webgeek
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2011
Posts: 9
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Post by webgeek on Sept 10, 2011 18:08:03 GMT -5
and Thanks much for the kind words! I hadn't thought about it but I suppose I could knock up a couple of them easily enough if you are seriously interested? and and I've gotten very conflicting advice on this. Originally I was planning on 150 RPM but after speaking with sphereheaven.com I switched to 200 - he actually suggested 250 for use with diamond pads. Sounds like I should go back to 150 to be safe. Good idea, I'll go ahead and widen things up a bit. The intent is to also run with the pads/cups facing downward a bit to prevent things from rolling backwards.
Thanks for all the info everyone!
-Mike
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webgeek
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2011
Posts: 9
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Post by webgeek on Sept 10, 2011 21:34:43 GMT -5
Oops, missed this when answering other questions. The drip tank will be 3" or 4" PVC mounted from the vertical rod. It will use a nice brass valve for flow control and use locline to handle dripping in the right spot.
As designed, the machine will do at least a 4" sphere and maybe 5", depends on the final size of the pads and shaft adapters. Thanks!
-Mike
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 10, 2011 21:45:28 GMT -5
Hi Mike. Hey, if you can come up with a ballpark figure on building one of those, I might just be interested. I turn 70 in a few weeks, and by law have to start pulling money out of my IRA every year. I'm thinking it's time for a new toy. lol Don
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webgeek
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2011
Posts: 9
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Post by webgeek on Sept 13, 2011 22:27:58 GMT -5
Hi; sorry for the delay getting back to you. I've done some research and crunched numbers and it looks like we can make these as a full kit for $675 + shipping. This would be all the components to make the machine including: base, motors, motor mounts, wire, switch, bungee, feet, water tank and drip system, 4" backer pads(3), 24 diamond pads (3 each of 8 grits), screws, etc. Everything you need to assemble the kit and start using it immediately except for the preforms. Is this of interest to you? Thanks!
-Mike
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 13, 2011 22:39:28 GMT -5
I'm sure interested. Let me know when you can start building them. I'll bet several more of our folks will be interested too.
Don
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webgeek
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2011
Posts: 9
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Post by webgeek on Sept 14, 2011 10:18:53 GMT -5
Great! I can start making them whenever I get the word, I've sourced all the parts, etc. It will take a few weeks or so to create a handful of kits (most of that is finishing up my current milling project and getting parts delivered.)
-Mike
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2011 10:45:56 GMT -5
Hi Mike, That is a great price for these machines, if I did not already have my two head machine I would order one from you. You may want to check Richontools for the diamond pads, good prices, good quality and fast delivery. richontools.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_24Tim
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 14, 2011 11:04:52 GMT -5
Sounds good Mike. I've already started drawing up plans for a small table on casters for the machine. It will have a cutout in the middle, and a catch bucket on a shelf underneath to catch water and mud. Can't wait to cut that first sphere. I may grind a couple of preforms, just to have them ready to go.
Don
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 14, 2011 14:51:40 GMT -5
Hey Mike, you might think about getting a copyright on that machine. There are a lot of ideas there that other makers might try to steal from you, and claim as their own.
Don
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 15, 2011 7:30:53 GMT -5
Good morning all. Mike, I've been awake half the night thinking about your design, and think I've found one minor flaw. Maybe you've already thought of it, and just didn't make the change on the drawings you've posted.
First let me say that I love the way you've designed the motor mounts to basically be one heavy duty hinge. But there in lies the problem. In the drawings, the vertical leaf of the hinge is shown with a square bottom. It needs to be rounded, or else the motor mount is going to bind against the base plate, and not pivot as it's supposed to.
Other than that one small problem, I think your design is beautiful. You've managed to keep the basic design simple, without all of the hand wheels and other gadgets to wear out. I can't wait to have one of your sphere machines in my own shop.
