pintoblades
having dreams about rocks
Pinto Custom Blades
Member since May 2013
Posts: 67
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Post by pintoblades on May 5, 2013 17:11:10 GMT -5
Hello everyone. I'm new to lapidary skills and machines but I've figured out that basically what I will be needing for my lapidary purposes for knife handle inlays and scales. I plan to purchase my rock in slaps so I can just cut the mostly squarish shapes that I will be using on knife handles. But to flatten and polish the knife scales...I believe a Flat lap machine should to the job for both flattening the bottom and polishing the top sides.
My question is: Which size Flat lap machine would be best for pieces of square rock that could be anywhere from 2 inches long to 3.5 inches long. Maybe occasionally at 4 inches long. Would a 6" flat lap machine be okay or should I go with 8" (disc size)?
I"m looking at the Ameritool brand or possible building one like member Stoner did, shown on one of the forums here.
Any help appreciated, Pinto :help:
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Post by deb193redux on May 5, 2013 18:14:34 GMT -5
I would go 8" and would get the kind with no center hole.
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Post by Pat on May 5, 2013 18:17:43 GMT -5
I can't advise you on the inches, but I have the Ameritool 4" and think it is great for my purposes.
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Post by deb193redux on May 5, 2013 18:53:19 GMT -5
Yes Pat, but you cab, and making flat knife scale is very different.
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pintoblades
having dreams about rocks
Pinto Custom Blades
Member since May 2013
Posts: 67
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Post by pintoblades on May 5, 2013 19:58:30 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! Okay...8" it will be. How makes one with no center hole Daniel? I was looking at Ameritools and I think theirs had a hole...not sure now...have to go back and check. BTW..Redrumds' site is awsome....very nice lapidary set up he has! About to read his tutorials.
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Post by deb193redux on May 5, 2013 20:04:55 GMT -5
Covington has a no-hole lap, and I think CrystalMaster does too. The center does not grind too much because speed is slow in center, but it is nice not to have to work around nut/hole. I used one at a frined's shop in Oregon, and I want one, but need other stuff first.
You could also have an arbor with a few wheels and a flat end plate.
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pintoblades
having dreams about rocks
Pinto Custom Blades
Member since May 2013
Posts: 67
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Post by pintoblades on May 5, 2013 20:32:13 GMT -5
Okay...I'll look at those two as well. What did you mean on that last statement....having an arbor witha few wheels and flat end plate? Like a homemade one from a motor, arbor and flat end plate like on disc sanders?
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Post by deb193redux on May 5, 2013 20:44:36 GMT -5
If you had a 2-wheel arbor, you could have grind limited inside curves, and if the 2nd wheel was an expando drum, you could sand with various higher grit belts. There could be a flat vertical lap on the end of the arbor. It could help with flattening the back of the scale. It could also be used with a polish pad to bring up shine.
I am not sure a flat lap really can take care fo the face. You will want edges rounded over, and if the metal between tang and blade is not flat, you may want a light dome on the scale. I think the final sanding and polishing is done after the scale is put on the knife.
Best talk to a knife maker. I have not made one.
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pintoblades
having dreams about rocks
Pinto Custom Blades
Member since May 2013
Posts: 67
|
Post by pintoblades on May 5, 2013 21:20:57 GMT -5
Great points for sure. Yes usually knife scales are not completely flat on the face. Looks like after reading Rum's tutorial....the Grinding wheels are pretty much a must have to contour the outer shapes/curves. LOL so yeah, looks like in the long run...I"ll end up with a lot of the common lapidary tools most everyone uses. For one purpose or another. One thing for sure, Trial and error is a great teacher. I learn with every new knife, throwing stones into the mix will certainly extend the learning curve! But, I'm excited to start. Just need to start saving more pennies!
oh and yeah...looks like the flat lap will be used mostly to flaten the bottom of the scales. According to Rum's method. All other shaping is on one of his Genies or similar wheel machines.
Thanks for the help for sure Daniel! Much appreciated!
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Post by deb193redux on May 8, 2013 8:57:45 GMT -5
I agree about the wheels. But you can use an endplate on a wheel system to do whatever you would have done "to flatten the bottom" with a flat lap. Save the $$ on the flat-lap purchase. ALso see this used bandsaw on ebay: it is the 1000 model, which is oldest, but belts and blades from the newer 3000 XL model are interchangeable. It was listed higher earlier, and the seller is now asking less and accepting offers. You might get if for $170 + shipping. www.ebay.com/itm/221216400029
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