|
Post by rockmanken on Feb 15, 2011 13:42:52 GMT -5
Just thought I would show pictures of a slab grabber I have that adjusts to about any shape. screws can be moved around and can be turned backwards to accomodate larger sizes. Just clamp it in the saws vice. Ken
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 15, 2011 13:59:22 GMT -5
I have one just like it Ken. Aren't they great ? Too bad they don't still make them that good. W.C. Antoine made several other pieces of small lapidary equipment too. A little time on google will turn up some of his inventions.
Don
|
|
spokanetim
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2009
Posts: 656
|
Post by spokanetim on Feb 15, 2011 15:06:25 GMT -5
Ok, so perhaps I'm the village idiot. I can't tell how you clap down on the slab and what those screws sticking out are for. Do the flat head screw tops hold the stone as you tighten that big screw then clamp the base into the saw? Tim
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Feb 15, 2011 15:36:44 GMT -5
Yes Tim. The screws sticking up hold the stone, and you can move them around into the different holes. The screws that are flush are for moving the brackets backwards and forward. The knurled nut (no, not me) is for tightening the clamp onto the stone. Then you just clamp the whole thing into your vise.
|
|
rocksnot
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2011
Posts: 7
|
Post by rocksnot on Feb 18, 2011 12:18:13 GMT -5
Do you have to saw little groves on the rock for the screws to grab?
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 18, 2011 12:54:49 GMT -5
Do you have to saw little groves on the rock for the screws to grab? The holding screws can be adjusted in and out to find places on the rock to grip. When you tighten the top screw, it really takes a grip on the rock. The upper and lower jaws can also be adjuste for max. grip. Don
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,777
|
Post by adrian65 on Feb 18, 2011 12:58:40 GMT -5
I had to think a bit till i figured out how it works, but now I got it. Very ingenious, fits to any contour.
Adrian
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 18, 2011 14:46:00 GMT -5
Lortone makes a cheaper version of this. Their LRG-1. It has one jaw that can be swiveled, and isn't anywhere near as sturdy as the old W.C. Antoine clamps were. In the 2008 catalog, Lortone wanted $65.00 for it. Don
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Feb 18, 2011 16:50:40 GMT -5
I have the LRG-1. Got it form Minnisota Lapidary back at the World of Agate show in 2007. I thought it could be modified to use in my 10", but it is really too large. Then I though it would bolt roight down in my LS12, but the holes don't line up and the size of the bolts are different.
I might be able to rig something, but it might be easier build from scratch. Guess I could sell the LG-1. (Or maybe I should anticipate a bigger saw.)
I've been thinking about getting the Rock's 11" clamp, which is way too big. But, I could cut the threaded rods in half and make a 5" clamp.
Just thinking out loud.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 18, 2011 17:10:07 GMT -5
They make a 5" clamp, but the aluminum jaws might be smaller. I really don't like the clamps with the 2 bolts. They can torque out of shape when you tighten them, and not clamp solidly in the saw vise. Don
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Feb 18, 2011 18:19:19 GMT -5
the 3" and 5" look like the small lortone. Only the 11" has multiple screw heads to hold the rock.
not sure though how I would affix it to the carriage or get in in my ls12's vise. maybe I better just drill holes and tap my LG-1 to fit on the LS12.
|
|
rocksnot
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2011
Posts: 7
|
Post by rocksnot on Feb 23, 2011 15:29:29 GMT -5
Hey rockmanken (or anyone else who has one of these can you put up a drawing with measurements? Maybe I could build one! Would Brass plate be strong enough?
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Feb 23, 2011 15:48:28 GMT -5
Actually, Kens pics are just about the actual size of the critter. You should be able to take measurements from them. The vise is made out of heavy aluminum castings. Unless you have a milling machine and some chunks of solid brass, I doubt that you could make one out of brass. I did have a friend who made a copy out of 1/2" hot rolled steel. Don
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Feb 23, 2011 17:48:50 GMT -5
|
|
mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,278
|
Post by mossyrockhound on Feb 23, 2011 19:38:15 GMT -5
I've got one of those slab grabbers and I really like it too. Mine has an extension that makes it a little easier to clamp on to. Here it is with a rock in it: Another angle: They make quite an assortment of these things, but I like the one from Bill's Rock Shop best. Here are a few others: Garry
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Feb 24, 2011 17:56:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Feb 27, 2011 15:04:09 GMT -5
OK, here is one I like. It is small enough for my 10" and is easy to clamp up. Someone was making these and selling thme on ebay about 6 years ago. Have not seen them in a while though.
|
|
rocksnot
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2011
Posts: 7
|
Post by rocksnot on Mar 15, 2011 13:59:55 GMT -5
Awesome! Thanks I'm getting tired of trying to hold em by hand and always getting off kilter cuts. Lord only knows if I could hang on long enough for a sizable slab
|
|
rocpup
spending too much on rocks
Pink Limb Iris
Member since March 2011
Posts: 465
|
Post by rocpup on Mar 23, 2011 11:59:04 GMT -5
I have made the slab grabber work better for me after I cut off one hole of the movable clamp. I never used it anyway. I also have to add that I have found three of these over the years and have kept one whole. The main use for mine is, when I remove the butt end from the saw vise and it has the look of needing to be cut again, I set it aside. When I get several of the end pieces I carefully set the slab grabber up to cut off a normal thickness slice. Do not remove slab grabber from saw vise, just loosen the screw, remove the slice and tighten down the screw for another cut from the same rock or another from the saved butt end pieces. Many times I have to grind or use the trim saw to cut a place for the hold down machine screws to grip the rock. This is a very nice tool and it works for me. Rocpup I have to add that by using only one screw in the movable side you end up having a very solid three point grip on your rock.
|
|