gravelgirl
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2022
Posts: 10
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Post by gravelgirl on Jul 22, 2022 15:20:40 GMT -5
Hey everyone,
I picked up a nice Ryobi Oscillating Spindle sander today for $15 at a garage sale. My original thought was to use the motor for a homemade rock tumbling chest. Then I started to wonder if it could be used as a polisher for cabachons.
Any thoughts before I tear it apart?
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Post by Starguy on Jul 22, 2022 17:24:32 GMT -5
gravelgirlI’m not sure it will work. Inhaled rock dust can be very hard on your lungs. Without some source of water for dust abatement and cooling it might be kind of hard to use. Gryphon makes a spindle machine that works with rock, tile and glass but it has a system for applying recirculated water to the work. It also has diamond spindles which cut reasonably fast. I don’t think you could polish with it though. I use mine for cutting grooves and it came with a bit that would work well for shaping cab preforms but I haven’t tried that yet. Hope that helps. Brent.
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gravelgirl
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2022
Posts: 10
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Post by gravelgirl on Jul 22, 2022 21:58:20 GMT -5
Good point, I’ll probably just harvest the motor then for my tumbler set up. I was just wondering if it was an option for polishing. I’m just starting this hobby so I’ll focus on the tumbler first then possibly worry about getting a polishing setup. I do have a grinder with the polishing discs so I’m not completely without options.
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Post by liveoak on Jul 24, 2022 6:06:40 GMT -5
I've used a 1" X 30" belt sander gravelgirl, and was able to rig up a sponge to keep the belt & rock wet enough. Only thing is that the working part of the belt & where the sponge is, isn't directly above the motor.
I suspect the spindle sander has the motor right under the spindle, so you'd have to be more creative then my sponge idea.
The other thing, is if belts are available for the spindle that are fine enough ?
The 1 X 30 size is regularly used by knife makers, so plenty available.
Patty
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gravelgirl
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2022
Posts: 10
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Post by gravelgirl on Jul 30, 2022 17:29:33 GMT -5
Thanks Patty, I think I’m just going to use the motor and when I’m ready to learn more lapidary skills I’ll rig up a flat lap.
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