Upgrading My Machines, From 35-Year Hiatus! Need Advice.
Mar 5, 2021 14:20:26 GMT -5
superioragate likes this
Post by rocksgoblue on Mar 5, 2021 14:20:26 GMT -5
As a newbie, I haven't yet figured out how to navigate this extensive (but informative) RTH website, but I do have several burning questions about upgrading my old lapidary equipment ASAP, and I don't know how to look it up here. So here they are (and I tend to be verbose, sorry!):
WHAT I CURRENTLY HAVE: my rock machines were all literally turned off (by me) in 1986, and never run again until December 2020. When I turned them on, all motors worked (!) except for one start capacitor. Facts: I'm not knowledgeable about arbor speeds, and I'd love to work with picture jaspers and agates, polishing whole slabs and large chunks.
1. My grinding unit is an old (1960's?) aqua-colored hefty "STAR" arbor unit with splash guard, one that holds two (2) six-inch vertical wheels (1 wheel on each side), with a shallow water well (all cast aluminum or white metal). No overhead water feed, but a small Texas-shaped electric water pump that weakly squirts a little water upwards. I have one #100 grit and one #600 grit wheel; both are 1984 Crystalite "Crystalring" 6 x 1.5" diamond wheels and still in very good shape. Except for the water set-up (any suggestions?), this unit does not look like it needs any upgrading.
2. My sanding unit is an old (1960's?) cast aluminum horizontal 6-inch "Gemlap" (Ferndale, MI) lapping unit that appears to still be sturdy and useful. In 1984, I had converted to all Crystalite products using diamond compound, using dedicated 6-inch Flexodiscs with Crystalpads in #325, #1200, and #50,000 mesh. I had cut down the shaft and I use a shaft adapter to hold my screw-back flexodiscs, so I don't have a centerhole issue. However, if needed, I can still bolt on and use the old wooden discs with sandpaper and polishing pads. My 2021 problem is that all my 1984 diamond compound has gone funky and the Crystalpads have dried out. SO I need to either buy more more diamond compound supplies, or re-evaluate my whole set-up; so I am re-evaluating.
3. Back then, I was only making oval cabs, 30x40 or smaller. Now, I want to polish whole slabs and saw-heels, essentially larger flats. My existing grinding wheels are too small for large flats. To upgrade, in Cost versus My Time, I would rather save my time; however, I am not wealthy or stupid. I need some experienced advice.
MY UPGRADE QUESTIONS:
1. Diamond Discs (each grit) vs. Compound/Paste? - Even though I am currently configured for diamond compound, I'm leaning toward buying new dedicated discs for each grit, as I've heard that I would use up much more compound with large flats. Also, I'm lazy, and it sounds like using discs removes most guesswork, mess, and maintenance of applying paste. Your opinions?
2. Full Face vs Arbor Hole? - I'm planning on 6-inch full-face to accommodate large flats. And I know that 8-inch is better than 6, but everything I already have is 6 inch. Your opinions?
3. Backing: Peel-n-Stick vs Magnetic vs Screwback Metal Disc?: I'm leaning toward screwback dedicated metal discs, because it sounds more idiotproof than other options. But I do already have six Flexodiscs that I could re-purpose for magnetic or peel-n-stick. Does it matter if I order steel or aluminum discs, especially if they are Chinese made? Does magnetic actually work if I apply a lot of pressure? Does it matter if they are resin-coated or electroplated or nickel electroplated or something else? Thickness? Has anyone out there tried this?
4. USA-made vs Chinese or Other-made? - I read on some older threads that Chinese-made diamond discs actually have a lot more diamond on them, and thus last longer. Is this still true? Has anyone bought diamond discs from Hanstech? Advice?
5. Which Grits Should I Buy For Diamond Grinding and then Sanding (smoothing) Discs? - My existing 6-inch vertical Crystalring wheels won't help me to grind down sawmarks evenly, or to flatten larger agates and jaspers for subsequent sanding and polishing, so I will need something that is flat and aggressive for grinding, and then something relatively quick for sanding. Any advice on channel, textured, or sintered discs for grinding large flats? Which specific # grits do I really need, as these discs are not cheap?
