mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Jan 5, 2016 21:13:38 GMT -5
This unit replaced a 27" HP vibrating lap. I wish I had made this my first purchase when I knew I was serious about the hobby. It uses 180 or 220 grit. This is the first step off the saw. I run the rocks for about two hours.  |
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Jan 5, 2016 21:43:11 GMT -5
How bout a pic of the entire unit? No one cares if your shop is messy...
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Post by toiv0 on Jan 6, 2016 8:14:31 GMT -5
I too would like to see the whole machine. What is the bed the rocks and grit ride on?
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Post by DirtCleaner on Jan 6, 2016 8:28:03 GMT -5
Pic? A quick video of it swirling around would be better.
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Jan 6, 2016 8:40:17 GMT -5
Awesome, sweet lap great addition to your shop. Cheers
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 8:43:47 GMT -5
I think Roy has a unit the same or similar to this unit.i know he posted videos
Dave
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Post by roy on Jan 6, 2016 11:19:53 GMT -5
yes i have one there great ! have fun
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mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Jan 6, 2016 11:45:29 GMT -5
The bottom plate is a 1/2" thick piece of AR (abrasion resistant) steel. The upper "platter" is driven by a separate gear reduction motor and rotates in the opposite direction. The vertical shaft is concentric with the centerline of the bottom plate. Notice how the platter appears off-center to the plate. If you notice, the left and right pieces of angle steel on the platter are different lengths. This makes the platter oscillate with respect to the rotating plate below. This prevents wearing patterns in the plate. A simple effective design. It is large and heavy (600 pounds). It is fast, well-behaved (doesn't trash your shop like a neglected vibrating flat lap will) and quiet. I have changed the gritfeed from a bbq rotisserie motor to a modified seperatory funnel- not bug-free, but I"m working on it. Water is dripped on the plate with a simple bucket and valve setup. Everything is wired for 220.
I know this machine is expensive and impractical for most hobbyists, but having equipment like this can really make a difference between struggling in a hobby and really enjoying it. Having a slab ground flat makes the sanding steps on the bull wheel go much faster, and makes a quality polish easier to achieve. As I said, I regret not springing for this machine early on.
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Post by nowyo on Jan 6, 2016 20:57:52 GMT -5
Love it, coveting my neighbors' rotating lap. That'll kick up the productivity.
Russ
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 6, 2016 23:54:34 GMT -5
A dealer an hour or so south in Oregon has 2 4 foot dia. machines, one is coarse only and the other has wool carpet on a regular cheap steel plate with polish.
He sands dry (Yeeech!) on a bull wheel for the middle steps after they're flat. His wood slabs and bookends (etc) are amazing. I have a 18" Nelson buried in the garage, haven't tried it yet.
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Post by toiv0 on Jan 7, 2016 15:34:57 GMT -5
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