lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 338
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Post by lapidary1234 on Aug 23, 2023 0:20:54 GMT -5
Hey all, I was given 2 of these units (very lucky yes I know!)...they are Raytech GRC-1 glass refurbished and they have 8" expanded drums on them. The motor is inside of the arbor housing so they make for fairly compact units. The top of the housing is hinged and lifts back, a pretty cool design imo. Looks like they could be mounted in a drain pan and drip system can be added. Aside from not being able to get either sides nut off (left side is a "lefty tighty" i know this, I have removed the set screw..they are just really stuck!). Aside from that, my question is first does anyone know anything about these?, not really any info online... Also, I wonder if they have the standard sealed bearings that our normal lapidary equipment has? I would think sanding glass would have quite a bit of dust that would be just as bad getting in the bearings as rock sludge but I honestly don't know and don't know how to tell I have high hopes of putting sintered wheels on one of these, probably a 60 grit and 140-160 grit. Heyes a few pics, maybe someone can chime in, thanks much ~Josh      |
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JR8675309
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2019
Posts: 807
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Post by JR8675309 on Aug 23, 2023 7:03:35 GMT -5
Not personally familiar with this unit. I looked up model and found a YouTube video. Will be following along.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 23, 2023 12:49:36 GMT -5
Curious to see what's behind the cover for power. Looks like it was made for dry use? If so adapting to wet use may involve insuring that the motor compartment stays dry inside.
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lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 338
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Post by lapidary1234 on Aug 23, 2023 17:22:54 GMT -5
So, these are in my storage unit. Last time I looked it looks like the frame is bolted Oliver the motor pretty good. But good call on taking a closer look at the motor! I briefly used these machines years ago before I got a genie and at the time I was using wet/dry sandpaper with frequent mists from a mister...suffice to say it didn't work very well!
When I get a chance I'll pull everything apart and take a closer look at the motor and specs. My hopes are to be able to mount sintered wheels on this and have it along side a 8" trim saw to help me prep rocks for the slab grabber/14" slab saw, hence my question on the bearings. My best guess is that they are sealed bearings but again I really don't know! Stay tuned for more info!
~Josh
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lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 338
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Post by lapidary1234 on Sept 19, 2023 17:24:24 GMT -5
Hello again, I dug the unit out of storage and was able to get the nuts loosened on both sides so my plan is to hopefully get some 8" sintered or possibly the new "polysint" wheels kingsley north has for sale. If anyone has any experience with these "polysint" wheels id love to know what you think! It was also brought up that if I'm using the machine with water that I should make sure that NO water would get near the motor. Ill attach some pics but it looks to me like the motor is well shielded away from any water. But back to my original question, looking at the spec plate on motor the bearings are listed as "sleeve" bearings. I'm unsure of if this means that they are the standard "sealed" bearings that other lapidary equipment comes with. I would almost think they'd have to be as the machine is designed to work on glass without water and would obviously create dust that could possibly get in the bearings...but alas I'm unsure. It will be either this machine or a loritone ls-6 arbor getting sintered wheels on it but kingsley north has recommended against putting sintered wheels on a lortone 2 wheel arbor and it has been recommended against putting them on my genie so this is kind of my last option. I'd really love to get some sintered wheels to do pre shaping before slabbing or be able to quickly grind a notch in a stone to better grab it with a "slab grabber". Thanks for reading, again questions are: Are the "sleeve" bearings same as "sealed bearings? Any reason not to do lapidary on this machine Also, is the motor sufficiently protected away from water? Thanks, Josh    |
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lapidary1234
spending too much on rocks
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 338
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Post by lapidary1234 on Jun 20, 2024 13:59:21 GMT -5
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Maybe you can post some pictures here