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Post by cobbledstones on Jun 3, 2014 13:18:47 GMT -5
So I was reading this post and then did my standard craigslist scan...low and behold there is a coring unit listed. Never seen one before, now seeing them everywhere. Is the universe trying to tell me to make spheres?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 16:29:13 GMT -5
So I was reading this post and then did my standard craigslist scan...low and behold there is a coring unit listed. Never seen one before, now seeing them everywhere. Is the universe trying to tell me to make spheres? YES
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Jun 3, 2014 18:11:22 GMT -5
lol
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 20:47:46 GMT -5
The saga continues. We'll finish it tonight. I left you last time with a 5" core of marble from Tim. Prolly "Globe Onyx" from Globe, AZ. So I made a "holder" from some scrap plywood and 4 x 4's. Ignore the beer. It's cheap stuff for when I am working. Another view So you make a cut perpendicular to the original core and you get a square. I love that a cylindrical coring drill and two cuts makes a nearly perfect square! So put the "squared" core back into the very same jig and cut it again So, the result is this coolio geometry This last part is two more cuts. I need to sort out a "holder" for these cuts. They do not work in the original jig. So, two more cuts and you get a spherical (mohstly) preform that is ready to go directly to the sphere machine. Total cutting time for a marble stone? Less than one hour from 8" tall, field collected rough to finished preform. Time saved? The old method takes about 4 hours to cube up the rough. Another hour to cut the cubes into rough preforms and another hour to hand grind the saw cut corners off the sawcut preforms. Savings = ~5 hours for marble. Double that for harder stuff like agates.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 20:58:37 GMT -5
That looks like an AWESOME addition to your shop. I almost popped a retina when I saw the core bit! Looks like a real animal. It's unlike any I've seen. Could you tell a bit about it. Is it Diamond? Supplier? Cost? Your personal review would be great! The core bits are industrial diamond segmented coring bits for the concrete construction tradesmen. They are durable and considering the durability, they are inexpensive. This entire project is under $900 including wood (missing from previous cost projections). This includes coring bits, screws, wood, bolts, brass plumbing bits.... and the coring drill motor and rack. Everything you see in the images of this thread are included for <$900. Yeah, it ain't cheap, but what hobby is? AND the commercial version is projected to be $2500 without coring bits and is not yet available at any price! I am a little worried about the pinion gear in the core drill. Seems to be getting sloppier after a couple hours of cutting. I hope it ain't plastic... lol
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Post by Pat on Jun 3, 2014 21:07:33 GMT -5
It's amazing you can get almost a perfect sphere with the core drill.
What do you do with all your spheres? How do you keep them from rolling all over the place? Do you make big egg cartons to hold them still?
Do you cab the corners?
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jun 3, 2014 21:20:33 GMT -5
Scott, that's pretty darned slick! Sure beats making preforms with a slab saw! I'm looking forward to seeing some of your finished spheres.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 21:23:29 GMT -5
It's amazing you can get almost a perfect sphere with the core drill. I agree. Geometry is neat. This is the first 3d geometry I could visualize the process before seeing it in real life. I don't have all that many (maybe 15 or so) and they are in home home in "candle holders". Like this: No. I could, or simply tumble those corners made from cubes, but using my new coring press I will only have large rough with a hole (or two) in it. That can be slabbed and sold. I have made a precious few cabs, maybe 4-5 total. Now that I can make spheres from start to finish at home, I may start going to class again and start some cabbing. Who knows. Goldsmithing sounds more fun and I do have some very nice faceted Syn Alex to set!!
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Post by nowyo on Jun 3, 2014 22:07:32 GMT -5
Nice job there, Scott. Looking good and working fine. Those big core bits are cool. If anyone ever has to use them, remember that they make different bits for cured concrete and green concrete, Learned that one the hard way.
Waiting for finished spheres now.
Natty Light? Really? Dude.
