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Post by iant on Jul 29, 2014 1:49:57 GMT -5
Not a home made machine, so apologies if this is in the wrong section, but it's an old machine I have just bought and would appreciate any help and advice on spare parts to buy to get it working. It is a Gemtek lapidary machine. When I bought it it came with a 6inch blade fitted to the saw which is fine, however, i think the 4inch grinder is pretty much worn out, and there is a 6 inch polishing face at the end as you can see in the pictures. My questions are can anyone recommend how I should set up to use the polisher to best effect? Should I buy a selection of different grades of velcro pads which I can swap? If so, should I get wet or dry? If wet I will need to set up a dripper, which I should be able to do. Also, what kind of grinding wheel should I be looking for to replace the worn out one. Silicon carbide? Thanks for any help. I really want to get using this machine.
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Post by 1dave on Jul 29, 2014 11:34:04 GMT -5
Hi Iant, It looks like you made a good find for being in Scotland. There are many places for "stuff and things" here like: www.kingsleynorth.com/about.phpThose small wheels grind away fast. That is why most people like the 8" and 10" units. I would advise wet. It lasts longer, AND you don't have to worry so much about breathing rock dust. Silicosis is a tough way to die. Rubber cement will usually attach any pads to the plate. Use wire to hold leather on if you go that route. bobby1 made his cover from carpet! forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/63979/new-cover-polishing-wheelOops, I just re-read that thread and see you have already been there.
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Post by iant on Jul 30, 2014 1:34:55 GMT -5
Thanks for your help here Dave. I will look into that. I remembered the carpet fix, which impressed me, but it would be nice to have a method of polishing straight from the cutting process for more delicate rocks(currently I tumble polish everything).
Cheers Ian
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Post by Peruano on Jul 30, 2014 8:05:34 GMT -5
Ian, you may have two constraints on grinding mods. 1. Can the machine take anything bigger than a 4" wheel (i.e. 6" wheel). It might make it easier to find something. 2. How wide can that wheel be? It appears the hood over the top is relatively narrow and might exclude some possibilities. If you use silicon carbide with water, be sure to spin off excess water before turning off machine; make sure your water source is OFF when machine is not running; and never stand in front of the machine when its first turned on in case the stone has become water logged which can throw it off balance and cause it to break into lethal pieces. They can be used, but they must be used carefully. There may be 4" alternatives if they are not too wide for your machine. A 100 grit diamond wheel would be great for preforms and some shaping, but can you rig it? Good luck with the machine. It will lead you to great things. As to polishing pads some compounds work best with felt, while others work better with leather. I seem to recall but check me out, that leather is preferred for chormium oxide, and felt is preferred for cerium oxide which must be worked with much more water. If velcro like fasteners work they would be great or if necessary contact cement and then buy a second or multiple disks that can be screwed on when needed. Tom
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Post by iant on Jul 31, 2014 1:22:33 GMT -5
Thanks Tom, The 4" wheel looks to be the biggest I will get away with, and they don't seem to be readily available. I will keep on looking. Thanks too for the input on polishing compounds.
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