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Above is a flat-lap machine I constructed using a Makita grinder mounted inside an old kitchen cabinet. The diamond lapping disk (China) is mounted inside an oil-drain pan (O'Reily Auto Supply) and attached to a 12" threaded shaft extension (Home Depot) added to the grinder. Speed control is by a router speed controller (Harbor Freight) mounted on the framework at the right above. Lubrication is fed through a tube from a plastic lemonade bottle (Wal*Mart) hung above; overflow drains into a 5 gal. bucket.
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Here is a link to a YouTube video showing and discussing this home grown flat lapidary machine. http://youtu.be/rtL0vDIagJc
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At left are my tumblers, located in the garage because the constant noise was unpleasant to listen to in my shop. (Also, there is not that much room) Two bench-top units are mounted on the cabinet to the left. I also purchased a tread-mill on Craig's List and can polish large rocks (and large quantities of rocks) in plastic barrels that turn in the framework I constructed with the walking surface of the treadmill propped at an angle. http://youtu.be/6P9xfO0WYv8
Below left is a vibrating flat-lap polisher used to put a high polish on cut stones. Below is the view into the polishing tray - I used hole-saws as weights on the thinner stones. The vibrating of the tray continually rubs the bottom of the stones with the same grit used in the rotary tumblers. http://youtu.be/X7LG5j641kw |