Many of the comments, emails and searches this site receives asks the question “where can I find a used…” Almost every day somebody does a Google search for “used lapidary saw” and ends up here. This post will address that question.
As I have participated in the rock hound / lapidary hobby I have purchased two pieces of new equipment, an Inland trim saw and a Chicago Electric tumbler. These two pieces were the least satisfying pieces I have purchased. Since then I have purchased many pieces including three saws, a half dozen tumblers, a flat lap, a cabbing machine and a grinding wheel setup.
The first place I found used equipment was Craigslist.com. People often upgrade equipment, lose interest in the hobby or inherit equipment they don’t want. Where do they go to unload the equipment? Classified ads are where they go. Whether it is Craigslist or you local newspaper classified ads are a great place to watch for used equipment.
The second place I purchased equipment was local gem shops and dealers. Three dealers in the southern Idaho region that I have purchased used equipment from are Idaho Rock Shop, Stringers Gem Shop and Stewarts Gem Shop. The contact information for all these dealers and many more can be found in the new “Gem Shops” section of this site. (This is also a good reference for finding gem shops if you are traveling in the Western United States.)
The third place I found used equipment is from other members of the Owyhee Gem and Mineral Society. Often active members of a gem club will offer the equipment to club members before trying to sell it by other means. They also will be more inclined to teach you how to use, take care of and repair the equipment they sell to you.
Other places I have seen used equipment for sale is gem shows, yard sales, auction and online forums.
All sources for used equipment are hit and miss. However, with little patients you will eventually find what you are looking for. Once you do find that piece you are looking for it may require a little repair work. If you are willing to do the repair work you will often end up with a better built piece of equipment than what is available new. You may also save a lot of money since used equipment is often a fraction of the cost of new equipment.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
hi everybody
)
) jerry
i am looking for a used reciprolap 30 inch. hopefully !
i use a 27 inch highland park. it works great but need to watch it because the cables that hold the pan break sometimes and cause havoc with the agates. some nice kentucky agates and others were broken and banged up because of this. anybody have experience with reciprolaps or know anybody that want to sell one let me know.
thanks and happy agate hunting
I have for sale a 18 inch Beacon Star Slab Saw. It has not had a lot of use and is equiped with the orginal blade. Everything run great mechanically as new. I am asking $2495.00 Make me an offer. I live near Sioux Falls Sd. Phone evenings 605-757-6546 Day time 605-212-7889.
I am looking for a used Flat Lap, 16″ or larger. Any one out there have one that you would like to sell? Call 432-292-4707, Del Rio, TX. Leon and Suzanne Hughes, Hughes Gems and Minerals.
The names of the shops really helped however, Craigslist, news paper ads, nickle nick ads and such I had already tried. I even called new equipment producers and sellers incase they had returned equipment that I might repair.
Hi all
I am looking for a mini sonic single used and inexpensive [ugh]
I have a Star Diamond Industries Lapidary. Model #8 ser #3282 Will be posting on cragslist on 05/31/10 Look under michigan city indiana lapidary search. Or call me if interested 219-879-6240
I am looking for a 18″ MAY SAW. ( Made in 50’s and 60’s )
thanks Jim
i bought a Star Diamond Industries machine at a garage sale because it looked cool. There is no model # on the machine but it has 2 grinding wheels, what looks like a rubber-faced disc sander, and what looks like a table saw for a cutoff wheel. the whole thing is belt driven and also has 3 valves and some tubing to control water flow. there was no motor, but there is a belt and a drive wheel on the main shaft.
this thing has clearly never been used. i’d like to find out how the cooling system is supposed to work because there isn’t any pumping mechanism, just a 3-valve manifold. there doesn’t seem to be any means to recirculate the water in the tub, but there are 2 drains with plugs. i can post a photo if anyone thinks they might know anything about this device.
please email me directly at orion4713111@yahoo.com
thanks!