Russ
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 22:45:34 GMT -5
Nice job there, Scott. Looking good and working fine. Those big core bits are cool. If anyone ever has to use them, remember that they make different bits for cured concrete and green concrete, Learned that one the hard way. Waiting for finished spheres now. Natty Light? Really? Dude. Russ Thanks Russ. Yes, Natty Light! lol $9 for 12 out the door (tax & redemption value included). But it also has a plus. It seems to not be made with wheat. I am allergic to wheat and if I drink a heavier darker wheatier brew my arthritic knees swell up and I ache for a few days. If I am at the Tapas Bar and I have a few Alhambra Dark's it's worth the pain. But when I am working on the coring press, a simple, cheap, light beer fills the bill. Natty Light; it's like making love in a canoe. Scott, that's pretty darned slick! Sure beats making preforms with a slab saw! I'm looking forward to seeing some of your finished spheres. Thanks Rick. Yes, me too! haha. I haven;t finished a sphere in many moon. Thanks for the kind words from everyone. They are appreciated, indeed.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jun 4, 2014 3:31:43 GMT -5
Congrats on rolling out some finished near spheres Scott. Now you can crank out more w/less effort. Quite a machine set-up. It is good to have long cylinders to make multiple spheres from. Nothing like making your own stuff and saving $$$. no manufacturer can compete w/your what you created. Ha, he may be able to ship it for half of what you built it for.
Shipping a 160 pound fire pit to Beverly Hills tomorrow. 28" X 42" X 37"(37" diameter hemispherical fire pit of 1/4 inch steel) Delivered to resident from Atlanta for $320 !! Everything is expensive. I live to for doing what you did there.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jun 4, 2014 10:21:54 GMT -5
To borrow your favorite term, B@d@ss!!!! Think of all the time you're going to save, I love how the preforms come out so dang spherical. Isn't it great when a plan comes together?
WOOT!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 14:12:35 GMT -5
Thanks Jean! Woot! Maybe I can get that first sphere finished this week. It'll be my first 100% complete homemade sphere. With everything proven, I will get to work finishing vegasjames jasper/variscite he has been so patiently waiting for!
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Post by vegasjames on Jun 4, 2014 17:07:55 GMT -5
It's amazing you can get almost a perfect sphere with the core drill. I agree. Geometry is neat. This is the first 3d geometry I could visualize the process before seeing it in real life. I don't have all that many (maybe 15 or so) and they are in home home in "candle holders". Like this: That is a great way to display the spheres. The rock shops do sell little flat plastic sups to hold spheres. You can put those under the spheres in the candle holder to keep them centered.
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unclesoska
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All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
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Post by unclesoska on Jun 4, 2014 20:34:13 GMT -5
Thanks Scott for this play-by-play tute. It's really an impressive build and geometry lesson. Your finished spheres are stunning, I especially like the "crystal ball". Might I ask how fast is the project bit running rpm wise. I would think 100rpm or slower, but those monster bits are probably made to go down and dirty pretty fast?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 22:39:10 GMT -5
Thanks Scott for this play-by-play tute. It's really an impressive build and geometry lesson. Your finished spheres are stunning, I especially like the "crystal ball". Might I ask how fast is the project bit running rpm wise. I would think 100rpm or slower, but those monster bits are probably made to go down and dirty pretty fast? Thanks for the kind words Uncle Soska. The crystal ball is man made pure quartz monocrystal. The ball was made in China! I am certain I will never see material to make my own for the price of the finished sphere. I know you said "might ask" but I'll take that as "did ask"!! The RPM rating for the drill motor is 600RPM. 100RPM is about right for the sphere making machine itself. I'll finish up that preform into a finished sphere so everyone can see the entire process. vegasjames - the wifey put black beans in the trays to keep the balls centered. It works, except when I moved it for the pic I failed to position them back correctly. FWIW I could take black ABS plumbing pipe and cut into small sections to do the same thing. No rock shops near here at all, as far as I can tell.
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Post by 1dave on Jun 5, 2014 11:24:48 GMT -5
@shotgunner, when you first suggested it, I thought "What a neat idea!" Now, after watching you put it through it's paces, I see it works even better than I thought it would!
You just made the old way obsolete!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 11:44:18 GMT -5
Thanks Dave. Important words coming from someone with your knowledge and experience. However, this is not a novel idea. I am told it was pioneered by someone decades ago. What is novel is my illustration of every step along the way. I can find nowhere a play by play on this process. In another arena there is talk of one mfg and one hobbyist besides myself using this process. The mfg is discussing a commercial product that does all of this and has automatic feed. ~$2500 before core bits are bought. I just got lucky that it worked in my head before embarking on this journey. I was able to reverse engineer the process and then build it from visions in my head..... lol Someone sent me this privately
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Jun 5, 2014 12:39:15 GMT -5
I got 3 birds w/headaches holding my Scottsphere up. Solid brass. I have turned down offers of $50,000 This view is the Pacific ocean.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Jun 5, 2014 12:42:01 GMT -5
LOL, when someone tells you "Bless your heart!" it's not a compliment, is it?
While I haven't the slightest interest in cutting spheres I can admire a well-realized project like yours. Congratulations!
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