James Bailey on thu 9 jan 97
Perhaps we can shed some light on the questions and comments regarding
Karen Greenes Bailey Slab Roller.
Regarding the surface of a Bailey "Drive Board" roller....
First off, we have used several materials over the last 20 years to
supply traction. The material first used on our drive board machines was
an industrial strength carbide floor hold tread. Later this became
unavailable, and we switched to a heavy duty aluminum oxide belt. Both
materials have been very effective abrasives that can give a lifetime of
use without repair. If the material is damaged, it is generally due to a
tool that was run through the machine, a counter that rubbed against it
for a period of time, or by using a worn out drive board (or piece of
plywood without a rubber backing).
This tread material is available to our customers and can be reapplied by
them on the bottom steel roller., although this can be a difficult
procedure to mend in the field. This is because of the alignment
procedure. We use a special alignment jig to get a perfect wrap where
the seams meet as the treads sprial. Industrial contact cement is
applied to both surfaces to adhere the tread to the steel, and it will
not allow for realignment once placed. The old glue can also be
challenging to remove from the surface of the roller.
The drive board device that tracks through the machine has a special
industrial urethane catalytic compound adhered to the bottom. Once
applied, you can not get this material to adhere to itself. As an
effect, the board can never be re coated. This urethane is expensive,
and does not come packaged in small consummer lots. Therefore, it is not
possible for us to send urethane out to customers for coating their
boards. Furthermore, the application of this material is tricky, and
requires training to apply properly. We have not found a suitable
substitute for the material that is available on a local basis. Potters
like Peter King have been using the drive board process for their
architectural ceramics for the last 15 years with constant use. Santa
Barbara Ceramics has a number of our electric drive board machines in
heavy commercial production use.
About Dual Roller Drive Rollers......
Our Dual Roller Drive machines (with two abrasive rollers) started out
with a sand blasted surface on a 6" diameter roller, and later evolved
into a 4" roller with a carbide abrasive tread. The seam of this tread
was filled to prevent marks in the clay. This tread approach was
abandoned in the mid 80's for the process we use today. We have
developed a special procedure for adhering an industrial compound with
embedded abrasive. This is a seamless coating, which supplies a positive
grip. We prefer this approach to knurled because it is a smoother
abrasive that will not leave marks in the clay when thin canvas is used.
We have used this material for the last 10 years with great success.
Only a few customers have ever required repairs. Damage occurs when the
machine is improperly used, or by accidents. This material will not
wear during normal use and proper installation. It is no wonder that
potters looking for this material have had a hard time. It took us
years to locate it.
For the record, if one of our epoxy abrasives rollers is damaged by
accident, we have suggested to our customers that they consider getting
a new roller since the labor cost of stripping and prepping the old
roller is equal to the cost of welding a new steel roller. We would not
advocate that the old roller be thrown away, but it is understandable how
a customer may opt to save time and start new instead of waiting to
repair the old. It is a matter of customer preference.
If Margret Arial would please contact Bailey at our Toll Free number, we
would like to understand what your specific situation is so that it can
be rectified. We have no reference of your account or telephone number
in our data base. It is a fact that electric slab rollers can not be
conveniently converted into manual rollers. If you do contact us, we
assure you that any problem can be resolved to your complete
satisfaction.
Bailey is always interested in assisting our customers with questions or
concerns. If you have any questions about repairs or usage, call us
toll free for technical assistance.
E.G. Yarnetsky on tue 11 nov 03
Hi all!
The bailey rollers now come with both sides adjusting as one. I hear
the latest ones also can reverse the direction of the rollers so that
it is easier to re-roll a slab. I've had mine just over 3 years and
that was my only complaint. Worth the money in my opinion.
Darlene Yarnetsky, Mudcat Pottery
80 degrees a week ago, 45 last weekend and now in the 60s. Studio hot
then freezing, but for once everything is drying out at a decent rate!
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