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Post by orrum on May 1, 2015 11:21:43 GMT -5
Hello all! Still working on that illusive final polish! As yall know I am Bill, king of flat spots, scratches, and dull finishes.
So on with the story. While in Quartzsite I aquired a non functioning wooden spool polisher. Blew the dust off today and replaced the switch to the motor and yowser she fired right up!
My problem is that there is no drive belt and also the spools are wood and cracked and broken. I have all the spools, some in halves. Unfortunately I only have half of the wooden drive pulley.
Where do you get spools, drive pulley and drive belt? Is this thing gonna work to get a great finish like a Pixie does? I can use a Pixie or Genie at the club and get great shine! However my silicon expando belts and felt polish wheel just ain't getting it done!
Is this gonna cost more than its worth?
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Post by captbob on May 1, 2015 11:36:55 GMT -5
Is this gonna cost more than its worth? I'm guessing yup. Probably be easier to find another whole unit in good condition than locating individual parts. My understanding of these old wood spool machines is that they excel at working with stones such as opal. Not sure why, as I've never had one, but that's what a old lapidary friend told me years ago. Not understanding (maybe I missed a thread?) why your expando belts and polishing pad aren't doing the job. What is your highest grit on your belts? Broken in belts can wear down to a pretty fine surface. Have you tried using finer diamond belts? Hopefully, those that have been there done that will be able to provide more helpful answers.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on May 1, 2015 17:54:24 GMT -5
If you know any wood turners, it's no big deal and wouldn't take much money. I tried 50k diamond on a pine wheel, which was said to be magic, didn't do squat. Hope you get yours working!
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Post by orrum on May 1, 2015 18:43:27 GMT -5
Hey Capnbob my system goes from worn out expando 600 belt to cerium or tin oxide on a felt wheel. It really doesn't shine that well. I think a Genie or Pixie does better because of the 3000 diamond and even higher diamond. Seems like sometimes the polish on felt either doesn't shine that we'll or actually dulls it some. Thought maybe set the wooden spool polisher up with 1200, 3000, 8000, and 15000 upward to use all 6 spools for high level diamond.
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Post by gingerkid on May 2, 2015 7:51:28 GMT -5
orrum, if you don't have the wooden spool repaired, Graves Company sells a phenolic spool that is not very expensive. They may also have the replacement parts, such as the pulley belt, that you need. www.gravescompany.com/Spool-Polisher.htmlYou may want to call Graves and ask to please speak with Peter about parts and if he may know someone who could repair your wooden spool. Some areas of the Graves website is under construction.
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Post by orrum on May 2, 2015 8:16:08 GMT -5
I called Graves a couple times. Their answering service says it's full I left a numeric page on their system with my number.
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Post by gingerkid on May 2, 2015 8:18:59 GMT -5
orrum, I just checked out the Graves webpage for the spool, and they have a drive belt for about 4 bucks that states it should fit older spools from other manufacturers, but I would ask Peter if you know the make, etc... of your spool.
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Post by gingerkid on May 2, 2015 8:29:33 GMT -5
I had to call them twice to place an order a couple of weeks ago.
Peter also answered the phone when I called earlier this week since his wife and the other lady that work in the office were not there. I think it is probably easier to reach someone in the morning hours.
Have you tried this number? 8549600300
I think they usually close around 4pm EST during the week, and are closed on the weekends. I believe they take Friday's off in June.
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