Abstract: An alumina slurry supply system for use in conjunction with a polisher or grinder apparatus or the like for preparing the surfaces of metallurgical specimens, the system comprising an alumina slurry reservoir, a recirculation pump disposed in the reservoir, an applicator arm for dispensing the abrasive slurry to a platen or lapping wheel of the polisher or grinder apparatus, a first conduit for receiving slurry pumped from the reservoir, a second conduit connected to the first conduit for recirculating the slurry to the reservoir, a third conduit leading from the first conduit to the applicator arm, a valve in the third conduit movable between an open position to supply abrasive slurry to the applicator arm and a closed position in which all abrasive slurry pumped from the reservoir is recirculated thereto, and a timer for controlling the operation of the valve.

Abstract: A chuck for suspending a specimen holder from a vertical drive shaft to permit the specimen holder to be rotated about the axis of the drive shaft and also pressed downwardly against an abrasive platen or the like which may also be rotated in the same or opposite direction, the chuck being biased to its locking position by a spring and being releasable through manual rotation of a sleeve member to overcome the spring force.

Abstract: An abrasive cutter for cutting metallurgical samples and the like including a motor-driven rotatable abrasive cutter wheel, a vise assembly for holding a workpiece to be cut, and a manually operable workpiece advance lever which is actuated by an operator to move the vise assembly along a horizontal path toward the cutter wheel thereby bringing the workpiece into engagement with the cutter wheel.

Abstract: A coolant system for use with a cutter of the type having a vertically disposed rotatable cutter wheel for cutting metallurgical samples and other objects. Such a cutter has a motor-driven rotatable abrasive or metal cutting wheel or blade, and a workpiece holder which holds a specimen workpiece from which a section is to be sliced off. Either the cutter wheel or the workpiece holder is movable to bring the workpiece into engagement with the cutter wheel. The coolant system is combined with a blade guard which covers a major portion of the rotatable cutting blade for safety reasons, and the coolant system distributes a coolant fluid in an advantageous manner onto the center of the vertically disposed rotating cutting blade on both sides thereof so as to bathe the workpiece over the entire cutting area. The coolant system is primarily intended for use with a cutter of the type where the workpiece is moved into engagement with the cutter wheel during a cutting operation.

Abstract: A portable hydraulic press for use in preparing metallurgical specimens, is disclosed herein, which requires relatively little force to operate and eliminates repumping during specimen preparation. The press includes a linkage assembly which connects an operating handle to a hydraulic jack in a manner such that both the mechanical advantage of the operating handle and ease of operation of the press is increased. In the embodiment shown, the press is constructed and arranged to provide ease of removal of the hydraulic jack without disassembling the entire press and includes a frame which stores energy.

Abstract: A mold closure assembly for a mounting press for mounting metallurgical specimens in a plastic mount including a cap lockingly insertable in the upper end of the mold, a conical member disposed in a mating conical recess in the lower end of said cap, spring means for urging said conical member into such mating relation, a compression member adapted for a sliding fit in the mold and handle means attached to the cap and foldable to a non-obstructing position to permit a temperature control unit to be attached to or removed from the closure assembly.