Top products from r/Lapidary
We found 16 product mentions on r/Lapidary. We ranked the 13 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
1. Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 1: The Essentials
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 2
2. Tru-square Metal Products R3 Rubber Molded Barrel - 3lb Cap
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
This is the R-3 Rubber Molded Barrel And Cap for the Thumler's Tumbler.
3. Opticon Fracture Sealer & Hardener Lapidary Cabochon
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
This is a new bottle of Opticon sealer and resinThis is a clear sealerRepairs large and small fractures in lapidary stones and slabsThe mineral content of some fractures will not permit an invisible sealHighly effective in penetrating surfaces
4. Vaper 22509 7-Inch Replacement Hook and Loop Sanding Pad
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 1
Replacement velcro pad for Vaper item 22507Fits a 5/8 inch-11 spindle thread
5. Lortone Abrasive Tumbling Kit
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
4-Step quality grit kitContains coarse and fine silicon carbidesIncludes pre-polish compound and polishWill finish up to 14 lbs. Of rockComplete instructions included
6. Superior Electric GA-EXT Grinder Arbor Extension - 5/8 Inch- 11 Thread x 2 Inch
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 1
5/8 inch - 11 thread extensionHeavy Duty steel giving you extra rigidityHigh Grip texture for extra tightness capabilityEasily tightened with wrenches
7. Flex Shaft System, 1/4 Horsepower Motor | HDP-150.00
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Great for cleaning, polishing, sanding, drilling and moreMade in China1/10 horsepower motor#30 style hand pieceFoot control, flex shaft/sheath and chuck key
9. 3 Gallon Vacuum Chamber and 3 CFM Pump Kit for Degassing Silicone Epoxy - Not for Wood Stabilizing
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Stainless steel chamber with welded handles for long-term air-tightness performance.Round edge at the top for the protection of silicone gasket.Gauge reading in both inHg and Mpa.All kits are vacuum tested for 24 hours before packaging. (leakage less than 2.0 inHg @ 24 hours)Two-sided flippable vacu...
10. 6 Inch/150mm Stainless Steel Vernier Caliper Micrometer Durable Stainless Steel Measuring Tool Caliper for Precision Measurements Working Stable
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
High quality: Full stainless steel,high quality measuring device. High Accuracy: the accuracy is 0.02mm / 0.001 inch (less than 100mm) and 0.03mm / 0.001 inch (100 - 150mm)Durable and Long Lasting: Stainless steel material and no battery needed. An ideal tool for life time useMulti Function: The met...
11. CO-Z Digital Level and Angle Finder, Angle Gauge and Protractor, Inclinometer, Box, Magnetic Base and Backlight, Easy Two-Button Operation for Bevel, Table Saw, Miter Saw Measurements and Leveling
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
WIDE APPLICATION: This digital angle gauge provides quick & accurate measurement in auto repair, machine manufacturing, constructional engineering, and decoration, a must-have for woodworking, construction, machinery, telecommunications, automobile etc.COMPACT & LIGHTWEIGHT: Constructed of aluminum ...
12. 7" Heavy Duty Grip Silicon Carbide Sanding Discs (25 Pack, 120 Grit)
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 1
7" heavy duty E weight paper sanding discsSuper sharp and fast cutting Silicon Carbide abrasiveHook and loop grips to backup pad attached to an orbital or DA sanderUsed for dry sanding on natural stone, plastic, fiberglass and concreteHigh quality German industrial abrasives factory direct
13. 120W 1800rpm Gem Faceting Machine Jewelry Polisher Jade Flat Grinder
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
Voltage: AC 110-240V; Power: 120WSpeed: 0-1800 RPM (adjustable)Grinding disc size: diameter 150MMWorkbench size: 200*400MMStainless steel, precision and durable;Full copper motor; Low noise; Led lighting; The handle can be parallel to the grinding disc
Yeah I tend to scour Craigslist and local estate auctions for equipment and stuff I could modify. MPLS has some decent used equip from time to time, as does Duluth, but you have to be patient, and ready to jump when something comes up. There are some other good DYI suggestions people have made here. I have made a Flat lap for thundereggs and agate geodes with a 110V motor, an arbor adapter to convert my motor shaft to a threaded end that accepts angle grander attachments (5/8-11) and bought a 7" Velcro head and silicon carbide sand pads. Works awesome. I got the motor for $20 on craigslist, and everything else cost less than $60. Its basically a 'Richardson's Ranch Thunderegg polisher' clone. Richardsons Ranch uses a 3450 rpm motor, which I have, but I may switch it out to a 1725 rpm as it gets the stones hot quick.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MZKTWG6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/Black-Heavy-Duty-Sanding-Discs/dp/B07CBCCBN9?ref_=ast_bbp_dp
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ELTZ1W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I don't have that tool and I do not believe these types of chucks are standardized. If you could accurately measure the dimensions of the ones you have, that might be helpful.
