Hello, People! I welcome any and all respectful comments on my channel, please let me know what you think. Constructive criticism welcome, can't promise I'll take it but I will listen! As always.. Thanks for watching, commenting, subscribing, and I appreciate every one of you!
I have learned more watching your videos on making cabs than I ever have! I just hope when I make my first one it will turn out half as good as yours! Amazing polish on those stones! Looking forward to watching more of your videos! Thank you for being so thorough and sharing such valuable information.
You're very welcome, Patricia. Anyone can cab! As long as you can see the stone... And even then I bet a blind person could do it. Once I get used to a material, how long a particular stage takes, I often go from wheel to wheel without looking too closely at the stone. I usually do pretty good at getting the scratches out from the pervious grit. An eye for shape is good to have.
I worked up a few more pieces trying to break in these wheels. That 600 grit, the brown one, is a real piece of work. I'm not sure if it will ever break in and become smooth enough for cabochon making, especially if working soft materials like turquoise. I'm still mostly using my old DP Novas for turquoise and other soft stone, I only use these XTR wheels for large or hard stone pieces. I'll be buying DP Novas again soon I think. Thanks for watching and commenting! :D
2 years later. I’m curious to find out how those KN wheels turned out for you ? I’m getting ready to buy my first cabbing machine and I’m in between on the Kingsley North 8” or the Cab King 8”. Leaning towards the Cab King, but could be swayed either way. Hoping to cut opals mainly, but there may be other material in the mix. Thank you for any info you share.
Hello! First, I'd like to say that I wish I had just put this $400 I spent on these wheels towards Diamond Pacific Nova Wheels. Unless Diamond Pacific's quality has gone way down, I think their product is better for making quality precise cabochons. I don't buy wheels often, they're a major purchase for me. I don't think these KN XTR wheels are complete garbage or anything like that. But if you watched the video, the quality of the application of epoxy grit is not particularly consistent. The large globs of epoxy really bring down the useability of the wheels. I tried to break them in by polishing good size rock specimens but kinda gave up after a half dozen rocks. I took a file to parts of the worst wheels, grinding away some of the extra bad spots. If I had no other choice I'd use the KN XTR wheels but I just continue to use my old set of DP Novas. I never was a mass producer of stonework and my production has continued to decline. I'm sure I'll be doing more in the future but for now it's fine. I figure I'll set up these KN XTR on an extra arbor I have. Perhaps to sell the machine, perhaps to use personally. Concerning machines - I love my 8" Cabking. I have never used the KN machine. A major purchasing decision for me was the motor/arbor design. I wanted the motor inline and integrated into the machine. No belts or pulleys, etc. I know that many will feel the complete opposite and would say they like the easy replaceability of a external motor, but I would counter with the fact that electric motors are fantastically reliable and can last for decades. I'd have my Cabking motor rewired/rewound locally if it ever goes bad.
Hello Marc! Good video. Could have done better on the sound, ie turn off the machine when not in use and you are speaking, the high pitched whine is distracting, at least on my laptop speakers. This made me want to see your other videos, as I am in the market for a cabbing machine. Best deal I see in Kingsley North 6 inch with Diamond Pacific wheels. I like the belt drive and the fact that it is stainless steel. Thoughts/opinions? Is it worth the extra 1000 to go to the 8 inch machine? Is the greter space between wheels a big deal?
Hi, Rob! Thanks for the comment and welcome to the channel. There are many facets to making videos that I could do better. This is an amateur channel and we embrace the suck here. lol. I don't have any experience with that machine but I'm sure it would do the job. 8 inch vs 6 inch, much could be said about this subject, but I think the main consideration is this. If it's a hobby, 6 inch might be fine. If it's a business where you serious and are making an income, buy the biggest, best machine you can get. Whatever brand. Good luck! :D
You mentioned that the wheels are unbalanced when changing to new wheels due to the old mud and slag that is still on the old wheels. Is there any way to clean the wheels so that you can get the buildup of slag off of them? Also, you mentioned a stage of grinding and stabilizer. What do yo mean by stabilizer? Love the video. Keep posting and I'll keep watching!
Hi ya, G Jackson! Welcome to the channel. Generally I use a scrub brush to clean the wheels, bucket of water and just go to town. Seems like most of the cruddy buildup is on the hoods themselves. Wheel balancing is something that I read alot about before I got my machine, like it was a big deal or something. But I hardly worry about it at all. Out of round soft wheels are a way bigger more common issue. And with these wheels, the epoxy distribution being unequal on some. Stabilizer - Generally I'm talking a little superglue. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate Good for small pits, etc. I like super thin version. I have used epoxy and acetone mixture to stabilize as well though that takes more time.
Thanks! I do wish the quality control was a little better on these wheels. Been trying to get them worked in today. I 've polished up a few chunks and the 280 and 600 seem unfazed. Just gotta keep at it.
