chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Jun 27, 2011 8:36:45 GMT -5
I have an old crafttool ten inch lapidary grinder (4 wheels plus end rubber backed stick-on pads). Great vintage unit, works well but it's pretty big. I purchased it from an old lapidary teacher who was moving on to other ...
About a year ago the molded plastic (or is it plexiglass) that protects the cabber from the grinding wheel broke and is now missing a piece. I'd like to replace the plexiglas and maybe sell the unit or use it again.
Is this a do-it-yourself job? Who might I look for to replace the piece? Does anyone in RTH do these kinds of jobs?
charlie
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 27, 2011 9:34:50 GMT -5
Plexi is readily available. Look up Roller's posts on making a saw hood a week ago or so. Lots of good info.
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Post by parfive on Jun 27, 2011 9:37:19 GMT -5
Chas – How simple a shape are we talking about? Got a pic?
Curves in one dimension would be easy to replicate in plexi – you can bend it with a heat gun.
Rich
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Jun 28, 2011 8:01:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply...I've seen how to bend plexiglas with heat but I need to form a bubble to fit into the metal frame and still allow the wheels to rotate...I'll post a picture next chance I get during the week
charlie
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blessed
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by blessed on Jun 28, 2011 16:28:41 GMT -5
Plexiglas can be cut on a tablesaw using a fine tooth blade. There is a chemical that welds the edges together. Build a box with a flange around it to fit the frame. A bubble would take heat and vacum.
James
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
|
Post by chassroc on Jul 5, 2011 9:02:35 GMT -5
Finally got some pictures! Now I realize it needed bending in only one direction. I bought a piece of acrylic and I tried a hair dryer but not enough heat to bend the acrylic. So I bought a heat gun and with some difficulty I got it to bend. Definitely not as easy as I thought it would be. Very tough to get it to bend exactly as I wanted it to. I've now got it done but I'm not happy with the job I did on it. had to buy a much bigger piece than I needed so I suppose my first (three)attempts are just practice! Thanks for your help..Charlie PS...anyone want to buy a great vintage grinder...cheap!
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Jul 5, 2011 10:45:20 GMT -5
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Jul 5, 2011 10:54:14 GMT -5
you can use a heat gun to bend it.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 5, 2011 17:48:48 GMT -5
II don't see a reason for a window up there but the thin plexi should curve pretty easy. Thin gauge sheet metal or that super flexible lighting diffuser material that all the 80's and 90's houses had is available at Home Depot.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 6, 2011 0:22:03 GMT -5
I would agree with John that there is no need for a transparent top. If you choose to use acrylic you should have no problem bending it to fit.
Lee
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Post by sandsman1 on Jul 12, 2011 22:06:54 GMT -5
id take some thin sheet tin like maybe flashing and some small screws and cover it from the outside i wouldnt even take the plastic off -- that is a nice heavy duty setup wish i had the room that thing will last forever im bettin
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
|
Post by chassroc on Jul 26, 2011 9:05:47 GMT -5
I made my replacement...here's the final picture I cracked the acrylic when I drilled through the final corner...arggggh!, see the bottom left of the last picture. All I have to do is lose concentration for a moment to screw things up. Anyway seems sturdy enough. Glad to have this unit operational again. A ten inch grinder works much haster than smaller units. Not practical for Opal. I dont like working turquoise on it either. But great for Agate and pet wood Charlie
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Post by roy on Jul 26, 2011 9:11:08 GMT -5
looks like you did a great job to me ! nice looking grinder
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