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Post by Tweetiepy on Jun 28, 2005 22:11:48 GMT -5
Can a regular grinder be modified (or used as is) to grind & polish rocks? I know I probably need some kind of water arrangement, but could the belts be changed to something I could use to grind, shape & polish stones for cabs maybe?
Could my lumpy rocks become flattish cab material?
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Post by docone31 on Jun 28, 2005 22:20:38 GMT -5
Absolutely! All you need is a cup of water, and patience.
When the stone gets warm to the touch, dip it in water, and continue grinding. Go slowly.
One side can be modified by adding a rubber drum. This can take leather belts, sanding belts, diamond belts.
I used a conventional bench grinder for years.
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Jun 28, 2005 23:17:17 GMT -5
I am using 2 regular grinders now 1 with a 60 grit diamond wheel and a 100 grit green stone and the other with a 240 grit diamond wheel and a regular grinding wheel for a filler
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jun 29, 2005 6:36:05 GMT -5
I am using 2 regular grinders now 1 with a 60 grit diamond wheel and a 100 grit green stone and the other with a 240 grit diamond wheel and a regular grinding wheel for a filler Hey Warren, Did you set up some kind of water action? Or like Doc said and dip it in water? I was also wondering what kind of wheels I'd need to grind & polish - especially polishing, what kind of wheel would I use and do you use some kind of polish (like AO) on the wheel? |
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,009
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Post by stefan on Jun 29, 2005 10:53:10 GMT -5
Tweet the best way to modify a grinder is with an expandable rubber drum! This allows you to use a vareity of sanding belt (silicon carbide which are cheap and diamond wich are VERY expensive) plus a leather belt (basically you make a paste with polish and use a sponge to dampen the leather belt with the polish paste) You can make a drip with a 5 gallon bucket some compression fittings and some tubing. You can do it!
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jun 29, 2005 15:41:13 GMT -5
Stefan, The grinder idea may seem better for me as I saw one (with two grinding wheels) for less than $50 + tax - not sure what kind of wheels they are (hubby kinda nodded his approval saying I could use them - I was too in shock to examine the box properly - I just walked away kinda numb & speechless) might go back & try again - so I need:
a rubber drum,
a sanding belt of either silicone carbide or diamond - do I need various coarseness of these?
and a polish paste of some kind PLUS dipping the rock in water when it gets warm
Is this all I need? I may be able to handle that - I could even get my dad to build me a little work station for that
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on Jun 29, 2005 23:32:10 GMT -5
I have a pump up weed sprayer (a 1 gal.) that I have cobbled up and it will spray water on the wheels. it is far from pretty but does the job so I can use 2 hands to control the rock
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,009
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Post by stefan on Jun 30, 2005 8:12:13 GMT -5
Oh here is an idea- If the grinder is belt driven (seperate motor unti) you can mount it in a shallow pan filled with water (just the grinder unit) and use an Aquarium airpump and airstone to buble up a water spray!
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Go Lick a Rock... 
