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tilpadarling
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Joined: 01/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4

Posted: 06:31am 04 Nov 2011

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Hi,

Looking for assistance or even a suggestion of where else to look?

I'm on a disability pension, live in Eastern suburbs of Sydney.

I want to make a "machine" powered by and old treadle sewing machine mechanism (have the whole sewing machine, belt on the way). It will be used to cut and polish opal (I can get supplies of sort of ok rough cheap). The whole idea is to create an ocupation and income for myself and get off the DSP. I also have a small grinder unit. I know how it should all go together but don't have tools or expertise. someone else might also have better ideas for improvement. I cannot afford a powered purpose built unit and the noise would be a huge problem also. The local lapidary club is restrictive in hours/availability and transport to and from is a problem.

Certainly anyone who would help I would at the very least cut and polish a couple of stones for and can set them in sterling silver or silver plated settings also.

As I said any help or even a suggestion of where to find someone handy enough and generous enough to help would be wonderful.

Thanks

Rastus

Guru

Joined: 29/10/2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 301

Posted: 01:07pm 04 Nov 2011

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Hi Tilpadarling,
Welcome to the forum!You've mentioned that "you know how it should all go together" could you please provide those details?Then we will start to grasp what you intend to do.I only have limited knowledge of stone polishing and cutting and the machines used.There are a lot of forum members so you may be cutting and polishing stones as thankyou's for a "long" time!!!I'm not trying to scare you off!Cheers Rastus

see Rastus graduate advise generously

tilpadarling
Newbie

Joined: 01/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4

Posted: 10:38pm 04 Nov 2011

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Hi Rastus,

Thanks for the smile to start off my day. I may have to do this post in two (or more) parts as I have to go out and my writing is not keeping up with my thoughts.
A demo on opal cutting can be seen here
http://www.blackopaldirect.com/page/lightning-ridge/no-sub-c ategory/

Opal cutting and polishing machines as examples go to
http://gemcuts.com.au/prod313.htm
as you will see they are basically bench grinding units fitted with multi wheels (varying grits) and they have a water supply to run over the stone. The power supply is a motor which drives via a belt (to avoid the water). I'm not sure how fast they run but "speed" is not vital it just makes the process quicker, in fact sometimes that is counter productive (too easy to grind off too much).

I know that "back in the old days" manual units were used as when I was in Lightning Ridge I was told about an old cutter who used a modified bicycle powered unit.
So one thought is to attach the drive belt from the treadle to my small hobby grinder http://www.hobbytools.com.au/prod1290.htm . Better thought to a shaft unit that can have a 6" grinding wheel (a bigger wheel would be better and easier to get replacements/better grit stones for).
I don't need multi wheels as I can get attachments for the flex shaft in the fine grits, so long as the flex shaft can be attached to the grinder.
I wont need huge water supplies as I would be working at lower speeds and therefore generating less heat.

I don't think I'm doing very well here in explaining! I wish I had a scanner then I could draw a picture.

Issues/to dos that occur to me without even discussing this with someone more adept than myself.
1) Removing the "sewing machine" from the table means a new top is needed to hold the grinder as the sew section is all one piece.
2) The flex shaft attached to the small grinder runs in the wrong direction throwing dust and residue up not down. How to attach this unit either to a different shaft or at the other side of the existing hobby grinder and therefore change the rotation? Ideally I would also like to be able to have a stand to hold the flex handset in place when needed to allow two handed manipulation of the opal.
3) some sort of water deflection/collection unit (I think a 20 litre plastic container like those for bulk detergents could be cut to do this, with a tube leading to a bucket)I wont be using as much water and stopping to empty the bucket isn't an issue. I can spray the stone or opal with water so don't need a fancy delivery system.

I can scrounge around for needed "bits and bobs" but this of course might mean someone helping me saying "ok we need a ...before we go further" and me having to go find that i.e. come back another day (or two or three or ...). LOL at the moment we need to wait until I can go pick up the sewing machine, that was supposed to happen today but the ute rental people double booked and I am the loser!