Don
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 15, 2011 11:05:30 GMT -5
Mike, I hope you don't mind, but I have a question. What is the purpose of the hole dead center in the base plate ? If it is only there to center the plate in you CNC mill, I've found a purpose for it. A metal catch pan could be attached to a peg which would fit the hole. The pan would catch most of the water and mud dripping from the sphere, helping to keep the rest of the machine clean and dry. I know that some water and mud will fly off of the spinning sphere, But this would catch much of it.
Don
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 15, 2011 17:14:46 GMT -5
Seen a place in North Dakota,that was making sphere's the size of bowling balls and bigger,plus smaller,he built his own equipment...... The place was the "Paul Broste Rock Museum"... Here is the photo of it....
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 15, 2011 17:50:18 GMT -5
A friend in California had one like that. It was made out of an old flat lap. He made up a bunch of adapters, and used plumbers bell reducers for the cups. If you ever get to Southern California, go to the Jurupa Mts. Cultural Center. They have a bunch of his bowling ball sized spheres on display. Mostly made of local materials. Don
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 16, 2011 12:27:06 GMT -5
Hey Mike, I might have another friend interested in one of your sphere machines. He just started full time RVing, and has a huge 5th wheel toy hauler/mobile home. His lapidary shop is being set up in the rear toy hauler area. He wants to know how large an area your machine takes up, and approximately how much it weighs. I should hear from him again on Sunday. Don
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Sept 16, 2011 14:43:58 GMT -5
I was just curious what kind of cnc mill do you have (size, model, etc.)?
I've been looking at sphere machines ever since my youngest daughter asked if I could make some "marbles" for her. I'm interested in getting on the list for one of your machine kits. What size range of spheres do you think it can make? Can it make a 0.5 inch sphere as well as a 4 inch sphere?
Is there any benefit to having an adjustable RPM?
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 17, 2011 8:53:34 GMT -5
I think for something as small as 1/2", you'd be better off with something like Covingtons Little Sphere Maker. #382SSM. It'll cut spheres from 1/4" to 1". On a 3 head machine, when you try to cut something as small as 1/2", you may have a problem with the cups rubbing each other. The Covington is a 2 head machine. Better suited to doing small work.
Don
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webgeek
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2011
Posts: 9
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Post by webgeek on Sept 18, 2011 11:39:56 GMT -5
Hi all; I've not forgotten about this at all. Please forgive the slow response, I'm trying to clear my plate of existing projects so I can focus on this properly. We've received some great feedback from two of the biggest manufacturers of sphere machines as well as many individuals and I'm re-working the design to increase the quality and capability significantly. The new design will be only slightly larger on the bench but a lot more capable. It will cost a bit more than what I've listed but not substantially and it will come as a totally turn-key kit. All parts including grinding cups (w/grit) and polishing backers w/pads will be included. An hour or two assembly and you will be off and cutting. It will do at least 5" (depending on motor limitations) and go down to ~1" we believe.
We are incorporating a different tension mechanism and getting away from the hard indexing in favor of an ACME screw drive. Additionally, we are going to use springs but they will have a PETG plastic cover to keep grit out. There will be an incorporated grit/slurry tray to keep the mess off the machine. There are a variety of other enhancements too but we will see how it comes together first. Thanks for the patience!
-Mike
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 18, 2011 11:58:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the update Mike. I'll be looking forward to seeing the changes you're making.
On that ACME screw adjustment, you might think of incorporating something I haven't seen on other machines. A way to lock the ACME screws, so they can't move out of adjustment. Something as simple as an ACME threaded jam nut would probably work
Speaking for myself, I don't mind paying a bit more for a well designed machine. And from what I've seen so far, this is going to be very well designed.
Don
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 19, 2011 14:00:01 GMT -5
OK, so how many of you guys and gals are interested in having Mike build one of these machines for you ? He already knows I want one. If he can sell enough of these, who knows ? Maybe we can convince him to design and build other types of lapidary equipment. A little competition for the big name brands sure won't be a bad thing. Maybe force them to reduce their prices a little, or at least make them improve the quality of their machines.
Don
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Sept 19, 2011 17:29:42 GMT -5
I'm still interested.
Justin
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