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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 11, 2012 23:51:02 GMT -5
Anyone wanting to build one of these machines, the Surplus Center has only 89 of these motors left in stock. I plan to order 2 more as spares tomorrow. When I ordered my first 3 a few weeks ago, they had 259 of them.
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sampson
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2011
Posts: 222
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Post by sampson on Jan 12, 2012 22:44:55 GMT -5
Looks like a very professional build Don, much fancier than what i am going to cobble together, ..... and i can finally start cobbling since i actually have my motors now. Now i wish i ordered a couple for spares or other uses but since the shipping and border duty fees ended up costing more than the motors did i think i won't be getting any more from them. Too bad since they look to be really nice motors, but i am sure i can get them rebuilt if i need to if one of them fails.
It is like -20 here today with a stiff wind so no matter how long i crank my little space heaters in the shop it won't get warm in there so i will wait a day or two till it warms up a bit to build it. But now that i actually have my motors i am getting excited to build mine. I've got preformed material ready out of jade, chalcedony, chert, jasper, and some agate all ready to go, now i just hope all the parts i piled up will all work as i planned and i can get turning some spheres.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 12, 2012 23:05:27 GMT -5
Got some Mil. Spec. water tight heavy duty switches in the mail today. One for the machine, and two for future builds. Then this evening I scored. My wife has been cleaning out her sewing room. She had a heavy duty microwave cart in there, buried under piles of fabric. She was going to throw it out, so I rescued it. I now have a stand on lockable wheels to mount the sphere machine on. Got a shelf and cupboard underneath to store cutters and grit, + a few tools for machine adjustments.
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Jan 15, 2012 20:13:25 GMT -5
The machine has been grinding on a jasper sphere (around 2.5") for over 3 hours using the 2" diamond cups. It's getting close but I still see some flat spots. In general is it better to use the largest grinding cup possible for the sphere size or the smallest grinding cup?
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 15, 2012 20:28:07 GMT -5
The cup should be a little bit smaller than the finished size of your sphere. Too big and you run the chance of the sphere getting wedged inside one of the cups.
Making some progress on my machine. Got all of the braces glued and screwed to the bottom of the base. Should be able to get it in primer tomorrow, and color coat on Tuesday. Will post a pic when I'm done with that part.
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Jan 15, 2012 21:36:26 GMT -5
The machine has been grinding on a jasper sphere (around 2.5") for over 3 hours using the 2" diamond cups. It's getting close but I still see some flat spots. In general is it better to use the largest grinding cup possible for the sphere size or the smallest grinding cup? I'll also add to what Jake said. Too big and you chance your sphere to get egg shaped, especially if it quits rotating. I learned the hard way! Bob
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 18, 2012 15:54:33 GMT -5
1/18/2012 update. Little by little progress is being made. Father in law has been in and out of intensive care several times in the last weeks, so I haven't been able to get much done. Anyway, 3 coats of primer and 2 color coats later, here's how it stands. All bottom braces have been added. Holes drilled for motor wiring to pass through to the control box. Rails are fastened down, and the water tight box is in place but not fastened down. Also a center block cut, sanded and fastened to the base, to keep rock snot out of the rails. Don
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 18, 2012 16:41:00 GMT -5
Just to let those who want to build a sphere machine know, the Surplus Center is now sold out of these motors. I ordered 2 spares just in time. I'll see if I can locate another source for these motors at a decent price, and post it here if I find one. Don
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Jan 18, 2012 16:47:12 GMT -5
Don - the machine is looking good. You actually get to build stuff in your living room? Kinda jealous.... My machine is still grinding on the jasper sphere (4 hours so far). I still see the flat spots from the original sphere preform. I wonder if my diamond cups are glazed over or something?
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 18, 2012 17:07:23 GMT -5
I'm building in my basement shop. Just taking pics in my living room. Better lighting. I do have my Genie sitting on the kitchen counter though. So far the wife hasn't complained too much.
If your cups are glazing, you should be able to swap wires on your condensers, and reverse your motor rotation. That may help.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jan 18, 2012 20:13:45 GMT -5
The last flat spot takes the longest - lots of material to grind away. Still: A couple of ways to deal with glazed cups: -- put in a preform of a different size sphere for a while or -- sprinkle some 60/90 grit on the sphere to abrade the cups a bit.
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Jan 18, 2012 23:45:30 GMT -5
Quoting you, "sprinkle some 60/90 grit on the sphere to abrade the cups a bit.' That method always worked for me Steve, and when the saw blade gets dull, I cut into a discarded carbide wheel. Works every time. Bob
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Jan 18, 2012 23:46:24 GMT -5
1/18/2012 update. Looking good Don.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 19, 2012 15:21:19 GMT -5
Looks like everything will be on hold for a while. My father in law was just flown to a hospital in Sioux Falls. They don't give him much chance of making it this time. I may be busy for a while, helping out with funeral arrangements and such.
I'll get back on the build ASAP, and post pics of progress. Don
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Jan 19, 2012 20:46:53 GMT -5
Don, The family will be in our thoughts.
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 19, 2012 21:27:48 GMT -5
Don, Your father in law, you and your family are in our prayers during this time. Jo
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 19, 2012 21:34:27 GMT -5
Thanks Bob and Jo. We still haven't heard anything from the hospital. My wife and her mom are driving down in the morning. Since I won't be on phone watch for a few hours, maybe I can get a little more done on the machine. At least it will keep my mind busy for a while. Don
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 20, 2012 18:11:24 GMT -5
Well, the phone watching is over. My wife called from Sioux Falls. Her dad passed away a few minutes ago. Guess the machine and everything is on hold for a while. Got funeral arrangements to help out with. Don
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 20, 2012 20:48:16 GMT -5
You are in our thoughts, Don.
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Jan 20, 2012 21:31:04 GMT -5
Well, the phone watching is over. My wife called from Sioux Falls. Her dad passed away a few minutes ago. Guess the machine and everything is on hold for a while. Got funeral arrangements to help out with. Don Keeping the family in our thoughts.
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