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[MSKreitzer]

Long time reader of this forum, first time posting anything, and I need some help.

My wife is in the gemstone/jewelery making business, and she recently decided it would be to her benefit to utilize the rough gemstone source she has. So we looked on craigslist for a lapidary workstation that had mostly everything we would need to get started. This is what we found for a few hundred bucks:



It  needs work, but it really has potential. I am an electrician, and any motor/wiring work will all be taken care of no problem. The problem i am having is what type of belts/blades/expandable wheels/posishing wheels to get as a replacement? The belt sanders had only one belt attached and it has no legible markings on it. It is 3in wide by 12in flat, does that mean it is a 12in belt, or a 24in?



The rotary sander works fine, im just not sure what expandable wheels are for. Are they for polishing? What type and grit should I use?



The saw looks like it needs the most work. There was a 12in MK diamond professional blade still installed, but its pretty rusted. I want to replace the shaft/axle setup as its berrings are shot, and the pully end of the shaft is pretty stripped from excessive use. Where can i get one? Also what type of blade should a beginner use? I was planning on just diving into the $150-200 range because I might as well get the most longevity and learn on the best blades, right? Please correct me if im wrong.

I would like a blade guard, but I cannot source one out. It looks like I will have to fabricate something. And I might as well install an auto-feed and a plexiglass shroud/shield while im at it.




The entire system had 1/4" copper line running across the tops of the different equipment, connecting them together with "T" fittings and valves for each unit. It looked like a good setup, and i can use the existing reserviours, just need new copper line and fittings. I plan on using a basin underneath the setup to collect the fluid and house the pump. I was just going to use some cheese cloth as a filter, should I do more? Also, how are big saws like this one equiped with a drip system? I was planning on incorporating it into the shroud/shield i fabricate.

Any input on our project would be greatly appreciated. I value this forum's opinions and look forward to hearing from anyone interested.

Thanks!

[jakesrocks]

The 2 belt sanders look like Covington units with someones name covering the Covington name. A Covington catalog will have the belts you need.

The drum looks like an 8" X 3". Covington will also have belts for that. The expando drum is mounted backwards. You'll want to remove it & turn it around. Belts won't stay on the way it's mounted.

The saw looks like it may be a home built. More pics of that would help us help you.

[MSKreitzer]

[freeformcabs]

Nice! The whole things looks pretty well made unique oneofakind units.  I agree withe Jake, covington-like belt sanders. like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/200477285655?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

That unit Uses 3" x 24" size belts so that is a good place to start. You can purchase open ended silicon belt rolls and create any length if you know about gluing your own seams.

My guess on the expand-o drum is an 8in like Jake said;
http://www.kingsleynorth.com/skshop/product.php?id=46672&catID=814

With the set up look,I suspect the belt machines would use a heavy grit/s and the expando be for fine sanding, pre polishing sizes.
The homemade saw looks like it might fit a 10inch blade. Hope this helps in the right direction.

[MSKreitzer]

Reviving my old post:

I have finally had the time to get this setup working. All electrical work was easy, and luckily all motors were still in working condition.

For the saw I got an MK 303 10in blade. Although it will fit a 12in, I figured I would learn on the smaller, less expensive, blade. I am going to make a plexiglass housing to cover the side with the saw belt. Then another housing "cap" to cover the saw. I really like the auto feed system on the more expensive saws. But is it necessary?

The Covington belt sanders have 3 x 24in silicon carbide 80 and 220 grit. The expando wheel has 3 x 8in silicon carbide 400 grit. All sanders have 3/8in poly tubing with quick connect fittings and valves. A 5 gal bucket houses a small 70 gph pump and all drain hoses are 1/2 in ID. I purchased CRL Diamond Tool Coolant concentrate to mix with water for the cutting fluid. I will update this post with my review of the sump system.

I dont know what is on the other side of the arbor, on the end. Some guidance here would be great. It does have a drip pan and i plumbed it to the bucket but it did not have any water lines ran to it originally, and I did not install one.

Pics will come next.

[Slabbercabber]

The other end of the arbor is a flat polishing lap.  It is meant to have leather or fabric attached to hold whatever polishing media is used for the final polish.  The one thing missing is a hard wheel.  Just my opinion, but I would remove the flat lap and put a 100 grit diamond wheel there, then put a leather belt on one of the sanding units for polishing.  That would leave you with one sander for flat surfaces and the expando for all other sanding.  Eventually you will want a second finer hard wheel but you definitely need one to start.

[likesrocks]

Looks like a lot of machine for a little money! You certainly handy enough to get up and running! Good luck and nice find! Getting your rig together and tuned up is half the fun of this endeavor!!