carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Aug 31, 2017 12:32:14 GMT -5
Hi, I'm new to this forum, but enjoying reading all your posts.
I live in England and due to the horrendous costs of buying and importing a machine, I'm looking at making a homemade one.
Does anyone have any ideas where to get the materials I need, ideally from the uk, or further afield if needed. The first question I have if anyone could help is what type of steel do I need for the shaft and will it need to be threaded/tapped/turned/keyed etc. I know it needs 1" to take the wheels and with LH & RH threads on the ends (size?) The main issue in the uk seems to be that most companies here use metric measurements as opposed to the us's imperial.
My dad has experience with engines etc and will do the build for me, but he needs to know what's required.
Any help offered would be greatly appreciated Sharon
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Aug 31, 2017 14:54:15 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 9:47:01 GMT -5
The shaft is 1" for sure. What "suitable for bearing grade" shafting is available to you? I'll bet there is a 1" equivalent 25.4mm. if not likely he will have to turn it down to fit the wheels. Everything else can be metric. Left end of shaft is left handed threads. Turn it down to 20mm and thread that with fine threads. The nuts should be available easily. I recently built a cab machine forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/79309/cab-machine
|
|
carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Sept 1, 2017 10:49:39 GMT -5
Thanks Scott, that's an impressive looking machine. I think I'm just about there with the shaft now. With the help of all you self builders we've got a better idea of what we needed. I'll be sure to post progress once we get started and will probably be asking more questions if we get stuck.
Sharon
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,652
|
Post by Tommy on Sept 1, 2017 10:58:35 GMT -5
I think you have to be logged in to see it. (not sure why) I don't think - that would be kind of weird. If this is happening to you let me know. I logged out while viewing it and it kicked me out but I was able to come back in while logged out.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,652
|
Post by Tommy on Sept 1, 2017 11:00:11 GMT -5
Thanks Scott, that's an impressive looking machine. I think I'm just about there with the shaft now. With the help of all you self builders we've got a better idea of what we needed. I'll be sure to post progress once we get started and will probably be asking more questions if we get stuck. Sharon Welcome to the forum Sharon! Yes please do share your progress with us including pictures of course
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Sept 1, 2017 12:17:03 GMT -5
Ditto on the welcome. The DIY guys here are great. You can ask them anything. Start a build thread, post pictures of your progress and you'll get plenty of feedback and advice. There's a few here from the UK who may be able to help with sources, too. metalsmith maybe you know some suppliers?
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Sept 1, 2017 14:06:32 GMT -5
Ditto on the welcome. The DIY guys here are great. You can ask them anything. Start a build thread, post pictures of your progress and you'll get plenty of feedback and advice. There's a few here from the UK who may be able to help with sources, too. metalsmith maybe you know some suppliers? Hi Sharon Welcome to the forum. It will be good to have another Brit on board. The forum archives suggest it has happened a few times, but I don't know which tumbler they keep falling into! I'll knock up a short-list when I get a few minutes... Given it is lapidary and the UK there's a good reason it is called a short-list.
|
|
carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Sept 1, 2017 14:37:30 GMT -5
Thank you - Yeah, I can believe it's a very short list, just doesn't seem to be popular over here.
|
|
unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
|
Post by unclesoska on Sept 1, 2017 15:31:17 GMT -5
Germany is a hotbed of machinery and lapidary wonders- have Y'all checked any sources there?
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Sept 1, 2017 16:06:21 GMT -5
I'm told Marine Propeller shafts are the way forwards. I don't have a supplier, but am aware of a few. Nothing Goggle wouldn't tell you though. www.google.co.uk/search?&q=propeller+shaftsMachineMart do good motors - but they're big. HR Ebay (depends on the sellers - usual caution applies but generally good experiences) for second hand goods and rarely lapidary - try this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263172874800?rmvSB=trueMany of the other British Engineering houses have folded but you can still pick up some great kit on ebay. Look out for old uk made arbors. beachlapidary.co.uk for off the peg uk made. It is expensive but uk made and uk parts ... HR = highly recommended from personal experience; the past isn't always a guide to the future, but it does guide where my future spend lays... HR Bang-good.com for abrasives tho' I found they tended to be beaten by ebay sellers and they've turned out to be good. HR Ebay (Chinese sellers) for diamond dusts of various grades in oils; be prepared to wait HR lapidarytoolsmith.co.uk - some great kit- catch them at a mineral show if you can - see www.rockngem.co.uk/HR aldi - I use a 3" multi bench grinder for <£30 c.f. ~£42 on lapidarytoolsmith and even LTS are reasonable! HR ukge.com - Geological supplies inc some mineral specimens HR manchesterminerals.co.uk - tumbles, cabs, lapping, silicon carbide, facet rough etc srbstones.co.uk - looks like a proper lapidary store but limited opportunity as he's not buying any more stone roughrockshop.co.uk - I've just stumbled across these guys but they look interesting! HR mineralcraftnorth ukfcg.org - uk facet cutters guild - I think back issues can be viewed on line HR rockngem-magazine.co.uk - a great mag - I have mainly old back-issues ebay is generally a good place for minerals too although you should know what you're looking for I would rate very highly the RTH For Sale section and have personally had nothing but great service and good deals although the P&P is crippling and this is coupled with import duty, charges and now of course a not so great exchange rate. Damn! All this looking at sweet rocks could get expensive
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Sept 1, 2017 16:45:11 GMT -5
Germany is a hotbed of machinery and lapidary wonders- have Y'all checked any sources there? That's just what I was saying on another thread - and I just picked up a book on cutting opals from the German amazon site for half the cost of anywhere else (navigating amazon.de with my level of German isn't easy - it is a good job it's so intuitive!!)
