rockhead11
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2012
Posts: 18
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Post by rockhead11 on Apr 19, 2013 15:01:03 GMT -5
I am new here and have learned alot so far. I am not an avid rockhound although I do intend to do quite a bit of looking and hopefully finding some nice material. I am approaching retirement age in a few years and i would like as much good information as I can. I want to build an arbor but am not sure what grinding wheels I need (grit numbers). I think if I started out with 4 of them, it should get me started. Which sizes for a rookie would you suggest. 6" is what would like to start out with... I posted something like this before, but can't remember if I asked this specific question....thank you in advance :help:
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Post by Dicky the Rockhunter on Apr 19, 2013 16:27:30 GMT -5
there are several ways to go from complete unit with 6 or more wheels including an expand wheel to fit in grit with a belt to over 100,000 grit. and even place a polish pad on the end. I find that 2 ea grinding at 100 and 250 do well and the other end ten different belts on an expand with ending with the new 4 or 2 micron and then have a polish pad just for fun. Real easy to work with and build
Dicky
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Apr 25, 2013 22:33:50 GMT -5
depends on how much money you want to spend. I built my cabzilla with 8" wheels. I spent about $1,000 on it but would not trade it for anything. I started with a 4 wheel machine and one of the wheels was an expando drum and I got by for a long time. 80 grit 220 grit metal back wheels. 600 grit Nova wheel and then go with the expando drum and get the belts I would go with the 6" X 1 1/2" belts.
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Post by jakesrocks on Apr 25, 2013 23:39:22 GMT -5
rockhead11, if you live in a state with lots of rockhounds, you may be able to find a good used machine for much less than it would cost to build one. Watch your news paper want adds. Especially estate sales. Also ebay, craigs list and other internet selling sites. If you're not sure of a fair price to pay for a certain brand of machine, ask here. Many of us have a pretty good idea what certain used machines are selling for. Also we can steer you away from machines with a bad reputation.
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