DIY drill cabbing machine

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Just kicking ideas around and had a thought . What if I mounted a portable electric drill in a press stand like this

1554545587_drill_press.jpg


then set a flat base plate on the verticle drill with the grinding sheats mounted on the top surface of the master lap. Water bottle could be mounted on the side of the drill stand to supply a trickle charge of water to the grinding surfaces
Some sort of simple/cheap spray guard could be fitted si it was a bit hire than the grinding/lapping disks
So whadaya think, could this work as a portable lapping machine that I can carry around in my caravan
 
xcvator

I have no idea whether it would work but I am interested and watching keenly :)

Let us know if you make some progress. All great things start with an idea

cheers K.
 
1554677928_medium_51035-260716124719.jpg

This was posted on another forum, credits to the maker.
With a few mods could be turned into a cabber. The drill press has
merits, good idea. The more experienced will chime in with there thoughts
and input i hope.
 
You dont need much to get started for round cabs.

A drill, a metal rod, superglue, acetone for removing, various grades of wet/dry sandpaper, a sheet of burnings foam with sticky peel side to attach sandpaper, some felt or canvas stuck to same with some curium oxide or China-bay diamond paste for final polishing.

Diamond laps are optional. Spinning discs while spinning drill is optional. Both speed up the process.

1554679693_2c0f11ed-856a-4009-8c4d-b6fec466a9d8.jpg

1554680089_0540a726-d1fc-4a5b-956b-2925be64ad46.jpg
 
I dont think that the drill press would be rigid enough in its mechanics to do your job.

I guess you are trying to reduce weight, but you also loose strength.
As said it could be cheap enough to test if you had one donated or bought at a garage sale, and tried it.

Heavier but what about one of those $100 junior hobby drill presses from Bunnings or Ebay ?
Everything more sturdy and you get a variable speed belt drive motor too.

Do you have some sketches that we could see ?
 
RockRat said:
http://www.everythingmaker.co/diy-homemade-slanted-cabbing-lap-for-under-200-dollars/

Have a look at this link.
A steady hand and patience once you have your gear set up
seems to be the go. As Wally says, you don't need much. :Y:

I have seen that 1, quite clever, the problem for me is I'm trying to get away from 240v because of size/weight and where I can use it ( free camping )

Would something like this be powerfull enough
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hot-Hou...hash=item4b525419b4:m:m0Cm6EA5LZdgohEX2BiltLA
 
Wally69 said:
You dont need much to get started for round cabs.

A drill, a metal rod, superglue, acetone for removing, various grades of wet/dry sandpaper, a sheet of burnings foam with sticky peel side to attach sandpaper, some felt or canvas stuck to same with some curium oxide or China-bay diamond paste for final polishing.

Diamond laps are optional. Spinning discs while spinning drill is optional. Both speed up the process.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.co...9693_2c0f11ed-856a-4009-8c4d-b6fec466a9d8.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.co...0089_0540a726-d1fc-4a5b-956b-2925be64ad46.jpg

Interesting idea Wally69 ,that would only be for round cabs tho wouldn't it ?
 
xcvator said:
RockRat said:
http://www.everythingmaker.co/diy-homemade-slanted-cabbing-lap-for-under-200-dollars/

Have a look at this link.
A steady hand and patience once you have your gear set up
seems to be the go. As Wally says, you don't need much. :Y:

I have seen that 1, quite clever, the problem for me is I'm trying to get away from 240v because of size/weight and where I can use it ( free camping )

Would something like this be powerfull enough
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hot-Hou...hash=item4b525419b4:m:m0Cm6EA5LZdgohEX2BiltLA

A normal pedestal fan is around 60 watts, 180 watts seems enough to give it a try, only
$25-00 bucks if it doesn't work out. good find :Y:
 
I think that design for the slanted Cab machine is awesome, and I'm itching to build one for the kids.

Basically wooden block and motor bolted to it, plastic tub and a window washer pump - compact and cheap

To make it a 12Vdc portable unit is a great idea but you need a good high speed and good torque 12VDC motor
with a speed controller. ($8 - $15 Fleabay)
For the motor think car wrecking yards / auto electricians (for info on what to look for), generators (not alternators).
In the past I have seen them used on 12VDC Duck pluckers in the field.

Wiper motors are all geared down, great torque but no speed.

Maybe even something like a DC cheap cordless angle grinder with a speed controller? But most are not 12Vdc but 18-24Vdc.

Great project.
:clap:

xcvator said:
RockRat said:
http://www.everythingmaker.co/diy-homemade-slanted-cabbing-lap-for-under-200-dollars/

Have a look at this link.
A steady hand and patience once you have your gear set up
seems to be the go. As Wally says, you don't need much. :Y:

I have seen that 1, quite clever, the problem for me is I'm trying to get away from 240v because of size/weight and where I can use it ( free camping )

Would something like this be powerfull enough
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hot-Hou...hash=item4b525419b4:m:m0Cm6EA5LZdgohEX2BiltLA
 
xcvator said:
Wally69 said:
You dont need much to get started for round cabs.

A drill, a metal rod, superglue, acetone for removing, various grades of wet/dry sandpaper, a sheet of burnings foam with sticky peel side to attach sandpaper, some felt or canvas stuck to same with some curium oxide or China-bay diamond paste for final polishing.

Diamond laps are optional. Spinning discs while spinning drill is optional. Both speed up the process.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.co...9693_2c0f11ed-856a-4009-8c4d-b6fec466a9d8.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.co...0089_0540a726-d1fc-4a5b-956b-2925be64ad46.jpg

Interesting idea Wally69 ,that would only be for round cabs tho wouldn't it ?

Yes exvator

A flat lap system or grinding wheels are needed to cut other shapes. They usually require anchoring to make the grinding surface stable and also enable a feed of consistent water. I dont like the idea of spinning a 6 disk on a power drill and trying to handle a stone on a stick at the same time.

Using a dremel with small carving and polishing tools is another mobile option but can be a slow process.
 
Greenhornet_au said:

Sent an enquiry to the vendor re shaft size and power draw for No. 2, I think the other 2 might not be powerful enough
 
A bit more research and I've settled this motor

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hot-Hou...hash=item4b525419b4:m:m0Cm6EA5LZdgohEX2BiltLA

Plug on the motor is an EU plug so I'll change the to an AU 2 pin

1st problem is going to be getting/making an adaptor from the shaft to the master plate . Thinking getting 1 made from 20mm bar, bored for 6mm shaft with a grub screw to hold it in position on the shaft, the top turned down to take .5 inch master plate with a 1/4 inch tapped hole to take a retaining bolt.

I think the rest should be pretty straight forward :cool:

With this setup I can run it from an inverter in my van or from mains power at home

Any ideas and/or thoughts please
 
Take a look at the Motion Dynamics website, https://www.motiondynamics.com.au/ they have a huge range of DC motors plus design and make their own speed controllers which you will need as to Cab effectively you'll need speed control for different laps and polishes.

I've used their gear and they stand by it with very good service and support which you won't get off fleabay.
 
Update, I will be ordering the motor after easter as I'm going to be away for a few days, once I've got it I can get a shaft adapter made, the rest is pretty simple.

The next question is about the laps. Can you get 2nd hand laps that are still usable, what about master laps, can you make them yourself or do you have to buy them, if so where and how much to pay.

Which disks/laps to get ie 80, 200,600,1000,2000, then what ? (starting kit )

Where to get/buy coloured stones suitable for cabbing ( not gem quality :playful: )
 
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