The HAHA 50mm Flat Lap Machine
Mar 27, 2014 18:39:53 GMT -5
adrian65, jakesrocks, and 3 more like this
Post by lennyb0b on Mar 27, 2014 18:39:53 GMT -5
I am disabled and on a very limited budget. Unable to afford the nice Ameritool, Covington, Diamond Pacific or even the Inland Lapidary All-in-Wonder Cabbers or Flat Laps, I had to figure a way to grind 'em and polish 'em. Sooo, I drug out the good ole boy Pluggers ingenuity and went to Harbor Freight. They ALWAYS have SOMETHING that will work!!! Having tried a bench grinder with a stock, non-SiC wheel and not having much luck, and realizing Diamonds are a Rockgrinders best friend Isearched the Toy Store, HF! here I found a nifty little item #69658, $9.99 Large Diamond Grinding Wheel Set(3 wheels and 2 mandrels, largest wheel is
1-3/4"dia.) Suprisingly, they cut like a scalded beaver and last for a good little while. 1/8" and 1/4" mandrels chuck up (not to be confused with upchuck) into my 3/8" Ryobi Variable Speed Drill. Does a preform Cab in short time. Still couldn't get them flats though. Enter eBay! Went out looking for Tumble Rough and found some 50mm cut-off wheels that ALSO happen to be double faced with DIAMONDS! So, I found a cutter and facing disk in one Item. $15.00 including s&h for ten disks. Now up to $25.00 (already had the drill). I enlarged the hole on the 50mm disk to fit the large wheel and 1/4" mandrel. Voila, a master lap also! Works like a charm, 63 stones and still on the first wheel! I've found some pretty rocks in my time but my wife is my only gem. GOD.......Bless her, she walked in, saw me grinding away and almost fell over and busted a gut laughing. Hence the HAHA 50mm Flat Lapping Machine! (but hey, it works and was cheap) For all you newbies, this is a way to test the waters for under $100.00 (I also bought the HF 3A Knockoff tumbler, gotta polish 'em.) 2 other things of utmost importance.... #1.BE CAREFUL, Wear proper eye protection. You do have two, but you need them both! #2.TAKE YOUR TIME AND USE PLENTY OF WATER! Prepare well (like an expert carpenter:Measure twice and cut once) and did I say USE PLENTY OF WATER? First grinds and grits are the most important. Get as many of the fractures, scabs and pits off of your stones as you can. You will see and appreciate the effort in the finished product.....TRUST ME! ok, here it is:
And the various cutting tools:
p.s.:don't forget to laugh!
1-3/4"dia.) Suprisingly, they cut like a scalded beaver and last for a good little while. 1/8" and 1/4" mandrels chuck up (not to be confused with upchuck) into my 3/8" Ryobi Variable Speed Drill. Does a preform Cab in short time. Still couldn't get them flats though. Enter eBay! Went out looking for Tumble Rough and found some 50mm cut-off wheels that ALSO happen to be double faced with DIAMONDS! So, I found a cutter and facing disk in one Item. $15.00 including s&h for ten disks. Now up to $25.00 (already had the drill). I enlarged the hole on the 50mm disk to fit the large wheel and 1/4" mandrel. Voila, a master lap also! Works like a charm, 63 stones and still on the first wheel! I've found some pretty rocks in my time but my wife is my only gem. GOD.......Bless her, she walked in, saw me grinding away and almost fell over and busted a gut laughing. Hence the HAHA 50mm Flat Lapping Machine! (but hey, it works and was cheap) For all you newbies, this is a way to test the waters for under $100.00 (I also bought the HF 3A Knockoff tumbler, gotta polish 'em.) 2 other things of utmost importance.... #1.BE CAREFUL, Wear proper eye protection. You do have two, but you need them both! #2.TAKE YOUR TIME AND USE PLENTY OF WATER! Prepare well (like an expert carpenter:Measure twice and cut once) and did I say USE PLENTY OF WATER? First grinds and grits are the most important. Get as many of the fractures, scabs and pits off of your stones as you can. You will see and appreciate the effort in the finished product.....TRUST ME! ok, here it is:
And the various cutting tools:
p.s.:don't forget to laugh!