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Post by Peruano on Jun 2, 2022 9:43:53 GMT -5
I have been working on resurrecting a cab machine that I have not seen mentioned or sold very often. It was produced by Great Western Lapidary (you may have seen their saws) in Chula Vista, CA. The arbor is driven from a motor behind the machine and a pulley on one end (easy belt change out and easy to change pulley sizes among the three mounted). It has bearings at midship and at the end with the drive pulley. The arbor is threaded for the entire distal half (nonpulley) end. That may seem unnecessary but it allows the shaft to be moved relative to the bearings by using the threads to push or pull the shaft in one direction or the other. Replacing the two wheels that were located between the bearings was not as awkward as it can be on some machines. I currently have the machine set up with 80, and 220 hard diamond wheels, and nova wheels of 280, 600, and 1200. I'll use an expandos wheels and belts for higher grits. I'm still rigging up the water system, but will use a pump system flowing onto the tops of the wheels. The machine housing is heavy gauge steel with a central drain that actually drains the entire pan (most machines don't drain this well). I currently have a bicycle tube cut for a drain hose into a receptacle below the machine. The machine can be bolted onto a bench top at each of its four corners. So far I"m thinking I like this machine for a true vintage design.
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 2, 2022 12:23:10 GMT -5
I started a topic on geysers. A shallow tray, an aquarium pump and two brass geysers and you will get plenty of water to the wheels and no drainage issues.
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Post by Mel on Jun 6, 2022 11:35:52 GMT -5
I really like the design, looks like it would last as long as the rocks it polishes!
I second the aquarium pump & tube set up. I put a cheap aquarium pump ($20ish on Amazon) on my Lortone combo unit and have had great luck with that.
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Post by Peruano on Jun 6, 2022 12:08:00 GMT -5
Yes, I've been using a pump for several years. When I just used gravity, the volume of water was too little and I built up sediment on wheels. I believe in water even when I carry it from the hose bib a few yards away from my shop.
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socalrockhound
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2023
Posts: 1
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Post by socalrockhound on Apr 12, 2023 20:28:21 GMT -5
I have this same machine. Are you done the restoration? I am trying to get new wheels for mine what kind and size did you get? Want to be certain they fit the machine.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 13, 2023 2:48:56 GMT -5
Peruano looks like there's more than one socalrockhound if you tag someone @+their RTH handle they're more likely to see it, after just a few months you won't see responses otherwise.
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Post by Peruano on Apr 13, 2023 6:44:00 GMT -5
Rockoonz Thanks for the heads up. The machine still lives in the corner of my garage. It was completely reassembled but the motor available was shot. It awaits a replacment motor or a buyer who wants to install his own. I installed standard 8" Novas and hard diamon wheels. No special arbor diameter needed. PM me if you have specific questions. Tom
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