|
|
carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Sept 1, 2017 18:11:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the links, some I was aware of and I'll check the others out. Much appreciated. I mainly work on opals, always been an obsession with me, I currently use an wireless dremel to take off the rough and potch and general shaping, its set up with water, works similar to most cab machines encased with overhead gravity water and drain with bucket. Motor totally protected from water. (My husband is hot on H&S and is constantly concerned with opal dust and water/electrics). The fine sanding and polishing I do by hand. So looking forward to a better easier machine to work with. I do some work with silver and gold, but my skill level is limited, so sticking to gifts for friends and family until I improve some.
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Sept 2, 2017 0:21:55 GMT -5
Have a look at aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=799a6e5ae0493616cd65651038c327fa&action=forum There was a recent build thread with someone making a very nice cabbing machine. We have the same issue with mixing metric and imperial but its not a big deal breaker. 1" or 25mm shaft, who cares? get pillow block bearings to suit the size of the shaft, You will need someone with a bit of skill with a lathe to make your left and right hand threads, Again most older lathes only cut threads per inch, so imperial would be the go if thats the case, say 3/4 whitworth thread. Left and right hand thread nuts of 3/4 Whitworth are readily available. (or metric if you go that way) You will ideally need to put a step in your shaft, reduce down from 1" to 7/8" this allows you to tighten your wheels up against the step without loading the bearings. Spray covers can be anything from fancy stainless steel beauties to plastic drums with strategically carved holes. Paul
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Sept 2, 2017 0:53:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the links, some I was aware of and I'll check the others out. Much appreciated. I mainly work on opals, always been an obsession with me, I currently use an wireless dremel to take off the rough and potch and general shaping, its set up with water, works similar to most cab machines encased with overhead gravity water and drain with bucket. Motor totally protected from water. (My husband is hot on H&S and is constantly concerned with opal dust and water/electrics). The fine sanding and polishing I do by hand. So looking forward to a better easier machine to work with. I do some work with silver and gold, but my skill level is limited, so sticking to gifts for friends and family until I improve some. It's very easy to become obsessive about opals! ... It's not you asking about opals over at Cookson is it by any chance? Are you familiar with Jackson on ebay? Some wonderful material but competition and prices seems to be going up.
|
|
carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Sept 2, 2017 5:25:56 GMT -5
Thanks Paul, I'm starting to grasp that most things can be adapted as long as you get the basics right, initially I was worried that you wouldn't get the wheels to fit if the the measurements were different.
Metalsmith - yeah I'm aware of Jackson, do you have experience with his stones? I'm a bit wary on eBay as so many sellers use colour enhancements via photoshop. He feedback is good though so I may have to purchase some. I get my Ethiopian opals from Jon at Ethiopian opals and they have always been outstanding. By far the best seller I've come across. For Australian opals, I've had some success with sellers, found some unexpected prizes in parcels and a few exceptional single stones, but not really found my seller of choice. Nope, not me on Cookson, I understand why you thought so with the kitty cat and all. Sounds like someone I could help though as I know how hard it is when your starting out.
|
|
carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Sept 4, 2017 4:14:57 GMT -5
Wheels and shaft ordered. I'll post some pictures of build once things start to arrive.
Just need a few ideas for casing. Seen a few about, just need to decide upon one and await measurements to start sourcing.
|
|
carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Oct 1, 2017 11:40:11 GMT -5
It’s been a few weeks and finally my shaft and wheels have arrived. Sintra sheets on order, so things are finally moving. I have a couple of questions if you could spare a few minutes. Firstly what glue is good to stick the sintra together? The other question is regarding pulleys and motor. I have a 30” shaft with a 2” pully. I will be using 6 wheels 3 on either side of bearings. So with this info what power motor and belt would I need? Thank you so much for all your help.
|
|
vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 557
|
Post by vwfence on Oct 1, 2017 13:56:45 GMT -5
1/3 horse should be more than enough as youll only be working one wheel at a time . You might want to consider a 3 step pulley on the shaft incase you want to vary your rpms for different stone
|
|
carcosa
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2017
Posts: 13
|
Post by carcosa on Oct 7, 2017 9:13:48 GMT -5
|
|