CabKing 6 vs 8: Cabbing Machines Compared [2026]

For a smaller bench and a smaller budget, start with the CabKing 6. It is the lighter, more compact machine. Pick the CabKing 8 if you have room for a 160-pound machine and want bigger 8-inch wheels with more space between them.

A cabbing machine shapes and polishes cabochons, or cabs. A cab is a stone with a smooth domed top and a flat back, often set in jewelry. We compare two models from one maker, CabKing, using CabKing's product pages, its instruction manuals and the exact Amazon listings. We have not tested either machine.

Not sure you need a machine at all? To shine one soft stone, see how to polish rocks by hand. To polish a batch of whole stones, compare rock tumblers. A cabbing machine shapes a stone, but it does not cut rough rock into slabs. That job needs one of the lapidary saws we compare.

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CabKing 6 or 8: Quick Answer

Measure your bench first. CabKing's manuals ask for a sturdy table with about 3 feet by 2 feet of clear space for the 6, and 4 feet by 2 feet for the 8. Both need room for two water buckets nearby. If only the smaller space fits, the choice is made for you.

Motor power is rated in hp (horsepower). Rotation speed is given in rpm (revolutions per minute). A higher power rating alone does not tell us how quickly a particular stone will grind or polish.

When we checked both listings on October 22, 2026, the CabKing 6 cost less than the CabKing 8, on Amazon and on CabKing's site. Prices change, so check the live price. Both machines need the same extras: buckets, a suitable outlet and, over time, new wheels.

CabKing 6 vs 8 Side by Side

The two machines use the same grit steps and the same kind of water system. The real differences are wheel size, motor size, weight, bench space and where the flat lap goes.

A few terms: grit numbers run from coarse to fine, so 80 is the coarsest supplied wheel and 3,000 is the finest. Electroplated wheels have diamond held on with a metal layer, for coarse grinding. Resin wheels hold diamond in a softer layer over foam, for smoothing. A flat lap is a flat spinning disc. The manuals use it to grind the flat back of a cab so it can sit in a jewelry setting.

How we compared: we read both CabKing product pages, both instruction manuals and the two exact Amazon listings, and matched the part numbers CABKING-6V3 and CABKING-8V1. These are two machines from one maker, not a test of every cabbing machine for sale. We chose by fit, not by rating or commission.

Plan Your Bench, Water and Running Costs

The price of the machine is only part of the setup. Both CabKings need a strong bench, two buckets, a safe outlet and a steady supply of replacement wheels and paste. Plan these before you choose a size.

Bench and power

• Clear space. The manuals ask for about 3 by 2 feet (CabKing 6) or 4 by 2 feet (CabKing 8). The 8V1 manual also says to leave a few inches behind the machine for cords and water tubes.
• Weight and lifting. The 8 weighs about 150 to 160 pounds and ships in three boxes. Both manuals suggest two people for setup. Pick a bench rated for the weight.
• Indoors only. Both manuals say the machine is meant for indoor use.
• Outlet. Both manuals say to use a grounded outlet, ideally with GFCI protection, and not to use an extension cord. A GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) cuts power fast when current leaks, which helps prevent shock. The 6V3 manual says a GFCI plug comes with the machine. The 8V1 manual does not. If you are unsure about your outlet, ask an electrician.
• Before use. Read the complete manual supplied with your machine. This comparison covers buying choices, not powered grinding or electrical installation.

Water and drainage

• Two buckets, not included. The pump sits in one bucket of clean water. Tubes from the drip pans run down into a second, empty bucket or a drain. The manuals suggest at least 5 gallons each.
• Never recirculate. Both manuals say that putting the drain tubes into the pump bucket voids the warranty. Grit can then clog the valves and scratch your stones.
• Water use. The manuals estimate 1 to 2 gallons an hour at a light to medium drip. Follow the matching manual for pump placement and water level.
• Drain downhill. The drain tubes must slope down from the machine, or the pans fill up. Plan a spot lower than the bench for the drain bucket.

Wheels, paste and other running costs

• Wheels wear out.The warranty does not cover diamond wheels, laps, polishing paste or bulbs. Budget for replacements in your machine's wheel size.
• Keep the resin set together. Both manuals say the CabKing resin wheels are made to be used together, and not to mix in other brands.
• Replacement bulbs.The lamp's LED bulb is made for this machine, and the manuals say to get a new one from CabKing.
• Cleaning.Both manuals call the machine maintenance-free, with no belts or gears, but say to clean the parts by hand. The 8V1 manual also excludes dishwasher cleaning. Follow the matching model's maintenance instructions.

