wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39 
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Post by wader on Nov 5, 2017 19:58:19 GMT -5
After I got a truckload of core samples, I wondered what I could do with them. I probably should have thought about it first, but then I probably wouldn't have made my machine. I made a jig to cut the core samples into sphere preforms with my tile saw. After making a bunch of 2" spheres, I started making larger spheres from local stones I've collected. This is the latest. It's a 6" sphere.  |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 5, 2017 20:50:50 GMT -5
That looks great. How did you come into a truckload of core samples?
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 5, 2017 21:45:55 GMT -5
A friend of mine works for a mining company, and told me they were getting rid of a bunch of old core samples to make room for new ones. They were using them to fill a hole on the property. Lol. I grabbed as many as I could. I'm trying to get a piece of this core sample that looks like Jupiter. I'll try to post the picture.
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 5, 2017 21:48:56 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2017 23:06:52 GMT -5
The title of the thread is homemade sphere machine and you show us rocks? Well, thanks for the rock picks. Geez!  |
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 5, 2017 23:56:10 GMT -5
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 5, 2017 23:59:21 GMT -5
 I can't get the video to upload. I'll try something else. Here is a screenshot |
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 6, 2017 0:07:53 GMT -5
Here's a quick vid of my machine in action on a 3" rose quartz sphere
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 6, 2017 0:08:30 GMT -5
Here's a quick vid of my machine in action on a 3" rose quartz sphere
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 0:09:18 GMT -5
Well, that's pretty nice there wader! What backer you using for the granite pads? Rpm looks like, perhaps, 300ish? Thanks for sharing and I hope you know, teasing, mostly..... Thanks again! |
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 6, 2017 9:10:40 GMT -5
Well, that's pretty nice there wader ! What backer you using for the granite pads? Rpm looks like, perhaps, 300ish? Thanks for sharing and I hope you know, teasing, mostly..... Thanks again! Got the diamond pad sets on eBay with 5/8x11 Velcro backer pads, really easy to switch out. I modified them and the pads by slicing from the centre to 3/4 out to allow for the curve. I reduced the rpm down to around 400, little fast for the rough preforms, but once things smooth out it's about 10-15 mins a grit, depending on material. I made smaller cups from pvc reducers and ground a radius on the front. Hot glued some Velcro on and use segments of the diamond pads. |
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 6, 2017 9:55:16 GMT -5
Here's a 4" Serpentine sphere
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Post by oregon on Nov 6, 2017 12:05:23 GMT -5
I reduced the rpm down to around 400, little fast for the rough preforms.... So what sort of cups do you run for the rough grind at that speed to keep things under control? |
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loot
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2017
Posts: 111
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Post by loot on Nov 6, 2017 13:13:17 GMT -5
Interested in selling any of those core samples? ;-) Always looking for more material.
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loot
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2017
Posts: 111
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Post by loot on Nov 6, 2017 13:14:07 GMT -5
And nice build by the way. Seems large, but definitely beefy.
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 6, 2017 14:36:07 GMT -5
I reduced the rpm down to around 400, little fast for the rough preforms.... So what sort of cups do you run for the rough grind at that speed to keep things under control? For my larger spheres, 4"+, I use a set of 4" cup wheel grinders to get them round. Usually about 5 minutes. Then switch to the diamond pads. I keep the pressure light, and with angle on my heads pointing up slightly, it usually stays in place fine. Once they round out, I increase the pressure. Smaller ones I just make sure the preforms are fairly round and haven't had any issues. |
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 6, 2017 14:37:34 GMT -5
And nice build by the way. Seems large, but definitely beefy. Yeah, it's a bit of a pig, but I figure it can handle a 12" sphere |
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loot
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2017
Posts: 111
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Post by loot on Nov 6, 2017 15:22:12 GMT -5
And nice build by the way. Seems large, but definitely beefy. Yeah, it's a bit of a pig, but I figure it can handle a 12" sphere Some would even call it "skookem as frig" ;-) |
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2017 16:15:36 GMT -5
And nice build by the way. Seems large, but definitely beefy. Yeah, it's a bit of a pig, but I figure it can handle a 12" sphere You have enough adjustment to move the cups that far back? That's pretty cool! |
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wader
starting to shine!
Member since November 2017
Posts: 39
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Post by wader on Nov 6, 2017 16:57:10 GMT -5
Yeah, it's a bit of a pig, but I figure it can handle a 12" sphere You have enough adjustment to move the cups that far back? That's pretty cool! I can actually fit a 24" sphere, but would probably turn the thing into a pile of splinters from the weight!😳 |
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