All-U-Need Upgrade // Hi-Tech Diamond Flat Lap Converted Into A Carpet Wheel!
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- Опубліковано 14 бер 2023
- I really think this is an upgrade to the machine that everyone should do, and the results shown here speak for themselves.
Doing this opens up the option to both polish larger rocks on the machine, and there is now the option to attach so many different types of discs that the possibilities for the machine seem endless.
Master Lap Plate:
amzn.to/3CQ6zyr
Hook and Loop:
amzn.to/3CSABl0
Hi-Tech Flat Lap:
amzn.to/3XfWIKm
hitechdiamond.com/collections...
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11l.
😅
We need more people like you in all hobbies.
Thank you!
I couldn't tell the difference until you held them side by side. Cool!
The side by side really shows it.
This was a great video. The carpet you are using looks like berber. I think you're absolutely right about trying different carpets and textiles. Good job!
Good thinking, because you can load up various pieces of carpet with various grits of polish, because I'm like you, unless the surface is perfect, there is always room for improvement! Especially when it's my own work! SO yeah, and you might also want to try a piece of leather (suede) with a bit of uber high grit polish because leather is one thing that I use to finish off the edges of my knives when I'm sharpening them, with a bit of polishing compound rubbed into the leather, so you might be able to go to a leather processing plant or shop and ask them for a piece or three of off-cuts of leather that are big enough for your wheel, and then use whatever polish you want on them and see how it works for you, but don't use water on the leather, because leather does all kinds of bizarre things when it gets wet, or if you do, perhaps put some paper around it and press it between some pieces of wood with a couple of cinder blocks on top of it to prevent the leather from warping. or not, give it a try if you like, perhaps I'm not fully aware of how it will work. heck, even a nice bit of finishing Plywood would be a great base to velcro whatever to it, but just seal it first. there are thousands of options a person can resort to, in order to get the results they want.
By Grorge, I think he's got it!! Much better. Keep the experimenting coming. Most of all, KEEP HAVING FUN!
Thank you!
I was in a glassblowing shop in their cold-working room; they had a 48" flat surface rotating disc, it had a trough ran around the parameter of the work area to collect the water and grit compound. A stationary bar ran out from the center out and connected to the apron shield; that bar could be used to "catch & hold" the work piece in one area stationary to flatten out the glass on the bottom-end as the disk rotated, a pile of grit-compound sat near the center area with a light drip of water to carry the grit outward. The work pieces could then just sit propped up against the stiff-arm and grind away under gravity for a few hours. On glass that hasn't been polished down further than the initial flattening; you can see the groove radius cut into the glass and probably from there calculate the circumference of the abrasive disk that was used; till this day never have seen a one that large.
That sounds really cool, I would love to see something like that.
I like this idea. I just need a flat lap haha
I think it does open up other options for what can be done with the machine which a good thing.
In hindsight I don't know if I would get the flat lap now that I have my arbor, richardsons sander and carpet wheel.
This is like an epiphany! First, the velcro hack to create the myriad of possibilities for the flat lap has my head racing, can't wait to apply. Second, I've been wanting to do a carpet wheel and this is sooooooo much easier than creating a whole new machine for the studio. Great idea to do the comparison between the Hi-Tech cerium and carpet cerium and the proof is in the pudding. I like the idea to compare cork, canvas, different kinds of carpet (I'm wondering if wool berber would be superior), don't forget leather too. Great video, appreciate the time you took to try it and share it. Cheers to shop season!
Thank you!
I think this opens up a number of different options for what can be done with this machine. This will allow me to more easily test different types of polish and if I find something I really like then I can make it for my large slow speed buffer which I think is a better tool for the kind of big work I do.
I would love to test out all of the things you mentioned here and see how they compare against each other.
I've been looking for something exactly like this! And since the dollar store has door mat carpet that actually is pretty durable, I know where I'm going tomorrow !
Good luck with it!
