Alpha Tool.Com.HK Limited Polisher AIR658 User Manual

							Part No: AIR-658Version 5
103 Bauer Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436 • 800-648-7229 • Fax: 800-286-01 14
www.alpha-tools.com
Alpha® Pneumatic
Air Polisher
Instruction Manual
MANUAL
For repair information call:
Headquarters, Oakland, NJ — (800) 648-7229
Due to specially designed components this machine must be serviced only 
with genuine ALPHA® parts.
Shown with Splash Guard
(Optional Accessory)  
						

							2
Table oF ConTenTs
Introduction
 
 ........................................................................\
........ 3
About the Symbols
 

.................................................................... 3
Safety Instructions for Power Tools
  ...........................................4
AIR-658 Overview
 

..................................................................... 6
Specifications
 

........................................................................\
.... 6
Accessories
 

........................................................................\
....... 7
 Optional 

Accessories
 
 ............................................................ 7
 Recommended 

Alpha
® Accessories ..................................... 7  
Special Features........................................................................\
 7
T

ool Set-Up Information
 

............................................................. 8
 Connection Fittings 

............................................................... 8
 Air Pressure and V

olume
 
 ...................................................... 9
 Lubrication ........................................................................\
.... 9
Polishing and Using 

The Tool   .................................................. 10 
 Spindle Size 

........................................................................\
 10
 Air V

alve Lever
 

.................................................................... 11
 W

ater Control Valve
 
............................................................ 11
 Silencer/Muffler ................................................................... 11
 Reversible Side Handle 

...................................................... 12
 W

ater Supply Hose
 

............................................................. 12
Pheumatic Air Polisher Schematic ........................................... 13
Air Polisher Parts List
 .............................................................. 14
Appendix 

A ........................................................................\
....... 16
Accessories and Factory Service
 

............................................ 18
Product Registration
 ................................................................ 19   
						

							3
 InTroduCTIon
Thank  you  for  purchasing  an Alpha
® Air  Polisher.   This  polisher  is 
the  workhorse  of  a  complete  polishing  system.    A  wide  range  of 
accessories  help  you  perform  many  different  tasks.   This  tool  lets 
you grind, shape, bevel, contour and polish all kinds of granite and 
marble.  You can easily change from one type of disc to another in 
just  a  matter  of  seconds.   The  tool  is  used  with  water  to  help  you 
get the best possible finish, to reduce the health risks of dust, and to 
give the most savings in time and money from modern accessories.  
For your safety, please read this manual thoroughly before you start 
operating this polisher. 
 a bou T   T he  s ymbols
According  to  the  hazard  level,  all  safety  notes  in  this  manual  are 
classified into “DANGER”,  “WARNING”, and “CAUTION”.
  DANGER! Death  or serious personal injury is imminent when 
handling this polisher incorrectly.
  WARNING! There  is a possibility of death or serious personal 
injury when handling this polisher incorrectly. 
  CAUTION! There  is a possibility of personal injury or property 
damage when handling this polisher incorrectly.
Note:  
 
In 
 some situations, failing to observe WARNING notes could 
result  in  death  or  serious  personal  injury.    Be  sure  to  read 
and  observe  the  safety  notes  to  ensure  safety  and  correct 
use of the polisher.     
						

							4
 saFeTy Ins T ru CTI ons  F or  P o W er  Tools  
1.  
KNOW 
 YOUR POWER TOOL.  Read owner’s manual carefully.  
Learn  its  applications  and  limitations  as  well  as  specific 
potential hazards particular to this tool. 
2.
 
KEEP
   WORK  AREA  CLEAN.  Cluttered  areas  and  benches 
invite accidents. 
3.
 
A
 VOID  DANGEROUS  ENVIRONMENTS.    Keep  work  areas 
as dry as possible.  Do not use tool in presence of flammable 
liquids or gases.  Keep the area well lit. 
4.
 
KEEP
  CHILDREN AND VISITORS AWAY.  All visitors should 
be kept a safe distance from the work area. Keep out of reach 
of children.  
5.
 
DON’T
  FORCE TOOL.  It will do the job better and safer at the 
rate for which it was designed. 
6.
 
WEAR 
 PROPER APPAREL.    Do  not  wear  loose  clothing  or 
jewelry  as  it  can  get  caught  in  moving  parts.  Rubber  gloves 
and  insulated  non-skid  footwear  are  recommended.    Wear 
protective covering to contain long hair. 
7.
 
WEAR 
 PROPER EYE PROTECTION.  Use safety glasses at 
all times.  Also, use a face mask if work area is dusty. 
8.
 
