thin Disc (6 inch), a set of three pads, Diamond Compounds 325, 1200 and 50,000 Grit as well as dop sticks and dop wax.

Will this be enough to do my first cabs? Should I get a nova or some other flex wheel? Any help appreciated!

[lithicbeads]

You will be able to do cabs but it will be slow. An 80 grit hard wheel is the fast standard now for grinding. You will beat the 180 to death trying to coarse grind with it. If you get a nova or eastwind softwheel the 100 and 600 are great wheels. Back in the day when diamond flex wheels were hard to come by and very expensive many people made do with the jump from 100 to 600 flexwheel. If sanded properly ( these wheels take a bit to break in) the move from the 600 flex to the pads should work ok.

[Fegbri]

You will be able to do cabs but it will be slow. An 80 grit hard wheel is the fast standard now for grinding. You will beat the 180 to death trying to coarse grind with it. If you get a nova or eastwind softwheel the 100 and 600 are great wheels. Back in the day when diamond flex wheels were hard to come by and very expensive many people made do with the jump from 100 to 600 flexwheel. If sanded properly ( these wheels take a bit to break in) the move from the 600 flex to the pads should work ok.

Do if I get the 80, I would have to go to 100 next? Or could I do 80, then the supplied 180, then get a 220 nova or Eastwind?

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Hello, and welcome to the lapidary world.

The jump from 1200 to 50K might be a bit too much to get the results you'll be expecting. A 3000, at least, and maybe also a 14K will make your life easier.

[lithicbeads]

Sage advice . An increasing number of people are just going to 3000 as polish but 14 ,000 has always been known as the sweet spot for a  commercial polish. If the stone is perfect after 3000 you do not need to check it again after 14,000 and if through the 14,000 stage can still be quite fast.

[Phishisgroovin]

Welcome to Lapidaryforum.net the best and friendliest lapidary site ever first of all.
May not be the busiest, but its is the above.

Im uneducated on the wheel thing, i mainly use a 100 grit diamond wheel, then a 180 diamond wheel, then i move to a expando three inch wide with silicon carbide belts in 100, 220 & 600 (600 belts being in many many many stages of worn out to almost falling apart, and then frayed to almost completely torn apart).

[lithicbeads]

That is also a great way to go. If my diamond wheels have taken a beating the expando route is faster  and you can get belts up to 800 now which if the belt is a bit worn can give a great prepolish. Another way to get to the same place is to use a moderately worn 600  followed by a very worn 600  as a very good prepolish. Lots of ways to skin a cat as they say and most work if you have patience.

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Yep, lots of ways! Advice given to me before I started cutting was just go for it - there is no "right" way. As long as the rock comes out smooth and shiny you did it right.

[Phishisgroovin]

thats how i did it too.
I just got a machine and went for it. little by little made my own habits of creating things.
now i want a 12 wheel arbor with all the grits separated by 2 inches minimum all the way down one wall of an enclosed heated or air conditioned room with a roof and loud stereo.

[vitzitziltecpatl]

I want a machine like that, too. Someone on the other forum built one along those lines. All we have to do is come up with the time to do it, right?

Guess we're doing okay for a couple of rockheads who decided to "just do it". I know we both cut the rocks in our avatar photos ourselves. So - for anyone out there just getting started - just do it... .

[Fegbri]

Thanks for all the help!!!!

[lithicbeads]

It would be nice if you told us a bit about yourself. There are good people here, supportive , helpful and wise.

[Dozuki1]

I see that this is an older thread.  I was wondering if the rubber expandable drum fits the graves cabmate.  Seems like a good way to go from one grit to another fairly quickly.