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Post by gr on Feb 24, 2013 0:21:04 GMT -5
Is it the Inland unit that doesn't seem to have enough power to do the job? Would appreciate recommendations and testamonies about your flat lap expreiences and units. Links would be good too! Thanks in advance.........gary
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Post by deb193redux on Feb 24, 2013 0:29:31 GMT -5
inland is under powered, and holes clog. I would get one with no center hole.
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Post by tntmom on Feb 24, 2013 0:30:19 GMT -5
I've only used Ameritool that I bought from John. Love it and really don't have any feedback on other brands.... sorry. I will say though that if you buy the flexible disks (like the ones that come with Ameritool... 325, 600, 1200), also buy the sponge rubber disks that go between the backing plate and the disk. Makes it squishy like a Nova and eliminates flat spots!!!
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Post by johnjsgems on Feb 24, 2013 0:35:37 GMT -5
Gary, the Inland lap actually has enough power it is just a poor design. Biggest problem is the set screw attached adapters you have to assemble for each lap (some people buy adapters for each lap). Assembling is a pain but biggest problem is the adapter can slip down the shaft and rub the raised collar down until water runs into the motor (voiding the warranty). The saw function is the mode where the unit is terribly under powered.
The High Tech Diamond and Ameritool units on the other hand use a simple center bolt to hold down the laps. Both units are used frequently by pro opal cutters especially and are suited to full time commercial use. Both are quiet and not messy to use.
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Post by mohs on Feb 24, 2013 10:47:06 GMT -5
On the Ameritool is the same motor used on the 6" versus the 8" machine?
I got the 6" Ameritool and give it a thorough work out
I didn't by the laps with the unit but use a variety of homemade and older type of laps I even put a fairly light 8" wood home made lap on it
so was wondering if the 8" machine is a stronger bearing motor?
Thanks Edmohs
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Post by rockpickerforever on Feb 24, 2013 11:55:28 GMT -5
Ed, when I bought my 8" Ameritool flat lap (directly from Ameritool) three or four years ago, I was told that the only difference between the 6" and 8" machines is the top cover/guard, and - obviously - the size of the laps. And the price So motor and bearings should be the same. Well, at least they were back then. If you want to be sure, just drop them a line, they are nice people. I had asked about it because I have some old 6" laps, and wondered if I could buy just the cover for the 6" machine. They said I could, but I never did buy the smaller cover. But I have used the 6" laps with the 8" cover, allowing me to use just the top corner of the lap to get into the top crevice when making a heart. The larger cover still kept the water in and it didn't make a mess. C'mon, Krystee, where's your sense of adventure? It IS quite a challenge to avoid flat spots without the rubber backing, but it can be done. But I gave in, and have picked up a few of them. Will give one a try when I next change a topper. I like how the unit is designed, and the laps are easy to change. They are built pretty sturdy (in the US, I might add!). I don't have any info on the other brands, but I swear by (not at) my Ameritool. I've had no issues with lack of power or any other problems. Well, it actually does make a little bit of noise, after someone else used it while applying a little too much pressure. Will have to replace the bearings some day I guess. But it's a keeper. Jean
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Post by roy on Feb 24, 2013 12:30:04 GMT -5
when i first got into this hobbie i bought a hi tech diamond flat lop 8" i still have it although i dont make cab's on it anymore i use it to make doublets and such . gary whats wrong with the flat lap you have ?
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Post by mohs on Feb 24, 2013 13:06:43 GMT -5
Thanks Jean
Actually, I haven't done that much flat lapping on the machine nor have I've ever cabbed on it
I bought it to increase the efficiency & quality (hopefully) for doing the straight flat edge on my rock'n hearts...mohstly I challenge indeed
I could see how you could use the edge for V cleave but that's got to be one tough gig
If one had only a flat lap and wanted to make a heart I would think the 2 part 'art rock'n style would be a way to go
2 wings properly formed then glued together requires very little grinding in the V a quick double dome and your home with heart
O.K. I made that sound a little easy but you get the idea
mostly
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 24, 2013 13:11:38 GMT -5
My 8" Inland flat lap sits in the basement unused. Within 15 minutes of first setup, the water control valve pulled right out of the plastic water tank. I threw the valve away and replaced it with an inline drip watering system valve. Mine will stall the motor if I try using low speed. I have to keep it running at almost full speed. The metal laps are good, and reasonably priced, but the plastic backing plates will flex under pressure. I have an old phenolic facetors master lap that I'm going to try. It may be too heavy for the motor. Just have to wait and see.
