juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Jul 9, 2010 1:18:08 GMT -5
I got an old FranTom grinder from craigslist and I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to start making cabs. It came with a little squirter and has some holes on top for some sort of water drip system. The silicon carbide wheels look like they are covered in old rock dust. The wheel on the left and second to the left looks like two wheels were placed right next to each other. The next two wheels are a smaller diameter. Is there any way to tell what grit size the wheels are? Should I clean the wheels and what should I use? On the far left is a sanding wheel and the far right has a polishing pad. Does the sanding wheel need a water cooling system? Thanks! Attachments:
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 9, 2010 8:13:19 GMT -5
The wheels look like they're about ready for replacing. Don't know why they had 4 grinding wheels on it. Both the sanding drum and polish wheel should have hoods, pans and a water source. Just a little bit of work and you'll have a nice setup.
Don
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 9, 2010 8:51:56 GMT -5
It originally had two SC wheels with a water drip over each. The split drum sander had a big tile sponge you put under the drum for a "water supply". You could use the wheels on a rock and determine which is coarsest. I had a combo unit with a 10" saw where the drum is on yours. Mine had a 220 on the left and 100 on the right. Yours was modified so no way to know what the wheels are without removing (if labels are still on the wheels). Always let it run 10 minutes or so without water when finished to let wheels spin dry. By the way, they were made by a couple in CA named Fran and Tom.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 9, 2010 10:39:57 GMT -5
Just looking at the base of your machine, I would guess that it used to have a saw on the left end. The previous owner probably got a larger saw, and converted to the left hand drum. I believe the drum would have orriginally been on the right side, where the hood is at.
Don
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Jul 9, 2010 14:48:38 GMT -5
It would make sense that originally it only had 2 wheels since there were only 2 water drip holes. There does seem to be a lot of space for more wheels though. Is there a reason that only 2 wheels would be designed into the unit while there is more space inbetween?
I've seen different designs with a saw on the left side. I guess since I have a Lortone 10" saw I can keep the drum sander where it is on this unit. The sander doesn't seem to be on an expanding drum. It almost looks like a sanding belt on a grinding wheel. I'll have to take a closer look this weekend. Anyway, I guess I need to cobble up a hood and pan for the sander and a pan for the polishing pad.
I did read that a couple (Fran and Tom) made these units. It seems to be well built. The previous owner did mention that he had just replaced the bearings.
Maybe I should just replace the grinding wheels now with diamond wheels. Any suggestions on what grit size to get? I do have two 6 inch diamond wheels (100 and 220) from an old Genie that I have mounted in a little Rock Rascal unit. I was thinking of using the Rock Rascal trim saw and diamond wheels to get the initial shaping and then move to the FranTom for the finer shaping and polishing.
Justin
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Jul 10, 2010 19:24:25 GMT -5
I just took a closer look at the sanding wheel and it says Hillquist 220. I'll probably replace it with an expanding wheel sander. Does anybody have any ideas on what to use for a hood on the sanding wheel? Thanks!
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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 10, 2010 20:40:12 GMT -5
Cut up a plastic bucket or get some metal flashing and form one. There are manufactured ones available too (not cheap).
Dr Joe
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 11, 2010 7:49:10 GMT -5
Lowest priced manufactured hoods/pans are the Lortone sheet metal ones.
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Post by rocklicker on Jul 24, 2010 0:16:34 GMT -5
Yeah, it originally had two wheels. I have one and it's still got the two wheels. I was planning on having them be rough and medium and then doing all the sanding on a different unit. As far as the left hand side, I agree there was probably a saw there at one point. My unit didn't have a saw and the shaft does not extend out as far. You could use a grinding pan from a Highland Park unit if you can find one. They are pretty similiar machines.
BTW, it's nice to see you can fit 4 wheels on a frantom. I have been considering adding more wheels when it's time for me to get it going.
Good luck with your rebuild and congrats on getting a great machine!
