jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 2, 2016 21:40:22 GMT -5
I have seen a lot of different ways to polish slabs but this one is for me. Great pictures jamesp, made me realize this is doable. Do you think those grinders would handle the 8" pads and polishing say a 6" slab? Slab faces are only as good as the cut. A poorly adjusted lapidary saw cut can easily require a 100 grit pad and a long time against the wheel. To remove saw marks. About the best you can expect is starting with a 400 grit pad for an absolutely perfectly adjusted lapidary saw and sawing at slowest feed speed. I set my 6 speed Covington to lowest feed speed, and it was a slower than factory speed because I modified it to 4 inches/hour which is crazy slow. That way I went straight to 400 then 800 then 1500. My 3000 face plate was crooked and useless. 4 inch wheels have a 3600 RPM speed. Faster than that starts to melt the rubber. 8 inch wheels probably have an 1800 RPM max speed(or less) to avoid heat build up. No problem running those pads slower, they cut fine. Those Walmart grinders are low on power. Especially on the 100 and 200 grit pads and at only 4 inches. The motor bogs down on 100 and 200 grit due to cutting drag. Believe me, 100 and 200 pads flat out eat some rock. The Walmart grinders are rated for a 5 inch grinding wheel and light duty/low pressure at that. Under powered. You can bear down hard on those pads as long as water is hitting the stone. Which increases abrasion. It takes a fraction of a second for a dry spot to occur which leave a rubber streak. No big deal but long term effect is added wear on pad. Would be best to have center feed water supply. I have polished big faces and slabs with those 4 inch pads but you have to hold the slab very flat. If you allow a slight angle other than flat the edge of the pad will scratch your slab and you have to go back a grit to remove the scratches from the sharp edge. May be better to have a soft backing to avoid the edge problem. Or stick with 3-4 inch slabs. Better yet to have a 12 inch pad ! Where are the big pads !! PS The 3000 grit wheel was not true and caused bouncing. Useless. Need true face plates. I welded mine, hard to get true that way. so I was limited to a 1500 grit polish which is pretty nice. They have a buff pad too(10,000 grit) for a super polish.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 2, 2016 21:56:00 GMT -5
James :I bought my pads on Ebay from the seller Tool4stone . they have faceplates but i didnt buy one as the polisher im going to use came with a face plate plus i have some fleece bonnets with it . by useing the polisher i have either 4 or 5 speeds to work with . I will be finishing up the brackets to mount it here soon and i will send you a picture . The polisher came from harbor freight when they were on sale for less than 30 dollars Great prices great selection at Tool4stone vwfence. Please do photos.Must see.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 2, 2016 21:57:33 GMT -5
Believe they make big pads like those in the OP for grinding/polishing terrazzo floors. Diamond floor buffing pads like a up to a couple feet in diameter. For your really BIG slabs! Very intriguing captbob. Check out new Hurricane pads. They are cheaper. And have needed 200 stage. Available grits: 200-400-800-1500-3000. And appropriate size/cost 11"($20)-13"($23). Those may be the ultimate pads. Not sure how they will do on lapidary slabs with porous construction, but sure looks promising. Especially in keeping them wet with the porous construction. Way to go Bob !! Mr. Burke used to use buffing pads charged with grit at high speeds. The older fellow that got me into lapidary. Did I say "Way to go Bob" !! Fancy emoticons >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New-Hurricane pads: www.diamondtoolstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=114_11&products_id=1500On flat, dense surfaces, the coverage should generally range from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet per pad. 200 Grit - Yellow 400 Grit - Silver 800 Grit - Green 1,500 Grit - Red 3,000 Grit - Black Diameters: 5", 7", 9", 11", 13", 17", 20", 25", 27" Thickness: 1 Inch Max. Speed: 3,000 RPM Use WET or DRY
|
|
vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
|
Post by vwfence on Oct 3, 2016 0:10:59 GMT -5
James :: the pads i bought look like just lie the one at the start of this thread . the diamond is 50 , 100, 200.400,800, and 1500 . they are wet or dry which i ordered that way in case i donr get a shield and the water system to work like i want
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 3, 2016 6:02:58 GMT -5