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Post by tntmom on Feb 24, 2013 13:20:51 GMT -5
C'mon, Krystee, where's your sense of adventure? It IS quite a challenge to avoid flat spots without the rubber backing, but it can be done. But I gave in, and have picked up a few of them. Will give one a try when I next change a topper. LOL Jean! ;D That's so funny that you said that as I just discovered them a couple of months ago!!! I went to a local friends shop awhile back and he had a whole box of 1/2 used 80 and 120 Novas that he was going to toss. He makes knives and for some reason that I can't remember, he will only use them when they are brand new. He told me to try them out on my CabMate since I had only been using belts and an expando. I fell in love with them and started wondering if I could get my laps on my Ameritool to feel like the Nova wheels. Then voila!!! I saw them in the Kinglsey catalogue and tried them out. LOVE THEM!!! Since buying the sponge rubber disks I haven't even used my CabMate. Plus, I prefer my Ameritool because it is freezing in the garage and my lap is portable, clean and can be used inside
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Post by Pat on Feb 24, 2013 14:17:59 GMT -5
I bought the 6" Ameritool directly from Ameritool. I like it. No complaints. Easy to use and to change disks.
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Post by Rockoonz on Feb 24, 2013 23:52:06 GMT -5
I like old school belt drive flat laps personally but have used Hi Tech and Ameritool and IMO the Ameritool is the best.
Lee
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 25, 2013 0:05:00 GMT -5
I'm with you Lee. I've been trying to find an old school flat lap. Even offered to trade a guy my like new 20" HP vibrolap for his flat lap.
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Mike Menzie
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since October 2012
Posts: 96
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Post by Mike Menzie on Feb 25, 2013 4:55:40 GMT -5
We have an 8" Ameritool. Unfortunately, we paid local lapidary shop price of $750, before I had time to research much. Found later that they sell straight from Ameritool for a lot less, and I even found what I think was a 12" Ameritool for only $300 on a glass working website. Supposedly just had different type of disks. Oh, well, lesson learned. I like the Ameritool and it seems to works pretty well, and has been going strong for a couple years at least. Great idea about the squishy pad under the polishing pad! I never really thought about that before. My obsidian cabs will love you! So many little flat spots. We also have a B&I Gem Maker that we're using until my mother goes home, and I have to say I like it better than the Ameritool. I wish it was larger than 6", but even still, it has more room to maneuver, infinite interchangeabiliy of the motor since it's a separate part of the unit, and it had the added uses of saw and faceter with the addition of a couple of different attachments (which I unfortunately don't have.) Lastly, I relatively recently picked up a no-name 45 degree slant lap polisher. It's a little rusty, and is going to need some work, but the shaft spins when I plug it in (Yay!). I'm thinking it'll be weird to use a slant lap polisher, but It seems like it'll end up being easier on the arms and shoulders. Rest your elbows on the table (hmmm...rubber mat for the elbows?) and away you go! Relaxing Now I just need to see if I can afford polishing disks for the little guy anytime soon, heh. I'll be making the backing plates out of wood or maybe plexi-glass (any suggestions, there? for how to best make them, and what to use?) Will try to get pictures up and let ya'll know how that one works out once I get it up and going and get some disks -Mike
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 25, 2013 11:17:58 GMT -5
Mike, a few companies made the slant lap cabbers. Why don't you post a pic ? Maybe one of us can ID it for you. As for the master lap, I'd use plexiglass at least 3/8" thick. Wood will absorb water and warp.
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Post by gr on Feb 25, 2013 11:53:24 GMT -5
This is the unit I am using. It is starting to scream like a banshe from the barring collar underneath. I'm wondering if this is a homade unit. There's info on the speed control box but I think that is specific to that box and not the unit. Has anyone ever seen this type of unit before?
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Post by jakesrocks on Feb 25, 2013 12:03:53 GMT -5
Is it a bearing underneath, or a bronze bushing ? You should be able to replace either without too much trouble. Bearings will have ID numbers on them. If it's a bronze bushing, you may need to have a machine shop make one for you. It does look like a home built machine.
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Mike Menzie
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since October 2012
Posts: 96
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Post by Mike Menzie on Feb 25, 2013 16:39:41 GMT -5
Yeah I had to replace the bushing on the B&I. Similar type setup. And I'll try to get pictures up of all my machines soon! Gotta show off pictures of the babies, right?
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Post by gr on Feb 25, 2013 21:51:45 GMT -5
Don, what is underneath looks like a sealed bearing housing. I'll try and get a picture of it tomorrow and post back to this thread. Maybe you might be able to ID it for me. If there are numbers or a name I'll post those to. Thanks!
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