Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 31, 2004 10:59:43 GMT -5
What a week!
After putting the arbor back together on my combination unit, we think we've "finally" isolated the problem with the arbor.
Not sure if you remember my mentioning it, but Fed Ex evidently dropped the lapidary box somewhere along the way. They "doinked" the lower left corner of the unit and the only thing I could notice as far as damage, was the foot pad area was bent and there was one very very small dent next to the footpad. Even Rob said he would have accepted the shipment, because the damage was so minor.
However....
We now believe that the unit was hit in just the right way to knock the case every so slightly out of square. It was enough that, when in use, it put stress on the arbor and caused the damage to the arbor/bearings.
Rob put the unit back together from scratch for me and with some adjustments, he was able to put the arbor back in without resistance. (Great guy!)
I've been running the unit for several days now...no odd noises with the unit and I think it's finally happy.
The diamond grinder came in....I think it'll be well worth using instead of the carbide grinding wheel. I'll keep the grinding wheel just for odds and ends, but I'm amazed at how fast it was eaten up just by shaping stone!
I also placed a big order with Rio Grande....and that should be here mid-week. Hopefully, by the end of next week, I should have some finished pieces to photograph.
Hugs to all, Emerald
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Oct 31, 2004 11:27:35 GMT -5
Hello Emerald,
I am glad to hear that you are back up and running again.
Once you go from silicon carbide wheels to diamond wheels ... it's hard to go back! They are definitely worth holding onto to for od jobs like you said.
Take care,
John
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Post by Cher on Oct 31, 2004 11:37:47 GMT -5
Been wondering about you and hoping all was ok. Guess it's even better now that the unit is running smoothly. You're having way too much fun now.
Cher
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Post by docone31 on Oct 31, 2004 20:09:53 GMT -5
Way cool Kiddo, make us some magic to see. You will love the diamond wheel. Go light and it will last forever. You will have to break it in before you grind, or it will be way too agressive. Grind some crap stone for a bit and take the edges out of the wheel. Have a ball.
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Post by cookie3rocks on Oct 31, 2004 21:30:38 GMT -5
Hey Helen, I missed you! Glad you got it all back together properly. Rob's a great guy. Have you been making soap? Gonna have to get me some of that when the store on your site comes up. We were supposed to have a play date today, but I couldn't have gone anyway. Once again, I had to fire someone for stealing and I have to work 7 days a week. This Bites! Glad youre back. cookie
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 31, 2004 21:36:35 GMT -5
was thinking about you just this morning, thought you maybe got way too busy, glad to hear you got things back in motion, KD
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 31, 2004 21:40:40 GMT -5
i've been wondering where you were too and missing your postings. glad you got your combo unit fixed up and can't wait to see some pics!
kim
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Post by sandsman1 on Oct 31, 2004 21:44:50 GMT -5
hi EM glad you got it back together hope every thing goes smooth now---- dont forget those pics
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Nov 1, 2004 6:52:22 GMT -5
*waves to all*
Matt took his camera to a star party a few weekends ago. (We have an 8" meade he hooked it up to) It was his first time on his own doing astrophotography. Over the course of the weekend, the T Adapter got stuck on his camera. He about had a heart attack! It took us a few weeks to get it repaired, but finally, I have access to a camera again.
Actually, after seeing so many of you creating such gorgeous stuff, I'm a bit afraid to post photos of anything. So, I'm waiting till I have something that I'm really pleased with before I do. My hope is to "knock your socks off"!! I know, this might be wishful thinking...but it's a good goal to set with all the talent I've seen here!
I got some flourite from Kingsley....coolest stuff to shape. It's REALLY soft! I've been having a blast shaping with it. I feel like a real artist when handling it, because you have to use such a light touch or you just eat up the stone!
Still haven't taken anything to a final polish on the lapidary unit. I spent most of yesterday afternoon playing with the flourite. Not much, if any purple in it unfortunately, but it does give me a real good feel for shaping stone.
*ANNOUCEMENT* The diamond grinder is WONDERFUL! Absolutely WONDERFUL! It really has made a HUGE difference in shaping slab cut pieces! I'm tempted to go diamond on the belts as well after using the diamond grinding wheel. I've already worn out my 220 grit belt and about to move a few dozen stones to 400 grit next!
I think I told you guys that once I got this unit...you might not see me for awhile. It really is incredibly cool to have it! I'm using the heck out of it!
I'm always haunting the forums ~ even though I'm not posting as much.
For Cookie Yes....I made another batch of soap on Wednesday! Hot Process....it turned into glue! LOL! Actually, it turned out ok...but I think I'm going Cold Process on the next batch.
The bars aren't nearly as neat and tidy as I would have liked and I think they're too small. They were really fat coming out of the mold, so I cut them in half. Now they're too small. (live and learn....live and learn) This batch will make nice Christmas presents I think. *chuckles*
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