|
Post by mohs on Mar 15, 2009 16:56:49 GMT -5
I implemented my groov’n idea. I purchased mini diamond cutting disk and a dremel type tool from Harbor Freight. The 5 disks with shank were $4.00. The buzzer was $10.00. My idea was to grind a slight groove on both sides of the heart stone. Then when I glue them together--- presto! -- a pre drilled hole to insert a bale. It worked really well. With skill and steady hand a person could groove the whole profile. A good wire wrap would hide any imperfections. I just tried it this once, on this stone There is much more to learn. Creates lots of dust as it dry grind. Dust mask! Plus I was concerned about the epoxy plugging the hole and it did. But the hot needle trick cleared up that problem. groove on!
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Mar 15, 2009 18:17:41 GMT -5
Great idea for the bail!
I'm curious Ed, why grind dry?
Chuck
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Mar 15, 2009 19:52:14 GMT -5
for my purposes Chuck I held the pieces in a vice and zipped a slight groove
it an inexpensive quick way for my purposes
I could probably groove the profile for wrapping I know someone with a steady hand and patience, certainly could That would create a mini dust storm I was surprised at the amount of dust from just my slight zip
what would be an efficient, fast way to do it wet with the tools I'm using?
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Mar 15, 2009 20:43:34 GMT -5
great idea for adding a bail! As far as grinding the groove wet, you could maybe use a vise grip pliers and lay it in a dish under water. It may make a splattery mess, but would be better than breathing the dust.
Nate
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Mar 15, 2009 21:55:19 GMT -5
Dust masks are not fine enough to keep rock dust out of your lungs. Spray, drip, dip or submerge. As a last resort use a box fan or similar to blow dust away. I know a rock carver that uses a home made fan using a kitchen stove hood mounted with air filters to collect dust and pull dust away. His diamond bits wear out really fast dry.
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Mar 16, 2009 12:41:08 GMT -5
John nailed the reason for my question.
I recently cut basalt matrix away from some Thomsonites using a flex shaft attachment on my Dremel and a diamond blade. I held the Thomsonites by hand in pan of water with a high wall. It was kind of fun to watch a red stream of water fly off of a black rock...
Anyway, you may not care about saving your $4 set of blades, but silicosis (aka Grinder's disease, as in rock grinder) sounds nasty.
Chuck
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Mar 17, 2009 0:33:02 GMT -5
PROPER VENTILATION ALWAYS!!
Certainly it is good advice to anyone in lapidary. but as far as this ol’rock grinder is concerned well…
I should be stone dead already!
I’ve 30 years of grinding. Many years of that in bad conditions and my OWN CARELESSNESS! Old rock grinder never die though… they just polish away…. Or grit away.
Lots of the time with me its the latter :Pj
But I don’t want lose the purpose of the thread. Grinding & grooving ;D
|
|
mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
|
Post by mossyrockhound on Mar 20, 2009 0:12:04 GMT -5
Great idea - that groove-bail is! Good to know about the hot needle. I like your hearts too. Thanks for sharing.
Garry
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Mar 20, 2009 23:38:34 GMT -5
Thanks guys! I’m stoked about this idea. A neighbor had given me a bag of bell caps. There 4 leaf wings tops and very nice. I just straighten a paper clip and soldered a stem into it. Now when I groove the hole in my hearts-- I’ll just cut the stem to size and epoxy in! well that''s the plan They should be a classy touch. These bell caps are ancient. They come from a company called Grieger’s Incorporated in Pasadena California. They claimed to be the world largest supplier of lapidary & jewelry supplies. But I don’t think there in business anymore. Maybe someone as heard of this company?
|
|
stoneme
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2008
Posts: 17
|
Post by stoneme on Mar 21, 2009 1:31:45 GMT -5
when I'm cutting grooves for a groove wrap, I will first put two rubber polishing wheels on the arbor. Then, using a dressing stone, I'll grind them down until they're ~1/32" smaller than the diamond cutting disc. Next, mount the disc in between the two polishing wheels, and groove away. I can cut pretty consistent grooves with this tool, and I don't have a steady hand, Mike
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2009 1:31:54 GMT -5
Thats a really super idea Ed. Makes for a nice clean pendant. Thanks for sharing.
Shannon
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Mar 21, 2009 2:06:37 GMT -5
hi Shannon Hey stoneme (mike) welcome to the board that does sound like a groovy idea but I'm having a bit of problem visualizing it What type of diamond disk are you using?
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Mar 21, 2009 22:10:58 GMT -5
The bale looks a little better than the pic depicts but i have lots of tweaking to do if the bell cap idea is to fly with just a regular bale it working fine I got hung up to day with the rough cabbing on a small pieces like the hearts I'm spending way to much time on the 80 grit wheel o well i got 7 glued up & the 1 in the pic is just about finished back to the drawing board
|
|