@@CurrentlyRockhounding you are absolutely right about carpet. Holy smokes! And less cramping in my hands. I've taken a couple steps out of my polishing process. Makes me want to pull up my carpet, cut into little pieces and chuck them into the tumbler! 🤣
Jarod,
Oh how I'd love to sit down and have a conversation with you! I like your inquisitiveness, invention, and willingness to break out of the box. However, I have knowledge which could be shared with you. But due to the sensitive nature, I cannot do it on this forum. If we do ever "meet", I could then be more than cryptic in my comments. Keep on being curious! You're heading in the right direction man!
You can always shoot me an email and we can chat.
Don’t forget the corkscrew
Great idea 👍 I noticed the polish was just lacking a bit, I'm definitely going to try this thanks Jared 🍻
Since you already have a flat lap you might be able to just re-use a disc by flipping it over and putting velcro on it. I think the finish that comes off of a carpet wheel is pretty good.
I like a good chocolatey Easter egg.
1:50 when the grit doesn't match the "carpet" wheel sorry my mind goes to the gutter a lot.
Thats sweet! Where did you pick up your velcro? I can hardly wait to get all the parts to try.
No offense, that is so nerdy & I love it!!
It just occurred to me, that is just a wet etch for silicon wafers.😁
So many great ideas! Thank you!
Very good. Thanks for sharing.
Great ideas, thanks for sharing them!⛏⚒🇺🇸
Awesome video!
Wow! What a difference!
Love the velcro multiple use possibilities. Great...flat lap improvement. One word thanks! You share wonderful options.
i needed this video
I'm glad you liked it.
Glad you decided to upgrade. I might get one too if all goes well
It's a learning process for sure.
Heard ya saying the material to try elk hide according to Hartman from durango say works great he's been in the business yrs
Good call man! That worked out pretty well! For a shield, I turned a clear rubbermaid bin on it's side and put the entire unit inside it, works great! Very clean. Looking forward to seeing how the cork holds up
I think there is room for improvement on this for sure and I think something made out of a plastic bin would work great for this.
Great video
Thank you for sharing
Lots of great information
👍❤️👍
Thank you!
Great upgrade. Big improvement ☑
It seems to be a worth it upgrade.
The plastic tops from those small plastic bins you buy like 5 for 10 bucks at walmart make fantastic splash guards and are easy to cut to shape, while being rigid.
That would make for a better splash guard for sure.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding idk how well it will be for the flat lap but they are perfect for hi tec saws. You cut little tabs and bend part in, then boom, best splash guard there is. To be fair, there is a ceiling for how great a splash guard can be. At least until ai splash guards whipe our glasses off for us.
I use carpet to. It works great
It does a great job.
Enjoyed your expiriment
Thank you!
Great idea! I have a slant but same thing. Experimentation here we come!
I would love to hear if you come up with anything really neat.
Thanks!
Happy “daylight savings”
Spring is in the air
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for the donation!
I can't wait for you to test the cork!
I think the results will be interesting.
Great honest & refreshing video. I love that you don’t use the term “whhhatttt”. The thunder eggs are beautiful.
Whhhattttttttt! :D
Sorry I had to say it!
Thank you!
The carpet wheel side looked way better. You can see the blue really well with the carpet polish. But barely on the other one 👍👌
The side by side is where you can really see it.
Jarrod, I use a hard felt or leather to good effect
Both are things I will try.
Jarod, I haven’t committed to purchasing any tools to start cutting and polishing my rocks
By watching your videos I can now make a educated decision on what I will need! One thought I have, is to use a thick piece of leather in the buffing out stage.
Leather if very soft. We us leather when buffing polish on a car.
Just an idea to try. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼
I'm glad you are finding them to be helpful.
For sure leather is an option that lots of people use and there's actually a lot of different things people have suggested that I would like to try.
Cool.
Great episode! I swear we have the same brain. 😮
I’ve made different types of materials to attach onto my flat lap and my grinder. Both with Velcro. I use my flat lap master lap and attach leather for turquoise, hard cotton wheel, felt wheel, and I’m missing another that I can’t think of at the moment. I’ve not done carpet yet. I’ll be watching you test different carpets, for sure. 🤘🤘🤘
Stay Crystal,
Mari
P.S. You may burn out your bearings using different materials on your master lap. I know from experience 🤦♀️
I think there's a lot that could be tested out here with this kind of setup.
