buck570
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 46
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Post by buck570 on Jul 5, 2009 18:01:32 GMT -5
I'm using a drip system now, with S/C wheels. Look ing to upgrade to an expando drum an one 100 grit diamond wheel. What are people using out there? My drip doesn't cover the whole surface of my current wheels ,much less flood them like i would like.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 5, 2009 20:16:24 GMT -5
If by drip do you mean a gravity type system? When I had my house I had several S/C systems that used overhead water. I ran copper tubing to the washing machine valve. As I added systems I just tee'ed into the line. It looked like the mad scientist's lab but it worked fine. I used a compression needle valve at each wheel or drum to adjust flow. Never had a problem with not spraying the whole drum.
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Post by sitnwrap on Jul 5, 2009 23:32:13 GMT -5
I have a drip/ gravity feed system also and I think I know what you mean about the water coverage. I just have a bucket of water feeding into the lines. I will periodically run my finger very very slightly and quickly along the wheel as it is turning and as I am grinding to disperse the path of the water. But doing that can be dangerous.
I will also let the pan fill up so the bottom of the wheels are slightly emersed, then I shut the drip valves off. This isn't the greatest thing to do because you could contaminate the wheel with rock grit that is in the water.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 6, 2009 8:11:12 GMT -5
Another improvement would be to buy a submersible pump from the local home center. place it in a bucket and pump water to each wheel/drum. That would give you more flow. Gravity gives you roughly 1/2 lb. per foot pressure.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jul 6, 2009 11:17:33 GMT -5
I bought a medium-sized fountain pump at the pet store and it works very well with my 8" SiC wheels. I usually have only 1 valve open at a time, but have used it with 2 valves open. I don't know how many I could run simultaneously.
Chuck
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Post by mohs on Jul 6, 2009 16:14:52 GMT -5
I use the electric pump system 3/4 plastic tubing reduced to 5/16 tubing with a brass lever valve in the middle getting the water to cover the whole wheel and especially the expando well... I haven't figured that trick out, yet...
beside opening the valve to almost full flood
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jul 6, 2009 18:14:44 GMT -5
If your using a pump, try quarter round spray head used for drip irrigation ( store.rainbird.com/shopexd.asp?id=809 ). I've also used the distribution manifolds ( store.rainbird.com/shopexd.asp?id=755 ). If you use the drip system attached to your city / county water supply make sure to use the pressure regulator! Or flatten the end of a piece of copper / aluminum tubing enough to get a proper spray pattern. Dr Joe .
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buck570
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 46
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Post by buck570 on Jul 7, 2009 19:24:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys, Yea it's gravity fed now . Will look into a pump, i need to keep it mobile.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 8, 2009 7:43:34 GMT -5
The pumps are rated in "gph" (gallons per hour). Look for a pump with enough capacity to work. Some of the smallest ones are made for small table top fountains and would not be suitable for your needs. I've heard Harbor Freight and Home Depot have decent pumps in under $20 range.
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Jul 8, 2009 8:41:16 GMT -5
I use the geyser supplied with my Genie and a 400 gallon aquarium air pump. My wheels stay completely soaked and the power of the water keeps the diamond free of rock.
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Post by mohs on Jul 8, 2009 10:38:43 GMT -5
my pump is from Harbor Freight its rated 66 Gal/Hr I paid a total of $7.00 for it it as over 600 hours of use & as really worked well
I bought a back up one so I won't be high & dry if the original fails
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 9, 2009 0:40:25 GMT -5
Nothing like having a back up to prevent failures.
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Jul 10, 2009 18:46:33 GMT -5
Ok, might as well show you mine! I am using home made gravity feed type systems. The first one is what I generally use with my dremel tool. The next two photos are my water system for my cab machine. At first,the water does only run on one part of the wheel, then pretty soon it does cover the whole area. Coriolis or centrifical force, maybe a bit of both, but the whole grinding area is wet. The valves allow me to control the rate of flow. Works good, and it is cheap. This is made of three coffee cans. The bottom can is full of dirt and gravel for ballast. Then, I epoxied the next one up to it. It is empty. Then, I epoxied the water tank on top, drilled two holes, inserted rubber grommets and hose. Mike
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jul 11, 2009 7:56:27 GMT -5
Nice, and color coordinated too!
Dr Joe
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jul 12, 2009 8:00:14 GMT -5
Excellent idea for the Dremel! I may have to build one of those. Sure beats a pan of water.
Chuck
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Jul 13, 2009 5:08:19 GMT -5
Yea Chuck, the aluminum tube I used for holding the plastic tubing allows me to position the water flow just where I want it. I got the idea for that from someone else here on the board, butI can not recall who it was. Thanks to that person for the inspiration!
Mike
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