Welcome to opalholicsanonymous.com where opal season lasts forever.

Thanks for starting this new section. As soon as I get all of the pics in one place, and possibly take a couple of new pics, I'll start a thread about a home brew 3 head sphere machine that I've been building for almost 2 years.

No problem!
More good things to come soon

Can't wait to see all your pics.

My cabbing machine is in the midst of being rebuilt, I discovered it leaks all over the place since I moved it, it didn't like being in the truck I guess....lol.
Chris

LOL, nothing worse than a leaky machine. I'm in the middle of converting an old 6" Beacon Star cabber into a carving machine with 5 - 1/2" convex carving wheels. and when I finish that, I have a vintage Hillquist gem drill to tear down & rebuild. So many projects, so little time.

Sounds like a kewl project.

I'm actually looking in to importing for resale some diamond electroplated cabbing and carving wheels for resale here in Canada.

If I can obtain anything from China that is half decent quality, (I know, it's a pipe dream!!...LOL) I'll post them here for sale to anyone who might want to try them out.

It sux to have to work on these machines at times, but there is a certain satisfaction that comes with knowing that you designed and built something yourself that works just as good, if not better than an expensive store bought unit!
Chris

You might try contacting Jadecarver. http://jadecarver.com/DiamondTools.htm That's where I bought my carving wheels. They're Chinese imports. Heavy machined steel hubs. He might tell you where he gets them.

I kind of like working on the old machines. There's a bunch of satisfaction in bringing something back to life. And the old vintage machines were built to last.

My problem with building my own equipment is that I'm too much of a perfectionist. It has to be perfect or I'll tear it apart & start over. Guess it comes from about 40 years of precision sheet metal work.

If I remember, I'll post a pic of one of the carving wheels tomorrow.

I already have suppliers, and will be selling them as jadecarver is
Thanks for the referral though, I've actually bought from them before, he sells good wheels.

I know what you mean about being a perfectionist, I can be my own worst enemy when I'm trying to build something, I have to keep reminding myself that functionality is the main goal!!

Alright guys, show us your machines so we can admire your handiwork.

LOL. Washing dishes right now. I'll get the pics of my sphere machine in order & post them this evening.

You show me yours & I'll show you mine, haha.

OK Chris, I showed mine. Now lets see yours. LOL