Open cell foam or rough leather/suede can also possibilities but I'm not sure they'd be any better. That exterior carpet can hold a lot of medium and it's meant to be durable against wear. The speed at which you get to that level of polish is very impressive.
Oh for sure, there's lots of different options that can be ran with this.
I used the bigger pads on my Ameritool flat lap. I never used Velcro but think with the screw it would work even better. Made a video and it polished my specimens awesome at 3000 grit. They were $59 on Amazon
Ok so how do you attach the Velcro to the master lap? Self adhesive or some type of glue. Did you have to cut it to size or did you find a round piece of Velcro. Sorry if I missed that in the video but I’m so going to do this.
I think the wheels are too wet. The best polish comes from friction. That's why leather works as well as it does. I noticed you didn't even mention using leather. Another factor is length of time. Did you time how long each half was in contact with the plates? It was a good comparison and I think your new design is a big improvement to the Hi-tech. Maybe they should talk with you about it and give credit where it's due (if you know what I mean). Another good video. Thanks for showing us something else that is well thought out and presented with data.
There's so many different things that could be tested such as leather which could be used smooth side out or rough side out. I wasn't intentionally not mentioning it as there's many different things people suggest using but never show all the options side by side which I understand is hard for people do but we have a major problem in the lapidary world and that is all of the myopic opinions people pass off as objective facts.
There is no shortage of people in rock clubs and on the internet using all the platforms such as UA-cam, Facebook and TikTok saying things like "______ is the best and everything else is trash". These statements people make should have some evidence to back them up but what I have found is that they almost never do. Instead what I find is a lot of emotional and defensive people that get upset when someone is suggesting something different or presenting a different idea.
For me personally I like testing things out that people say and sometimes its correct and sometimes its wrong.
I don't know of anyone who has tested leather, felt, cork, carpet and balsa wood side by side with the same material on the same machine with the same polish and shared the results.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Agreed on the "my way is the only best way". I've seen some amazing results with Lapidarists using felt, carpet, and leather. Sometimes it's just a matter of "how good is good" for some people. I think you and I both like to get the best polish we can (unless I'm giving it away...) if it's for out personal collections. I think the subject could/should spawn a series of videos testing a bunch of the various options. Hmm.
Cody and I were speaking to exactly this before you showed up at the SPORK gathering yesterday. Pretty co-in-ki-dinky...🤘
You were talking about the finish on rocks or the flat lap?
@@CurrentlyRockhounding about you having an option for the flat lap that could expand his capabilities. I remember us talking about it a few months ago.
Yep, you can see the difference.
That is a awesome idea! for people who have a flat lap that is a game changer, i don`t have a flat lap, i get by with my 5" diamond infused sanding/polishing pads from amazon, the set came with a cotton polishing pad i use with cerium oxide, but this gives me some ideas for a carpet wheel that i can mount in mt drill press thanks Jared love what you do.
If you try that I would love to hear how it works out for you since a drill press is something a lot of people have already.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Yeah i will, i just got to figure out where to get the arbor and discs from.
What kind of carpet and where do you get it? Looks GREAT
It's outdoor carpet from Home Depot.
What a fantastic idea and I can't wait to adapt my flat lap. Questions for you - where did you find those large pieces of velcro and what speed did you run the carpet at? Thanks for always being innovative!
I got them on Amazon, there's links in the description box to the items I got.
This video convinced me to go with the all u need for my grinding tool, and I'm happy with it. After your recent post showing how much the cerium oxide can do even without a perfect pre polish, I decided to smear some on the "tech 11" felt pad it came with and see how it goes. I used some eggs I had done on the drill press with diamond pads, and got a nice shine on them other than about one rough spot each where my prepolish just wasn't close enough. I found that the motor bogged down a bit, I wonder if the felt is a bit too high friction to put much pressure on, compared to your carpet setup. I'd love to see you compare the two at some point, but it was pretty quick and out of the box with their felt pad.
