kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 3, 2012 15:01:04 GMT -5
so was doing some searching and saw one sentance where it was suggested that a floor buffer should work as a rotating flat lap. Seems to make sense to me. I'm thinking of getting an old one and turing it on it's side so it would be vertical rather than horizontal. Depends on what size is available. If the price is right the motor etc might be a good option as well for a pully system. Any thoughts or experience?
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Post by johnjsgems on May 3, 2012 15:34:01 GMT -5
Interesting concept. It's been a long time but as I remember they turn slow so probably have a reduction gear box. Would make a nice polish buff if too slow as a lap.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 3, 2012 23:07:26 GMT -5
I've heard of someone doing this. Didn't get to see the machine, but from what I heard it worked good. Be sure you have a good, tight fitting splash pan around it. Don't want water getting in the motor. If you get one of the larger buffers, get the brush with it. You'll want to save the center hub out of the brush to attach to your lap plate. It'll only take 1/4 turn to put on or remove the lap.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on May 4, 2012 14:14:42 GMT -5
WOW!! The name "floor buffer" made me shiver,reminded me of "bootcamp"!!! LMAO.. I bet it would work though.......
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Post by Pat on May 4, 2012 16:48:25 GMT -5
I would much, much rather flat lap rocks, than clean floors!
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rockdude
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 187
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Post by rockdude on May 5, 2012 5:40:02 GMT -5
Fossilman~ Remember that first time when you hit the switch and the buffer takes off with you? I haven't even thought about that in...what?, 40-somethin' years. Funny how it all comes back to you, LOL LOL
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Post by johnjsgems on May 5, 2012 7:33:20 GMT -5
Yes, I immediately flashed back to my glorious days as a USAF helicopter mechanic. Heroically cleaning floors for the good of the country.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 5, 2012 8:20:49 GMT -5
Fossilman~ Remember that first time when you hit the switch and the buffer takes off with you? I haven't even thought about that in...what?, 40-somethin' years. Funny how it all comes back to you, LOL LOL ;D ;D Try it onboard a ship during a storm. Oh the horror, the horror.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on May 5, 2012 10:52:24 GMT -5
In college, we used to play "rodeo buffer": you stand on the machine, operate the controls and try to stay on!
Chuck
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on May 5, 2012 11:03:44 GMT -5
I remember the buffers I used at boot camp came in two flavors. One with a single pad about 14" and the other had two counter rotating pads about 6" each. Plenty of torque in the big one. Keep us posted.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on May 5, 2012 20:26:34 GMT -5
When I was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, a pretty large and strong friend used a single wheel one to scrub the shower walls in the latrine.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 8, 2012 14:21:39 GMT -5
I was wondering what ever happened with this thread?? Did you ever try the buffer/polisher as a Lap?
I know that there are 2-3 different speed models out there, combo units, floor polishers, and floor cleaners/strippers (the slowest spinning ones).
If anyone knows what came of this please let me know as I am curious to find out because I am looking into building machines as opposed to buying them.
thanx
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 8, 2012 19:11:39 GMT -5
LOL, floor buffers remind me of boot camp as well. It was my first experience with one of those things. The first time you squeeze the handle you're there for the ride! lol
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Post by mohs on Sept 8, 2012 21:13:20 GMT -5
I would much, much rather flat lap rocks, than clean floors! That's funny Pat ! and I have to agree but then again some of us are at rock bottom so were slow grinding kind of like slow dancing with a floor shine or something silly like that Ed
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Sept 8, 2012 23:20:33 GMT -5
LOL, floor buffers remind me of boot camp as well. It was my first experience with one of those things. The first time you squeeze the handle you're there for the ride! lol First time I used one I had it in one hand and when i hit the trigger it jumped out of my hand came around and tagged me in the kidney.... made using the latrine ..... interesting, and got me a trip to medsite for the day!
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Sept 9, 2012 0:21:55 GMT -5
Ouch!!
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Sept 12, 2012 23:52:29 GMT -5
Ah, this takes me back, too. No stories of military honor here, cleaning floors was just a 20 year business for me ... With the side benefit of seeing that great, shining polished surface every day! We have several of my buffing machines waiting patiently for conversion to lapidary machinery. Turned 180 degrees from normal operating attitude, set on a sturdy frame and equipped with a Harbor Freight "Router Speed Control" ($20 at your local store) in place of the original on/off switch, they should do the trick nicely! On the motor v.s water question, if you build your splash guard so a shroud (a dollar store shower curtain would do in a pinch ... "Look, it's the Little Mermaid!" :cheesy: ) drops past the motor level, it shouldn't be a worry. One strict warning; I recommend avoiding any attempt at converting a commercial propane powered, 3000 rpm buffer into a polishing wheel ... Unless you're polishing Mt. Rushmore! ;D Cheers! Kris
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