Colbaugh's Semi Cabbing Machine !

[Taogem]

It was Chuck Colbaugh, Martin's grandfather, initial owner of the Kingman turquoise operation that invented the Colbaugh Cabbing machine. I know that is four generations ago. Do not know exactly what years that might be.

Sounds like could be 100 or so?

[Taogem]

How are you coming along with your new toy Seth?

[seth]

Got it in pieces now. Think it may get it traded off for some guns if the pictures look good.

[Taogem]

What did you ever do with yours Seth?

Do you still have it or have you tried to fire it up?

[lapidarist]

Did anybody have any luck getting discs for the Colbaugh machine re-plated?

I bought one of these machines earlier this year and I am just now trying to use it.
It only has two discs that are exactly the same and the diamond is ok, but I need a
more aggressive grit to cut agate.

The disc were probably used to cut turquoise since that is why it was designed and
was patented.

Does anyone have any sources for new discs that are affordable? I sent the discs
to Inland to see what it would cost to get a new sintered disc. They wanted $650 per
disc.

I want to use this machine to cut some of my "repeatable" shapes that my customers
want in quantity.

Does anybody have any other info on other (affordable) auto cabbing machines?

- james -

[Taogem]

James....

No, I have not had any luck yet. Seth had suggested Inland to me a while back. I never did check them out. No sense it doing now for sure at 650.00 !

That is just crazy..

I sure wish could help you with the re-plating. After sending a few off to a company in California (Diamond something), I am very reluctant to just send them off again without having one of their re-plated discs in my hands first.

Both times they sent them back with, well....... I don't even know what re-plating process they used, but it was total crap. They finally refunded half my money...

I do know that Addexton sells the discs. Just off the top of my head it seemed like they were about $200.00.

Almost the same exact machine. His does offer variable speed and he is really proud of the cooling set up for the little electric motor that turns the chuck. The discs will fit this Calbaugh.

Here ya go......

When I can afford to invest into the discs, and if I am correct about the 200.00 price, that may be the best way to go.

[lapidarist]

I have seen the Addexton website before. I wasn't sure if they were the same wheels. It looks like a new version of the Colbaugh machine.

Actually I was incorrect at $650. I looked up the quote, it was $699.95 (retail) for a wheel from Inland. It would cost that much since I am an Inland dealer and they would give me the dealer discount. My cost would have been around $500 for the wheel.

I sent them the wheels and they had them for over 3 months before they gave me a quote to make the wheel. I guess they just don't want to do it. I am sure because they would have to make a master mold and the cost of that is why it is so high.. doesn't matter, I can't afford it.

If they knew they could sell multiple ones, they might offer a better price.  If I could get one for around $350 I would do it since it would be a sintered wheel. I love sintered wheels.

If there were several of us that were interested in the same wheels, maybe we could get the cost down. I am willing to sell them at my cost to get them made.

Do you have a diagram or drawing of the profile of the other wheels. I could check some other sources to see what it would take to get  new plated wheels made.

[Taogem]

Do you have a diagram or drawing of the profile of the other wheels. I could check some other sources to see what it would take to get  new plated wheels made.

Here is an pic from earlier on in this thread showing two discs. One on top of the other.

I had these reshaped from two extra discs that I had. One shows how I had them re-cut the rounded inner part of the disc that was previously just for standard domed cabs. I had them re-cut it so as to be able and shape some almost flat cabs with a beveled edge.

The second was re-cut for almost flat cabs and rounded edge.

The shapes came back just fine, and at first glance the diamond appeared ok, but in fact was crap.

I too really like sintered. I use them constantly on one of my cabbing machines. About ready for a 100 grit replacement.

Any way.....I don't think the original discs are sintered. They have a "heavy" amount of large diamond grit. I think that is part of the problem. Nobody is willing to utilize the diamond that is really necessary to make them like when first manufactured.

The owner of Addexton was the person who bragged up the company I sent mine to in California. That is what really threw me through a loop. How could he possibly have been ok with discs being returned to him with about a 600 crap grit that almost fell off the disc after the first three uses.

So sintered would be a perfectly fine choice for me.. A "heavy 80/100 grit" on these two discs and possibly one other stock disc would be of interest to me.

So yes, I would be open to including at least these two and possibly another. I don't want to mislead you though. It will be some time before I am going to be able to afford another go around with these discs. After the first of the year for sure. Still a bit reluctant to send them all off without seeing the results of one re-plated with sinter.

Should probably re-check with Addexton on the prices of their discs too...

I did do some searching for companies who might sinter these, but never had any luck..

[Taogem]

Thought it might be interesting to show how this Colbaugh semi cabbing unit actually works.

I don't use it much unless have a request for calibrated cabs. Especially larger diameter cabs. Just don't have a good enough eye to get the rounds and ovals nice and precise.

[Neural]

That is amazing.  I had no idea such a machine existed, though I had wondered if anyone had made such a thing!

[catmandewe]

Bruce Markus had 2 machines made in Germany that could do dozens of preforms at a time. He had different sizes of blanks and the machine would follow the blanks and make preforms out of whatever material he chose to use. I don't remember  exactly how many it makes at a time, but I seem to remember he said 12 or 15 at a time.
He said the machines cost $30,000 each back in the 60's and he made thousands of cabs out of his Owyhee jasper on them. He couldn't remember who he sold the machines to, but in our travels, Jason and I came across one of them at Dale Bramlette's shop. I did see it briefly, but never really got a chance to check it out really good. Still don't know where the other one went to.
Dale has since moved, so the chance may never present itself again.

Just thought I would throw that out there as an interesting tidbit as it kind of fits the thread.

Tony

[Taogem]

Yes Tony.. I sent off and received a catalog for that German unit.. The price of a new car !  It looks pretty complex. I wonder if a person would be spending a lot of time keeping it in tune and running smoothly?

A machine like that would really mean taking an online cabbing business to a whole new level.

Jon, there is a company still in business called Addexton who makes a similar unit.. I think it runs about 1500.00.

Seth picked up on one of these.. He talked about possibly selling his.. Maybe he will post if it is still for sale.