djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159 
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Post by djaxon on Nov 27, 2015 16:16:55 GMT -5
The question came up in a recent message "what do you use to shape the stones (in a photo)" Here is a way too long answer. I started with a used dishwasher motor. Mounted on a table with the shaft up through the table top. Attached a 4” lexan plate to the end of the shaft. Used contact cement (pliobond) to attach 4” diameter velcro to the plate. I use Stadea 4”, velcro backed, diamond impregnated marble polishing pads. A 2 gal. water container with spigot connected with tubing to a drip line and a small needle valve to control water flow. Water drains from the work pan to a trash can which I empty occasionally - if I forget, my feet get wet ! I usually get a general shape on the 100grit wheel of the FranTom Combo then move to the machine and start there with 200g. Then 400, 800, 1500, 3000, and 6000 then buff. Have just started using a polishing wheel with ZAM - but am learning as I go so will be into rouge, polish, paste etc… and wheel speed. A lot of fun learning this stuff and the results are good so far. Wife has learned to imitate the gulls on Finding Nemo, “Mine, mine, mine mine “ lol      |
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Post by captbob on Nov 27, 2015 16:32:22 GMT -5
Simple AND effective is a winner in my book!  |
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Post by mohs on Nov 27, 2015 17:21:49 GMT -5
yep dj that an effective setup
I would imagines those marble abrasive disc
are efficient at polishing stone
is your set up variable speed?
at what rpm do you figure it operates at?
where do you get your discs ?
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Nov 27, 2015 17:42:15 GMT -5
The motor speed is listed at 1725 or 1750 rpm and I have no speed controller. I do have a couple of old speed controllers that came with a Unimat Small mill but haven't thought to use them. Should I ?
The disks work fine, although keeping them centered is sometimes a problem. They are relatively cheap and they hold up well. I get the Stadea brand from Amazon - have asked around for suggestions on other brands but reviewers are not easy to find. Damo - is another one I have tried.
My only regret is that the surface area (work area) is so small - but that hasn't been a major problem - Yet!
thanks for the input : all suggestions for improvements (or just opinions) are welcome.
Don
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 28, 2015 0:20:35 GMT -5
djaxon since the diamond pads were designed to work with angle head grinders that spin a lot faster than 1725RPM you shouldn't need a speed control. Do you use the velcro backed pads?
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Nov 28, 2015 12:01:11 GMT -5
Yes, 4" velcro backed disks.
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Post by woodman on Dec 1, 2015 21:32:57 GMT -5
djaxon since the diamond pads were designed to work with angle head grinders that spin a lot faster than 1725RPM you shouldn't need a speed control. Do you use the velcro backed pads? The angle head grinder that i use with the 4 inch pads has a speed control built in. You do not want to get too fast with them. I was using this one, but now have one that is made to use the 4 in pads, has the water coming out the hole in the pads and is variable speed also. It gets a bit wet but works real good.  |
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Post by glennz01 on Dec 5, 2015 11:17:40 GMT -5
its made for an angle grinder for up to a max speed of 2,500 rpm. I got some that said they were rated for 13,000 rpm so I thought my 11,000 rpm grinder would work.. well the pads liked to fly off at that point and if they hit they broke skin... so no they cant be sped up a lot more unless you bolt them down.
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Post by woodman on Dec 5, 2015 13:00:16 GMT -5
They do not need to turn all that fast to work. Too fast and they sling off too much water and they get hot, Mine are the cheaper ones tho, but they work good for me.
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller 
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Dec 5, 2015 22:55:30 GMT -5
Don, I like it a lot. Very creative thinking!!! I bought a $40 tile at the Harbor Freight black friday sale that I hope to get online soon. But, I need something to do some shaping with and this looks like it might just fill the bill. Is the dishwasher motor waterproof or otherwise user friendly for using around water or is it just what you happened to have handy?
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djaxon
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2015
Posts: 159
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Post by djaxon on Dec 6, 2015 12:24:57 GMT -5
Don, I like it a lot. Very creative thinking!!! I bought a $40 tile at the Harbor Freight black friday sale that I hope to get online soon. But, I need something to do some shaping with and this looks like it might just fill the bill. Is the dishwasher motor waterproof or otherwise user friendly for using around water or is it just what you happened to have handy? Thanks, Not sure if the motor is waterproof. I try to keep it dry. The drawing does not show (and I failed to explain) that I glued a collar inside the main pan. The motor shaft comes up through the collar, and this keeps water in the pan from getting on the shaft or the motor. Works well as long as the drain water flows out - have had no problems with that. The 30, 50, and 100 grit pads do remove a lot of rock. Very good (aggressive) for initial shaping. If I could change or improve anything about this set up, it would be to improve the way I have to swap pads. They tend to wobble sometimes and get off center - which make the set up NOISY. So I stop and re-position them on the velcro. Much quieter and less vibration which is good for the machine and my ears. I also use ear plugs so as to not go more deaf than I already am. (17 years in a Georgia Power Company coal fired generating plant - many of them before ear protection was required!) dj |
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Post by roy on Dec 6, 2015 12:52:03 GMT -5
hey nice build !!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,663
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Post by jamesp on Dec 7, 2015 2:34:29 GMT -5
Those velcro backed pads are full of sharp diamonds. Cut efficiently.
Maximum speed rating is 3600 RPM, not only will they sling off but risk of melting the rubber matrix increases at higher speeds.
And they sure will cut at lower speeds. Should be no need for variable speed.
They are water slingers, bucket is the trick. A bigger bowl would be nice for elbow room.
Contact cement works great for glueing them down to steel.., and friendly to remove when replacing the pad.
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