Steve
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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 Jan 15, 2011 8:35:06 GMT -5
What? No Vise grips?!...You really can't properly mess up a shaft without them (mine is really chewed up (from a previous owner)) ;D
Rust huh? Naval jelly or muratic (muriatic) acid can work (don't leave it in the acid very long at a time as it will corrode the metal away.
Dr Joe
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Post by Woodyrock on Jan 30, 2011 1:48:31 GMT -5
A much safer, and more effective rust remover is citric acid. Mix it one cup to the gallon. It works best if the solution is warm. Citric acid non poisonous being pretty much vitimen C. You can find it at store that supply wine, and beer makers. They use it to stirilize bottles. After the rust turns grey, remove the piece, and rinse in hot water long enough to get the metal hot, which makes it dry faster.
Woody
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Feb 15, 2011 20:51:23 GMT -5
Nice machine. For rust I like PB blaster and a little steel wool. That is gonna be a kickarse machine when your finished
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Post by Roller on Feb 15, 2011 23:49:12 GMT -5
when i did mine i had used emory cloth and some wd 40 ... but i didnt have any rusts on the threads and would be a little worried about that part ..
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Post by mohs on Feb 16, 2011 0:26:08 GMT -5
Thanks Justin for posting the pics
I've been keeping an eye on this thread
I've got one on these FranTom
that going to need a refurbishing, also.
I probably won't get serious about doing it for a couple more months.
In the meantime Ive been soaking the nut/threads in oil
Mine as a serious rock snot rust grip on the main nut also
Does your have the vice assembly?
thnxs
Ed
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Feb 25, 2011 23:19:49 GMT -5
Thanks Justin for posting the pics I've been keeping an eye on this thread I've got one on these FranTom that going to need a refurbishing, also. I probably won't get serious about doing it for a couple more months. In the meantime Ive been soaking the nut/threads in oil Mine as a serious rock snot rust grip on the main nut also Does your have the vice assembly? thnxs Ed I had a chance to try some naval jelly but it's not cleaning the shaft very well. I wonder if some of it is rock snot? Anyway, I took some scotch brite and polished the shaft a bit and I was able to squeeze on one of the new diamond wheels just to check the fit. Now I just have to remember how to put on the various spacers and washers. I just realized I took off essentially 6 old wheels and I only have 3 new wheels to put on it so hopefully I'll have enough spacers. I didn't get a vice assembly with the grinder. What does that look like? I was also looking to make some sort of cab rest that can slide. Are there any examples of home made ones? Justin |
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Feb 25, 2011 23:24:10 GMT -5
Nice machine. For rust I like PB blaster and a little steel wool. That is gonna be a kickarse machine when your finished I hope I can finish this machine soon but I'm pretty slow. Just too many projects to work on and not enough time. |
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Post by mohs on Feb 26, 2011 10:15:06 GMT -5
I’m not 100% sure what the vice assembly looks like either!
But basically it’s a stainless steel rod that a vice attaches to.
The vice is gravity feed, I believe.
Anyway I’ve been asking around & if I come up with an old example
or end up crafting one I’ll let you know
I too, have to many projects to get serious
about refurbishing this machine, presently.
But I’m thinking of just working the saw end to get that functional.
Have you a stand?
Ed
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Feb 26, 2011 17:37:34 GMT -5
I don't have a stand for it but I'm clearing some shelf space for storage and I'll make some sort of mobile stand that I will have to set up each time I want to use the machine.
On the left side of the shaft, I think there used to be a 10" saw but I didn't get those parts when I bought the machine. I'm planning on putting a 8" expando drum there.
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Feb 26, 2011 18:16:39 GMT -5
I decided to put the wheels and spacers on the shaft to see what kind of room I had. With the 1.5" wide wheels and the spacers I only have 0.75 inches between each wheel. It seems kinda tight. What do people use for spacers? I seem to remember someone using PVC pipe? I guess I could use some stop collars to set the spacing? On the other hand, I could squeeze two more 1.5" wide wheels on the shaft.....  |
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