WEAR 
 PROPER  EAR  PROTECTION.    Wear  ear  protectors 
when using for extended periods. 
9.
 
WEAR 
 PROPER  RESPIRATORY  PROTECTION.  A  dust 
mask or other respiratory device should be used for applicable 
conditions.
10.
 
DON’T
  ABUSE WATER SUPPLY HOSE.  Don’t carry tool by 
supply hose or expose to traffic areas where it can be crushed. 
11.
 
AL
 WAYS SECURE WORK PIECE.  Use clamps or a vise to 
hold  work.    It’s  safer  than  using  your  hand  and  it  frees  both 
hands to operate tool.    
						

							5
12. DON’T  OVERREACH.    Keep  proper  footing  and  balance  at all times. 
13.
 
DISCONNECT
   TOOLS  WHEN  NOT  IN  USE.    Always 
disconnect tool before servicing; when changing accessories 
such as grinding wheels, backer pads, etc.
14.
 
RE
 MOVE  ADJUSTING  KEYS  AND  WRENCHES.    Form  a 
habit of checking to see that keys and adjusting wrenches are 
removed from tool before turning it on. 
15.
 
MAINT
 AIN  TOOLS  WITH  CARE.      Keep  tools  clean  at  all 
times for best and safest performance.  Follow instructions for 
lubricating and changing accessories.  Keep handles dry, clean 
and free of oil or grease.  Inspect moving parts for alignment 
and binding as well as for breakage and improper mounting. 
16.
 
A
 VOID ACCIDENTAL STARTING.   Don’t carry a “connected” 
tool,  or  make  adjustments,  or  change  discs  without  making 
sure the air valve is in the off position to prevent the flow of air.
17.
 
USE 
 ONLY  RECOMMENDED  ACCESSORIES.  The  use  of 
any accessories other than what is listed or recommended for 
this particular tool may be hazardous. 
18.
 
KEEP
  HANDS AWAY FROM ALL MOVING PARTS. 
19.
 
USE 
 SIDE HANDLES.  Supplied with tool for control and safety. 
20.
 
USE 
 RECOMMENDED GRINDING WHEELS ONLY.   Do not 
use conventional abrasive grinding wheels with this tool. Only 
use diamond grinding wheels which are rated for wet usage. 
21.
 
ST
 AY ALERT.   Watch what you are doing and use common 
sense.  Do not operate tool when you are tired, or under the 
influence of medication or alcohol.   
						

							6
aIr-658 oVerVIe W
Rubber Splash Guard
(Optional Accessory) Reversible Handle10 ft Water Hose10 ft Air Hose
Adjustable Air Valve Adjustable Water Valve
Rubber Body cover
Internal Water Line
 sPeCIFICaTI ons
RPMWeight Air  
Consumption Air  
Pressure Air  
Inlet Water 
 Inlet Spindle
U.S.
No Load 4,000 2.64 lb 15 CFM 87 PSI
1/4” BSPP 1/8” BSPP 5/8”-11
METRIC 1.2 kg 0.42 M
3/Min 6 Bars   
						

							7
 aCCessorIes 
 W
ater hose (10 ft / 3m)   ......................................1pc
 Air hose (10 ft / 3m)............................................ 1pc    
 W

rench (22mm)
 
 ................................................. 1pc          
 Side handle 

........................................................ 1pc
 Lubrication Oil (1oz / 30 cc sample bottle) ...............1pc 
 
 oPTIonal aCCessorIes 
 Splash Guard (A

WP-01)   ....................................1pc
 C-Shaped Handle (A

WP-21A)   ...........................1pc
 
 reC ommended  al P ha® aCCessorIes
Ceramica 

EX  flexible diamond polishing discs, waterproof Sandpaper 
discs, Hook and Loop Backed Felt Wheels, Core Drill Bits, Twistouch 
Turbo and Profilers.
sPeCIal F eaT ure s 
The Alpha® Air Polisher  was designed with human  engineering  for 
operator comfort.  It comes equipped with a silencer which reduces 
the level of noise as well as guiding the cold exhaust air away from 
an operator during the polishing process.  This feature also eliminates 
excess  lubricant  dripping  on  the  work  piece.    Portions  of  the  body 
design are made with synthetic materials and covered with rubber 
to prevent fatigue and coldness to hands. 
Tool se T-u P  I n F ormaTI on
Unpack the tool carefully and study the helpful hints and warnings 
contained  in  this  manual.    Please  take  time  to  familiarize  yourself 
with the features of the tool.  Be sure to fill out the registration card 
enclosed, and mail it back to the distribution center today.   
						