Hi Mark, Thanks for the video. I have a question for you. Do you have any used 8 inch soft resin wheels that you don't need anymore? I am just getting started in lapidary and I bought a used CabKing 8 inch that was missing its wheels. I bought some diamond hard wheels and I got a great deal on some soft wheels in higher grits. I found some used Diamond Pacific wheels at the Ventura show last month. I got thee 1200 wheels and one 3000 for $40 in the silent auction. I am still missing the 280 and 600 soft wheels. I started making cabochons using machines at my club. I am eager to start using my own machine. Let me know if you know someone who is getting rid of some old wheels I can use. For me it's a 40 mile drive to the club shop and it's small so there is only room for 4 member at a time. So if I could work on my rocks at home that would leave room for other members who don't have equipment. My club is the San joaquin Valley Lapidary Society. They can definitely use some better equipment. The club only has 2 saws and one cabbing machine and an arbor with the hard diamond wheels. I can fix any lapidary machine so if anyone has old or broken equipment, let me know. My email address is support@taftpcservices.com, Thanks.
Hi, Arthur. Welcome to the channel. I've been saving my used wheels in order to refresh them myself, epoxy and grit... I have seen them occasionally for sale on Facebook. If I see some I could let you know. Certainly is nice to be able to work from home. I know I enjoy it. Perhaps if anybody sees your comment for machinery they will contact you. Good luck! :D
Hi, Keith! Welcome to the channel. I don't know what kind of wood it used to be so I just go with location, it was found in South-Eastern Utah, Yellow Cat or Poison Strip area. Which is kinda near to Arches National Park. Hope that helps... Thanks for watching and commenting! Always appreciated. :D
I’ve used there original wheels I’ve used Johnson brothers super nova wheels and diamond pasific wheels every wheel I have used except the diamond pacific wheels the resin has separated from the belt and you have junk in a couple months have had a set of diamond pacific wheels for almost 2 years and they are holding strong I do allot of softer rock
Hi, Pete. Thanks for the comment. Personally, I've gone through 2 sets of the soft regular cabking wheels. Didn't have a lot of separation issues, but some were quite out of round. 1 set of the Diamond Pacific Nova's, very good, really the best, but you pay for it. I'm barely getting these XTR wheels broken in still, over 1 month later. Been using the DP Novas for cab making still. They'll last for years more if one only does turquoise and such.
Hello, People! I welcome any and all respectful comments on my channel, please let me know what you think. Constructive criticism welcome, can't promise I'll take it but I will listen!
As always.. Thanks for watching, commenting, subscribing, and I appreciate every one of you!
I have learned more watching your videos on making cabs than I ever have! I just hope when I make my first one it will turn out half as good as yours! Amazing polish on those stones! Looking forward to watching more of your videos! Thank you for being so thorough and sharing such valuable information.
You're very welcome, Patricia.
Anyone can cab! As long as you can see the stone... And even then I bet a blind person could do it. Once I get used to a material, how long a particular stage takes, I often go from wheel to wheel without looking too closely at the stone. I usually do pretty good at getting the scratches out from the pervious grit. An eye for shape is good to have.
Thanks for sharing your experience with those Kingsley North wheels. Very interesting.
I worked up a few more pieces trying to break in these wheels. That 600 grit, the brown one, is a real piece of work. I'm not sure if it will ever break in and become smooth enough for cabochon making, especially if working soft materials like turquoise. I'm still mostly using my old DP Novas for turquoise and other soft stone, I only use these XTR wheels for large or hard stone pieces. I'll be buying DP Novas again soon I think. Thanks for watching and commenting! :D
2 years later.
I’m curious to find out how those KN wheels turned out for you ?
I’m getting ready to buy my first cabbing machine and I’m in between on the Kingsley North 8” or the Cab King 8”. Leaning towards the Cab King, but could be swayed either way.
Hoping to cut opals mainly, but there may be other material in the mix.
Thank you for any info you share.
Hello!
First, I'd like to say that I wish I had just put this $400 I spent on these wheels towards Diamond Pacific Nova Wheels. Unless Diamond Pacific's quality has gone way down, I think their product is better for making quality precise cabochons. I don't buy wheels often, they're a major purchase for me.
I don't think these KN XTR wheels are complete garbage or anything like that. But if you watched the video, the quality of the application of epoxy grit is not particularly consistent. The large globs of epoxy really bring down the useability of the wheels. I tried to break them in by polishing good size rock specimens but kinda gave up after a half dozen rocks. I took a file to parts of the worst wheels, grinding away some of the extra bad spots.
If I had no other choice I'd use the KN XTR wheels but I just continue to use my old set of DP Novas. I never was a mass producer of stonework and my production has continued to decline. I'm sure I'll be doing more in the future but for now it's fine. I figure I'll set up these KN XTR on an extra arbor I have. Perhaps to sell the machine, perhaps to use personally.
Concerning machines - I love my 8" Cabking. I have never used the KN machine.
A major purchasing decision for me was the motor/arbor design. I wanted the motor inline and integrated into the machine. No belts or pulleys, etc. I know that many will feel the complete opposite and would say they like the easy replaceability of a external motor, but I would counter with the fact that electric motors are fantastically reliable and can last for decades. I'd have my Cabking motor rewired/rewound locally if it ever goes bad.