Yeah if you are pushing so hard as to bog the motor down you might want to back off of it and just let the wheel do the work.
I do need to get some felt to try and when I do I will for sure share my results.
Like the idea of combining tools instead of buying or building another machine. soft leather pad hhmmm
Thank you.
I think cork will stop up your machine! 😂😂😂
Ha!
Definitely improved.
I’ve recently started using the faux wool covers that stretch over car buffing machines. If something similar becomes a testing option for you, I’d be really interested in the results.
What polishing compound are you using?
@@CurrentlyRockhounding I’m using cerium oxide. My arbor has a flat disc attachment that screws on the end of the drive shaft. Disc is same diameter as the expandable drum (6 in).
I stretch the faux wool cover (purchased from Harbor Freight) over that attachment. Perfect, tight fit.
This is awesome. I'm new to doing anything with all the rocks I've collected over the years, but I've recently started processing through material and I'm having a blast (just tumbling atm but plan on getting a saw and flat lap soon). One of the questions I've had is if I can get decent results face polishing on a budget flat lap like this Hi-Tech. I think you've found a super creative way to increase the capabilities here, so I commend and thank you. I'm now wondering if could use the existing Hi-Tech discs and use a bolt to secure them below the working surface (like you did) to allow more working room for larger thundereggs and rocks exceeding 4". It would be a bummer to have something that's just a bit too big to polish. Do you think that's a possibility? I'm thinking I'll try it once I get the equipment.
I think that would need some more modifications but its not impossible.
How much pressure do you think you used? Sounds like the motor at first was loading a bit. Beginner here. Thanks for all you do for the hobby!
And WOW you can really see the difference side-by-side.
Not much, I think the sound is mostly just my bench vibrating and the microphone. When I put the machine on the floor, it sounds way different.
Very cool video!! I got a used hi-tech flat lap a couple months ago. Great idea with the master lap! I also need to make a spatter guard for mine. Here’s a question, can you refreshen the diamond plated discs that hi-tech sells? Thank you for taking the time to make these videos and sharing them with the rest of us!!👍😎
That is an interesting question and a hard one to answer but it is something I have been working on for a bit now and in the coming month I will start to release videos about that subject some.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding AWESOME!!👍😎
I've had issues using carpet on my homemade flat lap but found that leather produces a stunning mirror finish on agates and silicates. (I also use a Velcro backing on a master) Keeping the leather the right amount of dampness is a trick for sure though. How about a leather vs carpet video???
What was the issue that you were having?
@@CurrentlyRockhounding just not getting good results. I think it was poor carpet choice on my part. It was older scrap indoor carpet, plus my machine's rpm is too fast. Maybe I'll try again someday.
Thanks for the great video! Where do you order extra grit discs? Amazon? or do you have to go directly to HiTech? Thanks!😊👍
Any 8" lap disc will work. You can buy them from many lapidary supply companies.
Interesting! Did you polish both for the same length of time? I didn’t catch it if you addressed that.
I didn't address it in the video.
The amount of time on a stage when polishing doesn't matter as much as the removal of the scratches from the previous step. As example going from 180 to 220, at some point all the scratches from the 180 are gone and everything is just 220 so the amount of time can vary.
As far as this goes the time doesn't matter since it both fully removed the scratches from the previous stage.
Cheers from the great white north. I have a similar set up, and it works great for me. I use a little different polishing recipe and it gets really great results. Do you have a email? I could send you some picks of rainbow obsidian I just did with my method. Thanks for the great vid
I do have an email and I would love to see what you have been working on.
currentlyrockhounding@gmail.com
Do you use the pump up pump system for your water supply?
I use a little pump in a bucket of water.
Do you have any updates from what you have tried and what works best?
I still think carpet is king for this.
This may be a silly question but where did you find the flanged screw you used? My local hardware did not have and I have not yet hit the big box store. Thank you.
The flanged button head screw was something I already had but my local hardware store sell them as well as Home Depot.
How abut making a micro fiber wheel? Would that work with cerium oxide? Or too soft?
That's a good question. I'm not sure but you could try it.