Mike
hello IAM LOOKING FOR A PIXIE USED
hey mike, i just use a swamp cooler pump or a tile saw pump in a 5 gallon bucket with tubing running up to my machine and i just run some rubber tubing from the drain back down into the bucket. this method works great. i have used this method for many years. i hope this helps, lynne
im looking for a 14-24 inch slab saw with autofeed a nice vice and close to eastern Montana i will pay freight if the saw is cheap enough. email me at d_kettner@live.com
i also have Montana moss agate cabs slabs and rough for sale. great deals
hi all,
I live in florida (I know there are almost no rocks here). I’m just getting started and would like to start with face polishing some stones I have. I am looking for a used Flat Lap of any size. I’ve looked on craigslist and ebay and can’t find and shops in Florida. If anyone has anything they are looking to get out of their garage or basement, maybe I could help and buy it from you.
Thanks.
I am settling the Texas estate of the late Loren and Ilsie Craig, including the assets of their businesses, Yorktown Gem and Minerals and Craigs Opal. These items are located in Yorktown, TX (100 miles south of Austin).
There is approximately 8,000 -10,000 lbs. of lapidary ‘rough’, which includes Texas palm (lots!) and other petrified wood, Tennessee/Kentucky geodes, other geodes, rhyolite, agates (Rio Grande, Woodward Ranch, West TX, Montana, misc.), and some mineral specimens.
The remaining lapidary equipment includes 2 vibrating flat laps (large and small), a Genie, a Diamond Demon, a faceting machine, several bull wheels / grinders, an old rock saw without a stand, a couple of small tumblers, new saw blades and assorted other equipment.
Email me (thegypsies@yahoo.com) if you are looking for anything specific. Put the word LAPIDARY in the subject of the email to prevent it from being overlooked. NO SHIPPING will be done.
Bought a used Raytec combo 6in trim saw mounted with 2 carbine wheels then suppose to be a 6 1/2 expandable drum then polishing disks on end , This is a heavy duty unit ran with a motor mounted under or in back ,need a little work and it would be a very good unit. I’ve decides to not to keep it and thinking to eBay it but rather just sell it. I bought it for $100 it weighs bot 80 lbs and I’m in so cal , shipping and handling would be added to the selling price. Happy to answer question I have pictures and also I’m a seller or was a seller on eBay and have excellent feedback to ensure your confidence in sale and shipping Thank you . Harold
metallizzard@msn.com
Have a homemade 14 inch rock saw with new motor 3 years ago. Works, uses weight bucket, cuts good, put new blade on 3 years ago, haven’t used for past 2 1/2 years $200.00…Also 4 wheel Covington grinder polisher combo with 6 inch slab saw, bought new blade for it 3 years ago, didn’t finish. needs cleaned up and rewired, everything is there, slab cutter motor works, not sure about grinder/polisher wheels motor. Has been used a lot by former owner, $250.00, new ones are about $1,200.00 on line. Nampa, Idaho
I’m looking for a used 10 “Auito-Feed” saw. I live in South Florida (Ft Lauderdale area) & will travel up to 100 miles to purchase if you have what I’m looking for. (Not interested in distant equipment requireing shipping) Please email me with details. Price and photos would be great. THNX.
am in south colorado looking for a 12inch slab saw. could go up 18inch if close to blanca colorado springs.
or taos new mexico..could trade maxant SS 20 frame honey extractor or kelly SS mixing tank,,,,or will pay cash for right deal
Looking for a used Genie. Have been taking courses in lapidary and love it but now need the equipment.
I have a used faceting machine for sale along with quite a selection of stones. The add is posted at http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/tls/2672135465.html any reasonable offer will be accepted.
I’ve got a star diamond pf-10 that the power feed won’t work. Put in a new clutch(pawl) and it still refuses to feed. Screw advance turns and all electrics are opperable. Any hints on what to do? Email me skf826@yahoo.com