Lapidaryforum.net
Rock Art => Cabochons, Intarsias, Cameos => Topic started by: ivanhoe on November 27, 2020, 08:29:19 PM
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Just received a Reentel International 6" - 6 wheel arbor. It is sturdy & well made. I will be getting a couple of 6" sintered diamond wheels from Kingsley. 80 & 220 grit. They are heavy compared to the expanding drums to use to accommodate the vacant positions.
My question is what would be the best way to position these wheels? If I set them up on one/side or end the unit would be heavier compared to the opposite side. Even though the machine will be mounted down well would this create a problem?
Would like to hear what others that have similar 6 wheel arbors set up their machines. Any an all assistance & suggestions would very much be appreciated. Thank you very much! IV
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Enjoy your new machine. I've never had or heard of any problems caused by the difference in weight from one side to the other. Had used a 6" set up for years, even though now my situation makes a flatlap the practical thing. Are you going to have discs on either or both ends? If I may ask, what grits are you going to be using on the expanding wheels?
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Missed this, just in case. The usual set up is coarsest grit on the left.
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Enjoy your new machine. I've never had or heard of any problems caused by the difference in weight from one side to the other. Had used a 6" set up for years, even though now my situation makes a flatlap the practical thing. Are you going to have discs on either or both ends? If I may ask, what grits are you going to be using on the expanding wheels?
That's another thought concerning the end discs and having to get to them? I have a couple of single arbors/motors that have discs for prepolishing & polishing. The expanding wheel belt grits will have to be worked out to see what will work the best. I have a few 220 - 400 - 600 - 800 - 1000 for expanding wheels to set up. 1.5 & 2.5". plus One old 1200 crystal ring. For now it will be a project in the works. Glad you asked and thanks for sharing. IV
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The expando(s) that you need access to, should go on the outside and the hard or nova wheels on the inside because you have them out of your way for belt changes. Otherwise, I would use any order you deem suitable. Expandos are about as heavy as any other wheel and nearly always are on the outside without balance or vibration problems. Balancing your wheels to lessen vibration is sometimes useful.
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The expando(s) that you need access to, should go on the outside and the hard or nova wheels on the inside because you have them out of your way for belt changes. Otherwise, I would use any order you deem suitable. Expandos are about as heavy as any other wheel and nearly always are on the outside without balance or vibration problems. Balancing your wheels to lessen vibration is sometimes useful.
This SC is beginning to get the picture. Will probably place the sintered wheels - one on the inside right and one on the inside left to keep most of the weight near the center of unit. Then position the expandos on the outside as suggested to be able to get to the them. You're right on concerning the expando's weight. Thanks for the insight as this SC would no doubt of thought about that. :icon_scratch: IV USAF 62-66
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And if you have the 1000 or 1200 expando wheel, the outside disc(s) can be used for polishing if you want. 🌟
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I just noticed that you have a 6" machine and in that case you could have or get both the wide and narrow expando wheels. That would be desirable if you might use sic belts (cheaper). I had a 6" machine that had a narrow on one end and the wide on the other and the diamond wheels in the middle ranks. Its easy to pop off one on the expandos if you have a special wheel or situation. But those inner ones are just that much less accessible.
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And if you have the 1000 or 1200 expando wheel, the outside disc(s) can be used for polishing if you want. 🌟
Excellent thought .... I'll keep that in mind when I start to set up the stages.
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I just noticed that you have a 6" machine and in that case you could have or get both the wide and narrow expando wheels. That would be desirable if you might use sic belts (cheaper). I had a 6" machine that had a narrow on one end and the wide on the other and the diamond wheels in the middle ranks. Its easy to pop off one on the expandos if you have a special wheel or situation. But those inner ones are just that much less accessible.
Over time I have enough of 1.5 narrow and the 2.5 expandos to experiment with. I'll make sure I keep the expandos on the ends when I start to set up the unit. At present the bushings that came with the unit are a few thousandths bigger than the sintered wheels will allow. So I will have to take a few thousands down to have them fit nicely. With the suggestions that has been offered I have a much better idea on what/how to get the unit set up in best way. :smiley: