Polishing Castings

[Joey Reich]

I have been grinding and polishing the lips of some castings using an air powered rotary tool that i think was origionally purchased from His Glassworks. The origional use for the tool was to polish the curved edge of aircraft. It has a "bladder: that expands to about five inches and a little plastic shield to protect the user from splatter. We have been using belts from 120 to 400 on it. The tool has been used a lot for a long time and it is about to go. I was wondering what tools other people use to grind and polish parts of large castings. Does anyone know where to purchase something like what i am describing, or another similar tool? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks
--Joey

[Joey Reich]

I found a name, it is a dynacushion from dynabrade inc

[Henry Halem]

Try GranQuartz, they sell all types of electric and pneumatic grinding and polishing machines as well as the pads that go with the tool. I use a Tornado Pneumatic and think it one great tool. What I like about it is that when the bearing wears out and it will with heavy usage over time, it can easily be replaced. I've had to replace mine once. I think if I had to purchase a new one I'd opt for an electric center water feed.
Gran Quartz (http://www.granquartz.com/products.aspx?category=4)

[Pete VanderLaan]

Dynabrade has home offices in Tonawanda New York. I buy most of my dynatools from Tucson Abrasives in Arizona. Expensive stuff.

[Greg Frankhouser]

If you are clever, you can rig any Air 4" angle grinder with a water feed, and use the 4" HIS velcro Diamond pads. Works very nicely. But I DO recommend finding the exact height for your work table, otherwise you will be in pain.

Greg

[Scott Hegan]

I use a center feed electric all the time and it cramps the heck out of my hand because of the circumfrence of the housing. It turns my hand into a claw. but it works. I get my pads from granite city tools because I havn't looked for a local supplier. there are major differences between the pads. I think dia galexy are the best for what I do.

[Brian Blanthorn]

Being of demunitive stature n strength

Also with the advantage of week n cripaled wrists

I would consider an alternative method

If it is just the rims

Consider a standard linisher with the glass hanging on a counter weighted sling

IE the tools stays n the glass moves

I grind my big peices 0f 20K + and it works suprisingly well

Can give more info if this sounds insane enough 4 U

Give me a direct link 2 what U wanna do, coulnd not find it on ur site

If it is flat consider a reciprolap but these R not easy 2 use unless U suffer some

Brian

[Wes Hunting]

I have one of these:
http://www.barrancadiamond.com/lap/htl_125.html

works really great. Cuts fast.
It uses standard velcro type diamond pads which last a long time.
Make sure you put on your rain coat:D
Dont buy the pads off ebay, they are bunk.

[Glenn Randle]

Check out Braxton Bragg. Lots & lots of fancy stone tools, everything from hand held tools to a 14' diamond saw that's mounted onto a trackhoe! They're in TN, so talk slow. <kidding>

[Doug Randall]

For grinding odd shapes and inside curves I use the Alpha electric purchased from Galaxy Tool http://store.galaxytoolsupply.com/alawelpo.html

in conjunction with 2" - 3" GTS wet polishing drum wheels.
http://store.galaxytoolsupply.com/sipowh.html

also, the 4" flexable diamond pads with a flexable velcro backer work great in both flat and uneven areas.

[R. Scott Johnson]

dynabrade may have kits to rebuild the worn out tools. with bearings and seals etc. if the tool has been good to you maybe it still can be.

[Pete VanderLaan]

Tucson Abrasives rebuilds dynatools thru a subsidiary in Tucson which I think is called Powertool supply.

[Joey Reich]

Alex, the tool is almost exactly like that, but the head is rotates perpendicular to the shaft instead of paralell like on that tool. I would imagine the paralell head would make it awkward to use on these large castings.
Thanks for your help everyone. This info will give me a good jumping off point for some more research.
--joey