Lapidaryforum.net

Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => Fixing, Modifying and Refurbishing your Lapidary Equipment => Topic started by: MurphyStone on September 07, 2017, 07:13:41 AM

Title: Homemade polisher
Post by: MurphyStone on September 07, 2017, 07:13:41 AM

I was asked about this in my recent cab thead.  Hopefully the pics explain it.  Very simply quick hour project the other afternoon, not the prettiest but it works well.  The wheel is just an 11" clock face with rubber backed carpet glued to it.  I am not even using bearings on the shaft, they are just old bushing pillow blocks that i scavenged from something.  The only thing bought new and not found for free was the trash can i cut the bottom off to make the splash gaurd
(http://i.imgur.com/xvpyEq0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xOzMNqF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8VE5Drx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wtOMeTx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9O8Tdtw.jpg)

Title: Re: Homemade polisher
Post by: lithicbeads on September 07, 2017, 08:53:01 AM

Looks good but you might think about a guard over the belt and sheave.

Title: Re: Homemade polisher
Post by: bobby1 on September 07, 2017, 10:33:08 AM

I have a home made polisher that I have been using for many decades that uses a low knap office carpet for the polishing surface. Mine turns at about 275 rpm so I don't need a splash guard. The carpet retains much more polish and water so it polishes very quickly.
Bob

Title: Re: Homemade polisher
Post by: MurphyStone on September 07, 2017, 10:51:17 AM

Quote from: bobby1 on September 07, 2017, 10:33:08 AM

I have a home made polisher that I have been using for many decades that uses a low knap office carpet for the polishing surface. Mine turns at about 275 rpm so I don't need a splash guard. The carpet retains much more polish and water so it polishes very quickly.
Bob

I calculated this at about 400,  I might pick up a bigger pulley and try it sometime as well. 

Title: Re: Homemade polisher
Post by: MurphyStone on September 07, 2017, 10:52:49 AM

Quote from: lithicbeads on September 07, 2017, 08:53:01 AM

Looks good but you might think about a guard over the belt and sheave.

But then it wouldn't match all my other 70's era equipment with exposed belt ;)

serious thanks though, i wouldn;t want my daughters hair or anything caught up in it watching dad.

Title: Re: Homemade polisher
Post by: lithicbeads on September 07, 2017, 03:00:10 PM

 I never have gotten my hair or clothes stuck in a machine but did get my hair stuck in a rappel device on a mountain once. I learned that you can actually break your neck that way if your not lucky. My Dad lost half his fingers in a machine in a paper mill so the risk is very real to me.