FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Sept 29, 2014 19:34:16 GMT -5
I built a flat lap today from scrap wood and a used motor I had laying around. Its functional as it sits right now but I need to add a water drip source and a spray shield. It was tested using a chunk of quartz I grinded flat with my wet saw. It polished the high spots to a glassy finish with 500 grit silicon carbide paper I purchased at harbor freight
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Post by Pat on Sept 29, 2014 21:07:21 GMT -5
You are very clever! I'm impressed. Good looking rock, too.
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Post by mohs on Sept 30, 2014 0:14:12 GMT -5
licorice pizza well that what used to call are old turntables I'd be proud to spin one on that rock on mohs
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Post by FLrockhound on Sept 30, 2014 0:31:16 GMT -5
Thank you Pat. It needs to be cleaned up but I was so anxious to try it out, I held off sanding and staining. It's last on my list of things to do. It isn't pretty but does the job. Its a "frankenlap".
I plan on having alot of homemade lapidary equipment in my workshop, I'd go broke spending thousands on equipment and my wife would disown me Haha.
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Flat Lap
Sept 30, 2014 0:41:23 GMT -5
via mobile
mohs likes this
Post by FLrockhound on Sept 30, 2014 0:41:23 GMT -5
Hahaha @mr.mos too funny. I'm going to go through alot of paper if I don't get an actual disk though. I find alot of joy in using equipment that was born in my garage for pennies and scraps.
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Post by mohs on Sept 30, 2014 0:48:47 GMT -5
I started on concrete a real rock bottom operation all my laps are used, pick up stones wheels from machine shop & lots of paper some of my hearts look a bit used too
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Flat Lap
Sept 30, 2014 1:22:54 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by FLrockhound on Sept 30, 2014 1:22:54 GMT -5
I started on concrete a real rock bottom operation all my laps are used, pick up stones wheels from machine shop & lots of paper some of my hearts look a bit used too oh wow! Yea I'd say haha, but we all have to start somewhere. If I could find used equipment down here on the "sandpile" it would be like finding a diamond in a box of lucky charms. I surf Craigslist from time to time an I suppose yard sailing couldn't hurt either. Thats a good idea, to get used wheels from machine shops. I'm sure they have stuff they wouldn't mind dumping on me.
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Post by mohs on Sept 30, 2014 2:34:37 GMT -5
I've picked up some used S/C wheels I've used them on my flat lap and also on my arbor There usually pretty wore down diameter wise But one time I really lucked out and got a fairly good wheel not to worn.
I lived in Florida for a couple years luckily I wasn't into rocks then ha !
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 30, 2014 9:41:02 GMT -5
A great idea!!!! I like it!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,158
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Post by jamesp on Sept 30, 2014 9:58:59 GMT -5
The grit salesman had me using lard on a Silicon Carbide lap. He said the military uses lard on theirs fl. Said it was a great lub that would not sling off. I need to post a photo of that thing. It used big sanding pads with adhesive backing and was geared down to a slower speed. Motor burned up on it.
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Post by mohs on Sept 30, 2014 10:15:22 GMT -5
rock & lard that will make it less hard ! and tasty w/chance of high cholesterol its a good idea jamesp ! mostly soap the stone mostly
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,158
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Post by jamesp on Sept 30, 2014 10:28:04 GMT -5
rock & lard that will make it less hard ! and tasty w/chance of high cholesterol its a good idea jamesp ! mostly soap the stone mostly The big wheel SiC salesman and I were laughing that our big military was using lard.For what ever they were lapping. He said they had tried a lot of things and the lard was hard to beat. Soap sounds great. They could sprinkle SiC powder on a pretty fast moving lap and it would not sling off. I will post my raggedy 18 inch lap, the motor burned up and I quit using it.
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Post by mohs on Sept 30, 2014 10:32:07 GMT -5
they use something similar James in the charging of the laps for electric clipper sharpening
basically a big metal honed plate charged w/ grit
good work if you can get it
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,158
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Post by jamesp on Sept 30, 2014 10:43:58 GMT -5
they use something similar James in the charging of the laps for electric clipper sharpening basically a big metal honed plate charged w/ grit good work if you can get it Just posted the infamous 'Lard Lap'. In home built junk section.
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Post by mohs on Sept 30, 2014 11:47:03 GMT -5
Lard lapping is the latest rage I'm on my way mostly
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FLrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2014
Posts: 343
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Flat Lap
Sept 30, 2014 21:11:35 GMT -5
via mobile
mohs likes this
Post by FLrockhound on Sept 30, 2014 21:11:35 GMT -5
I missed alot today. If I weren't watching Mick dodge I would reply something relative. Ill check out that lard lap. Sounds like something really useful.
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Post by mohs on Sept 30, 2014 21:15:17 GMT -5
o yes if U miss a day a lot get by the wheels are greased mostly
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ontariojoe
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 24
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Post by ontariojoe on Oct 29, 2014 18:45:28 GMT -5
Great simple flat lap. I'll be building mine similar to yours. I was wondering if you could use waterproof silicon carbide paper and i see on yours that's what your using. I'm too cheap to buy the diamond discs right now till i see if my lap works or not.
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Post by fantastic5 on Oct 29, 2014 19:19:50 GMT -5
I was talking to a fella who uses the 3M floor pads on a vibratory flat lap to polish agate slabs. He said he runs them dry for a long period and the combination of the floor pad and the rock dust does the trick. I've seen his agate that he polishes that way and the shine is amazing.
Not sure if the floor pad would work in this application or not.
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