Diamond Pacific Pixie, anyone?

[GKJdesigns]

Just FYI - If you've ever considered getting one of these machines, there's a good-looking used one on eBay right now. It looks like the original set of wheels. Although one wheel appears to have been scored by a sharp point, they look to have a good deal of life remaining (based on the 1200 wheel - 2nd from the right). I think the guy's buy-it-now is a good deal with free shipping.

I'm just a Pixie fan...
Gary

[Former_Member]

Hi Gary,

I have used the DP Genie machine and really liked it, is the Pixie similar?

Rebeca.

[GKJdesigns]

Hi, Rebeca. Yes, the Pixie is similar, but smaller and lighter. It has 4 inch wheels rather than the 6 inch wheels of the Genie. While the Pixie can cut anything that a Genie can, the Genie cuts faster and is more suitable for stones that are harder and larger. If you need to take your machine somewhere to cut, the Pixie is easy to schlep compared to hauling a Genie.

The Pixie is a favorite of opal cutters. That may be due to opal being relatively smaller, softer (not soft, but usually 6-6.5 mohs), and often very valuable. I owned a used Genie for a while but sold it because I never really used it. I had thought I would expand into other stones, but I just didn't have time for it. I never put any of my rough opal to it - no need to, but I admit to being afraid it would grind too fast and cut though the fire.

If one is patient and persistent, a good used Pixie can be found for $500ish. Used Genies typically go for at least twice that. When either comes up for sale at a good price they move quickly or, for eBay, typically draw quite a few bidders.

[Former_Member]

I was looking at used faceting machines on Ebay and it seems they go the same way, lots of bidders and no really great deals. With a faceting machine there are quite a few pieces that are required to use it. So I'll probably get a new one when I can afford it, or a used one that I can check out first to see that it is all there.

I had someone from our local rock club teach me how to work on opals, but I actually like working on the harder stones more. Opals seem to go away too quickly. I have a few small turquoise pieces, but I haven't been brave enough to try working with it yet. Maybe as I get more experience polishing, I'll try the softer stones again.

[GKJdesigns]

Yeah, cutting opal requires a light touch. Not so much because it's less hard than, for example, garnet, but because of its value. Often the color or fire is a thin layer and that layer may be curved or uneven.

Another issue that sometimes arises is which side to face. Maybe one side might yield a $20/carat stone, while the other might yield a $300/carat stone. Study it well and if you can expose a couple of edges a little, great, otherwise flip the coin - and I hate when that happens.

[Former_Member]

Just my input but I run a huge volume shop so from that perspective...I cut with 8 inch wheels almost every thing...I bought the 6 inch genie to cut opal..but personally I use arbors and set several of them up in line. I use the old Poly arbor centered machines built by Crown.
I hate to grind my knuckles on Genies or Titans..So I set up two arbors and put just one wheel on each side and do not grind my knuckles that way..My first machine has a 60 grit and a 120 diamond on it and then to the second machine next to it. I use two 8 inch expandable wheels for the 2nd machine and change the belts..I use the diamond belts. The diamond belts are from 320 grit to 50,000.the belts are 2 inches wide and much more to work with. I still get many wheels but they end up separated instead of right where they grind knuckles..
I study eBay constantly .I watch every piece of lapidary equipment and jewelry equipment that is for sale there..There were many good pieces made over the years now gone I find, as well as very good bargains..some old machines are awesome and a unique find
Have fun
James

[LindaGreenDesigns]

I am new to lapidary. I have taken classes for the past year where I learned on the Genie. More recently though I tried a Pixie to cut opal and some small cabs and just love it. I particularly like being able to swap out the last wheel. Not sure if I will like to cut larger, harder cabs on it. Linda

[GKJdesigns]

Hi, Linda - I do a lot of swapping of the last wheel, too. I swap 3000 and 14000 wheels, and just bought another adapter to be able to add an 8000 wheel. The jump from 3000 to 14000 isn't that great, but I don't like having to spend any extra time at 14000. I may not save any overall time but it might reduce the likelihood of having to drop back a couple of wheels to fix some scratches that sneak through!

[TheLittleBlueJewel]

How long do diamond belts last and what are you cutting?

[GKJdesigns]

Hi, Terri - I can't speak to belts, but the Diamond Pacific machines use wheels rather than belts. They have metal wheels with diamonds for the coarser grits and diamonds in rubber-coated wheels for finer grits.

Provided you treat the wheels well - always use them with water and avoid leading with sharp edges or points - they last a very long time. The finer the grit the longer they last. Some people even recoat their worn-out rubber wheels (or belts) rather than buy new. I just did that a while back with a 220 grit wheel that lasted for a few years and hundreds of pieces of rough.

[Former_Member]

Hi Teri
I use many grinding machine's in my shop..I do have a 4 inch machine ,several 6 inch machines,2 are genies ,and many 8 inch machines..I set them up each differently with different setups including diamond contour wheels and each is different..that said
I bought a set of the diamond belts that fit the expandable 8 Inch drums and have cut a variety on them...I cut in batches of about 500 -1000 cabs at a time..I found my first set of the diamond belts has worked very good..My 600 grit belt started to pull loose in spots..as for how many cabs I have cut so far with them..3000 -5000, I am guessing and they are still working fine and have cutting life left in them and are not worn out yet..just the 600 grit is pulling away and needs replaced..i am in the middle of ordering that and more right now..the 600 belt might have been a flawed belt anyway..not sure..it still does grind well though and i do love the feel of these belts..they are much wider than the regular Nova wheels.. 2 inches wide..depends on what you cut..how long they last..i cut a huge amount of turquoise cabs.10,000 a year and more..how ever the natural turquoise I cut has a lot of rock in it so that hardness takes its toll on my wheels . I also cut a lot of Montana agate and many jasper’s,Tiffany stone,Tiger eyes, Boulder opal,charolite,just about every thing..I like color in my jewelry..
I do not really like the Genie and Titan machines..they grind your knuckles, the wheels are spaced to close to each other... I use Poly arbor based machines and like just one wheel on each side and grind hard..I put several in series and end up with access to the many wheels but they are not an inch apart to grind your knuckles on...funny it did not cost any more per wheel to have three machines with two wheels on each...so I use a lot of the expandable wheels with the changeable diamond belts and love that set up. That allows me to change the diamond grit size in seconds to work with the type stone I am cutting....they each require different setups anyway..But I cut in volume and am very time spent concerned and set up for volume.
Hope that helped you
James

[ProperLadyVintagePro]

how do you resurface a wheel?

[ProperLadyVintagePro]

i have a pixie - i like the ability to cut a tight, small inside curve that the 4" wheels allow. i know there are other techniques but the 4" pixie wheels are fast, smooth, reliable and likely to give great results.

[Italianitems4826]

• https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1304511782/retro-vintage-leather-punching-bag?ref=listings_manager_g...