What are you using to seal/ stabilize the piece of petrified wood
Superglue! I know it's not the best to use but it sure is fast and easy, and it works.
Hello Marc! Good video. Could have done better on the sound, ie turn off the machine when not in use and you are speaking, the high pitched whine is distracting, at least on my laptop speakers. This made me want to see your other videos, as I am in the market for a cabbing machine. Best deal I see in Kingsley North 6 inch with Diamond Pacific wheels. I like the belt drive and the fact that it is stainless steel. Thoughts/opinions? Is it worth the extra 1000 to go to the 8 inch machine? Is the greter space between wheels a big deal?
Hi, Rob! Thanks for the comment and welcome to the channel. There are many facets to making videos that I could do better. This is an amateur channel and we embrace the suck here. lol. I don't have any experience with that machine but I'm sure it would do the job.
8 inch vs 6 inch, much could be said about this subject, but I think the main consideration is this. If it's a hobby, 6 inch might be fine. If it's a business where you serious and are making an income, buy the biggest, best machine you can get. Whatever brand. Good luck! :D
You mentioned that the wheels are unbalanced when changing to new wheels due to the old mud and slag that is still on the old wheels. Is there any way to clean the wheels so that you can get the buildup of slag off of them? Also, you mentioned a stage of grinding and stabilizer. What do yo mean by stabilizer? Love the video. Keep posting and I'll keep watching!
Hi ya, G Jackson! Welcome to the channel.
Generally I use a scrub brush to clean the wheels, bucket of water and just go to town. Seems like most of the cruddy buildup is on the hoods themselves.
Wheel balancing is something that I read alot about before I got my machine, like it was a big deal or something. But I hardly worry about it at all.
Out of round soft wheels are a way bigger more common issue. And with these wheels, the epoxy distribution being unequal on some.
Stabilizer - Generally I'm talking a little superglue. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate Good for small pits, etc. I like super thin version.
I have used epoxy and acetone mixture to stabilize as well though that takes more time.
nice looked good for the first run , really nice polish
Thanks! I do wish the quality control was a little better on these wheels. Been trying to get them worked in today. I 've polished up a few chunks and the 280 and 600 seem unfazed. Just gotta keep at it.
Thank you !!!!!! nice review , from an old rockhound.
Thanks for watching and the lovely comment! Much appreciated.
Hi Mark, Thanks for the video. I have a question for you. Do you have any used 8 inch soft resin wheels that you don't need anymore? I am just getting started in lapidary and I bought a used CabKing 8 inch that was missing its wheels. I bought some diamond hard wheels and I got a great deal on some soft wheels in higher grits. I found some used Diamond Pacific wheels at the Ventura show last month. I got thee 1200 wheels and one 3000 for $40 in the silent auction. I am still missing the 280 and 600 soft wheels. I started making cabochons using machines at my club. I am eager to start using my own machine. Let me know if you know someone who is getting rid of some old wheels I can use. For me it's a 40 mile drive to the club shop and it's small so there is only room for 4 member at a time. So if I could work on my rocks at home that would leave room for other members who don't have equipment. My club is the San joaquin Valley Lapidary Society. They can definitely use some better equipment. The club only has 2 saws and one cabbing machine and an arbor with the hard diamond wheels. I can fix any lapidary machine so if anyone has old or broken equipment, let me know. My email address is support@taftpcservices.com, Thanks.
Hi, Arthur. Welcome to the channel. I've been saving my used wheels in order to refresh them myself, epoxy and grit... I have seen them occasionally for sale on Facebook. If I see some I could let you know. Certainly is nice to be able to work from home. I know I enjoy it.
Perhaps if anybody sees your comment for machinery they will contact you. Good luck! :D
That turned out pretty good what kind of pet wood is that
Hi, Keith! Welcome to the channel. I don't know what kind of wood it used to be so I just go with location, it was found in South-Eastern Utah, Yellow Cat or Poison Strip area. Which is kinda near to Arches National Park. Hope that helps... Thanks for watching and commenting! Always appreciated. :D
I’ve used there original wheels I’ve used Johnson brothers super nova wheels and diamond pasific wheels every wheel I have used except the diamond pacific wheels the resin has separated from the belt and you have junk in a couple months have had a set of diamond pacific wheels for almost 2 years and they are holding strong I do allot of softer rock
Hi, Pete. Thanks for the comment. Personally, I've gone through 2 sets of the soft regular cabking wheels. Didn't have a lot of separation issues, but some were quite out of round. 1 set of the Diamond Pacific Nova's, very good, really the best, but you pay for it. I'm barely getting these XTR wheels broken in still, over 1 month later. Been using the DP Novas for cab making still. They'll last for years more if one only does turquoise and such.
thank you for the tips, i never used new wheels in my time making cabs so i cant offer any say that is one pit fall of working for some else` shop
New wheels are great until you grind your finger. :D
Hey, Yooper Mann. Are you still kicking? I haven't seen any comments from you in a bit, on my channel or others.. I hope you are doing well.
Good times .
I'm late in responding, sorry! Are you into polishing rocks, Mike?
Sehrschon
Thank you! Welcome to the channel. :D