basalt
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2013
Posts: 9
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Post by basalt on Jun 3, 2014 14:43:01 GMT -5
I am starting to try to build some homebrew equipment. My needs are simple. I want to take small 1-3 in diameter material. I will cut a small flat face with my tile saw and flatten/polish that face while retaining the matrix. This is to produce a specimen for grade school kids to study-showing the outside and the polished inside in all its glory. Second and third grade study rocks and minerals in their earth sciences segments. A second grade teacher has tried this as part of the program and she says it greatly enhanced the experience-beyond mere pictures. Anyway. My first motor is an emerson fan motor: 1075 rpm, 2.1 amp, 1/8 hp. Does this have enough torque to run a 6 in flat lap? I would keep the weight down by using a lexan plate for backer and stickon wet grinding surfaces. Any advice, ideas and experiences will help.
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Post by 1dave on Jun 8, 2014 6:42:16 GMT -5
I like your idea of catching kids attention! I'm sure you can get it to work, but it sounds a little small to me, may not give the satisfaction. Try e-bay for some used equipment.
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stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
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Post by stephent on Jun 8, 2014 14:30:53 GMT -5
It will spin a 6" flatlap.. barely...but you will have to use a VERY light pressure on the stone when polishing, or the motor will overheat. It will be slow polishing for sure. It's not the weight of the master lap (unless it's an inch thick and weighs 20 pounds) that affects anything after initial spin-up..it's the amount of "work" you will use from the motor pressing against the disks that counts. If you use a belt/pulley drive and reduce the rpm down about 3 to 1 at the disk it will have more torque...but polish "work force" is still only 1/8 hp worth. Better would be a 1/4hp motor. I used a 1/3hp 1725rpm motor on my home brew 8" flatlap and used 3 to one reduction on rpm at the disk(s) and can use 40 pounds of pressure if I would want to be plumb silly and trash the disks. But I don't. With a very light touch (good for the diamond disks and your fingertips and nails too!) it would work...again..barely.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 8, 2014 14:49:49 GMT -5
I agree with stephent , 1/8 hp will bog down a 6 inch lap. If you want to adapt it to a chuck for carving burrs and shield it from water spray it may work for that but RPM is kind of slow for small burrs. Craigs list ebay or the local classifieds may net you something in your budget that is plug and play. Where are you located, maybe there's a RTHer near you who can be of assistance.
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