							8
 ConneCTIon FITTInGs
The 
air  and  water  hose  fittings  on  the  back  of  this  tool  are  BSPP 
(British  standard  parallel  pipe  or  “G”  thread).  These  fittings  have 
parallel  threads  and  seal  off  on  the  flat  surface  on  the  bottom  of 
the thread. This type of fitting is usually supplied with an “O”ring or 
sealing ring which we replaced with the silencer.
Air Valve
Water Hose Nipple
Water Hose
Exhaust Hose
Clamp
Air HoseWater Valve
Air Hose Joint
Compression Nut
  WARNING!
Trying to convert either fitting to an American standard pipe thread 
(NPT), which is tapered, will crack the end-case and is not covered 
under warranty.
Parallel Thread Taper Thread NPT   
						

							9
 aIr Pressure and Volume
The 
recommended  air  pressure  for  this  tool  is  87  PSI  (6  BARS), 
however, the range of 85 to 90 psi is acceptable. Any pressure over 
90 PSI will exceed the max speed rating of the rotor bearings caus-
ing them to overheat and lock up. 
The most important factor in running this tool is the volume of air being 
supplied to the tool. The volume is the air consumption needed to run 
this tool at a constant speed under light downward hand pressure. 
The volume is measured in CFM (cubic foot per minute (ft
3/min). You 
need a minimum of 15 CFM per tool. 
When  choosing  a  compressor  to  run  an AIR-658  polisher,  we  rec-
ommend a rotary screw type with a minimum of a 5hp motor/15-20 
CFM and a 60 gallon tank, per tool. So if you want to run four tools, 
you  will  need  a  compressor  with  a  20hp  motor  capability  of  80+ 
CFM and an 80 to 100 gallon storage tank. It is also very important 
to keep your air cool, dry, and clean, so look for a compressor with 
a  refrigerated  dryer  and  high-efficiency  filter  built  in  or  purchase 
a  separate  air  dryer  and  filter  unit  rated  for  your  compressors   
CFM.
 lubrIC aTI on  ( l ube oil is used to protect the tool from rust-
ing when not in use)
P
ro
P
 er  C are  
and
   lubr IC a
T
 I
o
 n  
are
  I
m
 P or T
an
 T F
a
 CT
o
 rs
 
I

n  P re V en TI n G T h I s  T
ool F
 rom   rus TI n G  on  T he  I ns I de  
W
hen   no T I n   use .
At the end of each workday, 2-3 drops of lubrication oil with rust inhibi-
tor (included with each polisher) should be placed in the air inlet at 
the base of the tool. Rotate  the spindle counter clockwise, by hand 
3-4 revolutions. Reinstall the air hose and run the tool for a second 
or two to distribute the oil and mist the inside of the tool. (Replace-
ment containers of oil may be purchased from Alpha
® Professional 
Tools Part No. AIR-008).   
						

							10
Lubricating  the  tool  before  and  during  working  is  not  needed.  Ex-
cessive oil will turn to a tar-like substance inside the tool, causing 
the  vanes  to  stick  in  the  rotor  and  slow  the  tool  down. This  is  the 
reason  we  do  not  recommend  automatic  oilers  be  used  with  this 
tool. Old or worn compressors, which emit oil through the air lines, 
can significantly shorten the life of the tool.
PolIshInG and usInG The Tool
This tool and the Alpha® accessories approved for use with this tool 
are designed to be used under light downward hand pressure. You 
need to allow the polishing pads, core bits, and profilers to do their 
job. Applying  excessive  downward  pressure  to  the  tool  will  cause 
the vanes to wear out in the middle and fail prematurely.
 sPIndle sIZe 
The  Alpha
® AIR-658  air  polisher  features  a  5/8”-11  spindle.    This 
tool  has  been  designed  for  portable/shop  production  and  uses  all 
modern accessories.  It is very important that you do not run any-
thing heavier than the recommended accessories on this machine.  
A  drop  of  oil  should  be  applied  to  the  outside  threads  whenever 
attachments are changed to facilitate removal and prevent rust.  A 
22mm Spindle Wrench is provided to assist in changing accessories.   
m

aintenance and  u sage Tip:
•
 
Do 

not leave the tool submersed in water. This could expose 
the inner moving parts to moisture, which will shorten the life 
of the tool.
•
 
Do 

not  leave  threaded  accessories  (backer  pads,  core  drill 
bits,  profilers)  on  the  spindle  of  tool  for  extended  periods  of 
time;  this  may  result  in  making  it  difficult  to  remove  these 
accessories.
•
 
Excessive 
 force  or  impact  to  the  spindle  may  result  in 
premature failure of gears and/or bearings, which may not be 
immediately evident.