docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Mar 14, 2009 20:45:48 GMT -5
I am using a Graves Mark IV for grinding tumbling material and cabbing It sems painfully slow. themax speed is about 600 RPM but I don;'t think it does that even no load. i haven't used any other flat lap type machines, and I know the vertical wheels are much faster spinning. Are horizontall cabbing units appreciably faster than my faceter? Are they comparable in cutting sapeed to vertical wheels? Mark H.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Mar 14, 2009 20:55:49 GMT -5
My home built spins 600rpm but it has a 3/4hp motor so not much slows it down. It cuts fairly quick with the 100 grit on.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 14, 2009 21:37:18 GMT -5
Mark, the Ameritool (and I assume High Tech also) are variable speed max about 3450 rpm's. Most machines with wheels run 1750 rpm. Faceting machines run as you say painfully slow but remember they are designed for precision grinding of tiny surfaces.
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49er
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 753
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Post by 49er on Mar 14, 2009 23:05:23 GMT -5
I use the AmeriTool system and find it works great for cabbing a variety of material from jasper, agate to turquoise.
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Post by NatureNut on Mar 15, 2009 6:25:57 GMT -5
If you don't mind me asking, 49er, how is the Ameritool with changing disks? Is it easy or do you find it a pain?
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Post by rockmanken on Mar 15, 2009 8:37:21 GMT -5
I also have an Ameritool and I love it. Changing discs is easy. To make it easier I epoxied the washer to the thumb nut. Now I don't have to chase it eash time I change wheels. I have cut everything on it from opal to pet.wood. Ken
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Mar 15, 2009 9:10:17 GMT -5
The material removal rate should be proportional to the velocity at the work surface, assuming all other things equal. So working on a flat lap, you can get a higher velocity moving further out on the disc. I got a good tip from an old lapidary pro the other day. He sands at very high RPM's (~3000) and is able to get an awesome polish right off 400 grit.
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Mar 15, 2009 14:34:15 GMT -5
The flat laps would be OK for me, I think, but they can't grind concave shapes and I also agree with Gary it isn't heavy duty enough to handlebig cabbing jobs. I'll check out the Cabmate and Ameritool and maybe Gryphon units, too. i assume they turn much faster, especially the Gryphon with its tiny spool. Ameritool is often on the high end, price waise. I'm also needing to buy a slab saw and maybe a flat lap so dost is important. I understand some horizontal cabbers have dished out laps to help achieve a good dome more quickly. I'd be interested to find these disks. You guys are my only rteady source of information and I can't tell you how helpful you've all been.
Mark H.
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Post by rockmanken on Mar 15, 2009 14:43:43 GMT -5
Mark, on the Hi-tech or the Ameritool you cannot do hearts, crosses or concave stones. but they are great if you want to polish a flat top stone. I also have a Diamond Jem verticlal unit. I got it because it has more spacing between the wheels than the Pixie or Genie or any other vertical machine I looked at. It is $1560 at Kingsley North. Ken
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Mar 15, 2009 14:59:12 GMT -5
I have the Ameritool and love it , John @ J&S Gems gave me a great deal on it , I couldnt be happier ... true it doesnt do the concave shapes . but its my first cabber i highly recommended it too anyone who is just starting out .. its much cheaper than the ''wheeled '' setups like the Pixie or Genie
great idea Ken , i'm going to epoxy the washers thanks ;D
Wolf
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 693
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Post by docharber on Mar 15, 2009 21:28:49 GMT -5
I checked out the AMeritool and it seems to run about $650 complete with laps. in an 8" model. The Gryphon just doesn't look like something I'd have long. I've never heard of Diamond Jem but I'll look it up. Tghe price is certainly competitive. SOmething that appeals to me on some units is that they have a separate motor- it isn't integrated integrated as a direct drive arrangement so you couldnb't just swap out the motor easuily if it failed. If I bought a little Gryphon uniot for concave shapes I might be able to use the Ameritool or cabmate, etc. for general work. I like that they're compact, too. TYhe gryphon, by the way, doesn't appear to be a wet grinder. Anyone klnow anything about it.? I think I Googled John's site and it didn't say anything about cooling.
Mark H.
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