Barranca Diamond GP-6 Cabmaker - Manual (Page 15)

15
DIAMOND WHEELS
The Diamond GP-6 Cabmaker comes equipped with two 6" OD x 1-1/2" brazed diamond wheels in
two diamond abrasive grit sizes (60/80 and 170/200 mesh or grit). Both wheels are manufactured to
a low tolerance OD circumference run-out for maximum wheel life and to prevent pounding and poor
performance during grinding. The high temperature brazed diamond bond provides excellent abrasive
performance when grinding the rough shape of the gemstone material. Diamond wheels must have an
uninterrupted flow of water during use for proper cooling and flushing of slurry and rock fragments.
A tool rest is attached to the reservoir base of the GP-6 Cabmaker in front of both the 60/80 and
170/200 grit diamond wheels (Fig 16). If a dop-stick is being used to hold the gemstone material, the
user can use the tool rest to securely hold the dop-stick while grinding, shaping and sanding. The tool
rest mount can be adjusted by loosening the positioning bolt (Fig 17), moving the tool rest to the de-
sired height, angle and/or distance from the wheel, and then retightening the positioning bolt. The tool
rest can also be completely removed (Fig 18) from the GP-6 Cabmaker base if the operator so desires.
Fig 16 - Tool rests Fig 17 - Tool rest positioning bolt Fig 18 - Grinding with tool rest
removed
Rough shaping of the gemstone material should be performed first with the 60/80-grit wheel with
maximum water flow from the hood mounted water control valve. It is recommended that you only
pump clean water to the GP-6 Cabmaker water system and never recycle your drain water back to
your grinding wheels or expandable drum.
Due to the steel alloy core construction and brazed nickel diamond bounding of both wheels, a “ring-
ing" noise will be heard during grinding and sanding. This is normal and should be of no concern.
Should coolant/flushing water flow be interrupted while grinding with the brazed diamond wheels, the
diamond may “glaze over" or dull the diamond bond. The diamond bond can be “dressed open" or
sharpened periodically by taking the green carbide stick and lightly touching it to the diamond grinding
face of the wheel while rotating (Fig 19). Only apply a slight pressure - for no more than 2 to 3 seconds
- with full flow of cooling water when “dressing open" the wheels. Do not over-sharpen as the wheel life
will be shortened. Never use the brazed diamond wheels dry under any circumstances.
Always ensure there is a clear, constant drip of water flowing off the rotating wheels into the reservoir
GP-6 CABMAKER OPERATION AND ADJUSTMENT