James :: the pads i bought look like just lie the one at the start of this thread . the diamond is 50 , 100, 200.400,800, and 1500 . they are wet or dry which i ordered that way in case i donr get a shield and the water system to work like i want Never did try using them dry vwfence. How does that work for you ? It took a while to figure out wetting those pads at 3600. Water has to spill just right and operator has to hold work just right. Best would be running them horizontal and dripping water in center and AGAIN with bigger pads to sling water out to rock. captbob's finding-the floor pads have me most interested. At 11-13 inch size and cheap. I think those might fit right in the center of a horizontal lapidary lap with a plug in the center for the center hole in the floor pad to fit thru. Those suckers are designed to do 10,000-20,000 sq ft of terrazzo floor. That is 40,000-80,000 6" X 6" slabs !! You could not wear them out in a lifetime. Terrazzo wears diamond pads quicker than agate because of the sand in it. I know that from pouring kitchen counter concrete and polishing it. It is basically terrazzo. I think I am going to order a 13" 200 pad. $23, no big deal. Or maybe the next size 17 inches. They are rated 3000 RPM. That means they could be directly mounted to an 1100 RPM or 1725 RPM motor turned vertical with a face plate. No pulleys and pillar blocks to mess with.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 3, 2016 6:55:41 GMT -5
Ah ha, 50-150-300-500-1000-2000. 14 inches in diameter. Biggest I ever seen. $50/per grit Guessing pad to be very thick. Last a life time doing lapidary work. Center hole for perfect concentricity alignment, oh yes. Straight out of China but thru Ebay. Ebay: i.ebayimg.com/images/g/gbwAAOSw-itXrcXx/s-l500.jpg
|
|
vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
|
Post by vwfence on Oct 3, 2016 10:19:52 GMT -5
James : so far i havent run totally dry on purpose . I ordered the wet /dry pad in case my experiments went bad it wouldnt burn up the pads . i plan to have the final mount done with the grinder on an angle of about 15 degree's so that the water can be diverted where i want it. I have been looking at different PVC lumber to build the final splash shields and have samples of 2 kind comming to see which one i want to use
|
|
hh5
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 136
|
Post by hh5 on Oct 3, 2016 10:37:55 GMT -5
Great info coming in. Wonder if one could actually use an old floor buffer turned upside down as a horizontal lap.
|
|
vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
|
Post by vwfence on Oct 3, 2016 11:39:42 GMT -5
I have a couple riding lawn mower decks i might try to make into 2 head machines
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2016 13:29:56 GMT -5
Great info coming in. Wonder if one could actually use an old floor buffer turned upside down as a horizontal lap. X2
|
|
|
Post by spiceman on Oct 3, 2016 23:12:24 GMT -5
I have all of you beat, if it's a competition. The place where I buy motors, they have a motor that's about 3 foot in diameter for 800 bucks. It's so big it sets on a large wood skid. Talk about a cab. machine....maybe 20 - 30 different wheels. The biggest motor I've ever seen.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 4, 2016 5:34:17 GMT -5
James : so far i havent run totally dry on purpose . I ordered the wet /dry pad in case my experiments went bad it wouldnt burn up the pads . i plan to have the final mount done with the grinder on an angle of about 15 degree's so that the water can be diverted where i want it. I have been looking at different PVC lumber to build the final splash shields and have samples of 2 kind comming to see which one i want to use Yes, go to the trouble of adding water. Diamond pads work well with water as both a coolant and lubricant.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 4, 2016 5:57:29 GMT -5
Can not remember how I built these face plates. There is a motor sheave incorporated no doubt. A big washer. Left handed 5/8" nuts ? No matter, I would go horizontal lap arrangement. With a water catching bowl. Vertical shaft on 2 pillar blocks driven by 1725 110VAC motor. Water slinger below bowl mounted on vertical shaft. Or however a lapidary lap does it.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 4, 2016 6:08:38 GMT -5
This is an old high speed lap an old timer friend made: Bill Burke would be 95 years old this year. Had a rock shop in Tampa Florida for many years. Master lapidarian. Finally found his photos of a lap that bewildered other lapidarians due to his polishes on his slabs. He travelled the country doing rock shows. He and his wife. He passed at the age of 91. This is his 'pie ring floor buffer pad high speed dry lapper'. Capable of the wettest shine on the softest materials in only 12 hours. Run over night and preferably run outside for dust reasons. His forte was Malachite polished slabs and halves. He was constantly questioned about his fine polishes on hard to polish materials. Machine: 24 inch floor buffing pad at about 1200 RPM. Initially sprayed with water and charged with Alum Ox 80. 10 inch pie rings were laid down on a sheet of glass with non stick sprayed. Slabs laid inside face down. plaster of paris poured over and let dry. Two 10 inch pie rings set in rollers and rollers adjusted and clamped to contain pie rings. Motor switch turned on and room evacuated till morning. Operation: Floor pad spinning fast, driving the pie rings to rotate. Mixed motion at face of rocks as pie rings are driven to rotate on floor pad. Rock dust settles in floor pad being removed from Alum OX 80. AO 80 starts to smooth and imbed in rock dust. End result is rock being polished with it's own dust. Held two 10 inch pie rings. -WARNING, rock dust hazardous to health-
