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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2011 7:24:38 GMT -5
The Exact Span drums are terrible. To change belt you have to remove the outer metal center piece which allows you to remove the thin rubber band that fits over the center. A standard expandable drum (Rayspan or Lortone) you simply slide the belt on or off. The 6" Exact Span appears to be standard size while the 8" Exact Span is slightly undersized so standard belts don't fit. Kingsley was advertising very low prices on drums ($60 for 2.5", $52 for 1.5") even though the drums went up again this year.
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 8:14:38 GMT -5
I totally understand where you guys are comming from but I am on a budget atm so to me even if they dont last but a year I can get 3 wheels for the price of 2 and complete mysetup. I have been waiting quite sometime looking for a used machine for a decent price which hasnt happened so I recently decided to build my own. I just about have everything I need. All I need is the shaft, 3 wheels and to build the pan and hood.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2011 8:19:40 GMT -5
I would buy two good drums and put them on each end. Or one good drum and spend the extra on diamond belts. They are easy to slide on and off. With the Exact Spans you will have to disassemble to change belts. Your choice, your money.
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 8:27:27 GMT -5
Acually I like the 1 drum extra belts idea. Thanks john looks like its back to the drawing board. lol
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 8:31:44 GMT -5
If I was to get one expandible wheel and lets say 3 belts what grits should I get. I already have 4 hard diamond wheels 80, 100, 220 and 1200 grits. I was thinking 400 or 600 then 3000 and 8000 whatcha think?
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2011 9:44:07 GMT -5
400, 600, 3000 for sure. 8000 would be nice plus. I have a pro cutter customer that sands everything to 8000. Polish after is very fast step. Advantage to less wheels would be increased space between wheels. Close wheels really limit you to "normal" cab sizes. More clearance allows large free forms, belt buckles, windowing pet wood branches, etc. You loose advantage of multiple mounted wheels but gain size advantages.
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 10:23:56 GMT -5
Well one good thing about building my own machine is I can make the shaft as long as I want and put some space between the wheels. :-) I am going to do a 3 foot shaft so that should be pleanty of space.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2011 11:03:08 GMT -5
You can add or reconfigure as needed also. I'm not sure how far a 3/4" shaft can extend beyond the bearings and support wheels. I'm guessing 12" if wheels are not real heavy, but that's just a guess.
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 11:09:06 GMT -5
Yea I was thinking more like 2 feet now that I will just be using 4-5 wheels do you know anyone on the boards that can fab and make shafts? There are machine shops locally but I would prefer to have someone with some lapidary know how to do the work for me.
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 30, 2011 11:16:48 GMT -5
There is a member who has made shafts for other members. Just can't remember who it was. Maybe one of the other members will jump in here with a name. I would suggest that if you're going to use a 3' shaft, you go up to 1" diameter for added strength. Your diamond wheels will fit without adapters, and you can order your expanding drums with a 1" hole. Don
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 11:25:21 GMT -5
2' should be good enough for four 1 1/2" wheels, a cutting blade on the left and polishing disk on the right so its all good
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 30, 2011 11:47:26 GMT -5
Have the right end of your shaft center drilled and tapped for 1/4 - 20 thread for the spin on sanding and polishing disks. They don't have a center hole and nut in the way. They'll give you a larger working surface. Don
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 12:24:25 GMT -5
Well I was thinking this would work without having to drill and tap the end of the shaft. They are $36 and are meant to screw on to a 3/4" shaft. I guess it just depends on what I can get the machine shop to do with it. CAST ALUMINUM FACE PLATES. Made for years of use on your favorite machine. These quality cast aluminum face plates are trued flat with a foam rubber pad applied to conform to your work piece. Available in 6 inch and 8 inch diameters, right or left hand, in the popular thread sizes. Attachments:
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 30, 2011 12:45:48 GMT -5
Those will work too. But you need enough thread showing on your shaft after the nut, to screw them on. Keep that in mind when you're having your shaft made. They make those face plates up to 10" size. I have a couple of very old 12" disks out in my shed somewhere. Don
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 12:56:42 GMT -5
so I am guessing if I have the disc at end of the machine I should be able to use an 8" or bigger huh?
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 30, 2011 13:26:37 GMT -5
That depends on the hood and pan. If you set them up for your 6" wheels, the 8" disc won't fit.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2011 13:56:28 GMT -5
There is nothing exotic about the shaft. Ask for "shaft stock" (they will know it has to be cold rolled to be round). Have the right side 1" or so threaded right hand threads. Have the left side threaded left hand threads. While you are at it, Have them center drill the right end and thread it 1/4"-20 right hand thread. They should be able to supply you with nuts and big washers to fit. If they can't cut left hand threads have them center drill left side also and tap it to 1/4"-20 right hand thread. A center bolt and big washer on left end and all the wheels would tighten with the right end nut.
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 14:04:46 GMT -5
Good thing I am building the pan and hood myself I can make it as big or small as I want. :-)
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 30, 2011 14:10:23 GMT -5
The aluminum polish heads are very durable. They come with a foam disc glued on. In addition you would need 3M Feathering Disc Adhesive to glue on (non-permanent glue) a 6" leather disc. If you plan on using diamond compound, you will need a leather disc for each compound grade or polish compound. There are many spin on type accessories with the 1/4"-20 threaded mount so I would have it done when shaft is made. It is only a couple of minutes to do that while the shaft is being made. On my Genie i use "no hole laps" for flat grinding, spin on canvas pads ($10 ea.) for diamond compounds, Magnetic Nova Discs, etc. All mount with a 1/4"-20 stud.
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LSUROCKS
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 137
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Post by LSUROCKS on Mar 30, 2011 14:34:04 GMT -5
HOLY CRAP!!! I just called one of the local machine shops here he quoted me $300-$500 to make a cold rolled steel shaft 3/4" with left hand threads on left and right hand threads on right center drilled to 1/4"-20!!!!!!!!!WTF
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