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[JesseE]

Hi folks-

I'm very new to this (been tumbling a while but want to do more) and I'm trying to figure out, well, a lot, so I hope you can bear with me. I got a cool little combo unit with no logos that seems like it runs fine but sorta don't know what to do next and what I should buy to make it useful. It has a 4 inch trim saw that works pretty dandy, two wheels in the middle on a 3/4 inch arbor, and a threaded 1/2 inch right arbor that came with a larger wheel/stone and a polishing wheel with fabric held on by a spring.

Some direct questions -

I don't want to break anything - is it obvious to any of you how to change the inner wheels?

For the right arbor, it is 1/2 inch but how do you determine the threading? Do any of you have a source for adapters to be able to put a 5/8 inch backer for polishing discs on it? Or a backer with a 1/2inch arbor? One thing I want to do is face polish slabs and chunks and that seems like an option instead of a flat lap.

Any thoughts on how to set this up for cabbing? I would probably need a few more wheels and I'm trying to determine what I do have. But sources for 3/4 inch arbor 4 inch wheels? What are the smaller rings for (they fit a 3/4 arbor)?

The grinding wheel with 1/2 inch arbor isn't threaded, presumably it needs a small set screw?

I tried to provide somewhat informative photos but please let me know what other info I can provide to help folks help me out. Thanks so much, this looks like a great forum for lapidary!

The seller said this in my communication with her during the process. "I have found some more info on the maker from one of my prospecting groups. I was told it was made by Rock's Lapidary from San Antonio Tx but I can't say for sure. The old guy this came from told me they sold them in the PX is where he bought it. If Ray Rock made it, it had to be the early days, some of his very beginning works because there's no logo anywhere."

[bilquest]

I think that's about the cutest little cabbing unit I've ever seen!  As a fellow rockhound who gravitates toward refurbishing the old, tried and proven equipment, I'm envious of the journey you are taking.  First off, like most old equipment, the original manufacturers are long gone.  However, don't despair as most old units can be retro-fitted with newer consumables since they often used standard measures (threading, shaft diameter etc.)  Your local hardware store should be able to help you with various fittings.

Here's what I'm thinking...

Replace the two SC wheels with some new 100/220 diamond Pixie wheels since yours is a 4 incher.  You'll likely need to use some new spacers on the main shaft which can be copper pipe or even PVC.  You might even be able to squeeze in a 3rd wheel. Next, take advantage of that end spindle adapter to install a flat lap.  You'll need a master lap to back it and then get a set of 4" lapping plates off eBay (they're cheap).  Finally, round up a 5 or 6 inch aluminum cake baking pan, about 3" deep, to fabricate your own splash guard for the end plate.

Above all else, take your time and enjoy the process of figuring stuff out... try stuff that sounds right!  I take great pride in my frankenstein shop full of misfit toys, and wouldn't trade my lapidary creatures for any of the newfangled equipment that's out there.  There's not a lot of activity on this forum these days, but there's a huge archive of advice to search through.  The few who still haunt this site are always glad to help as well.  Good luck, and have fun!

[lithicbeads]

Those silicon carbide wheels could be very dangerous. You have to be careful with sic wheels as  they can be cracked in all the years they have been disused. If the wheels were hit or the machine given a big jolt they could have a an invisible crack that allows the wheel to fall apart at speed.Very dangerous. The guard above it may be adequate so that the broken fragment's do not hit you face but they can bounce off the pan or  break your hand.

[JesseE]

Thanks for the tips about the wheels, I'll assume they're not useful and get fresh.

And yes, it's a cute little unit! I'll drag it into the hardware store and see what we can do about it, and thanks for the suggestion on the lap - that's essentially what I was thinking but didn't realize there were products already made for a unit like this.