drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Aug 19, 2008 10:01:01 GMT -5
How about a group build... Following Thom Tapp's thread forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=hmequip&action=display&thread=24789who can come up with a cheap/easy/DIY rock clamp/sled/feed system, gravity or motor feed. (Please save any magic for the wire wrap area ;D). Something that can be made with an electric drill, hacksaw and a hammer . Try to use angle iron for rails instead of shafts and linear or roller bearings. I've got a couple of ideas I'm kicking around. Anybody interested? Dr Joe .
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Aug 19, 2008 18:41:18 GMT -5
Are you talking designing a cheap/easy/awsome slab saw based on the parts he won or just easily availible parts? Either way would be fun, but I think this group could come up with the greatest easy build slab saw ever if we started from scratch. I like the basic tools/cheap/easy idea, then everyone can build it. I'm in either way.
a few questions need to be settled.
1 - how big of blade? (I know where you can get a 12" sintered for $60) It should be inexpensive.
2 - RPM
3- Shaft size (that blade has a 1" hole)
4- add ons??? do we want to put a polisher or something on the other end of the shaft???
5-Motor?? I'm thinking furnace motor as you can almost always get a used one for free at a heating /AC place.
Scott
|
|
thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
|
Post by thomtap on Aug 19, 2008 20:14:39 GMT -5
I will be interested in seeing what develops too! I have my parts, but I'm still in the design stage. I can adapt what I have to what you guys think up! Go get 'em!
Thom Tapp
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Aug 20, 2008 9:13:54 GMT -5
Alright then. Let's set he ground rules. May be changed at anyone's whim 1) Cheap (never mind economical) 2) Readily available parts and alternatives. Scavenging if everyone can find it. 3) Low skill level. 4) Blade size... 6" or 12" (motor torque & table size are the only difference. 5) RPM... 700-3500 two 3-step pulleys. 6) Motor... 1/4 hp - 1/2 hp used. Some washing machine motors are 2 speed. Bench grinders - replace wheels with pulleys. 7) Other end...Buff or thin trim saw. 8) Group effort, no secret formulas or sauces or neighbor that's a machinist (unless he can make us all one). 9) Safe (or as safe as can be expected from people that put their fingers in front of grinding wheels and saws without guards) can be. This is a preliminary-preliminary plan of attack. All ideas will be considered and tried to make work. OK? Everybody GO! Dr Joe .
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Aug 21, 2008 2:14:57 GMT -5
Ok here is a rough draft for a possible drive setup (using paint to keep with the everybody has it and cheap theme). I only set it up for the 12" blade for a few reasons 1- the 12" lapidary blade I've seen have a 1" hole and a 1" by 1/2" adapter might be hard to find. 2- Step pulleys are way more expensive. 3- If your going "cheap" is there any reason you can't use a 12" saw for trimming and skip the 6"? The motor and pillow blocks could be mounted to a bolted together angle iron frame but I figured we could work up to that. Go ahead and rip into it if you see a problem or have a idea.
|
|
1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
|
Post by 1rockhound on Aug 21, 2008 11:43:04 GMT -5
It is definitely a good start. What are you going to do for the coolant tank? I would like to mention that Covington sells misc. parts like arbors and flanges for the blade.
Jason
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Aug 21, 2008 16:20:00 GMT -5
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Aug 21, 2008 21:41:28 GMT -5
I was looking a bit for pulleys and realized I have to Knock my own initial draft. 1" shaft pulleys are really hard to find. On second thought an adapter for the blade might be the right idea. I like the www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/6L099you found just have to put on a bigger pulley. Does everyone agree with the polisher on one end? Or would it be better with saw only.
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Aug 21, 2008 21:55:20 GMT -5
Okay, while this only has one blade, and no polisher, this is the design I've been toying with for a while now. The frame is made from plywood, with tin flashing and other waterproofing (oil proofing) compounds on the seams. I'm stuck on how to get the platform with the rock vice to move - I'm guessing I'd need two additional shafts attached that it would ride on. Correct? In theory, you could use a longer shaft and extend it farther out from the box. Throw that out there, add a wood and leather polish pad, and that would fit as well. Side View: Top View:
|
|
Simon
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 352
|
Post by Simon on Aug 24, 2008 17:05:18 GMT -5
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Aug 24, 2008 18:14:29 GMT -5
Thanks rockfromahardplace, That's the kinda input we need!
Now if we use wood for the table and frame and cheaper bearings...
Needs a shield for coolant tho...I think that saw could spray for 20ft ;D
The second one shows alot of promise! Not only answers the question of a double ended shaft, but putting the motor vertically (I was considering that, but didn't think to put a disk on it!) Dr Joe
.
