02-13-2019, 08:29 PM
Today was a good day. USLM struck three times.
1. I got lunch for free. Wasn't even planning to eat... boom, free lunch, on the house.
2. I have been fascinated with learning to make cabachons but the class is ending in a couple weeks. I can take only one class per semester, so I can either take cabbing again, or I can start learning silver smithing. I need silver smithing to make stuff into which to set the cabachons. But I don't have a cabbing machine... so I have been looking at options for buying one for a couple days now. 2 days. And in 2 days, I have found that the machines we use in class cost $2,400 each, too much for me to deal with until I get some debts cleared. I had it come to me through the grape vine that one of the other members of the rock and gem club is selling an old cabbing machine that still works for $150.
3. If I get a cabbing machine, I also need a lapidary saw to cut slabs from rough rock. Those start at $700 for a 6" lapidary saw. But I had the idea that maybe a tile saw would work. Boom, Harbor Freight has one for $67, and a decent blade for $25. The reviews of both mention their use in lapidary applications. Even with shipping, I can get both for $99.97. Total cost to get started, if I buy this cabbing machine I mentioned: $250 if I don't try to talk her down to $100. Which I might, because diamond belts are about $85 each, and I need five or six of them.
If I went for new lapidary-intended equipment, it would cost me about $3,200 to get those two items alone. I am REALLY impressed with this version of USLM so far!
1. I got lunch for free. Wasn't even planning to eat... boom, free lunch, on the house.
2. I have been fascinated with learning to make cabachons but the class is ending in a couple weeks. I can take only one class per semester, so I can either take cabbing again, or I can start learning silver smithing. I need silver smithing to make stuff into which to set the cabachons. But I don't have a cabbing machine... so I have been looking at options for buying one for a couple days now. 2 days. And in 2 days, I have found that the machines we use in class cost $2,400 each, too much for me to deal with until I get some debts cleared. I had it come to me through the grape vine that one of the other members of the rock and gem club is selling an old cabbing machine that still works for $150.
3. If I get a cabbing machine, I also need a lapidary saw to cut slabs from rough rock. Those start at $700 for a 6" lapidary saw. But I had the idea that maybe a tile saw would work. Boom, Harbor Freight has one for $67, and a decent blade for $25. The reviews of both mention their use in lapidary applications. Even with shipping, I can get both for $99.97. Total cost to get started, if I buy this cabbing machine I mentioned: $250 if I don't try to talk her down to $100. Which I might, because diamond belts are about $85 each, and I need five or six of them.
If I went for new lapidary-intended equipment, it would cost me about $3,200 to get those two items alone. I am REALLY impressed with this version of USLM so far!
Subliminal Audio Specialist & Administrator
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!
