10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 9, 2009 12:04:04 GMT -5
My new (used) GP6 has an (non-standard) 3" extendo drum and a 6" disk. I have two 400 grit belts and one 600 grit belt for the extendo. I have nothing for the polishing disk except what came installed on it. The disk is an aluminum plate attached to the arbor with a (crusty old) foam rubber pad and a thin cloth pad on top of that. I believe that cerium oxide was used on the pad last. The pads seem to be firmly glued in place.
My question is: What should I have for the disk and the extendo in order to have an adequate cabbing arsenal? The middle wheels are brand new SiC and I'm keeping them until I wear them out. Thanks, Scott
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Apr 9, 2009 14:14:50 GMT -5
I set mine up with wider hard wheels, 6X1.5" @ 80 and 200. As your silicone ones wear out I wouldn't look back and get diamond from here out- yeah it costs a bit more up front, but the performance and longevity are well worth the investment.
I tried several different types and suppliers' diamond belts over the course of a year or two before I finally splurged and bought the whole kit of Raytech tru-circle belts, 240, 320, 600, 1200, and 8K, which go on and off the expando -drum (also non-standard 6X1.5"). Other suppliers have more intermediate grits, but none of them seem to hold up as well as the Raytechs, and their grades compliment each other very well, in that you can really see the improvement on each stage, so its easier and faster to get through a batch of cabs than it was with any other belt combinations.
After that 8000 wet belt, I use diamond compound on dry resin belts for 14,000, 50,000 and sometimes 100,000.
My disk on the end usually gets a regular sanding disc with sandpaper on it for quick dop-stick touch-ups, but I also have a leather disk that I mistakenly poisoned with 3000 grit diamond.
Now knowing better, I'd have much rather dedicated it for cerium oxide, on many stones, a simple polish like cerium works as well or better than several fine stages of diamond.
And do take some time to remove, and maybe use a toothbrush or small wire brush to clean up your valves, my guess is they just have a lot of gunk hardened up on the threads keeping them from closing all the way
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 9, 2009 15:08:36 GMT -5
The new GP-6 units come with 400, 600, 1200, and 3000 grit diamond belts. You will likely have to scrape the crusty rubber pad off. Replace with foam rubber disc using contact cement. Then use 3M feathering disc adhesive on outside of foam. That will allow you to use leather discs for diamond or polish. By the way, they are "expando" or expandable drums.
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 11, 2009 17:47:37 GMT -5
Holy smokes! The cheapest I see 8"x3" Raytech Tru-Circle belts is $82.50. Splurge is right. That's $400+ for five belts. I don't think I can see myself dropping that kind of coin. Is that really the minimum entry price? I expected this cab machine to be more of a destination than a starting point so shame on me I guess. I guess I'm more interested in the bare necessities for now. I've had to take a 5% followed by another 10% pay cut this year so they'll be no more splurging for a while. For the polishing end I need a bunch of this stuff right? www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/search_results2.php?catID=187What do I specifically need? You mention a leather disk and sanding pads. I guess I need a new foam rubber pad than I use the 3M Post-In Notey stuff to switch between different disks.
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Post by johnjsgems on Apr 12, 2009 10:08:01 GMT -5
You couldn't have an 8" x 3" drum on a GP6. You probably have a 6" x 2.5" or if original 6" x 1.5". I'm guessing 2.5" . Eastwind diamond belts about $45 ea. , silicon carbide about $3 ea. The end pad replace rubber and use plain leather discs (about $5 ea.). You can also stick on SC sanding discs with the feathering disc adhesive. If money is an issue measure the drum and buy 400 and 600 SC belts and one leather polish pad. Save at least one worn out 600 belt to use as a prepolish and polish on the leather pad. The theraputic value from cabbing should offset the minimal cost.
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Apr 12, 2009 22:57:48 GMT -5
You couldn't have an 8" x 3" drum on a GP6. You probably have a 6" x 2.5" You know, I have never measured it but when I posted pictures of the machine before I bought it someone commented that it looked like the stock 1.5" extendo had been replaced with a 3". From there I leaped to the conclusion that I must have an 8"x3" but I trust your expertise John. It must be a 6"x2.5". So that will save me a couple of bucks right there. I have one 400 grit belt and a 600 grit belt. I assume that they are just SiC. I guess I'll stick with what I have for now. I'll add the diamond belts to my Christmas list...
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