kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Jun 6, 2017 9:22:13 GMT -5
Looks like your scored some great material,to last you awhile...... I have a 6" "all in one" type flat lap still in the box. Currently I don't have the room to set up some of the tools I have but I'm eager to learn how to polish and shape so I need lots of practice material. My wife will want to use it for the lawn I'm sure.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Jun 6, 2017 8:44:38 GMT -5
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 8, 2017 14:45:20 GMT -5
I'm no expert in this field, but I have had to find some used motors for various used machines I have purchased. I don't think that variable speed motors are preferred for most equipment. I went to the local appliance store and asked about washer and dryer motors. The guy told me that they would not remove them from old appliances and that it was illegal (or maybe a lawsuit risk) for them to sell me used motors. He did tell me that I could rummage through old washers and dryers setting outside and remove them myself. He then went on to say that the motors in appliances do not have housing around them. They're just open. At that point, I decided to take his word for that and not bother. I've also read here that some people have good luck buying motors from scrap metal places. I haven't tried that one. I bought one from a heating/cooling plumber. That one was removed from a furnace and works great for me. He hasn't gotten me any since and all the other plumbers were unwilling to collect them for me. I tried our Habitat for Humanity Restore and was told that motors came in rarely and were in demand so they don't last long. Basically, it's very difficult for me to find used motors where I live. Other people seem to find them for $5-$10 easily. ah yeah good point, forgot about that, not all the motors have housing. I have heard the blower motors from furnaces are useful as well. I live is a smallish area, haven't looked locally myself yet. Don't need any motors atm so....
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 8, 2017 11:15:43 GMT -5
I'm not sure if there is a list that already exists, but I haven't really found one and the question seems to come up ALOT. If you want to build something a motor needs to have certain characteristics, appropriate rpm (reasonable pulley adjustment), cost, adequate torque, regular house electric and a way to attach a shaft (anything I left out?) The question is what can you get a used motor from?
Washer motor variable scroll saw Sewing Machine Motor treadmill variable speed router Dental Polishing Motor drill press motor lathe motor There are some searches I did on ebay using "variable speed motor", although not sure about putting a plug on some of these, might be more to it then just doing that, dunno. 1750 rpm motor brings up some different results that would work for some things.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 8, 2017 10:06:44 GMT -5
there are some variable speed routers on Ebay, if the price is right.......car buffers too, but the most concerning issue is protecting from water, I think you can find one or the other with the correct speed.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 24, 2012 9:22:23 GMT -5
I can't find what the blasted things are called. I have some really old lapidary books and one has some pictures of some flat laps which I want to try. So I need bearings that will operate on a vertical shaft.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 17, 2012 8:21:41 GMT -5
best I can tell from what I have read, the thinner the blade the more expensive it is. If the material you are cutting is expensive you don't want to waste it so a thin blade is what you would want. Thicker blades are stiffer and you can push on the rock a little harder when cutting. I would think a thicker blade would be better for shaping the stone as well (using the edge to round corners, bevel etc.)
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 9, 2012 9:36:23 GMT -5
Speaking of blades... is it better to try to push a rock straight through, or to cut a bit, stop, cut some more, stop, OR to even back the rock out after cutting some? Will the stopping help get more water to the blade? push it straight if you can, I use a guide, what happens is the sides of the blade will grind as well, so any side to side movement the diamonds on the side of the blade will give you an uneven cut. Also i posted a picture of the splash guard I made so you don't get as wet.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 9, 2012 7:45:59 GMT -5
actual lapidary blades don't come in 7" is my understanding......I have a continous rim and it doesn't get hot at all, the blades with the gaps in them concern me as far as jamming and or breaking the blade or the rock, I have had no issues with heat and I've cut some hard stuff so.... practice with a cheap blade, you can always buy a more expensive one if you think you need it.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 3, 2012 15:01:04 GMT -5
so was doing some searching and saw one sentance where it was suggested that a floor buffer should work as a rotating flat lap. Seems to make sense to me. I'm thinking of getting an old one and turing it on it's side so it would be vertical rather than horizontal. Depends on what size is available. If the price is right the motor etc might be a good option as well for a pully system. Any thoughts or experience?
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 3, 2012 12:01:00 GMT -5
Three times material cost and then add on labor. Pay yourself a good hourly wage. this is one of the most accepted formulas that I have found. if you price it too low people will think it's junk, it's a luxury items so they should expect to pay for it. generally the materials are cheap even with swarofvski crystals, but the time and skill is what they are paying for. Anyway google it and you will find tons of things that will confuse you more.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on May 3, 2012 8:14:08 GMT -5
get a blade off of ebay, if you aren't cutting really expensive stone an inexpensive blade should be fine, worked for me anyway, and not all 7" blades are 7" one I purchased from Home Depot was a few mm larger and rubbed on the bottom of the water reservoir.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 27, 2012 14:27:17 GMT -5
I don't wear one usually, it fogs up my safety glasses
ot what about running a wet/dry vac to suck the particles out of the air?
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 26, 2012 9:52:58 GMT -5
I found some stone that I don't think will take a polish but looks cool wet, I purchases some high gloss clear coat spray that doesn't yellow and has uv protection, now I just need to try it. I'll post some pictures when it's finished.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 20, 2012 10:48:09 GMT -5
yeah don't toss them out, I have resin that I use for another hobby and would be happy to try recoating them and report back my results.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 19, 2012 15:35:58 GMT -5
lots of times you can get lead weights for free from a garage that balances and rotates tires etc.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 19, 2012 12:31:49 GMT -5
big big factor is cost (imo) what can you afford, how much are you willing to spend, I think most people start with tile saws, they are easy to find, cheap and easy to use. Cost and size generally go hand in hand.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 18, 2012 14:31:58 GMT -5
check out some knapping sites, they heat treat to make the stone fracture better, now if you are talking about color change, like they do to sapphires, that requires expensive equipment (kiln) etc.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 16, 2012 14:16:06 GMT -5
excellent point and I guess I tend to cut "dirty" rocks as there lots of sludge on the table that I need to wash away to keep a level surface etc.
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kevin24018
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by kevin24018 on Apr 16, 2012 10:59:50 GMT -5
yeah I keep a lot of water in mine and it's 7" don't know if that makes a difference, as the water runs low it doesn't spray as much, but there is still that mist because of the high rpms. Guess it depends on the kind of saw too, don't know, it's the only one I've really used so far.
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