To measure them you need a "precision" vernier caliper like this one-- https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Micrometer-Measuring-Precision-Measurements/dp/B074HZ8S21/ref=asc_df_B074HZ8S21/? --You can get any metal one that looks EXACTLY like this that you find, they all work the same. It should be capable of fractional measurements in Imperial and Metric. ...And then learn to use it, if you don't already know. (note--the dial calipers only measure in one system, and the electronic ones don't work well)
Or a micrometer will work for measuring too, if you happen to have one. If you must buy something then the caliper above is generally more useful.
I have a couple Dremel-brand tools and also have some of the Chinese generic brass collets on tools I've made, and I can say that the China brass collets will not fit into the Dremel tool at all, and the Dremel collets don't stay straight in the China brass collet. The back sections of the China collets is thicker than the Dremel collets.
Alternately, you may be able to change to a China brass chuck. If the Micro Mark motor shaft is 2.35mm in diameter (which it very well may be, that is a common axle size for small motors) and you can get the old chuck off (without damaging the rest of the tool) then you can buy a China brass collet set that has the chuck and 10 different collets, from .5mm to 3.2mm, for ~$1.50 + shipping.
It will likely all need stabilization; not much is pulled up anymore that's gem-quality hardness. The hardness relates to the dryness of the mineral; the stuff closest to the surface with the most exposure to air will, over millennia dry and become hard. But that's the easy stuff to mine, so there's not much left.
You can stabilize yourself; it's not difficult but does require a small vacuum system like this, along with a stabilizing agent like Opticon. Depending on the rough, you'd likely stabilize twice - the first time for cutting slabs, and then each cut slab as well. I use a 5-gallon vacuum chamber and can easily get a dozen slabs in it.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/3000474749/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_kqhozbCPS3E9J
That book was how I started finding out about faceting: Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 1: The Essentials Paperback – Nov 23 2014
by Tom Herbst (Author)
Then I bought this machine eventually: http://facetron.com/
And I bought some laps and other supplies from here: https://www.kingsleynorth.com/
I live near an amethyst mine so i get some amethyst to practice on when i get time.
Good luck
Get this book - Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 1: The Essentials. It lists many brands of machines and the pros and cons of each. Also it has what to look for in a machine.
It goes on to give a very thorough how-to for faceting, auxiliary equipment needed, etc. It's an excellent place to start.
Why not one of these doodads?
CO-Z Digital Level and Angle Finder, Angle Gauge and Protractor, Inclinometer, Box, Magnetic Base and Backlight, Easy Two-Button Operation for Bevel, Table Saw, Miter Saw Measurements and Leveling https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797R51WX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Bqv0Db5EGMF73
Legit just googled it then clicked on the first amazon link.
https://www.amazon.com/1800rpm-Faceting-Machine-Jewelry-Polisher/dp/B07XNPZT5W
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BUUT9G/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1519361193&sr=8-15&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=3lb+tumbler+barrel&dpPl=1&dpID=416tk27RhOL&ref=plSrch
https://rocktumbler.com/barrel.shtml
Im tubing it alone. I just started a second batch of it on step 2. I'm using these grits that I bought on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008BN48Y2/ref=pd_aw_fbt_21_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FR31BPDH214BAKZKSG7J