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Post by greig on Nov 28, 2019 18:29:57 GMT -5
This is probably a really dumb question, but here goes. Can I make a sphere without a sphere machine? I would like to give it a go with a grinder and flat lap. Am I setting myself up for failure? Won't be the first time.
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 28, 2019 19:13:11 GMT -5
Short answer,
Yes
Long answer, it won't be easy.
A friend who has a factory in Madagascar has all kinds of spheres and other shapes made entirely with saws, grinders and polishers. With a flat lap you may have it better. If your lap is fairly robust, like a covington or similar, you might get a single diamond cup and, with your almost sphere preform on top, spin it while using your hand on top of the preform to create random motion to make your sphere. Early sphere makers were adapted flat laps with plumbing fittings full of grit slurry on top of them.
Most of the process of making a sphere happens in the saw anyway, or if you don's have a saw yet start with an agate that's fairly round as a starting point and you should be good.
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Post by pauls on Nov 28, 2019 20:59:45 GMT -5
Yes.
I did it when I was 16, that was a loooong time ago.
I shaped the cube with the saw, then ground the extra points off on the grinder. then used two cups (pipe reducers) filled with silicon carbide. one on the end of the grinder arbor and the other with a bit of broom handle to hold, so basically the same setup as a machine only one cup is rotating though. It wasn't quick but my sphere was extremely accurate.
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Nov 28, 2019 21:12:43 GMT -5
I did similar to Paul but with an electric drill and a cheap chinese made junk socket (Don't remember what I used to hold in hand for the 2nd cup), Silicone carbide grit and a spray bottle. Made it out of sodalite so fairly easy to grind, but came out beautifully.
I suppose you could really call it a marble, it was around an inch diameter.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Nov 30, 2019 16:33:03 GMT -5
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... to the New Guys from The ChatBox V.2 Crew