|
Post by Pat on Jul 8, 2014 10:46:07 GMT -5
I didn't make this. It was a gift. Bench Grinder. Now what! I know it is used to modify hammers and screw drivers. What else can I use it for both around the house/yard, and for jewelry making purposes? The left wheel is very rough. The right wheel is a bristle brush. All suggestions welcome. Thanks, Pat IMG_2625 by Pat6489, on Flickr IMG_2627 by Pat6489, on Flickr
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jul 8, 2014 11:08:02 GMT -5
If you replace the course stone with a finer stone, it can be used for sharpening things like mower bladed & such. The wire wheel is handy for removing rust from tools. Also for putting texture on softer metals.
Really not a lot of lapidary uses for this type of grinder, but they do make tapered spindles to fit bench grinders. Just spin buffing wheels on the spindles and you have a polisher / buffer for larger jobs, but best to use a jewelers lathe to polish smaller more delicate pieces.
|
|
jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263
|
Post by jerrys on Jul 8, 2014 11:57:34 GMT -5
The 3450 is too fast for lapidary purposes. I also would not attempt jewelry work at that speed either.
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jul 8, 2014 12:38:27 GMT -5
3450 is standard speed for jewelry buffers. Make sure you have ventilation or rig up a shop vacuum or other to remove dust. Remove wheels and measure shafts. The tapered mandrels are right hand and left hand. Or order buffs that replace the wheels. The wheels you have are very handy for many things around a shop but not for jewelry or lapidary.
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Jul 8, 2014 16:02:01 GMT -5
Oh, lets try a few more uses somewhat lapidary related. 1. I use the wire brush to freshen the surface of roofing nails that I use with superglue as dop sticks. Once they have superglue on them and the rock is removed, you should polish off the old glue before reusing the nail (or discard it). 2. And if the rock pops off prematurely, the brush can be used to remove that layer of supergluue so the rock can be reattached with more glue (superglue does not stick well to dried superglue). Note don't use good superglue, use the cheap stuff from Walmart in black and yellow tubes. 2. I use the wire brush to brush off caliche, and other calcareous (cement like) detritus that sometimes clings to rocks brought from the field. I don't need that stuff in my cutting oil of the slab saw. 3. My bench grinder serves a multitude of purposes when custom making screws for shrouds, belt guards, etc. but its not a lapidary tool.
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Jul 9, 2014 22:15:13 GMT -5
Thanks for all the suggestions. I think my first job will be to bolt it down, then modify an old hammer to be used for fold forming. Will also true up husband's screwdrivers, so they are flat on the bottom, and remove some rust. Peruano, doesn't acetone remove super glue?
|
|
|
Post by phil on Jul 9, 2014 22:39:25 GMT -5
I routinely dissolve superglue by simply soaking the joint in water. fingernail polish remover (sans protein) and acetone also works. But I usually just throw the dopped item in a bucket of water, or even in the freezer. Then the cabs pop of the dop easily, and the remaining glue is simply polished away or dissolved away (my preference).
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Jul 9, 2014 22:46:30 GMT -5
Acetone does act as a solvent for super glue, but it is nasty stuff. Scraping or grinding is a preferrable way to remove glue remnants, with suitable eye and lung protection, of course.
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Jul 12, 2014 18:58:49 GMT -5
Progress! Machine is now bolted down. What a job. No room for a screwdriver.
I've learned that the coarse left wheel is corundum and it is for used with steel. I'm assuming gray metallic hammers and screw drivers are steel. Is that a safe bet?
Question: can I use it dry? Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Jul 12, 2014 20:29:34 GMT -5
Yes, with metal that wheel should be dry. You will see sparks but thats part of the game. When using water on such a wheel it is important to not let the wheel become saturated, and especially when not spinning. It becomes off balance, softens and disintegrates to your danger. If using water on a carborundum wheel always let it spin dry (a few minutes after water is turned off) to prevent risk of wheel disintegration. Enjoy your new tool. Tom
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Jul 12, 2014 22:27:37 GMT -5
Corundum is also known as Aluminum oxide, and should never be run wet or used to grind anything but something a magnet will stick to, as in steel or iron. Carborundum is Silicon Carbide, and is generally used dry with metals, I only use it for sharpening knives and hardened tools. If it was manufactured for wet or dry use it can be used wet to grind stone, as Tom said spin dry after use. Also with any grindstone, when you turn it on stand to the side and if it EVER seems to shake like it's out of balance shut it off, throw the wheel in the trash, and get a new one. Having a grindstone come apart in your face is never pleasant, trust me and the scar on my jaw on this...
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Aug 1, 2014 13:47:47 GMT -5
Thanks for all the help. Going to tape some of the information to the machine. I used it recently to put a point on a punch --- that thing that makes a divot so aiming the drill on the bench drill press is easier. Very glad Peruano mentioned that sparks are a part of the game. Hard to keep my eyes on the job since I really wanted to watch the sparks! Now I'm looking for other things to fix. Rockoonz if I stick a magnet onto the motor housing, will that hurt the motor? I want to put the magnet in a convenient location. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Aug 2, 2014 1:22:14 GMT -5
A small magnet shouldn't affect a motor.
|
|