RedwoodRocks
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 762
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Post by RedwoodRocks on Oct 30, 2006 11:11:40 GMT -5
As some of you might recall, I purchased a used Genie. The wheels were pretty worn, and seeing how I didn't want to spend the money for new Nova wheels, I had read an article about re-furbishing diamond belts with diamond powder and epoxy. I decided to give this a try, at the worst, I would be out 10 bucks for the diamond powder and some epoxy, vs spending about $100 bucks for a new wheel.
I finished refurbishing the 280 grit wheel Saturday, Yesterday I gave the wheel a test run on a cab. The 280 wheel cuts way better than using the worn wheel. I don't know how long it will last, but for $10 (yes, I am cheap), it beats the cost of a new wheel.
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Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 30, 2006 12:31:39 GMT -5
Could this be used to refurbish a used Silicone Carbide belt? I mean could I use diamond powder to refurbish the SC belt? Would it take? - are they made differently that the belt material is not as sturdy on the SC belt?
I'm cheap too!
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dankore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks, Rock
Member since March 2006
Posts: 120
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Post by dankore on Oct 30, 2006 16:14:44 GMT -5
Hello Redwoodrocks, Do you have any more info on the procedure for refurbishing the wheels. Is it a website? Thanks, that sounds like if nothing else it may be a quick fix until better can be had. Thanks, Dan www.dbrockwerks.com |
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Post by stoner on Oct 30, 2006 16:26:33 GMT -5
For everyone interested in the procedure, here it is.
The following discussion is for a 6"x11/2" belt.
The first thing you need is a used belt in relatively good physical condition - no holes or delaminations. I have been using Raytech True Circle Bands (TC's) because they are smooth, have relatively long life and are inexpensive. And they are easy to resurface.
The second thing you need is a good epoxy. I have been using Hughes Associates Epoxy 220. It seems to hold up well under use and bonds the diamonds to the belt in an appropriate manner.
The third thing is a used diamond grinding wheel, to places the belt on as a jig, when resurfacing.
I mix about a teaspoon to a teaspoon and one half of the epoxy together in a small container. I then mix in 5 carats, of the same diamond powder grit that was on the belt originally, with the epoxy in the small container. Mix it in well. You have plenty of time because this epoxy takes about 1 hour to set up.
I place the used belt on the used diamond wheel and place the diamond wheel on a dowel placed over two piles of books so the wheel will turn freely and nothing will touch the surface of the belt. Begin applying the epoxy diamond mixture on the belt with a screwdriver tip, Popsicle stick or maybe a stiff flux brush (haven't tried the flux brush but it sounds like it should work). Apply it as uniformly as possible over the belt. It doesn't seem like it goes on very well, but after a while the epoxy begins to flow over the belt and it smoothes out with time. That is also why you need to have the wheel over the dowel. You need to turn the wheel every couple of minutes to keep the epoxy from dripping down and forming thick spots. Keep turning that wheel and the epoxy box says if you have a heat lamp on it should only take 30 minutes to harden but I don't have a heat lamp and have not tried that.
I usually let the belts cure for a couple of days before putting them on the grinder.
The resurfaced belts with 5 carats of diam. powder on them seem to last longer and cut faster than the original TC's. The only downside here is that they aren't as smooth as the original belts and now it seems we have exceeded the life of the belting material in the belts and they eventually will come apart. Be careful when using these belts and be sure to use eye protection!!
Has anyone else tried this and had luck with a different technique or using different epoxy or different types of belts or different amounts of abrasives. Has anyone had any bad experiences when trying to resurface belts.
Thanks in advance for any discussion on belt resurfacing. By the way Kingsley North has been my source for the diamond abrasives as well as the epoxy 220.
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RedwoodRocks
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 762
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Post by RedwoodRocks on Oct 30, 2006 17:45:48 GMT -5
Me thinks, Stoner copied the instructions from www.villagesmithyopals.com. Either that or Ed is a great typist LOL. Ed, next time I stop by, I have extra vial(s) of 600 grit and 1200 grit. You can give it a try. I would be interested in your opinion. If nothing else, the price is right. |
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 30, 2006 17:48:32 GMT -5
very interesting!
