sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 18, 2011 17:16:40 GMT -5
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 18, 2011 18:21:02 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 18, 2011 21:14:03 GMT -5
Hey Bob, it don't need to be pretty, as long as it works. Don |
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sampson
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2011
Posts: 222
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Post by sampson on Dec 19, 2011 0:35:41 GMT -5
Yupp, pretty don't make the wheels turn. I do have to ask though, what are the extra pulleys and wheels for? Different speeds for different grits or sphere sizes? Different motors maybe? You got me curious as to why not just direct drive like the others i have seen here.
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 19, 2011 1:37:24 GMT -5
Sampson,
I am using 1/3 HP motors, 1750 RPM, which is way too fast for doing spheres. The pulleys are to gear it down to 135 RPM. Lots of ugly hardware but with 1/3 horse motors and pulleys for a dime a dozen at rummage sales, I will not spend the extra money for gear driven motors at $100 a crack. Like I said, they may be ugly, but it works. Has worked for 3 years now on the same motors.
Bob
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 19, 2011 8:33:14 GMT -5
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shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
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Post by shermlock on Dec 19, 2011 8:37:07 GMT -5
I like it when "ugly" stuff produces beautiful things!!! Scott |
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 19, 2011 11:41:53 GMT -5
Yes I have tried those several times, not to discourage you but I was not at all happy with the number of times I had to replace them. Maybe I am just making too many spheres? I went with 1/3 hp, 1750 rpm and haven't had a problem since. Let me know how they do for you. Maybe I am too rough on them! Bob |
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 19, 2011 13:07:29 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 19, 2011 13:52:23 GMT -5
If I had a stick welder, I'd give it a try. All I have is a wire feed welder.
Made some progress this morning. Got all of the holes drilled for the motor plates and base plates. Still have to set up a hole cutter to cut the motor shaft holes.
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Dec 19, 2011 23:02:23 GMT -5
Keep the pictures coming.....
I have no idea how to weld so making my own diamond cups are not in my near future. I still think I can get these diamond core drill bits to work for the initial grind and they are a lot cheaper than the diamond cups for sale on various websites. I also have the velcro diamond polishing pads which I might cut up and use on some plastic grinding cups.
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juzwuz
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2010
Posts: 526
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Post by juzwuz on Dec 19, 2011 23:05:46 GMT -5
Oh yeah...anybody happen to have a 2 to 3 inch sphere preform they would be willing to sell to me? I'd like to get something made soon so that I don't lose too much of my "credibility" with my daughters and wife. They see this contraption in the garage and are definitely wondering when it will do something other than trip them up and take up space.
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 19, 2011 23:15:50 GMT -5
Got one motor plate finished this afternoon. My hole cutter is a little dull. I'll dig out a diamond file in the morning and get it sharpened so I can get the other 2 plates finished.
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 20, 2011 11:34:17 GMT -5
Keep the pictures coming..... I have no idea how to weld so making my own diamond cups are not in my near future. I still think I can get these diamond core drill bits to work for the initial grind and they are a lot cheaper than the diamond cups for sale on various websites. I also have the velcro diamond polishing pads which I might cut up and use on some plastic grinding cups. juzwuz, you can always buy the diamond rods just about anywhere, take them and the reducers to a welder and have him do it. Bob |
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 20, 2011 16:04:11 GMT -5
Well, there's been another delay in my building plans. My father in law was rushed to the hospital this morning. Don't know when I'll be able to get back to building the new toy.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 20, 2011 19:59:16 GMT -5
One thing I learned with my very limited experience with a two head machine is you really have to work at keeping it turning in a random way. On my old machine I had to constantly vary the pressure on one side. On the BD Fireball they added a rubber bumper arm that just barely contacts the rock which does a pretty good job. 3 head machines are supposed to do be less of a problem. 2 head machines generally will make much larger spheres while taking up less floor space.
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 20, 2011 21:22:06 GMT -5
One thing I learned with my very limited experience with a two head machine is you really have to work at keeping it turning in a random way. On my old machine I had to constantly vary the pressure on one side. On the BD Fireball they added a rubber bumper arm that just barely contacts the rock which does a pretty good job. 3 head machines are supposed to do be less of a problem. 2 head machines generally will make much larger spheres while taking up less floor space. johnisgems, You heard right. I can leave my three headed machines run for hours without having to check on it. The largest sphere I have made with a 3 header is 4". My polish machine is just a 2 header but works great. |
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sdgoldpanner
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 226
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Post by sdgoldpanner on Dec 20, 2011 21:23:18 GMT -5
Well, there's been another delay in my building plans. My father in law was rushed to the hospital this morning. Don't know when I'll be able to get back to building the new toy. Don we will keep your father n law in our prayers. Hope he gets well soon. Bob |
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 20, 2011 22:25:08 GMT -5
Thanks Bob. We're hoping he'll last until after Christmas. Don't know how my mother in law is gonna take it. Linda may have to stay with her for a while.
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 21, 2011 17:50:26 GMT -5
Made a little progress today. Got the output shaft holes drilled in the motor plates. Can't post pics. Something is screwed up with photobucket again. Can't copy and paste the IMG codes. Got it working. Adobe flash player was disabled.  Top 7" will be the motor plates. Bottom 5" will be base plates, and spacers for the hinges will be cut out of the middle. |
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