|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 12, 2008 8:46:52 GMT -5
Tonyterner made me a wooded lap as an experiment. Here are the results. This Sodalite cab left the belts at 600 grit and was finished on the wood lap alone. He is willing to make these for us RTh'ers. He will say for free, but we should cover his cost and time. I think he did a good job and that is the best finish I have ever gotten on Sodalite. I will let him answer any questions about the wood. john
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jan 12, 2008 9:40:52 GMT -5
What speed does it run?
|
|
huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
|
Post by huffstuff on Jan 12, 2008 9:45:59 GMT -5
Wow! That shine is fabulous! WTG Tony (for the wood lap) and John (for the shine you made with it)!
Amy
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 12, 2008 9:50:43 GMT -5
That motor turns at 3450 rpm, of course the lap it turning a little faster. Tony could tell you exactly. john
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,775
|
Post by adrian65 on Jan 12, 2008 9:55:20 GMT -5
Nice and simple. I have some questions: how many rpm has the motor? what means "14, 50, 100", hundereds or thousands? What did you use as polish agent, SiC, diamond paste or something else?
Thanks,
Adrian
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,775
|
Post by adrian65 on Jan 12, 2008 9:56:29 GMT -5
Nice and simple. I have some questions: how many rpm has the motor? what means "14, 50, 100", hundereds or thousands? What did you use as polish agent, SiC, diamond paste or something else?
Thanks,
Adrian
|
|
|
Post by Tonyterner on Jan 12, 2008 10:21:33 GMT -5
John, that sodalite turned out great! I can't believe the shine you got on it. I'm glad it has worked out for you. I need to do the ones for Tony W next.
John, I sized the lap for the speed of John's motor, 3450, based on what Lopaki has on his website. For a slower motor I would make the wheel larger than this one which is 1 3/8" diameter.
John figured out how to mount it and use it, I did the easy part, make the wood round. LOL And yes I will make one for any one who wants one. If any ever wants something round made out of wood just let me know, I'm always willing to help.
|
|
granpaw
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks...The oldest living things on earth.
Member since October 2007
Posts: 111
|
Post by granpaw on Jan 12, 2008 10:32:58 GMT -5
That is a great idea! I have no cabbing stuff but I do have a small metal lathe the light bulb lit just now... By the way.. take the last stone pic and turn it to the right 90 degrees...is that a tree reflected in the finish? Nice!
granpaw
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 12, 2008 10:34:15 GMT -5
Adrian, 14K, 50K and 100K diamond paste.
john
|
|
deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by deedolce on Jan 12, 2008 11:20:24 GMT -5
That's a super duper shine!!! And I think even *I* could manage to put together the motor and board to make one! I may be PMing you sometime in the next few months Tony! So cool. I just use the pad on the end of my Genie with CO, and that's it. I've always envied the shine that some of you get here. What stones do best on wood?
~Dee
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 12, 2008 11:37:01 GMT -5
Granpaw, those are trees!
Dee, I'm no expert, this is an experiment in the works, but traditionally softer stone do better on wood. But you know, I don't have any problem getting agate and such to shine. I really think this is the answer to those softer, mixed and just plain difficult rocks! john
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,775
|
Post by adrian65 on Jan 12, 2008 12:02:01 GMT -5
Adrian, 14K, 50K and 100K diamond paste. john So, from 600 you are able to jump directly to 14,000? Great!
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 12, 2008 12:06:00 GMT -5
Adrian, I did go from 600 to 14K. When I use up the paste I have, I may reconfigure to 1200, 14k and 50K. john
|
|
mirkaba
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 321
|
Post by mirkaba on Jan 12, 2008 14:32:10 GMT -5
Great job!!! To both of you! I built a wooden spool polisher for opals 2 years ago and could not live without it. I had a friend turn down a 3 1/2" x 18" for bigger stones but have not mounted it yet...........Guess I better get on it Bob
|
|
deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
|
Post by deedolce on Jan 12, 2008 16:16:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the answers John! It's true, I can NEVER get a shine at ALL on those softer stones...oooh boy, I really, really, want to get that fabulous shine! Thanks for sharing!
~Dee
|
|
karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by karenfh on Jan 12, 2008 18:59:11 GMT -5
I want to see a video!! What exactly do you do??? Sorry, not much of a clue here. Did you cut the shapes first, then use the wood lap to finish? What do you mean, it left the belts at 600 grit? Is there another machine involved before the wooded lap? Sorry, I know I'm asking dumb questions.... but thanks!
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 12, 2008 19:50:02 GMT -5
Okay, I do realize not all of us cab. I cut the shape on my WF, then grind it on my wet grinder, that has 2 sides, One side has an 80 grit diamond wheel, here I shape and dome the stone, then I go the the second side which has an expando rubber drum. Different grit SIC belts slip on and off the rubber drum. For this stone I used a 220, 400 and 600 grit belt. At this point the cab is shaped and smooth with only 600 grit scratches on it, but does not shine, it is rather dull.
All polishing was done on the wood spindle lap with diamond paste. I started at 14K, then 50K and then 100K.
Does that help Karen? john
|
|
karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by karenfh on Jan 12, 2008 20:03:04 GMT -5
;D I still want video of both stages!! Thanks for going back to square 1 for me! So, how does the paste work? Do you apply it to the wood? Is there water involved, or just the paste? I'm assuming no h2o, because it's wood? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks for explaining!
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 12, 2008 20:48:35 GMT -5
No water on the wood and I applied the paste to the wood with my finger. The pores of the wood should hold the paste and only need recharging every now and then. john
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Jan 12, 2008 23:45:50 GMT -5
Just a (kinda obvious) word of caution. Just as a course grit can contaminate the next finer stage in tumbling, running your finger from one section of the spool to another can transfer the diamond paste. Most users wouldn't dream of doing this, but be careful when showing the polisher to friends. People like to touch to see if they can feel the difference...
|
|