For what it counts, I look forward to posts from twolanerider, I always learn something. I feel ya brother...
Thanks guys. We're all riders and we all deal with vendors; good, bad or somewhere in between they're part of our life. For what it's worth here I'm far more interested in the original poster's question about his diamond cutting options and decisions than I'd ever be about a vendor's attitude though.
Hillside does or doesn't have a collateral relationship with Sumax. Doesn't matter. Hillside does or doesn't get an alliance discount they can mark up a bit if they send work there. Doesn't matter. The site here is for us as riders and members. Not the vendors. So,
writ large, the vendors don't matter. Even when they don't realize, understand or accept it. They certainly are occasionally a useful adjunct tool for us to have around. But nothing more. And as self-defending salesmen they occasionally cross the line from tool to tool. In the case of this thread it's not about them or me though; it's about the guy with the diamond cutting question.
And, back to that, and again speaking to alternatives; if one does pursue diamond cutting one other thing to at least consider is potential options to the company that does most of that work; Diamond Heads. It's not that their work isn't good. It's always appeared to be. I'm sure other shops use them and enjoy some small collateral discount they can mark up from so would like to speak in support of them also. But they employ a policy I've always found disturbing. Just my opinion of course. But it's a practice I've never cared for.
The edge cutting of the cylinders and heads is a straight forward machining process. A process many with a little skill and some practice could do. Diamond Heads got a patent on using a Dremel (mild sarcasm intended there) and from the anecdotes we hear attempt to exercise it rather aggressively to keep other shops from offering them any competition. I'd prefer they beat their competition by offering better service at competitive prices. They apparently prefer to beat their competition by not allowing any.
Some shops out there do the work quietly. At significantly better prices. If it's work you want done and can't find a less expensive or otherwise easier option by all means use Diamond Heads. Sometimes there is only one pony for the trick. Might be worth a few phone calls or private messages between members to see if you've got options though.
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Topic: Diamond Cutting Granite Cylinders and Heads? (Read 3374 times)