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EQUIPMENT - Q
1 I'd like to purchase a rock cutter to handle rocks up to 20 inches. I have source of soap stone and obsidian. Would like to make book ends.
2 I have several Star Diamond saws and polishers, etc. that I just inherited. What has become of that company. I have not been able to locate a website for it. Does it still exist or has it changed its name or what?
3 What can you use to cut thundereggs or rocks that show signs of an agate core?
4 What type of drill do I need to make rock vases? I want to use field rocks. Do you have directions?
5 What sort of equipment do I need to carve nephrite jade?
6 I am looking for equipment to make granite balls ( actually I am not sure what these are called). I saw a grinding setup at the local fair. It had three motors with pressure added by springs.
7 I use a rock tumbler to polish stones, what I would like to do is drill a hole in the polished stones to make beds out of them for bracelets and necklaces. What type of bit would I need to do this and could I use a dermal tool, 1 speed of 30,000 RPM set up....
8 I just started as a hobby rock cutting and polishing. I purchased a used Genie Wheel Grinder/Polisher made by Diamond Pacific Tool Company. I need to know how to find replacement wheels for it, since it appears the company is out of business.
9 I am looking for a way to cut and polish a bull-nose edge on 12"x12" granite tiles. I have seen a water cooled angle grinder with diamond grits used in a commercial marble/granite shop, but like everything else I do, prefer to try this as a DYI project i...


EQUIPMENT - A
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I'd like to purchase a rock cutter to handle rocks up to 20 inches. I have source of soap stone and obsidian. Would like to make book ends.
We have one saw capable of cutting 20 inch material. It's the Barranca Diamond "Drag Saw" listed on the following page of our web site: http://www.dadsrockshop.com/slabsaw1.html Practical for cutting very large harder materials, but over-kill for softer materials like soapstone. You might want to research a better, less expensive method of cutting the soft stuff.
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I have several Star Diamond saws and polishers, etc. that I just inherited. What has become of that company. I have not been able to locate a website for it. Does it still exist or has it changed its name or what?
Barranca Diamond Products Inc. took over Star Diamond a couple of years back. You can reach Barranca at 310-523-5867. They are located in Gardena, CA. www.barrancadiamond.com
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What can you use to cut thundereggs or rocks that show signs of an agate core?
You'll need a rock saw equipped with a diamond saw blade. The size of the saw required, will be determined by the maximum diameter of the rock or rocks you intend to cut. The following is a basic guideline to saw sizes. The first number is the diameter of the rock to be cut. The second number is the diameter of the blade. 1 " rock - 4" blade to 2" rock - 6" to 8" blade to 3" rock - 10" blade 3" to 4" rock - 12" blade 3" to 5" rock - 14" blade 3" to 6" rock - 16" blade 3" to 7" rock - 18" blade 3" to 8" rock - 20" blade 3" to 10" rock - 24" blade 3" to 12" rock - 30" blade 3" to 15" rock - 36" blade Take a minute and visit our web site Trim and Slab Saw Pages.
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What type of drill do I need to make rock vases? I want to use field rocks. Do you have directions?
You'll need a standard diamond drill bit or diamond core drill. The size and/or depth of the hole to be drilled will determine which type of bit is best suited for the job. We carry an excellent book called "Introduction To Lapidary" which has a section that covers drilling. You'll find it on our web site Books page. Sorry, we do not have directions for making rock vases.
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What sort of equipment do i need to carve nephrite jade?
The actual equipment required will in part depend on the scope or size of the carvings themselves. Some of the tools you may need, would consist of the following: Diamond trim or slab saw, Dremel or Foredom Flex Shaft motor tool, diamond burrs, diamond files, silicon carbide abrasives (discs, belts and grits), polishes, diamond (belts and discs), and so on. We carry a book titled "Introduction To Lapidary" which has an excellent section on gemstone carving. I would highly recommend you obtain a copy before you start on this venture. You may also want to gain some experience with softer materials like soapstone, talc, etc. if you haven't already done so.
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I am looking for equipment to make granite balls ( actually I am not sure what these are called). I saw a grinding setup at the local fair. It had three motors with pressure added by springs.
What you are looking for is called a Sphere Machine. They are made in two and three head configurations. We do not sell these machines at this time.
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I use a rock tumbler to polish stones, what I would like to do is drill a hole in the polished stones to make beds out of them for bracelets and necklaces. What type of bit would I need to do this and could I use a dermal tool 1 speed of 30,000 RPM set up... 
I'd recommend diamond drill bits. We carry them in sizes from 3/4 mm through 2-1/2 mm in diameter for this application. http://www.dadsrockshop.com/dproducts.html Bit speed will vary depending on the matreial being drilled. Excessive heat, pressure or speed can cause immediate bit failure. We recommend starting in the 2,000 to 4,000 RPM speed range. Best used with a drill press. Diamond bits must be used wet. Submerge in water or use a constant water flow. The drill bit tip must always have coolant.
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I just started as a hobby rock cutting and polishing. I purchased a used Genie Wheel Grinder/Polisher made by Diamond Pacific Tool Company. I need to know how to find replacement wheels for it, since it appears the company is out of business.
I think what you have is a 6" diamond unit called a Genie. We can assist you with replacement wheels. Just let us know which wheels you need. You are welcome to email or call.
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I am looking for a way to cut and polish a bull-nose edge on 12"x12" granite tiles. I have seen a water cooled angle grinder with diamond grits used in a commercial marble/granite shop, but like everything else I do, prefer to try this as a DYI project i... 
Yes we do. The BD 125 WP - Wet Stone Polisher. This is the same system you see in commercial granite, marble and tile shops. You'll find it on the following page of our website. http://www.dadsrockshop.com/miscequip1.html


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Dad's Rock Shop
P.O. Box 6124 - Mohave Valley, AZ 86446-6124
7472 Mountain View Road - Mohave Valley, AZ 86440
928-788-2513