nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143 
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Apr 28, 2014 20:31:21 GMT -5
I decided to build my own Faceting/Cabbing machine. Yes, I am a noob, so I will most likely use the wrong terms here and there.  I grew up always hearing " Don't buy what you can't afford" . Well I decided a long time ago , if I can't afford something, either buy it broke and fix it or build it from scratch. I only bring that up because I have seen it posted a few times that you should "always" and "only" spend your money on Name Brand items built by a factory. Anyways, on to the build: I knew I wanted something capable of bringing out the beauty of a rough stone, slab, or even precious stones. It had to be capable of handling itty bitty to decent size, and work wet or dry. This is what I came up with, hope yall like it.
1. Started with a box. It started off as an old portable router table my brother gave me years ago (router was trashed but the box is sturdy)
2. Inside the box 
3.Another view inside the box, originally I was going just to mount the motor to the side of the box, but it would have been too off center 
4.Here's a motor I got at a yard sell 20 years ago. Fully tested, spins the correct direction, all external wiring replaced and runs like a champ. 
5. Motor specs 
6. Motor and box and some old bed rails. Using rails to make a motor mount that will center motor inside box. 
7. I left the legs pieces on, it was the exact spacing need from the rear of the box. 
8. Drilled holes and bolted two pieces for each support for each side. The motor will mount to these rails. 
9. Next I added the rails that attach to box to the motor rails 
10. Motor placement 
11.Checking motor placement 
12.Getting placement of motor inside box 
13. Motor mounted 
14.Now for the Cutting tub. Wal-mart was all out of oil drain pans, but I did find this nice doggy food dish made out of recycled tires 
15. I needed (wanted) an arbor extender with 1/2" thread and allen head set screw to mount disk onto motor. To ensure a even spin, after it was mounted on motor I used a wide flat file and worked the exterior of extender and backing plate beneath the nut to ensure a level and true spin 
16. Aluminum backing plate, tested to ensure flatness and even weight 
17. Diamond 6" disk (for when it's done) 
15. Needed a water guard for inside bucket. Decided on a two piece screw together set up. Tighter fit, won't budge and cemented in just for good measure. 
16. Top view 
18. Bottom view 
19. Extender on motor
20. Oops, water guard to large for opening 
21. No problem, put dashed lines on insert, remove insert 
22. Make inert hole a little bigger 
23. Then found out the shield sat too high inside bowl, so it was trimmed down a bit 
24. This is a view under backing plate after trimming the water shield, had to use the camera to check and make sure enough clearance. (my head wouldn't fit, and yep, I tried, lol) 
25. And here's the top view 
Continued in next post |
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Apr 28, 2014 20:47:20 GMT -5
Part Two
1. Since this was in the garage and I needed a delivery system for the water, I used a 1/4" line tap from the hose spicket 
2. I ran the line up the side of the garage, though the overhang and into the garage. Used bailing wire twisted and nailed to the rafter to make a moveable delivery arm that I attached the water line to. I live in the desert, so I don't need to worry about the line freezing . I knew when I get busy on stones, I would be at it for hours and didn't want to have to keep stopping to refill a jug. 
3.Had to test the tub for water tight seal 
4. After two days, no lose of water, no leaks, yeeeaaahhh. Installed a drain line, black hose is actually a piece of mechs shrink wrap I attached to drain port. 
Part 3 will have a picture of the whole set up. Sorry for being so picture heavy, but I am more visual and thought it would be fun to story book it. |
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Post by kap on Apr 28, 2014 21:10:57 GMT -5
Cool build! Keep us updated!
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Apr 28, 2014 21:33:18 GMT -5
Part 3 Here's the finish project. Water speed set too high, turn of the knob, and fixed 
It was a little dark with the doors shut, so I hung two dual light overhead 
I grabbed a piece of green sandstone ( I believe that's what it is) and tried it out, smooth sides now 
I used this box also so in the future I could put a mast and faceting head to cut gems. The box already has rails and slots that the guard fence and attachments connected at. |
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Post by DirtCleaner on Apr 29, 2014 20:21:06 GMT -5
Strong work. Necessity creates invention.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Apr 29, 2014 22:07:46 GMT -5
nice work there! I can't wait to see what you do with it.
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Post by iant on Apr 30, 2014 1:52:17 GMT -5
You've made a great job of that! Well done!
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Apr 30, 2014 6:48:37 GMT -5
Thank you all for the kind words
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Post by roy on Apr 30, 2014 8:01:51 GMT -5
cool flatlap!
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on May 1, 2014 11:36:46 GMT -5
Man-o-man are you some kind of handy!!! Great work!!
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on May 1, 2014 18:30:33 GMT -5
Thanks, now if I can be just as handy USING it, I think I have some Apache Tears around here somewhere, I will see what I can do with those
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Post by Rockoonz on May 3, 2014 1:34:16 GMT -5
Very nice solid build, better than a lot of the commercial laps on the market nowadays
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on May 3, 2014 9:32:07 GMT -5
Thank you, used it last night and it performed very well
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Post by rockjunquie on May 3, 2014 15:12:16 GMT -5
I have a late friend who would call that "hippie ingenuity" (but then he was a hippie). Great job. Have fun with it! |
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Post by nowyo on May 3, 2014 23:36:55 GMT -5
Nice job, Home built stuff just adds to the satisfaction when you're using it. Now if you'd post some pictures of what you've made with it.
Russ
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on May 6, 2014 18:40:57 GMT -5
I just got in some rough today, I have to sort through it all but this weekend I will be see what I can produce. Gonna be free hand faceting for a while. Either until I save up for a mast and head or find me some metal blocks I can rig up for faceting. Thank you all for the kind words, it means a lot coming from very talented people. |
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on May 27, 2014 1:04:01 GMT -5
Welcome & glad to see someone making their own machines.
The workhorse machines from the big name companies have their advantages, but I dare everyone to make their own machine based on their vision of the perfect machine. Or at least based on the stuff you've got lying around the shop!
Success with making something using a tool that YOU made will get you over new product unboxing withdrawals.
Lynn
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Post by 1dave on Jun 13, 2014 5:35:08 GMT -5
ALL of those big name machines began in some kids garage.
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on Jun 13, 2014 9:09:18 GMT -5
So true, lol, so true
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kaldorlon
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2013
Posts: 413
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Post by kaldorlon on Jun 13, 2014 11:12:24 GMT -5
Excellent job! Can't wait to see what you produce on that one!
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I grew up always hearing " Don't buy what you can't afford" . Well I decided a long time ago , if I can't afford something, either buy it broke and fix it or build it from scratch. I only bring that up because I have seen it posted a few times that you should "always" and "only" spend your money on Name Brand items built by a factory.
