celt40
noticing nice landscape pebbles
KNIGHTHOOD FOR JOCK STEIN.
Member since July 2009
Posts: 99
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Post by celt40 on Aug 26, 2009 16:14:31 GMT -5
Sorry in advance if this question is insane :blush: :blush: :blush: Can i use a DRY grinder with a diferent stone to shape stones before they are tumbled? Or will it have to be a WET grinding machine, like a Tormek used in woodworking. Or can this only be done on a Lapadry grinding machine.  |
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 26, 2009 16:41:02 GMT -5
The answer is yes it can be ground but the answer is no it is unsafe. If you dry grind silica based rock the silica dust will penetrate your lungs and never go away. It causes silicosis (something akin to coal miner's disease). Cheap dust masks are of no help. A quality respirator mask would work. Adequate ventilation could help also. All commercially produced lapidary grinders are water cooled. This keeps the rock and wheels cool and eliminates the dust problem. In the case of diamond wheels they definitely require cooling and flushing away of grinding debris. That said, if you can safely rig up a water drip and keep it out of the motor it would work with silicon carbide wheels for the rough shaping you want to do. Most bench grinders are too fast for expando drums and diamond wheels.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Aug 26, 2009 17:42:52 GMT -5
I use my workman saw to shape rocks before tumbling. It is pretty effective. You would be surprised how much control you can learn once you put in a few hours of practice. It is a wet process so it creates less dust but the mist it liberates is still full of fine rock dust. You can't do without a respirator. It's too easy to do it safely and the down side is permanent lung damage. It ain't worth it.
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celt40
noticing nice landscape pebbles
KNIGHTHOOD FOR JOCK STEIN.
Member since July 2009
Posts: 99
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Post by celt40 on Aug 27, 2009 4:38:26 GMT -5
Thanks for all your tips and advise. I will "Heed" what you say. I also do woodturning and i have a respirator mask. I will not be using my tile saw to shape as i don't like having my fingers that close to the blade. I understand that a diamond blade burns more than cuts but i don't like pain  :blush: |
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 27, 2009 9:17:30 GMT -5
First thing you need to do is put your hand against the blade to get over your fear. You would have to hold it against the blade for a while to get a burn. It isn't a "blade" like on a wood saw but rather a thin grinder. Don't try this without water.
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Aug 28, 2009 20:17:01 GMT -5
At first I used a "Swap Top" flat lap to pre shape my stones and then when I got my Workforce 7" and also a 10" MK 101 tile saw I first preshape with those, then the flat lap. I once slipped and my thumb hit the 10 inch saw blade (continuous rim) - barely a scrape and no blood. Always good to be cautious, but there is more danger from flying shards so be careful with your eyes.
Karock
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Aug 30, 2009 10:35:24 GMT -5
First thing you need to do is put your hand against the blade to get over your fear. You would have to hold it against the blade for a while to get a burn. It isn't a "blade" like on a wood saw but rather a thin grinder. Don't try this without water. and ONLY try this if you have a continuous edge blade, never touch a blade that has expansion grooves in it, that one will cut you! In addition to the health hazards of dry grinding, often the rock will get too hot and crack or even shatter...best to do it wet! |
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 30, 2009 21:39:44 GMT -5
What Mikes said. I was thinking good quality sintered blades. The super thin and other plated blades could slice and dice as thediamonds are applied to the blade surface.
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:blush: 