6. For Polishing, I have lots powders (cerium, tin, etc) that I have accumulated, so I plan to use leather, felt, etc. Are these superior to just using diamond? Thanks!
WHAT I CURRENTLY HAVE: my rock machines were all literally turned off (by me) in 1986, and never run again until December 2020. When I turned them on, all motors worked (!) except for one start capacitor. Facts: I'm not knowledgeable about arbor speeds, and I'd love to work with picture jaspers and agates, polishing whole slabs and large chunks.
1. My grinding unit is an old (1960's?) aqua-colored hefty "STAR" arbor unit with splash guard, one that holds two (2) six-inch vertical wheels (1 wheel on each side), with a shallow water well (all cast aluminum or white metal). No overhead water feed, but a small Texas-shaped electric water pump that weakly squirts a little water upwards. I have one #100 grit and one #600 grit wheel; both are 1984 Crystalite "Crystalring" 6 x 1.5" diamond wheels and still in very good shape. Except for the water set-up (any suggestions?), this unit does not look like it needs any upgrading.
2. My sanding unit is an old (1960's?) cast aluminum horizontal 6-inch "Gemlap" (Ferndale, MI) lapping unit that appears to still be sturdy and useful. In 1984, I had converted to all Crystalite products using diamond compound, using dedicated 6-inch Flexodiscs with Crystalpads in #325, #1200, and #50,000 mesh. I had cut down the shaft and I use a shaft adapter to hold my screw-back flexodiscs, so I don't have a centerhole issue. However, if needed, I can still bolt on and use the old wooden discs with sandpaper and polishing pads. My 2021 problem is that all my 1984 diamond compound has gone funky and the Crystalpads have dried out. SO I need to either buy more more diamond compound supplies, or re-evaluate my whole set-up; so I am re-evaluating.
3. Back then, I was only making oval cabs, 30x40 or smaller. Now, I want to polish whole slabs and saw-heels, essentially larger flats. My existing grinding wheels are too small for large flats. To upgrade, in Cost versus My Time, I would rather save my time; however, I am not wealthy or stupid. I need some experienced advice.
MY UPGRADE QUESTIONS:
1. Diamond Discs (each grit) vs. Compound/Paste? - Even though I am currently configured for diamond compound, I'm leaning toward buying new dedicated discs for each grit, as I've heard that I would use up much more compound with large flats. Also, I'm lazy, and it sounds like using discs removes most guesswork, mess, and maintenance of applying paste. Your opinions?
2. Full Face vs Arbor Hole? - I'm planning on 6-inch full-face to accommodate large flats. And I know that 8-inch is better than 6, but everything I already have is 6 inch. Your opinions?
3. Backing: Peel-n-Stick vs Magnetic vs Screwback Metal Disc?: I'm leaning toward screwback dedicated metal discs, because it sounds more idiotproof than other options. But I do already have six Flexodiscs that I could re-purpose for magnetic or peel-n-stick. Does it matter if I order steel or aluminum discs, especially if they are Chinese made? Does magnetic actually work if I apply a lot of pressure? Does it matter if they are resin-coated or electroplated or nickel electroplated or something else? Thickness? Has anyone out there tried this?
4. USA-made vs Chinese or Other-made? - I read on some older threads that Chinese-made diamond discs actually have a lot more diamond on them, and thus last longer. Is this still true? Has anyone bought diamond discs from Hanstech? Advice?
5. Which Grits Should I Buy For Diamond Grinding and then Sanding (smoothing) Discs? - My existing 6-inch vertical Crystalring wheels won't help me to grind down sawmarks evenly, or to flatten larger agates and jaspers for subsequent sanding and polishing, so I will need something that is flat and aggressive for grinding, and then something relatively quick for sanding. Any advice on channel, textured, or sintered discs for grinding large flats? Which specific # grits do I really need, as these discs are not cheap?
6. For Polishing, I have lots powders (cerium, tin, etc) that I have accumulated, so I plan to use leather, felt, etc. Are these superior to just using diamond? Thanks!