KD
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Post by rocklicker on Oct 30, 2006 19:33:08 GMT -5
I recall there's a place that will resurface nova wheels for $40 a piece with claims they outperform the originals. They probably do much the same thing. I have thought about both. Let us know how it goes.
Steve
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Post by gemkoi on Oct 30, 2006 20:45:03 GMT -5
Interesting guys, will have to make my own just for sh*** and giggles. seems like the biggest concer would be an even coat so after it sets, and you use it. You dont tear the belt? Thanks, good topic.
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller 
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Oct 31, 2006 0:41:23 GMT -5
If a person could mount a wooden dowel on a rotisserie / barbecue motor the slow speed would be ideal for applying and self leveling the epoxy. A 100 watt light bulb would probably serve as a heat source if held about 6 inches away. We have a grill motor we converted into a slow speed rod lathe to self level epoxy on fishing rod wraps and guides. Looks like it's going to get converted again.
This is a pretty Smurffy idea,
Thank you !!!!!!
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Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 31, 2006 9:06:19 GMT -5
Ed, how about diamond spray with epoxy? I'm just wondering, as I have a 220 belt that wore pretty fast in one spot because it was off-round and checked out Kingsley North's site for the diamond powder? - they have 1 carat but I didn't see 5 carats....
Could this refurbishing be done on a Silicone Carbide belt? How long would this refurbish last?
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RedwoodRocks
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 762
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Post by RedwoodRocks on Oct 31, 2006 11:34:41 GMT -5
Tweetie, I found that Ebersole Lapidary (in Kansas) had the most reasonable prices - 5 carats was $7.50 (on sale). I am not sure of the construction of the SiC belts. On diamond belts, I noticed that the Raytech True Circle belts were much sturdier than Eastwind belts.
The article did mention using Raytech belts.
In any case, if your belt is in really good shape, the cost of refurbishing the belt is pretty low compared to a new diamond belt (but, more than a SiC belt). So, even if the belt breaks down or the diamond/epoxy mix does not hold, you are not out of a lot of money.
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Post by stoner on Oct 31, 2006 13:52:35 GMT -5
Tweetie, I think the diamond sprays have some kind of oil in them and I don't think they will work with the epoxy. I have yet to try this idea but I don't see why it wouldn't work on a SiC belt. I have a worn out 600 Raytec belt that I may try it on. And I was thinking that I may try an experiment on my Eastwind belt. The belt is practically brand new but I don't use it because it is such a pain to install and remove from the expanding drum. So I am going to try coating the inside of the belt with epoxy in the hopes of stiffening it so it acts more like a Raytec belt. I'll post my results.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Nov 2, 2006 18:05:13 GMT -5
Hmmm very interesting- I use the diamond paste (polishing- 14K and 50K) on the resin belts (basically a SiC belt without the grit) and it works WONDERFUL- you should be able to use a Used SiC belt and recharge it with Diamond- hmmmmm
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Post by rocklicker on Nov 4, 2006 16:07:51 GMT -5
Hey Ed, Coating the inside of an eastwind is a good idea. I am curious how it goes. I've thought about putting a silicon carbide under an Eastwind and running them together to stiffin the whole thing up. About recoating the outside, you would probably be safer putting diamond over a slightly used silicon carbide belt of a better manufacturer. Those Eastwind belts are kinds thin. You might bust a belt like that if you use it past it's lifespan. Just a thought.
Steve
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Showtime
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2005
Posts: 284
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Post by Showtime on Nov 4, 2006 18:39:43 GMT -5
I found with my genie that my last too wheels were "too New"
and needed some real "breaking in" I hear you do this with some very hard agates, at school the wheels are used to death litarally and I noticed that I was getting the best shine not at home but at school with theese almost worn to the rubber wheels so I asked my teacher about it and he said he sold his used nova wheels( 1200 and 3000 ) from his rock shop to me for only 25 dollars for both.. so I guess I would say check your local lapidary for used wheels the ones I got were what I would call still decent woth a try...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2007 3:38:09 GMT -5
Great thread, thought I would bring this back from the dead.
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