stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 3:08:53 GMT -5
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 3:10:55 GMT -5
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 3:18:27 GMT -5
Some info from the seller,in response to some questions asked. I hope these facts will answer a few questions.The lap is eight inches diameter x half inch thick and it currently turns at approx. 74rpm.The actual motor is rated as continuous 3/4 hp x 2850 rpm which explains the fast speed at the saw blade end.The saw end looks like it could accomadate upto an eight inch diameter blade on a 5/8 diameter keyed shaft.The gearbox that turns the lap is by john brown and the machine makers are k.c from fulham ,london.There are already 2 flanges on the saw end that have a 4 bolt fastening on.The lap plate does not have any holes in it,and the dop holder [my name for it]is basically a precision made sliding clamp that you can push back and forth towards the blade.It is a inch sqare block with a large hole through it[1inch] and 2 holes drill and tapped that have bolts to tighten up on the workpiece and also a bolt that can push through the workpiece in increments.The lap tray is 12 inch sq. x 2 inch deep and all have sump taps.I too am an avid lapidarist,but the dop end/saw end is still a bit of an enigma to me.I hope i have answered all your questions.OH p.s the converter is by siemens and is a simovert micromaster and has a booklet with instructions.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 3:24:58 GMT -5
The guy had made an attempt to convert to a faceting machine-hence the mast bolted in front of the lap-this has now been removed-leaving a hole to be plugged in the lap tray.It's a strange one,so any comments welcome-it starts at £50 uk,and buyer to arrange courier. We are both very curious about the sliding clamp thing ;D,to the bottom left of the motor. Thanks for looking,John.
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robsrockshop
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2012
Posts: 715
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Post by robsrockshop on Jan 15, 2013 8:01:08 GMT -5
Usless piece of garbage probably not worth the shipping costs. Huge electrical accident in waiting to boot. Don't waste $ on this POC. (piece of crap, the forum friendly abbr.)
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Post by catmandewe on Jan 15, 2013 9:00:57 GMT -5
I would buy it if it stayed cheap. Wondering if the addition was some sort of holder for girdles,grooves, etc.
Tony
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 9:33:38 GMT -5
Thanks Tony-that's the kind of constructive observation I was asking for-I am trying to help the guy,so don't really want to tell him it's a "piece of crap" and may blow up! John.
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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 Jan 15, 2013 10:32:22 GMT -5
the sliding clamp is a vise as that end was used as a trim saw probably, the motor looks very old and as such may cause/have electrical issues, to be polite, in my limited scope of the world rigging a machine that is made to do one thing so that it does another is usually only good for the person who did it originally as they are probably the only ones that understand how it works... I would avoid it unless it's dirt cheap and you have the time/funds to rebuild.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 15, 2013 11:51:02 GMT -5
That thing scares me. Looks like an accident waiting to happen. The flat lap end would probably be useful, but the saw would be turning much too fast. I'm wondering if that clamp thing was used to pre-form stones for faceting ?
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 11:59:55 GMT -5
Mario thanks-I tend to agree with you-it would be a rebuild strip down,etc,- the siemens controller on there is currently selling on ebay for between 2 to 300 dollars,I have several single phase motors,lots of pulleys etc and reckon it wouldn't be too much trouble to have it running "normally" again,but as I'm in the process of rebuilding a slab saw,a flat lap and a grinder-it might have to go to someone else this time ;D-appreciate you taking the time to comment,John.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 12:04:10 GMT -5
Don,lol, that's the state of lapidary machinery over here-I was mainly interested in the flat lap,as it's a couple of inches wider than my 6" Robilt,and no nut in the middle ;D,John.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 12:23:06 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 15, 2013 13:27:01 GMT -5
I'm wondering if that clamp held a dopped stone for rounding before faceting, or possibly rough cutting the table ? A very thin facetors blade would have to run at high speed.
Is the lap plate iron or steel ? If so, magnetic disks could be used on it. The mast for the faceting attachment could be removed, and the hole fitted with a drain pipe.
Don't know about the saw. If there's a way to slow it down, a table could be fitted and used as a trim saw.
Anyway, in its day, that was probably a state of the art European machine. Too bad there's not an original owners manual with it. It would be interesting to see how the whole thing was supposed to work.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 14:57:27 GMT -5
Don,I couldn't agree more-the main reason I posted it on the forum was to gain a little more understanding of what it might have been,and also what it could be-the guy that fitted the "controller",as he calls it,seems to know little about how the "controller" works,-when I asked if I could "dial in" another speed,he pretty much admitted that although there is an instruction manual-he only used the one setting,and seemed to know little about it? Yeh the thing might be going for a couple of hundred dollars or more on ebay (controller),but if no-one knows how to use it -then to me it seems like overkill-when all you have to do is change the motor for one with a couple of pulleys to give you the speed you need-assuming that the gearing can be stripped from the shaft? Thinking I'll let it be someone elses problem!Later,John
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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, 2013 15:22:44 GMT -5
Mario thanks-I tend to agree with you-it would be a rebuild strip down,etc,- the siemens controller on there is currently selling on ebay for between 2 to 300 dollars,I have several single phase motors,lots of pulleys etc and reckon it wouldn't be too much trouble to have it running "normally" again,but as I'm in the process of rebuilding a slab saw,a flat lap and a grinder-it might have to go to someone else this time ;D-appreciate you taking the time to comment,John. Keep in mind that Siemens AC drive usually drives 3-phase motors from 220V 1-phase input. The cool thing is that you can dial in the speed that you want with a high resolution rather than change speeds with pulleys.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 15, 2013 15:24:20 GMT -5
Gotta admit John. It'd be fun to play with. I love tinkering with things like that.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 15:33:20 GMT -5
Ah!Juzwuz-thankyou-been waiting to hear from someone who understands the "controller"side of things;-so how simple is it to just "dial in " another speed? Do you have first hand knowledge of these Siemens "controllers",lol,makes me think of something entirely different ,sorry-my mind plays games with me! I think I understand the principals behind the guy fitting this all together-but wonder about the reality? Any info is greatly appreciated,thanks,John.
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 15:39:11 GMT -5
Don,you got me in one ,I'm a natural born tinkerer!
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stillalive
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2011
Posts: 136
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Post by stillalive on Jan 15, 2013 15:57:30 GMT -5
Couple more shots-I think the guy wants me to buy it! , , , , John.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 15, 2013 16:22:17 GMT -5
John, the more I look at that thing, the more I think the "saw end" was actually for a grinding stone shape stones before faceting.
With the numbers on that tag, you should be able to get more info from the British patent office. Maybe even engineering drawings and instructions.
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