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Aug 24, 2008 23:09:07 GMT -5
Nice designs we could just use bolts instead of welding on the first one and just about call it a day. Steel would probably stand up better than wood. The homebuilt saw I have now has a wood top and its starting to get kind of ragged. You can get similar (size) bearings at Princess Auto in Canada for $10. I also like to use straight water like this design, oil might be better for the blade but water is better for me. The only thing I might change is to put the clamp higher so a bigger rock would not hit the shaft which looks like could happen now.
|
|
|
Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Aug 25, 2008 4:35:35 GMT -5
Hi Joe,
I know you put down to use a fountain pump to recirculate the water
Q = would this block up with the sludge/rock dust ?
Would a washing machine empting pump be better ? Just a Idea
Jack Yorkshire UK
|
|
|
Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Aug 25, 2008 9:32:48 GMT -5
Oh for your pump use one made for the Job, Oh say a mason`s trim saw pump ( Target Saw Pump ), One that can handle the mud, grit heat and hang it 1/2 way in sump.
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Aug 25, 2008 10:05:00 GMT -5
That first one is terrific. It gives me a couple ideas to revise mine.
|
|
|
Post by cpdad on Aug 25, 2008 18:56:22 GMT -5
okie dokie...i saw this and thought i would throw my 2 cents in....since i was thinking along the same lines kinda....not really but kinda ;D. i never seem to find the time to finish anything ...so i just thought someone may be able to make sense of what i was thinking and run with it....it may not be what yaw looking for at all....but i was thinking it for a while ;D....i dont make a lot of sense sometimes so...here goes ;D. build an L shaped table....buy 1 of these www.etoolclub.com/index.cfm?area=shop&action=detail&iid=11513 it is plenty powerful....has 1 inch arbors....threaded on each end...left and right hand threads for anything you might wanna add.....1 horsepower....more than the titan or genie....1750 rpm...same as the genie and titan. plenty of room on the arbors of the motor to add a pulley to....and add what ever grinding rocks or polishing pads you would like. add what ever blade arbor you would like on the other part of the L table.....your water system....over head drip or what ever.....some guards....and walla....you have a titan or genie....with a 6 or 12 inch blade attached by pulley belt and arbor. i custom made my guards....and i am the machinist next door ;D....i cant make gauards for all.....but if yaw might need simple stuff...i can provide for all ;D heres an idea of what i havent finished yet....just make simple gaurds from whatever...throw on a couple of pullies.. an arbor..a blade...a table....kev. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=Pictures&action=display&thread=13550
|
|
UtahRockHound
spending too much on rocks
Sometimes your the Windshield, sometimes your the Rock.
Member since May 2008
Posts: 301
|
Post by UtahRockHound on Aug 26, 2008 0:08:52 GMT -5
Couple quick thoughts, and some share from a couple I built.
If you have an old Swamp cooler, here is your motor, shaft, bearings, and pump.
I have and use both a mason saw pump, and some cheap fountain pumps from Harbor Freight. I find the cheap pump works just the same, and is a quarter the cost. The design is the same. I found my b lade rusted fast when submerged, I recommend the pump as it does not sling as much water.
Plastic tubs are less then $10 at WallMart. I used one on mine.
A hard plastic, clear jug with the side cut out makes a great water sling shield. I have a swing down jug on mine for when I have to raise the metal guard when cutting large stones.
Wheels from a skate board are adjustable(remove the rubber steering cushion.), and can be run in a channel made from angle iron or wood. I do recommend a top and bottom so if the blade bights in, you keep your teeth in your head and your fingers on your hands.
As a feed drive for my home built saw, I have a walking machine I removed the drive from. The great thing, it is already slow speed, and has a built in variable speed. picked it up at a thrift store for $20. I will be mounting it soon.
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Aug 26, 2008 9:51:50 GMT -5
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Aug 26, 2008 10:04:13 GMT -5
UtahRockHound PIx PIx Pix P l e a s e
|
|
UtahRockHound
spending too much on rocks
Sometimes your the Windshield, sometimes your the Rock.
Member since May 2008
Posts: 301
|
Post by UtahRockHound on Aug 27, 2008 0:21:48 GMT -5
UtahRockHound PIx PIx Pix P l e a s e I posted the Saw build here. Topic name is Home Built Rock Saw. forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=hmequip&action=display&thread=23424Since then, I have a Lathe completed, and a buffer. Rock tumbler is almost done as well. A fellow member here on RTH that has some Alabaster just over the hill from me. I plan on paying him a visit very soon, and then we will try out the Lathe. I have tried some Honey Onix on the lathe, but it is to fragile. Instead of being a Quartz based Onix, it is Calcite. Beautiful stuff, but prone to fracturing when Turning. I have an egg the turned out good, but when I tried to turn a bowl, it just shattered. Tried a second and third with the same results.
|
|