illusionist
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 137
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Post by illusionist on Dec 15, 2017 18:30:42 GMT -5
Assuming this would be for slabs?
Does it look like it is missing a lot of other equipment other than a coolant system?
Thanks.
Lapidary acquisition by Andrew Lee, on Flickr
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Post by woodman on Dec 15, 2017 18:43:42 GMT -5
pretty small slabs.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Dec 15, 2017 19:15:16 GMT -5
Assuming this would be for slabs?
Does it look like it is missing a lot of other equipment other than a coolant system?
Thanks.
Lapidary acquisition by Andrew Lee, on Flickr
At first, I thought this was a pottery wheel. You know, for throwing clay, making pots? The platform to the right looks like a place to rest your arms/elbows while spinning clay. But then I asked myself, Why would there be a huge nut right where the center of the pot would sit? Maybe turning clay was the original purpose of the machine, and it was modified for lapping slabs? Or, maybe it was home built specifically for slabs! The aluminum spray shield certainly looks home made. Just seems a tad tall for slabs.
Is there a manufacturer's name on it anywhere? Any kind of ID? I guess it could really be anything you want it to be! Jean
ETA - Shimpo VL Lite Pottery Wheel
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Post by Peruano on Dec 15, 2017 21:10:15 GMT -5
Looks like all you need to polish flats but only if you have a variety of discs of differant grits and a water supply ( bottle with drip). I'm presuming pan has drain and rpm of disc is around 250.
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Post by rmf on Dec 16, 2017 6:41:47 GMT -5
Back in the 50's and 60's there were a fair number of people that cut cabs on a horizontal lap. this looks to me like this is a setup that he used just for polishing cabs and small slabs. All you woulkd need for this would be a drip water system or a spray bottle because in polishing you need minimal water.
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illusionist
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2017
Posts: 137
|
Post by illusionist on Dec 16, 2017 11:41:17 GMT -5
Assuming this would be for slabs?
Does it look like it is missing a lot of other equipment other than a coolant system?
Thanks.
Lapidary acquisition by Andrew Lee, on Flickr
At first, I thought this was a pottery wheel. You know, for throwing clay, making pots? The platform to the right looks like a place to rest your arms/elbows while spinning clay. But then I asked myself, Why would there be a huge nut right where the center of the pot would sit? Maybe turning clay was the original purpose of the machine, and it was modified for lapping slabs? Or, maybe it was home built specifically for slabs! The aluminum spray shield certainly looks home made. Just seems a tad tall for slabs.
Is there a manufacturer's name on it anywhere? Any kind of ID? I guess it could really be anything you want it to be! Jean
ETA - Shimpo VL Lite Pottery Wheel
No name plates. I'm sure it was homemade.
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 16, 2017 13:24:44 GMT -5
Back in the 50's and 60's there were a fair number of people that cut cabs on a horizontal lap. this looks to me like this is a setup that he used just for polishing cabs and small slabs. All you woulkd need for this would be a drip water system or a spray bottle because in polishing you need minimal water. One of the instructors at the rockhound retreat here in the NW cuts all his cabs on a flat lap, one of his students will teach it at the clubs lapidary shop as well. I also know a rock dealer who cabs on a lap, and I have a couple drilled pendant bead shapes that are shaped on a lap, then sanded and polished on my Genie. If you have the space in your shop area for a lap they are well worth having around, and if used for the majority of material removal they can save a lot of money. You can get 80 grit electroplated laps for under $20 and a 6 inch galaxy wheel for a genie in closer to $150.
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