What Each CabKing Includes

Both machines come as a full kit with six wheels, a flat lap, a polishing pad, paste and a water pump. The box lists below come from the manuals and the exact Amazon listings. Check the live listing before you order, because kits can change.

CabKing 6 (CABKING-6V3): The Smaller Bench Choice

CabKing's CabKing 6 page lists six 6-inch wheels and a 1/4 hp direct-drive motor. The 6V3 manual says the wheels are 1.5 inches wide with 1-inch center holes. They sit on two shafts, three per side: the 80, 220 and 280 grit wheels on the left, and 600, 1,200 and 3,000 on the right.

• Flat lap and pad: a 6-inch, 360 grit full-face lap and a canvas pad with 14,000 grit diamond paste. Both screw onto the end of the right shaft, so you fit one at a time.
• Water: a separate 30-watt pump. The manual says it has no on/off switch, so it starts as soon as you plug it in.
• Also listed: hoods, splash guards, side panels, drip pans and tubing, stone trays, hand rests, goggles, an apron, wrenches and a pipe cleaner. The manual says a GFCI plug is included.
• Lamp: the manual and the Amazon listing both list an LED lamp. Confirm the current box contents before ordering.

Choose it when

Your bench has about 3 by 2 feet of clear space, you want the lighter machine, and you want the full 80 to 3,000 grit set for less money.

Skip it when

You want 8-inch wheels or more room between them, or you can't set up two buckets and a grounded outlet near the bench.

The close wheel spacing is the main trade-off. The manual says the wheels sit about 3/4 inch apart. If you plan to work large stones, compare that with the CabKing 8's larger work area.

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Check the CabKing 6 (CABKING-6V3, US voltage) on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission. You pay no extra.

CabKing 8 (CABKING-8V1): Bigger Wheels, Bigger Bench

CabKing's CabKing 8 page lists six 8-inch wheels and a 3/4 hp direct-drive motor. The grits are the same as on the CabKing 6. The 8V1 manual says the wheels have 1-inch center holes. CabKing describes wider wheels and more space between them as the reasons to choose the 8 for larger stones. It gives no universal maximum stone size.

• Flat lap: an 8-inch, 360 grit lap on an acrylic backing plate. It goes on the left shaft. The manual says other diamond laps, like ones with metal backing, can also be used.
• Polishing pad:the current maker package lists a 6-inch canvas pad with 14,000 grit diamond paste on the right shaft. The pad is smaller than the machine's wheels.
• Water: the same 30-watt pump design. The manual lists a footswitch to turn the pump on and off, for 115-volt models only.
• Also listed: an LED lamp, inner and outer side panels, splash guards, stone trays, hand rests, goggles, an apron and a pipe cleaner. The manual recommends a GFCI outlet but does not include a GFCI plug.

Choose it when

You have a sturdy bench at least 4 feet wide, two people for setup, and you want bigger wheels with more space between them.

Skip it when

Your bench is small, you can't lift or place a machine of about 160 pounds, or you only plan to make small cabs now and then.

A 3/4 hp motor is three times the rating of the CabKing 6. That is a spec, not a measured result. We have no test showing the 8 grinds faster, polishes better or lasts longer. The manual says the 8V1 arrives in three boxes and needs assembly.

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Check the CabKing 8 (CABKING-8V1, US voltage) on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission. You pay no extra.

Before you order either one

• Match the part number. Look for CABKING-6V3 or CABKING-8V1 in the Amazon item details. Both listings we link are the 110-volt US versions.
• Check the seller and condition. On October 22, 2026, both listings showed Reentel, the company that makes CabKing, as the seller. That can change. Check the seller and that the offer says New at checkout.
• Know who handles what.Amazon's return policy and CabKing's warranty are separate. The manuals say to keep your invoice or register the machine to use the warranty. You pay to ship it to CabKing. If it is covered, CabKing pays for return shipping.
• Extended warranty. Both manuals say you can add 1 to 2 more years, within 45 days of purchase. Check the current terms with CabKing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cabbing Machines

Short answers from the CabKing manuals, product pages and Amazon listings above. For anything else, ask CabKing.