NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 25, 2009 21:23:20 GMT -5
I decided I wanted to build a flat lap. I threw around ideas and checked out all the other home made ones. I like the simplicity of them, but didn't want to invest in a motor right now. In fact, I wanted to build this with as little cash as possible. Well I work shifts, and sometimes 3am brain farts from too little sleep become quite fruitful. That and possibly being left-handed made me decide to build my flat lap a bit back-wards to everyone else's. I started with a plastic cutting board from wally world to make the lap disc, then mounted it to an arbor I have from a cutting disc used in a drill motor. I ordered some silicone carbide sanding discs from Kingsley North, cut a hole in the center with a hollow punch, and placed it on the disc. I then mounted the disc in the arbor and chucked it up in my el-cheepo drill press. I then cut the top off an ice cream pail for use as the drip pan. To keep it wet I purchased a refrigerator ice maker water line kit and just siliconed the valve into a coffee can and set it on the shelf above the drill for a gravity fed system. The valve works great to adjust the water flow rate. This system works great so far. In total I have about $26.00 in the set up. $8.00 for the water line kit, and about $18.00 for 8 sanding discs. Everything else I had laying around the shop. I can say without a doubt, I have attained my goal of building a low-buck flat lap!
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mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Apr 25, 2009 22:57:05 GMT -5
Cool! Now that's creativity. Your water drip system looks very similar to what I set up for keeping my Dremel tool wet ,well, the diamond bits, when I use it to do some trimming work.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 25, 2009 23:14:32 GMT -5
Thanks mc2. I had originally thought to find a drill like this, rip it apart and invert it for use as a flat lap. There's probably all the parts needed in one package.
Nate
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Apr 25, 2009 23:25:20 GMT -5
Great idea. That is without a doubt the quickest easiest to make flat lap I have seen. No reason you couldn't use diamond disks either. Just drop the table to make room to change them as needed.
Do you mind if I steal your picture/idea and put it on my rock club web site? We have a lot of equipment shy members who might like this.
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Post by mohs on Apr 25, 2009 23:52:19 GMT -5
its flat out beauteous idea ! and still have handy drill press
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 26, 2009 1:53:25 GMT -5
Hi NDK
Now thats what I call a good Idea.
JackYorkshire UK
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Post by BuiltonRock on Apr 26, 2009 18:30:46 GMT -5
You are a genius and have solved my problem.
John
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 26, 2009 21:10:41 GMT -5
Great idea. That is without a doubt the quickest easiest to make flat lap I have seen. No reason you couldn't use diamond disks either. Just drop the table to make room to change them as needed. Do you mind if I steal your picture/idea and put it on my rock club web site? We have a lot of equipment shy members who might like this. I was planning on purchasing diamond discs for this set up, but I wanted to make sure it worked well enough before I spent the money on the discs. Now that I've just about worn out 2 - 100 grit SC discs on 2 cabs, I'm thinking I may need to do that. Also, I didn't mention in the first post I ran the disc alone in the chuck after cutting it out and filed the end to smooth it and get it almost perfectly round and balanced. And by all means, go ahead and post this on your club site. I'm happy to know it may help others get into the hobby easier. Thanks! Nate
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 26, 2009 21:16:06 GMT -5
You are a genius and have solved my problem. John I'm not really a genious, I just play one online. ;D But seriously, I'm flattered John. Thank you. Nate
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spicer m
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 337
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Post by spicer m on Apr 26, 2009 22:15:55 GMT -5
Nate GOOOOD Job Very inventive, I too would like to copy your pictures and Idea for a couple people in my club that want to polish rocks but cain't afford expensive equipment Thanks Mike
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 26, 2009 22:18:28 GMT -5
Thanks Mike. Go ahead and show it off. It isn't perfect, but gets the job done.
Nate
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Post by sitnwrap on Apr 27, 2009 1:49:45 GMT -5
ndk, you just helped me in a big way. My cabber only goes up to 1500 and I was going to have to buy the other wheels so I can really start cabbing. I have a drill press and will be able to finish polishing with that instead of having to buy the other wheels and change them on my cabber. You saved me a ton of money and you also saved me a ton of time!
Now all I have to do is make it. lol. Thank you so much!
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tom
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 50
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Post by tom on Apr 27, 2009 17:47:40 GMT -5
That's a really sweet job. Well done.
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tom
having dreams about rocks
Member since March 2009
Posts: 50
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Post by tom on Apr 27, 2009 17:52:36 GMT -5
Could you use the scraps from the cutting board as plastic filler/cushions in your tumblers?
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 28, 2009 22:57:22 GMT -5
ndk, you just helped me in a big way. My cabber only goes up to 1500 and I was going to have to buy the other wheels so I can really start cabbing. I have a drill press and will be able to finish polishing with that instead of having to buy the other wheels and change them on my cabber. You saved me a ton of money and you also saved me a ton of time! Now all I have to do is make it. lol. Thank you so much! I'm glad my idea is helping so many people! I actually used something else for the polishing pad. I took a hub cap I found laying on the side of the road walking into work one day, and wrapped it with a scrap of leather I got from Julie. It worked great, and I didn't have to cut it out. I just drilled the hole in the center. I see I must have deleted the pictuers, I'll take some and post them tomorrow. Nate
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 28, 2009 23:00:13 GMT -5
Could you use the scraps from the cutting board as plastic filler/cushions in your tumblers? I was thinking exactly the same thing. But then I thought it would be too time consuming chopping it into little pieces. It was pretty tough to cut with the jig saw. The blade moves so fast it starts to melt as you're going through it. I think a band saw would work a lot better, as the blade moves slower and in only one direction. Nate
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Post by sitnwrap on Apr 28, 2009 23:05:57 GMT -5
A hub cap? Looking forward to that pic as I also have some leather from Julie and I have at least 4 hub caps. Hub caps aren't an essential part of a car are they? lol.
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Post by parfive on Apr 29, 2009 1:03:45 GMT -5
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 29, 2009 12:28:22 GMT -5
A hub cap? Looking forward to that pic as I also have some leather from Julie and I have at least 4 hub caps. Hub caps aren't an essential part of a car are they? lol. Yes, a hub cap. Or at least the center that covers the lug nuts on a mag wheel. It's approx. 7.5" diameter. anything that's round, rigid, and drillable would work. The pics should speak for themselves. Nate
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Post by joe on Apr 29, 2009 22:52:53 GMT -5
Great idea! I love it.
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