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Post by gingerkid on Mar 2, 2014 13:46:00 GMT -5
I wanted to share with everyone what Santa Rick brought to me for Christmas. It's miander's machine, Fiona's, little sister. Oops, forgot to add that it's the Covington 8" Grinder/Polisher. I'm using the CabMate for trimming materials and will continue to use it for tasks such as polishing, etc... I haven't used the diamond wheels on the machine yet, but have used the expanding drum. The first time I used the resin belts on the expanding drum, I had a time getting the belts on and off the drum. Had to use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the resin belt. Does anyone have any tips on how to add and remove a belt much easier? I would greatly appreciate any advice. One problem in adding and removing the belt is the splash guard is in the way while trying to reach around the wheel. Find that it's easier to turn the drum forward while placing the belt on the front of the drum. I hoped to be able to add and remove the belt without any difficulties, but it ain't happenin.' With the lever lock drums, do you have to make your own belts and cannot use the factory-made belts?? Wondered if the lever lock drum would be the way to go with the machine??  Covington 8" Grinder/Polisher  CabMate with Covington |
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Post by jakesrocks on Mar 2, 2014 14:17:10 GMT -5
Jan, the lever lock drums (bump wheels) were made to be used with strips of sanding cloth. The ready made belts don't really fit them. Covington and Kingsley North both still stock roles of sanding cloth for them.
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 3, 2014 15:29:46 GMT -5
Thank You, Don, for your reply!  I managed to remove one resin belt without having to arm wrestle with it. Guess I need a little more practice. There's definitely a difference in adding/removing the 6" belts onto the 6" expanding drum-just slap 'em on and pull 'em off. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2014 20:17:42 GMT -5
I am jealous. You guys get all the goodies. Well, where are the Jan Jewels ??
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Post by mohs on Mar 8, 2014 20:37:12 GMT -5
well that's a really nice machine ~Jan~
I know nothing about that expando drum setup
but I'm sure you'll get proficient at changing belts
I can't image they made it to difficult
have fun
know you will!
Ed
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 8, 2014 20:46:15 GMT -5
Thank you, Ed!! I think we cross-posted or posted at the same time. Hi, James! I'll post these here since I don't think they deserve to be posted anywhere else on the forum. I finished these a couple of days ago for a very good friend of mine. The first 3 pics were taken after I polished the cabs on a felt pad with tin oxide. Sorry about the reflections in the cabs.  Bat Cave/Rim jasper, Imperial, Bruneau, and Morrisonite The Bruneau still has flea bites even after polishing it with chrome oxide Battstik on leather and a muslin buff with tin oxide  Deschutes  Carey Plume (2), golden plume, Oregon carnelian with tubes  Vistiate jasper  broke the Deschutes during final polish on the muslin buff and having to rework it  Finished cabs, except for the Deschutes, with Louisiana oyster shells and piemontite Here's some Australian opals (Lambina and Coober Pedy) that I need to finish the bottoms. They look terrible. I hope they turn out better, but they don't have much play-of-color, or color at all.  Opals from Oz |
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Post by mohs on Mar 8, 2014 20:56:29 GMT -5
see!! I knew it!
busy busy
having fun shine!
keep your rocks
to the wheel
& fingers nimble
ol'mohs saying
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Post by mohs on Mar 8, 2014 20:57:23 GMT -5
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 8, 2014 21:10:44 GMT -5
Thank You, Ed, for your kind words. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2014 21:30:19 GMT -5
Wow. Those need to be advertised on the cab section. They look great. I like that opal with less flashes. It has a great moon like glow.
You got it going on . The plumes and jasper are sweet.
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 8, 2014 21:39:12 GMT -5
Thank you, James!! Did you like the Georgia peach quarter cab?? |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,062 
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 8, 2014 23:49:19 GMT -5
Good going Jan! The reflections in your images means you're getting a mirror-like polish. Sorry about the Deschutes but it looks like you still have a good amount of stone to work with on the re-do. Power on!
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 8, 2014 23:54:25 GMT -5
For 3x8 drums there are 2 belt lengths, 25 1/8 and 25 7/32. The longer belt is used on the expando and the shorter one can be forced on and off like you are experiencing. The page on the Lortone web site... www.lortone.com/sanding_belts.html |
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 9, 2014 12:25:52 GMT -5
Thank you, gemfeller! Thank you for your advice and the link to the Lortone site for the belts, Lee. The 3" x 25 7/32" belts are the ones I've been using on the drum. The resin belts are snug on the drum like a pair of tight-fitting jeans. It's the first time I've used the resin belts and hope to get used to adding and removing them soon with practice. |
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Post by mohs on Mar 9, 2014 15:34:56 GMT -5
Those S/C belts on the Lortone page is what I use never used resin belts are the same as the Nova type diamond belts ? I'm way behind on the new abrasives what the lever for on your machine ~jan~ ?? anther thing I don't understand on the Cove is what that bar doing in front of the grinding wheels all about? I understand these are not easily answered questions but thought I'd ask anyways Ha ha  |
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Post by mohs on Mar 9, 2014 15:36:34 GMT -5
that Deschutes carnelian is glowing
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 9, 2014 15:52:14 GMT -5
@ mr.mohs A resin belt is basically a diamond belt that you add the diamond paste to like a leather belt.
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 9, 2014 16:00:13 GMT -5
Thank you, gemfeller! Thank you for your advice and the link to the Lortone site for the belts, Lee. The 3" x 25 7/32" belts are the ones I've been using on the drum. The resin belts are snug on the drum like a pair of tight-fitting jeans. It's the first time I've used the resin belts and hope to get used to adding and removing them soon with practice. Rayspan expandos? I use the Scott/Murray and maybe they are smaller. Haven't tried the resin belts either. |
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Post by mohs on Mar 9, 2014 16:08:08 GMT -5
thanks Lee
I'm using a Crystallite buff belt on my 6" expand
add diamond paste to that
sometimes I get good results
buffing is a mystery to me
but I think my biggest problem
is not getting smooth scratch free dome
but when I do
I notice a buff really takes
fast
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 9, 2014 17:43:25 GMT -5
Hi, Ed, thanks for your kind comments on the carnelian. I also have a time with scratches and have reworks galore. The lever thingy that is sticking out of the front of the machine is the speed control. Kinda weird that you have to adjust the machine's speed while it is running. The bar in front of the diamond wheels are an adjustable cab and arm wrest. Hey, Lee, I'm not sure if it's a Rayban. (edited--Rayspan, not Rayban (sunglasses) I checked the Covington site for information, and it does not say. I think one thing that is taking some time to get accustomed to is that the splash guard is in the way while trying to reach around the drum. I'm sorry, y'all, but I am wrong. The belts I've been using are not resin belts, but are called canvas belts. I think you may place different polishing medias on them, too. Wait, are they the same? |
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I managed to remove one resin belt without having to arm wrestle with it. Guess I need a little more practice. There's definitely a difference in adding/removing the 6" belts onto the 6" expanding drum-just slap 'em on and pull 'em off.
