@70289121 Yep. Had to learn how to braze to do it. The better the brazing job the better it runs. The first few I made were pretty bad - as in throwing marbles out of the machine level bad. The brazing compound comes in rods and has diamond grit in it. Various grades of grit are available. I use coarse (120) and Fine (600) before going to polish.
Glad you like it. It's been through some changes since this video, but the gist of hit has stayed basically the same. I haven't timed it from start to finish, but I'm guessing that for a 1" marble, taking it from raw rock to polished marble is around 6 hours. I generally try to do them in batches though. Cutting the pre-forms from raw rock is messy as heck. (With my setup, it's a little like taking a cutting oil shower.)
Mostly samples I have collected here in Minnesota but I have bought a few samples of hard to find stuff. I have made marbles from basalt, agate, jasper, coprolite, limestone, goldstone (glass with copper), petoskey stone, stromatolite, granite, marble, quartzite, chrysocolla, catlinite (pipestone), binghamite, and other miscellaneous stuff that I have no idea what it is but it looks nice when it's shiny. :-)
Have a question as to how this is made - The machine itself based on two DC motors bolted to hinge-mounted wooden plates. The springs pull the motors into the marble being ground. The grinders are pipe fittings with an abrasive brazed to the side facing the marble. The water drip at the top helps keep things cool and lubricated and prevents dust. This same basic concept can make spheres as big as you like.
Did you braze the cutting material on yourself?
Whats it made of?
70289121 6 months ago
@70289121 Yep. Had to learn how to braze to do it. The better the brazing job the better it runs. The first few I made were pretty bad - as in throwing marbles out of the machine level bad. The brazing compound comes in rods and has diamond grit in it. Various grades of grit are available. I use coarse (120) and Fine (600) before going to polish.
sluggompopeye 5 months ago
This is very cool. How round must a rock be before you can put it in this machine?
Grimgorus 1 year ago
Glad you like it. It's been through some changes since this video, but the gist of hit has stayed basically the same. I haven't timed it from start to finish, but I'm guessing that for a 1" marble, taking it from raw rock to polished marble is around 6 hours. I generally try to do them in batches though. Cutting the pre-forms from raw rock is messy as heck. (With my setup, it's a little like taking a cutting oil shower.)
sluggompopeye 1 year ago
This is cool!
How long does it take to make one marble with this?
I suppose it's dependent on the hardness of the material, right?
raceimaztion 1 year ago
What do you make that marbles from?
TheDudeFromCI 1 year ago
@TheDudeFromCI
Mostly samples I have collected here in Minnesota but I have bought a few samples of hard to find stuff. I have made marbles from basalt, agate, jasper, coprolite, limestone, goldstone (glass with copper), petoskey stone, stromatolite, granite, marble, quartzite, chrysocolla, catlinite (pipestone), binghamite, and other miscellaneous stuff that I have no idea what it is but it looks nice when it's shiny. :-)
sluggompopeye 1 year ago
Have a question as to how this is made - The machine itself based on two DC motors bolted to hinge-mounted wooden plates. The springs pull the motors into the marble being ground. The grinders are pipe fittings with an abrasive brazed to the side facing the marble. The water drip at the top helps keep things cool and lubricated and prevents dust. This same basic concept can make spheres as big as you like.
sluggompopeye 2 years ago
latest version rulez!!!
JackyLum 2 years ago
Could you make a video on how you built this marvelous machine.
franzyland 4 years ago