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Post by deb193redux on Nov 17, 2010 17:41:05 GMT -5
It is only 1 belt, and a t-step pulley. Somehow the same belt works on both.
You can put any 6" blade onthe RockRascal if the arbor hole is right. (Too big can be bused down too). I would use it with water and drain after use.
You would not need a blade too thick if you have the grinding wheel. I would not go as thin as the pro-slicer or gorilla blade, but get one inthe 303 series. You can get a nickel plated diamond wheel form JadeCarver or RockLady for about $50 in 1" width, or a little more for 1.5"
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 17, 2010 18:07:01 GMT -5
So does the rock rascal come with the ability to attach drip tubing for the grind wheel?
With the small, thin pieces(2-4mm thick) I will be tumbling I would think that using the rubber bowl Lot O would be safer when it comes to avoiding damaging the stone. Is this assumption correct or is it not an issue due to properly filling the tumbler?
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 17, 2010 20:41:57 GMT -5
I don't know of any vibe barrel that will damage stones. As Daniel said the Gyroc is two speed by pulley. They supply two belts with new units because using belt on high speed will stretch it to the point it is too loose for low speed. They used to dye the belts different colors and now leave it up to user to determine which is longer. Rock Shed probably only carries Industrial but I would ask. He is a Barranca dealer so the MK145 would include both blades. Factory put them on sale Nov. 15th for $105 so most dealers should have them at that or slightly under.
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 17, 2010 22:53:15 GMT -5
John,
Thanks! I am learning a lot here!
Chris
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 17, 2010 23:02:45 GMT -5
The Rock Rascal has a hole above the wheel. A drip line is attached there. With proper adapters, the line can be hooked to any faucet. Be sure to run a second drain line from the tray under the wheel to a bucket.
Don
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Nov 17, 2010 23:37:04 GMT -5
Everyone has given you great advice. If you are looking to make them as a hobby, I would get a flat lap to make them. You can shape them and grind saw marks out. And even polish if you have enough disc's. If you are planing on making them to sell. I would suggest a good 10" slab saw with a good solid vice. I use MK- 303, 040 blades. Griding a pick on a blade is tuff, and the bevel is almost impossible. As for a tumbler, the UV-3 with 2 bowls. Would do fine. I wouldn't trade my 2 UV-10s for anything. I do the 4 stage method. 220,600,1000, and cerium for polish. Now the hard part. The rock that you try. There are more disappointments than victories. You can't go wrong with Brazilians. They take a great polish. Stay away from rocks with uneven hardness. They miss shape in the tumbler. Welcome to the board and post some pics.
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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 Nov 18, 2010 13:29:22 GMT -5
A pressure regulator off the faucet before the drip system is a good idea too.
Dr Joe
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 18, 2010 14:45:20 GMT -5
Thanks bushmanbilly!
Do you make a lot of picks?
Thanks Dr Joe,
Can a simple overhead drip system be fed to the water connectors on the Rascal? I would not see why this couldn't be done.
Chris
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 18, 2010 15:17:14 GMT -5
An overhead drip system would work great, as long as it holds enough water to prevent running dry. Or to hook up to a faucet, try your local hardware store or nursery for drip watering parts. They make pressure regulators for drip systems that will screw right onto an outdoor faucet. If you decide to go with the overhead system, Lortone makes a nice one for about $38.00. It's free standing, and can sit behind your machine. Don
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 18, 2010 17:07:42 GMT -5
Thanks Don! Since my initial usage plans with any grinder I use will probably be short, I thought an overhead drip would work well. I will have to check out the Lortone one!
Chris
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 18, 2010 17:32:42 GMT -5
If you have the Kingsley North catalog, it's on page 66. My Lortone catalog is an old one, but it was on page 12. Don
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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 Nov 18, 2010 18:56:58 GMT -5
Or a 2 liter bottle, some aquarium air line tubing and an air valve will get you started.
Drill 2 holes in the cap, insert an 18" piece of tubing into one hole and tape to the side of the bottle as an air vent when bottle is upside down. insert another tube long enough to reach your equipment, cut the tubing at a convenient spot and insert the air valve inline to adjust water flow.
If your handy, you may want to consider making a flatlap like in the homemade section, depending on how good of a scrounger you are it might only cost you $10-$20.
Dr Joe
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Nov 18, 2010 21:41:02 GMT -5
If over 2000 in the last 2 years is lots. Then I guess I do. Have you asked your instructor if anyone in his club has used equipment for sale?
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 19, 2010 2:01:08 GMT -5
Thanks Don
I am going to check out the catalog now!
Dr Joe thanks for the tips! I am going to look into the making a flat lap info here on the forum. I asked my instructor about the motors used for one wheel or drum while I was polishing some picture jasper tonight. She told me that furnace guys often have used circulating motors from furnaces they remove and these motors work good for years. She said that you just need to make sure the rotation of the arbor is counter clock wise and that you can get a drum or grind wheel. My furnace guys are a family owned company. It can't hurt to ask if they have any of these motors and if they would sell one for a decent price.
bushmanbilly that's a lot of picks! Do you do them different ways or do you do them all the same way? The club has 2 silent auctions each year and the money goes towards the club. She said she talked to some club members that are going to donate some equipment to be sold at the next auction in a few months.
Chris
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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 Nov 19, 2010 4:19:42 GMT -5
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 19, 2010 9:10:04 GMT -5
I've got close to 30 years working on those furnaces. Pretty much all the furnace motors will be very easily reversible. Most important thing will be speed (not over 1725 rpm) and make sure it doesn't say "continuous air over". Open drip proof would be good too.
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 19, 2010 11:13:30 GMT -5
Dr Joe Thanks for that info and the link!
John, Is "Circulating Motor" the correct name? When I ask if they have any they would sell I want to be asking about the right thing. I bet it is easy to reverse but I have never done that. Is there any guidelines online? Also, if I pick up a used motor for $25-$50 I would then mount it to wood and buy grinding wheels or drums, an on/off switch, materials to make or buy a drip system a water containment tray. What can I expect to spend and is it worth going that way as opposed to just buying a simple grinder like the RockRascal?
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Nov 19, 2010 12:43:37 GMT -5
There are usually two leads inside a cover plate that need to switch positions to reverse the motor. It's been clearly marked on the outside of every reversible motor I've seen.
Chuck
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 19, 2010 13:38:10 GMT -5
You will need a supply air or blower motor. One off a belt driven blower. If you can install the cord, you can reverse the motor. There are two wires (red and black usually that attach with push on terminals. Interchange positions to reverse. You can buy cords at Home depot with plug attached. They may have them with inline switches as well. How handy you are will determine best way to go. If you buya motor you will need an arbor as well.
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guitarc
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2010
Posts: 77
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Post by guitarc on Nov 19, 2010 16:11:47 GMT -5
Thanks John,
I am not savvy with ripping apart motors and rebuilding them simply because I have not ever done that but reversing the motor sounds pretty easy. I am good at following instructions so I could definitely assemble something, change parts and even create a drip station and water tray for such a set up. Would I need an arbor or an arbor extension or arbor adapter to be able to add a grinding wheel or expanding drum?
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