vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225 
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Post by vugs on Oct 1, 2014 20:23:44 GMT -5
I recently purchased a Richardson Ranch sphere machine from a gentleman in Arizona. I got a great deal on it considering its relatively unused. He had 4 machines total and this was his spare machine. I dont actually have it yet but my buddy picked it up for me and I will take a trip out there to visit and bring it back soon. My buddy took some pics of his diy angle guide for preforming spheres and i figured i'd share it here since its a simple diy design.  |
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vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225
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Post by vugs on Oct 1, 2014 20:25:45 GMT -5
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Post by Pat on Oct 1, 2014 21:31:28 GMT -5
Clever! I like simple solutions.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 21:57:51 GMT -5
Yeah, those are the good kind... unless you have a drop saw.
Did you get a sphere machine?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,618
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Post by jamesp on Oct 1, 2014 22:08:24 GMT -5
That's the way.
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vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225
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Post by vugs on Oct 1, 2014 22:15:17 GMT -5
Yeah, those are the good kind... unless you have a drop saw. Did you get a sphere machine? I did.. An old Richardson Ranch machine. Spheres up to 5" woohoo! |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 1, 2014 23:47:43 GMT -5
Congrats, Brandon! Nice finds! And love the easy-peasy angle guide for preforms. Simple is better!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 0:53:21 GMT -5
now the spending begins. accessories baby, accessories
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vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225
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Post by vugs on Oct 2, 2014 13:18:09 GMT -5
rockpickerforever Thanks! I am pretty darn excited about it and @shotgunner may be right.. This is where the spending starts to get bad haha since i recently acquired a FranTom saw too. Who do i blame? All of you? @shotgunner Accessories? Do tell, Do tell.. 
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 17:42:32 GMT -5
Well, for instance you need a way to rough grind the first "near" sphere, then you need a way to rough grind the near sphere to spherical on the machine, then you need cups for finishing the sphere from rough thru 100-220-500-800-polish (some include 1200 before polish) There are multiple ways to do this. Do you wanna use grit, diamond products a combination thereof?? There is so much to discuss and you are local, let's have a brew and chat. I can show you how I do it. (WARNING: messy shop!!) I don't like IPA's!!!  |
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vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225
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Post by vugs on Oct 2, 2014 20:35:35 GMT -5
@shotgunner I will have to take you up on that soon.  I've got a sliding tile saw like that in the workshop already for cutting the preform. Then was just planning to use the flap lap to grind it to shape. Sound like a decent plan? I could definitely use some pointers on the polishing cups and overall setup for sure so thanks for the offer. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 21:08:47 GMT -5
Flat lap could work rockpickerforever did just that. I use diamond core bits for roughing the hand ground "near sphere". I made some aluminum polishing cups for use finishing with granite pads. They work great. Sunday could work as I am home all day smoking pastrami and porkstrami. Just ping me in PM and we'll sort it out. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 3, 2014 1:59:51 GMT -5
rockpickerforever Thanks! I am pretty darn excited about it and @shotgunner may be right.. This is where the spending starts to get bad haha since I recently acquired a FranTom saw too. Who do i blame? All of you? What? Blame all of us? Naw, naw, naw, not so fast. You already had the bug before you joined us here. We're all just fanning the flames a bit! It's a natural progression, the speed of which has everything to do with how much money you have to throw at it! Polishing - or even just shaping - on flat lap a time consuming adventure. Eighty or one hundred diamond laps work at first, but dull quickly. A multi-bladed grinding set up is the ticket. |
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vugs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rockbiter
Member since February 2014
Posts: 225
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Post by vugs on Oct 3, 2014 19:40:08 GMT -5
thanks for the advice everyone. i'll need to do the preforming on a flat lap for now until i find a deal on a cabbing machine. maybe i'll start looking for a 2 wheel arbor on ebay and set something up.
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