|
|
wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
|
Post by wampidytoo on Oct 4, 2016 9:06:54 GMT -5
Believe they make big pads like those in the OP for grinding/polishing terrazzo floors. Diamond floor buffing pads like a up to a couple feet in diameter. For your really BIG slabs! Very intriguing captbob. Check out new Hurricane pads. They are cheaper. And have needed 200 stage. Available grits: 200-400-800-1500-3000. And appropriate size/cost 11"($20)-13"($23). Those may be the ultimate pads. Not sure how they will do on lapidary slabs with porous construction, but sure looks promising. Especially in keeping them wet with the porous construction. Way to go Bob !! Mr. Burke used to use buffing pads charged with grit at high speeds. The older fellow that got me into lapidary. Did I say "Way to go Bob" !! Fancy emoticons >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New-Hurricane pads: www.diamondtoolstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=114_11&products_id=1500On flat, dense surfaces, the coverage should generally range from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet per pad. 200 Grit - Yellow 400 Grit - Silver 800 Grit - Green 1,500 Grit - Red 3,000 Grit - Black Diameters: 5", 7", 9", 11", 13", 17", 20", 25", 27" Thickness: 1 Inch Max. Speed: 3,000 RPM Use WET or DRY I have been using the pads since day one about six years ago. started with vertical then moved to horizontal powered by a 10" drill press. 4"ers were a pain so moved up to 5" back when that was the biggest ones I could find. Backing pads are factory, mounted of a grinder pedestal, mounted to the deck of the drill press. The water catcher bowl was found at Habitat for Humanity for a couple of bucks. Plexiglass around the rim to help direct water back down to the drain. Water drip is a converted 3 gallon sprayer with a little sprinkler valve attached to the end and the original on off valve locks on and turns off quickly. With the tub that is on it now I am sure I could go up to a 10" pad without having to cut some of the plexiglass back for hand room. All my cutting is done wet except for jade which I have dry pads I use with a really slow water drip so the stone will heat up and polish better. My original plan was to use the one drill press for polishing and drilling but it is such a pain in the but to convert back and forth I bought a second drill press just for drilling. The edge scratches are easy to prevent, in fact I use the edge of the pad to get the scratches out of the center of the slab. Just use a hard stone, file or other metal to tear down the edge of the pad. You can even round off the edge if you work at it hard enough. A picture is worth a thousand words so I will quit babbling and get on with it. First water guard was an angel food cake pan but it turned out to be too small. Questions welcome but either quote or tag me so I will be notified so I do not miss it. Haven't been on here much lately. Jim
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 4, 2016 9:35:05 GMT -5
Never ever thought about using a drill press in such a fashion. Variable speed belt tensioning with swing rest chuck for drive Adjustable height of drive shaft
That is totally cool Jim. Got to think about this. Got an old bench drill press out in the shed collecting rust.
|
|
|
Post by captbob on Oct 4, 2016 9:45:21 GMT -5
A water misting set up is just what you need for such a large pad. Constant mist on pad over a wider area than some drip system.
just sayin'
that will be five bucks
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 4, 2016 17:37:25 GMT -5
A water misting set up is just what you need for such a large pad. Constant mist on pad over a wider area than some drip system. just sayin' that will be five bucksA greenhouse mister would be perfect. Easy to hookup. May have to run a small filter on it, small beans. I ordered one of those diamond floor buffer pads to fool with. 13" X 200 grit. The ones you located, not the rubber pads. Those 14 inch rubber pads are drawing on me. They both have the same center mount holes.
|
|
jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,561
|
Post by jamesp on Oct 4, 2016 17:57:34 GMT -5
"The edge scratches are easy to prevent, in fact I use the edge of the pad to get the scratches out of the center of the slab. Just use a hard stone, file or other metal to tear down the edge of the pad. You can even round off the edge if you work at it hard enough."
Never thought about this trick Jim.
|
|
|
Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 4, 2016 18:12:11 GMT -5
A water misting set up is just what you need for such a large pad. Constant mist on pad over a wider area than some drip system. just sayin' that will be five bucks
Dang, captbob. Only five bucks? I think you are not charging enough for your advice!
|
|