|
Post by Tony W on Jul 24, 2009 23:01:25 GMT -5
How are you folks liking that little sponge watering system? I'm thinking about drilling a hole in the top edge for over flow, and fixing a gravity feed drip or something. I just can't believe that sponge will keep that blade wet enough to make the diamond last. Does it? Ya'll think? If you have been a grooving maniac let me know what you think of the sponge and it's ability to keep the diamonds bathed, please. Thanks, T
|
|
|
Post by Woodyrock on Jul 25, 2009 0:15:01 GMT -5
I have one of the Gryphons, and the wet sponge works quite well. You do not need a large quantity of water, I think your idea would however prolong the life of the cutter at the expense of spraying water everywhere. The sponge wets the cutter enough to spray a wee bit of water. It would be a good idea to change the position og the sponge every time you use it....as I recall, the instructions say to remove the sponge each time, and that would serve to change the position. BTW, we have grooved over hundred cabs, and see no apprecitive wear. Woody
|
|
|
Post by Tony W on Jul 25, 2009 9:37:24 GMT -5
Thanks, Woody! That is what I wanted to know. I know John says it works surprisingly well, and Tony and Amber have cut a lot with it, but I was just fixing to work a bunch of stones and that sponge just seemed weeniefied But 100 with little wear seems fine to me! T
|
|
|
Post by Bejewelme on Jul 25, 2009 13:28:39 GMT -5
Tony: As I take the eay way with things, when I am shaping, I keep a squirt bottle handy and keep wetting the sponge and bit, that seems to help as well, my bits were getting worn, but then John reminded me about adjusting the height to a fresh area, DUH!!! I bought a pack of sponges at the dollar store and cut them into strips to keep changing them as they wear out! Amber
|
|
|
Post by stonesthatrock on Jul 29, 2009 9:45:34 GMT -5
The first thing we did is toss the sponage.......... lol Then from our water line that goes to the cabbing machine, ralph split it and added a piece of copper tubing to the groover machine.
mary ann
|
|
|
Post by Tony W on Jul 30, 2009 2:05:43 GMT -5
Thanks Amber and Mary Ann! I can take from you two that I can go either way on the sponge and water drip and that is encouraging. As long as I don't kick up dust I can live with the sponge, but I can't help but think a drip is better in the long run...just that I don't have to build it now T
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jul 30, 2009 8:06:27 GMT -5
Tony W, I wanted to stay out of this but to avoid confusion Mary Ann has the Studio Grinder. It has a small water tank that sits behind the sponge and a weep hole near the bottom keeps sponge wet. Amber has the Gryphette which has only a sponge you have to dampen as you work. When I demo the Gryphette at shows I keep a water bottle handy and splash the sponge as needed. The sponge keeps either unit portable but if stationary the drip would be ok too.
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Aug 3, 2009 0:12:06 GMT -5
I have an inland, but it uses a sponge too. In the book for it they talk about some attachment you can ge that forces water up some how. Have to look what they called it.
|
|
|
Post by MyNewHobby on Aug 3, 2009 12:15:17 GMT -5
I have the Gryphon Studio and love it.
It has its little water tank and I did the same exact thing. I went to the Dollar Store and bought a package of sponges, cut them into strips.
I keep a glass of water next to the grinder and as it gets empty I just add more.
If I pull the sponge down far enough, it does not tend to wrap and does last longer. I can usually go a full session without having to change sponges.
But I also pull down the used part (cut it with scissors using the bottom of the water tank as guide) to start with a new section when I start each session.
|
|