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I just picked up an old Gemlap 5A flat lap for a winter project. I love how solid these old machines are built. I'll likely get a typical 1/4HP 1725 RPM motor, but I'm not really sure how to mount the motor so it can easily be loosened to adjust the belt for different speeds. Any ideas? Thanks
Looks like responses are lacking so I'll toss this one out, it's a different machine but same idea. I bought this from a club member who was downsizing and moving, said her dad built it.The box is 23" long, 8 1/2" high, and 11 1/4 deep, all 1x12 pine board. Motor is 1/2HP washer motor, way bigger than necessary, but likely was easy to come by. The rotary switch is to select either 1140 or 1725 motor RPM. This will at least give you an idea or two. Edited: Closer inspection with a mirror shows this machine to be a re-stickered Gemlap 5-A
Post by mgroothuis on Jan 17, 2024 19:39:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. Great pictures. It gets my brain working! I found a Dayton 1/4hp motor online for pretty cheap. It was just delivered today. My lap has a 6" disc, but there's plenty of room to bump it to an 8" like this one you show. I was thinking about building it into a free-standing table, but your pics show it to be a little more self-contained and portable. Hmmm....
l like working outside weather permitting and this machine is handy for that. I do have a variety of plates for it, some came with it, some I made. I cut the slot in the motor end of the box, grab the tub and the slot, makes it very easy to move.
Post by mgroothuis on Feb 18, 2024 14:01:04 GMT -5
The project turned out pretty good. Now I need to source some discs and a backer plate. I liked the idea of it being portable, so it's essentially built like a crate with handles. The drain tube feeds into a water-sealed compartment below that can hold a bowl for easy cleaning. For power, any extension cord plugs directly into the back.
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 18, 2024 18:52:51 GMT -5
Looks like you built it to suite your needs perfectly. I am a big fan of Gemlap equipment and a bit of a collector. I have everything they ever built except for the faceting unit.
This is my flat lap that I refurbed and build a stand for years ago.
Looks like you built it to suite your needs perfectly. I am a big fan of Gemlap equipment and a bit of a collector. I have everything they ever built except for the faceting unit.
This is my flat lap that I refurbed and build a stand for years ago.
Chuck
Very nice, Chuck. Yours looks super-solid. You must have a different model than the 5-A with the offset arbor and larger water reservoir? Maybe earlier, or later? I can understand the collector mentality. I'm drawn to them for their stout build and the fact that they're relatively local to me. Nothing nowadays would have a riveted metal plaque with "Brad's Rock Shop" attached to the side. Mine came from the same place. Super-cool from the old days.
Very nice job on mounting everything, then a furniture finish too. I would suggest one thing; cover the bolt ends sticking out of the case {motor mounts}, they will rip you good in a split second of too close. A piece of rubber tubing works good.
Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 19, 2024 11:15:22 GMT -5
I grew one town away from Ferndale and still live in the immediate area so having equipment from Brads rock shop is a bonus. The one in my photos is also a 5-A but more then likely a different year. Mine is set up for an 8" plate and also has a recess in the casting next to the plate for a facet mast.
Here is a 1940's gemlap photo using a mason jar for the water
Some other good reading. These show the Gemlap "Roth" trim saw, the 2-A trim saw and the flat lap. I also have a Gemlap rock tumbler with the metal Brads rock shop plaque.
The 2-A Trim saw is the showpiece. Those things are truly a work of art. I do not think there has ever been a better looking trim saw made.
My tumbler is in storage but this is what they looked like.
These are a few that I picked up from an estate sale years ago. Between the saws and flat laps I have probably had about 20 gemlap items pass through my shop over the years.
I grew one town away from Ferndale and still live in the immediate area so having equipment from Brads rock shop is a bonus. The one in my photos is also a 5-A but more then likely a different year. Mine is set up for an 8" plate and also has a recess in the casting next to the plate for a facet mast.
Here is a 1940's gemlap photo using a mason jar for the water
Some other good reading. These show the Gemlap "Roth" trim saw, the 2-A trim saw and the flat lap. I also have a Gemlap rock tumbler with the metal Brads rock shop plaque.
The 2-A Trim saw is the showpiece. Those things are truly a work of art. I do not think there has ever been a better looking trim saw made.
My tumbler is in storage but this is what they looked like.
These are a few that I picked up from an estate sale years ago. Between the saws and flat laps I have probably had about 20 gemlap items pass through my shop over the years.
Chuck
Wow, thanks for posting those! Very interesting! I don't see their machines show up very often, but when they do I always look twice. The 5A I just finished popped up on eBay a couple months ago and I couldn't pass it up. Really cool info, Chuck. Thanks.
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parfive: BOLO – Sara w/no h.
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Nov 20, 2024 21:55:16 GMT -5
Welcome to the Rock Tumbling Hobby Forum where we share a love of rocks and a sense of community as enduring as the stones we polish.
The RTH Forum of www.RockTumbling.com is an Amazon Associate site and we earn money from
qualifying purchases you make after clicking on our links such as this
Rock Tumbling Supplies on Amazon
link for instance, or any of our various product ads and banners. By clicking our links every time you begin your Amazon shopping
experience, you are generating a bit of revenue for the forum which helps us cover our expenses. Thank you for your support!
