Hi Dave, you have been a great inspiration to me!!!!!!! I met Moonstone Bill up in wausau, wi. Loved your video at the tuscon gem show. It is a small world in the lapidary hobby.
For a watering system you can use a empty wine box. They already have a bladder and adjustable valve to control water flow. Just add your hose and #12 solid copper wire to direct the hose and you are done. Of course the fun part is draining the wine out of the box!
I know folks that do this with a drill I think the only problem with using handrill is that it might have a hard time getting up to speed or chucking the bolt but it does work especially in a pinch thank you for watching
Great video! If you can’t find a bolt that the threads won’t go all the through your lapidary wheels, you should see what the cost is for a tap and die set to extend the threads.
I planned on doing the flat lap with the bucket version of this. Then.i saw the upside down drill press idea.... I think I'm going that way. Thanks Dave it's a pleasure knowing you!
I have had the parts for a few months now, but it’s been too cold to work in my little shed/workshop. Well, I set it up yesterday for the first time. Works fantastic. Had issues with the drip system which is a KFC plastic to go drink bag (bout 1/2 gal), but it worked out. I used a disposable aluminum roasting pan for my catch system. Flexible,adjustable, and CHEAP. I went with the fully threaded rods, but as you said, they don’t turn as true. After reading the comments, I’ll be grinding the chucked end tomorrow. Love the videos and the information. Keep up the good work.
Nice vid man!! Quick tip on your fastener setup....good rule of thumb is at least two to three full threads should be showing to make sure that nylon lock (Nylok) nut is doing its job.
Very creative. A tip: don't use two pliers to tighten the nuts as you will end up chewing up the nuts. Use wrenches. Yes, tape a length of at least 12 gauge copper wire to the watering tube before taping both to the drill. With the wire, you can direct the stream to exactly where you need it.
everyone who has ever used pliers to tighten nuts knows they are chwing them up and that wrenches are better. But we don't want to look for the right wrench 🤣
Dave -- it's easy to add more threads to a partially threaded bolt. Get a die from HF and cut the extra threads you'll need. Love the idea of the expandable wheel mounted in a drill horizontally! Another possible source of long bolts with custom washers (and rubber bushings) is a sway bar link kit for autos -- if you have a friend willing to let you open a few boxes on the shelf in an auto parts store --- you may find something that will have the right measurements. I once fixed a broken differential mount on my Triumph TR-6 with a sway bar link -- worked perfect.
Thanks for watching I really appreciate it and thank you for subscribing it really helps out the channel let me know how it works out for you my friend if you decide to put the drill press upside down instead of hanging with that laugh like I did you’re gonna want to cut the bolt as short as possible which will keep the bolts shaft from warping of getting bent
Lapidary Dave, I am so happy to find your video. You have single handedly saved my marriage. I have been using all kinds of machinery for more years than I would like to remember. In the future, to keep all your fingers attached to your hands, please roll up your sleeves and secure them safely away from your moving parts. As far as laying your drillpress down. Make a 2x4 wood "L" frame on the Vertical side drill 2 half inch holes measuring from the holes on the base plate. I think the slots aer 1/2" so using some shorter 1/2" bolts, washers and nuts secure the drill press to the frame. Ensure that the frame is wide enough to prevent rolling. Now, you have a way to either stand, or lay flat your drillpress without ever having to remove it from your "L" frame. Hope this helps. Tee
I have four drill presses around and this was interesting . I have cabbing machines , polishing equipment and all kinds of purpose built tool s. Drill presses are easy finds at garage sales . And can change speeds by flipping the belts inside !
Just bought some cheap diamond plates and long bolts for my drill press. Thanks for the tip, This is easy and cheap way to start this hobby 👍 Also got bench grinder and some diamond pads for that.
@@lapidarydave i think it works well, for me anyway 😄👍 i did some video too. Just started my own RU-vid channel for rocks, here in Finland there is no that kinda content, havent seen anyway. I did some videos of rocks my other channel sometimes and then i tought why not rock channel also 😊👍 kotikylän kivet is homevillage rocks in English 😄 Thank you for the videos, very helpful videos 👍 i think this is gonna be very fun and intresting and teatching journey for me 😊😎
What an amazing idea! My drill press is an upright floor type so I will have to get a bench top model. Thanks for show how to do this otherwise it’s 1-2k $ for a lapidary machine!!