Gotta point out......for a hands on helper I will give opal or cash....I don't have the resources to pay for suggestions. I didn't think you were serious (gulp).

I have to go and get ready to go out.

thanks again for the reply

Rastus

Guru

Joined: 29/10/2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 301

Posted: 01:46pm 05 Nov 2011

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Hi Tilpadarling,
Treadle power was common for grinding and other mechanical opperations before electricity became convenient and people less inclined towards physical labor.The sewing machine rotates from high to low with the machinist sitting at the table.This is the desired direction for grinding.The treadle pulley has a slip grouve that allowed the machinist to dissengage and engage the belt while continueing to peddle.A bit like a clutch,it helped to keep the momentum going.Gravity fed water can stop the wheel and stone from loading up and keep both hands free.Plastic splash guards could easily be made although you could just put some flippers,swimmers,goggles and snorkel on!Just depends on how well you get on with your neighbours.Cheers Rastus

see Rastus graduate advise generously

Rastus

Guru

Joined: 29/10/2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 301

Posted: 12:09pm 06 Nov 2011

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Hi Tilpadarling,
The thought has occurred to me that a lot of councils have community sheds for blokes to get together to make things.It could be very helpfull to you,they provide tools and a home for your project while it developes.Might be worth looking into?Cheers Rastus

see Rastus graduate advise generously

mac46

Guru

Joined: 07/02/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 412

Posted: 12:20pm 06 Nov 2011

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Hi Tilpadarling,

Welcome to the Back Shed forum,
Tredel machines can and will run in reverse...thus solveing the rotation problem. A large roaster pan may be selected to set down inside the machines frame after the sewing machine is removed,(some roaster pans are squareish), and will be great for collecting the cooling water, and raised screen in the borrom of the pan will help because of the very fine mudd like particals that accumulate. Remove and clean occasionally, and this will allow a place to set the "sump", or inlet for the small water pump. Lots of light close by would be a plus, so a vertical rod or post for this would be needed.
Just some ideas and thoughts. Good luck with you'r project.
Kind reguards,
Mac46

I'm just a farmer

tilpadarling
Newbie

Joined: 01/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4

Posted: 07:55pm 06 Nov 2011

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Hi Rastus and Mac,

Rastus, I will get onto contacting my local council (and then every council within greater Sydney metro if needed). Thanks very much

, it would never have occured to me.

Mac thank you very much too

, the idea about the pan sounds awesome. I have the vertical, it is from a dremel and I had thought it would be good to suspend a small water bottle to trickle feed, so thanks for the confirmation(hope our genius proves correct). I also knew that treadles can do the reverse thing and was looking at that as a nuisance as I recall as a child trying to use grannies machine and having coordination issues trying to keep it going one way. In this case big big duh I had never thought that it actually helps!

The Tilpa and the Darling is from a place...Tilpa on the Darling River.....I don't have tickets on myself

...just thought I would point that out as a visiting friend is still rofl about the name.

Any more thoughts/input would be wildly appreciated.

tilpadarling
Newbie

Joined: 01/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4

Posted: 08:02pm 06 Nov 2011

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Again,

Oh Mac just read again, you were thinking of a vertical for the light?? I will be working near a huge window so hopefully natural light will be sufficient, if not (and I guess for night work) another vertical will be the way to go.

mac46

Guru

Joined: 07/02/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 412

Posted: 11:53pm 06 Nov 2011

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tilpadarling,

Yes, there will always be cloudy days, and fine accurate work requires lots of light to be able to see what you are doing. By the way, I don't require any payment or reinbursments of any kind what so ever...just glad to be of some help.
"Thank you", for the thank you, thats always nice, people don't seem to say it much any more.
Kind reguards,

Mac46

I'm just a farmer

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