SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Jan 26, 2016 12:32:51 GMT -5
I really want to make a sphere machine, and have to keep the costs down.
What is the advantage of 3 grinding heads over 2, is the extra cost really necessary?
Any reason I can't power it with Lortone 12 lb tumbler motors, geared down?
This is just an introductory machine, making 2" spheres or thereabouts.
Any thoughts or comments from the experts would be deeply appreciated!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 17:48:31 GMT -5
Three heads cut faster.
As for motor choice?
The cutting heads at ~100 rpm for roughing in seems common. Small machine like you describe may go faster, cant say.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 26, 2016 21:39:17 GMT -5
3 heads also tend to help keep the rock moving randomly, 2 head machines are notorious for spinning the partially finished sphere and leaving a nasty round sphere cup "print" in it.
(says the guy with the 2 head machine)
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 26, 2016 23:35:49 GMT -5
I think those tumbler motors may be a little underpowered for 2" spheres. I have a small 2 head machine with a pair of small gear head motors that will handle up to about 1-1/4" spheres. I'll add a pic of the machine in a minute.  |
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Jan 27, 2016 12:25:32 GMT -5
I really like the look of that machine, beautifully made simplicity!
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 27, 2016 12:50:08 GMT -5
I picked that one up at an estate sale for about $25.00. They were made somewhere around the 70's. Don't see them often, but they do show up on ebay from time to time. Usually without the set of different sized cups.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Feb 3, 2016 11:16:05 GMT -5
That photo makes my heart sing. Incredibly overbuilt, beautifully designed. Definitely something to be said for the engineering of old. Is it cast iron?
A Lortone motor will, with the greatest of ease, roll a 12 lb barrel for a few years until dying.
I can't help but think that 3 of them are surely enough power to spin a 2" sphere.
But I've no experience with sphere machines, would love more input from the ball polishers out there!
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jerrys
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2014
Posts: 263 
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Post by jerrys on Feb 3, 2016 11:53:09 GMT -5
I have a two head sphere machine that I use SiC snagging wheels on to get the preform to a rolling round. Then the sphere goes to the three head machine for finishing. One has to watch the two head sphere machine or you'll make an egg.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,722
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Post by Fossilman on Feb 3, 2016 12:07:57 GMT -5
Nice Don!!
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 3, 2016 12:55:09 GMT -5
SirRocksalot, those are heavy aluminum castings from the days before throw away builds came into being. Right now mine is down for new press in oilite bronze bushings & a rewire job. The previous owner had spliced the wires in several places, and just taped them off. I'm going to run all new wires & add a 3rd wire for ground.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Feb 16, 2016 11:22:10 GMT -5
It's soooo cool to see people refurbing the good old machinery. I'm envious of your mechanical skills!
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 566
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Post by vwfence on Feb 19, 2016 10:28:55 GMT -5
What RPM do the motors run at ?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2016 18:58:31 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 20, 2016 21:35:28 GMT -5
Don't know if it gives an RPM on the gear boxes. I'll have to check tomorrow.
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