When I started out I tried this seeing it on you tube. Problem was is my little drill press from harbor freight, the motor got seriously hot and nearly burned up. The capacitor blew out first and I was able to get another one and it works again. So for the cheapies out there like mine beware the motor getting hot spinning that weight. I ended up getting a potter wheel for $99 on ebay. I drilled a small hole in dead center, put a thin 1/2" round washer as the arbor and screwed down and the flat laps hold on very well! Perfect speed, not too fast, not too slow and I have now done about 130 nice pendants on it. Just also get a couple small 6mm hoses and get 2 nuts and bolts. Drill down thru the center of them so water passes though. Drill at the lowest points in the plastic pan. Its very simple and drain into a bucket after you put a little drip system on it. Remember to get some rubber washers onthe inside and outside of those two bolts so it doesn't drip. You can make a couple if needed from the rubber out of the inside of a plastic coke bottle. The entire thing cost me like $108.oo. Try to get aluminum bolts at about 6mm round to use so they don't rust out from water passing through them all the time. Cool thing is you can switch plate sizes if you get the 11" pottery wheel. With not having to have any backing plate. The wheel is your backing plate.
I made my own flat lap just like yours. Made a smaller version to fit my rotary tool in a clamp👌.. Works great, i make Jewellery, silversmith n stuff so started wanting to make my own cabs an thought how can i do it without spending loads! Where there's a will theres a way😉. Shout out from ireland Dave 👍🍀
Just a suggestion, when mounting a wheel with a drill press, reverse the motor so the direction grinds away from you instead of towards you. Much safer that way. A knife makers trick
I've used a cheap bench grinder, drill press a d a regular hand drill mounted to a two by four frame. With the bolt, you can also take a file or grinder and file three sides flat to fit in the drill chuck better. It just takes some effort to balance it.
Hiya dave, Get a die and die wrench from your favourite big box store, maybe before cutting the head of the bolt off, use the correct die to lengthen the treaded part. Stay safe, Steve...
Nice video brother. For solving that wheels thread problem and shaking problem you can just go to your nearest lath mashen workshop and they make you a fitting size rod with desired threads in 5 minute. And it's would be very cheap. Thanks for video
Dave- great video. I’m very new to this gem world. I recently dug some garnets in NC and would like to polish them up so you can actually see the their beautiful color. Could you please tell me what wheels I need to achieve this. Thank you!
Depending on what machine you plan on using to grind and polish it might be different between machines but a good rule of thumb would be to buy 80 grit disk/wheel, 220grit hard disk/wheel, 280 grit soft disk/wheel, 600grit soft disk/wheel, 1200grit soft disk/wheel, and 3000grit soft disk/wheel all should be diamond :)
So David now I have to get rid of my spray bottle it works but not as good as the dripping water does😂 I like it I got all of it however one of my wheels is flat I think Johnson could fix it I hope
I’m sure he would Deborah and I imagine if the drill press is older it would be a lot better than most things you could buy nowadays new let me know if you need any helps with your set up thanks for watching
I have a Shopsmith that’s been sitting around. Not only does it convert to a drill press, table saw, sander, etc but the whole thing is variable speed so I can use the lower rpm settings. Just need to figure out how to keep the motor dry. They freaking last forever. Ours is circa 1940 something and still runs great.
If you’re talking about grinding stones for like a graining a hard stone wheel against stones for shaping definitely silicon carbide and you’re gonna wanna make sure that it’s a lapidary silicon carbide wheel
YOU ARE MY HERO! Thank you for posting this. I have been wondering how you make a decent lapidary using a hand held grinder. However, I HAVE A DRILL PRESS! What more do I need? I already have some lapping disks of various grits, bolts and nuts of all sorts, and even developed an IV drip system for my water source.
@@lapidarydave Thank you! You have greatly inspired me to have aguick and easy fix to my 3 year dilemma. I only bought my little drill press last year for $40 from a listing on Craigslist. It is about the size of yours! LOL. Thank you, again!