I’ve always been lead to believe a low pile wool carpet was preferred. I don’t think I’ve caught what type of carpet you’ve been using and if you have a feedback on the subject? Thanks so much for all you do for the community!
I literally asked too soon mid video! 😂
I am going to try this out. I find I spend way to much time trying to get a mediocre polish. What about using one of the Acrylic backing plates from Hi-Tech? Where did you get the screw to hold everything in place? I don't want to get the wrong one and mess up the threads on my machine. Thanks for the video and idea. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Oh for sure you can use one of the acrylic backing plates.
The screw that I used I already had in my shop but if you take your thumb screw you already have to a hardware store you can match it up.
@Currently Rockhounding Well let me say thank you. I got my disk today and went to Home Depot to get the rest and now have a carpet wheel 😁. Time to get my shine on!!! Appreciate all the great info you share.
Are there any UK distributor of equipment for grinding and polishing rocks and minerals, the same as the Hi Tech All U Need rock & mineral unit, or similar equipment. It's not for gem lapidary, but is for scientific prep of rocks and some minerals for exam by visible light microscopy, polarised reflection microscopy and Raman microscopy/spectroscopy.
That's a good question, I'm not sure what you have for UK disto.
Where are Thunder eggs found?
That is far too large of a question to answer in a comment.
I'm doing this someday to my flat lap. Did you use self adhesive backed velcro or glue it on? I have Velcro i can use but not sure what to use to glue it on. What would you recommend?
It's held down with velcro.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Yes but how is the Velcro attached to the master lap?
Cool idea! It sounded like the machine bogged down quite a bit, is that normal?
Anyone can stop the machine when running it on a low setting and by pushing too hard. You just need to adjust the speed and pressure to make sure that doesn't happen.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding That makes sense. Appreciate the response👍👍
What kind of carpet should I get to do this? anyones I should avoid?
I just use cheap outdoor carpet from Home Depot.
Why do you not want the oxides on the finished stone?
Because it looks bad to leave polish on the stone.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding oh, I was thinking it had something to do with it starting to etch or stain the rock. Lol..
9:09 you are contaminating your laps in the top left corner or the image :oooooooooooooooo
Incorrect.
Most excellent!!🪩✨🌟👍👍Shops looking good there buddy!!
Thank you.
Can you ever do a video on how to make a trim saw from scratch using a motor, arbor and either wood or plastic for the tank? Trim saws have become so expensive that I can't even afford to buy one anymore... Why the hell does a plastic Hi Tech trim saw cost so much anyway? I hate how the lapidary industry price gouges us for stuff vs the tile cutting industry. I bet I will wake up one day and a plastic Hi Tech saw will be over $1000. There has to be an alternative.
I think there is a lot to address here with this comment.
I do like the idea of making a saw and it will happen someday. I agree that lapidary machines have became rather expensive relative to the rate at which incomes of people in general are raising.
I can speak a little bit to why saws such as the one that Hi-Tech sells costs what it does. Warehouse, shipping department, customer service, insurance, employee payroll, being made in America, health care and much more.
As for the lapidary industry vs the tile cutting industry I think you are not factoring the economy of scale. If lapidary machine were made by orders of 5000 in China and sold in Home Depot then they would all likely be priced the same but that's not the situation.
I think there are a number of factors here that you are not really taking into consideration.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Right on... I still can't afford it though dude... I guess I better sell my cabochons for way more money...
@@produceman13 I hear you. I can't afford many new machines at all so I'm stuck building them which for me isn't the worst thing since I know how to do it.
I wish more people were into this stuff which would drive prices down.
@@CurrentlyRockhounding I've been trying to save up for an ultrasonic drill too... but after a decade I can never come up with the 2-5 grand to get it... Do you think it's even possible to build something like an ultrasonic drill ourselves?
@@produceman13 Oh for sure you can build that. You can buy a 60W 40KHz ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer on Amazon for $20 and likely cheaper on ebay if you're will to wait for one
Instead of trying to put that white stuff on at full speed and having it spray off everywhere, turn the flat lapper down to 1.
I prefer my method of applying it.