DuginBR
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by DuginBR on Mar 11, 2017 15:07:35 GMT -5
To answer your other question, to tighten the nut on my lap (built basically the same as yours) I simply hand tighten the nut, then hold the lap plate & tighten the nut with a wrench. To loosen I do the same. Is that a machined arbor you put on the motor? If not that could also be wobbly. I doubt the arbor is machined, at least nothing in the description that I see says so. It's a relatively inexpensive one sold on Amazon and Ebay Enkay 410-C 1/2" Motor Arbor - 1/2" Motor Shafts Grinder Buffer Polishing Wheel I'll check to see if the arbor wobbles without a plate, but am inclined to order a machined arbor regardless, like the one sold by Kinsley North. www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=46850&catID=93Thanks for the info about loosening the nut and how easy it is when done properly. When I ordered the arbor I didn't check to see if it was left or right handed. The motor is wired for clockwise rotation, and the arbor is right handed. I was eager to test things (patience is not one of my virtues) so rather than taking the time to reverse the motor I used a lock washer to hold the arbor nut. It was relatively easy to tighten, but not to loosen. I suppose that's why it's called a lock washer. Thanks for the help.
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DuginBR
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by DuginBR on Mar 10, 2017 17:51:13 GMT -5
Thanks Chuck. I will try another plate to see if that is the issue. Based on what you said though, I suspect it's the motor. It seems to run smoother when it's horizontal. When vertical it has a slight vibration and (for lack of a better term) oscillating hum. Will probably remount the motor horizontally and use pillow block bearings and pulleys as you describe. Will wait a few days though to see if there are other suggested solutions.
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DuginBR
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by DuginBR on Mar 10, 2017 14:30:25 GMT -5
Inspired by other RTH members I decided to try my hand at making a flat lap. It has a 1/3 HP 1725 rpm motor and a plastic oil drain pan to collect the water. Being a rookie at building anything like this I wanted to keep it simple, so went with a direct drive system similar to what others have posted. The center well in the collecting pan is a water pond bulkhead fitting and the drain is a cooler drain attached to a hose. In addition to the rubber washer and nut that come with both fittings, a generous amount of silicon adhesive/sealer was applied to make sure they do not leak. A small pump supplies the water and a drip irrigation valve regulates the flow. The lap and pump are both plugged into a GFCI outlet. I tested the lap this morning and everything works well except for a couple questions, which I hope someone might be able to answer. 1. When ran with an 8” aluminum backing plate, the plate wobbled slightly. Not having used a lap before, I don’t know if this is normal, but if not, was wondering what might cause it? The motor is anchored to a 2" x 6" frame. 2. The shaft of the motor does not have a locking pin, so I'm wondering how to hold the arbor when tightening/loosening the nut holding the sanding disc. This morning I used pliers to hold the arbor but I’m concerned this will damage the threads on the arbor. Any advise or suggestions regarding these questions or anything else regarding the lap will be greatly appreciated. Doug
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DuginBR
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by DuginBR on Feb 12, 2017 11:43:33 GMT -5
That is super cool. I was just in a local stained glass store this week. I'd love to make a picture out of just rock slabs instead of glass. It's hard to find the right colors though. I suppose it would be hard to find the "right" colors. I'm partially color blind though, so I let others help me select glass. There are pictures on the web of lamps made entirely of agates, though I cannot say if the colors matched or were coordinated. The agates are beautiful in themselves so you might have more freedom in choosing colors than say if it were a painting.
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DuginBR
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by DuginBR on Feb 12, 2017 10:53:33 GMT -5
Thanks. Will try Flickr next time.
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DuginBR
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by DuginBR on Feb 12, 2017 10:41:39 GMT -5
New to rock tumbling but have been working in stained glass for a few years. Recently started incorporating agates in four-panel prairie style shades. Below is one recently made with Lake Superior agates. The slices and tumbles were provided but others, but joined RTH to learn how to slice and tumble the agates so I can control what I get. The panels are 10" wide at the bottom.
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DuginBR
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2017
Posts: 8
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Post by DuginBR on Feb 11, 2017 7:45:36 GMT -5
Hi, I’m new to rock tumbling and such. Since I retired from teaching about 8 years ago I’ve been working off and on with stained glass. Recently I incorporated agates as accent pieces in some lamps and as a result I think I’ve fallen in love with rocks. I purchased a 3 lb tumbler and my first batch of mixed rocks is being tumbled now. Got lots of questions about tumbling and sawing but will read through the other posts before asking, since they have probably been asked and answered before. By the way, my name is Doug and I live in Big Rapids, Michigan.
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