Another option for the wheel mount is to chuck a length of all-thread of the right diameter into the drill press and use a file to remove the threads from one end.
That would be totally awesome my friend I wish I knew how to find something to extend the threads hi I am pretty much hardware illiterate and have to reach out to my friends when it comes to stuff like that if you don’t mind I would love to see a link with your ideas on what could make it better
@@markattardo facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010423326634 This is my Facebook link feel free to message me on Facebook it would be a pleasure and an honor also if you don’t have Facebook you can hit me up on Instagram via #LapidaryDave
Awesome video! I recently aquired a bunch of turquoise rough , looks treated already. Ill be doing this project this week. My question is are you using the 6 inch or 8 inch flat disks ? I appreciate your time !
@@brandonhightower792 You also may want to recover the Turquoise dust/sludge in the bottom of the water tank, as it's valuable to use for other things, or sell to others!
I'm surprised i haven't seen a cheap lathe adapted to a cabbing machine yet! it's already sideways and you could easily support a bar with a bunch of wheels!
If I could go to only One show it would be the Tucson gem and mineral show there are literally thousands of vendors spread amongst a few different venues during the Tucson gem and mineral show in January and February However this year it’s been rescheduled for April almost anything you could ever think of can be found at the Tucson show
You should use correctly sized wrenches rather pliers as the pliers will mare the nuts. R.E.: Water collection. Turn the table 90 degrees out of the way and use blocks of wood to bring the collection pot to the required level. R.E.: Threading Bolts. Get a die with the proper threads and thread the bolts the distance you require.
Definitely , I don’t use it often but I have a friend that uses it every day on even cheaper job for us and she is kicking a lot of butt with it she loves it and plans on making a few more
Just a note; if you don't thread the bolt thru the nylon, it defeats the purpose. I would imagine you could use a spent 8" saw blade as a master lap. Grind off sharps of fine tooth luann blade. A colapsable camping water container has a valve, better control of your drip. A larger chuck would allow you to use your other wheel. I have $65 HF press, I can change chucks.
@@lapidarydave This is awesome cos my cousin wants to learn cabbing but doesn't have much money but she does have a small drill press like that and I have extra/used wheels so she'll be happy to know she can do this at home. :)
@@chadatchison145 that is super awesome :) if her drill press is too small for 6” or 8” laps you might want to help her take the stand and table off the press and rig a way to use it upside down or sideways since smaller laps aren’t half as fun as full size laps :)
Hopefully you’ve put the Nylock nut on far enough for it to actually lock. Unless you’re threading on the nylon part it won’t work as it’s supposed to 👍
@@lapidarydave lol very good point! Cutting stones to shape with a wet saw, and indeed the discs! Did you build your own? Trying to find an affordable way to cut and shape stones before I tumble them, I’ve got little space and little budged, I’m a disabled jewellery maker! Even making jewellery I work on a try or a tiny corner of a room! Need to try and find a way to cut and shape. I am wondering if I can use my flexshaft, I’ve made a make shift saw table from a really useful box but it’s just for small stones, and I use a iv bag for water. Not tried it yet as I need to make a temporary bench to use it on outside first!!! 😃
@@PhoenixCreationsKaTyJs so if you just look up Lapidary flat lap disks, I use the 6 inch ones 80 grit 220 and 600 then you switch to diamond impregnated resin 1200 and 3000 is all you need?
Hello. I hope you are aware that nylon locknuts are meant for a one shot usage. You can of course use anything more than once, but be aware. I also hope you are threading the bolt further along passed the nylon than you showed. Ugh, no pliers! At least use an adjustable wrench if you're not going to use proper wrenches or sockets. Thanks for sharing the idea. I like the possibilities.
Thank you so much for the information and I really appreciate you sharing it in a kind and sensitive way some people just call me an idiot and tell me that I don’t know what I’m doing LOL which is actually true I don’t know much about tools especially when it comes to locking nuts wrenches screwdrivers etc. so I’m so thankful for your helpful educational tips I will definitely in the future try to use something different besides the one time use locking nylon nuts
gave a good presentation but i think you need to know this about safety. don't wear long sleeves jackets, shirts if you do make shore to roll or tie them up so you don't tangled up in the machine. just a tip.
