rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,035
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Post by rockbrain on Jan 25, 2022 14:08:07 GMT -5
I'm wanting a six-wheel cab machine. I'm starting to think my best bet is to convert something I already have. My first choice is this 6-in Beacon Star machine. I can put one wheel where the buffer pad gets. If I flip the bearing to the other side of the brace and change the pulley to a single pulley I can fit four wheels in the center section with just over a half inch space in between them. This sixth wheel would go where the expanding drum is. I'm leaving towards the other machine. The 8-in Diamond Star beast. Kind of the same thing. I can fit one wheel in the first section. One where the buffer wheel is. And four in the main section with an inch in between the wheels. The 6-in machine would be a little more portable. But I think I have a decent place to set this up and that's a pretty smooth running machine. The other thing I'm considering is building a new base and using the shaft. That actually wouldn't be very difficult to do. I have a full sheet metal and stainless steel fabrication shop and also have welders and cutters to work with structural steel. Anyone see any issues with this? Comment suggestions?
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nik
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2019
Posts: 315
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Post by nik on Jan 26, 2022 4:11:41 GMT -5
There is nothing inherently wrong with either plan, although if you are going to go the route of a custom enclosure, you might as well take the next few steps and build exactly what you want. As an aside, 0.5 or even 1 inch between wheels sounds way too close for my liking. And just to be that guy, and encourage more unique machines in the world... forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/94361/I built this beast about a year ago, and aside from not fitting through doors and needing two people to move, I love it. Although, if I were to do it again with more constraint on space and budget, I would go with 2 or 3 hard wheels, a pair of expanding drums, and a polishing head/flat lap.
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Post by Peruano on Jan 26, 2022 7:28:20 GMT -5
Having at least one expando gives you an infinite number of wheels. Sic belts are cheap; and diamond belts last a long time so there is no reason not to try to have one expando (easier on the Star Diamond rig, or your custom design). I have an extra shaft for your 6" star diamond machine if you decide you want to build another one of similar dimensions. Shipping would be the only issue.
As someone who foolishly is working 3 cab machines at present, trying to decide how to refurbish or build them up, I have a strong preference for designs that let you get to (change out) one or more wheels. Depending on how much you use the machine, wheels wear out and need to be replaced. If that wheel is inside a bearing its a bigger task than just removing a nut and a couple of washer (i.e. a virtual teardown). So the ends of the arbor should be configured to hold the wheels most likely to be replaced because of wear or because of special needs or circumstances. Other than that its free style as to wheel choice, placement, and spacing.
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Post by stardiamond on Jan 26, 2022 13:06:34 GMT -5
[href="https://imgbox.com/7iGACutn"] I bought this for $200 and it looked pretty much is it is now. It came with worn 80 and 220 Galaxy. It got me started and then I bought a Genie. I then decided to add wheels to the SD and ended up with 80,220 hard, 220/280 soft, 600 and 1200 soft. I continued to use the Genie for pre-polishing. I could possible remove the divider on the left side and add another wheel. I bashed a hole in the face under the 80/220 and slid in a genie tray that will move across all the wheels and use aquarium pumps and geysers for cooling. Mine is set up for a saw but wasn't included.
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
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Post by vwfence on Jan 26, 2022 15:17:01 GMT -5
Im curious that if you have the 2 machines you dont just use different grits on them both and that still gives you 8 or 9 wheels and a flat to work with
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Post by stardiamond on Jan 26, 2022 15:31:35 GMT -5
I'm only using the SD for 600 and 1200 now. I have replacement wheels for 80, 220 hard and 220 soft. I have a second right adapter for the Genie. Starting with 80 grit aggressive right hand, 80 grit worn 220 grit 280 grit left hand, 220 grit soft and 325 grit soft right hand 600 1200 soft on sd, 3000, 7500, 50,000 right hand adapter. 11 wheels total. The 80 grit on the rad is aggressive, the 80 grit on the lad is worn. I found that an aggressive 6 inch 80 grit cuts as fast as an 80 grit 8 inch and I spend most of my time on the two 6inch 80's.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,035
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Post by rockbrain on Jan 26, 2022 16:22:53 GMT -5
Great input. Just the kind of stuff I was looking for. Nic your build is inspirational. Peruano I was looking to get rid of the expando. I haven't loved it but it's probably because mine has a bit of an issue. It must be a little catawampus as it vibrates on the right side. I'm reevaluating that. I'm also very interested in the SB shaft. Let me figure out what im going to do and then I'll let you know. Stardiamond, looks like we've got the same machine. I got lucky and picked mine up for $100 with the saw. Did you remove the brace between the 2nd and 3rd wheel or did yours not have one? I can see the divider piece from the top hood that comes down to meet it. The tray and spray idea is good too. I can make a little stainless steel tray that would drop right in.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,035
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Post by rockbrain on Jan 26, 2022 16:25:19 GMT -5
Im curious that if you have the 2 machines you dont just use different grits on them both and that still gives you 8 or 9 wheels and a flat to work with That's certainly a thought too. The main issue is I didn't know if I wanted to jump back and forth betwee 6" and 8". Of course, I could put 6" wheels on the 8" machine. Also, If I fix up one machine for me I can do the other one to sell and buy more wheels!
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Post by stardiamond on Jan 26, 2022 17:33:45 GMT -5
Great input. Just the kind of stuff I was looking for. Nic your build is inspirational. Peruano I was looking to get rid of the expando. I haven't loved it but it's probably because mine has a bit of an issue. It must be a little catawampus as it vibrates on the right side. I'm reevaluating that. I'm also very interested in the SB shaft. Let me figure out what im going to do and then I'll let you know. Stardiamond, looks like we've got the same machine. I got lucky and picked mine up for $100 with the saw. Did you remove the brace between the 2nd and 3rd wheel or did yours not have one? I can see the divider piece from the top hood that comes down to meet it. The tray and spray idea is good too. I can make a little stainless steel tray that would drop right in. I removed the brace. I used a Genie tray so I needed to make a hole for it. I also bought some Titan spacers from DP. The area under the wheels was rusted out and replaced with fiberglass. That is one reason I went with the tray and sprayers. The issue is changing wheels. I have a variety of spacers to get everything to line up. I loosen the belt, remove the top bolts, and the set screw on the end. I then take everything apart keeping everything on the shaft in sequence. Change each old wheel for a new wheel and then put back on the shaft in the same sequence. I don't have a problem going between 8 and 6 or c curves. The 8 makes them larger and the 6 works within the curve made by the 8. Now I start with 6 and go to the 8 for 600 and 1200 and don't have a problem sanding the curves.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,035
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Post by rockbrain on Feb 2, 2022 18:33:22 GMT -5
Looks like I've got some more options. Someone I work with just dropped off this highland Park machine that he is no longer using. It looks like I'm going to go with 8-in wheels. I'll probably go ahead and order two hard wheels and stick them on this machine and then figure out how I want to set the other one up.
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