The idea of using a vertical drill bit has been on my mind for a long time. You can use the rotating part of the grinding machine head and place it in the drill bit; this saves you the trouble of having many parts.

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'm embarrassed to say that  I've done this with a drill and did NOT think to do this with my press............GENIUS

This just gave me an idea to use my HF wood lathe as a cab 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.

Great video!  I Don't want to go broke buying all this equipment, this is a means to work the stones at a very low cost. Thanks!

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.

So good. This is just what I was looking for - someone who understands that not all of us want to spend thousands on equipment when they're not sure they'll use it. Your videos have been immensely helpful in getting set up so I can give this hobby a try. And I'll get better stuff if I find I want to continue. Or not! And save some money : )

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.

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.

You've given this newbie so much confidence, in such a short time. Thank you kindly!

Now that's a great idea!

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.

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

That is a fantastic idea there, guy!   Outstanding!

Just a little info for water drip you can pay a IV bag it comes with tubbing and a little dial in the tub that speed up and slows down the water speed the IV bag are made to hang you can use wire or whatever to hang the bag this hold a good amount of water and doesn't take up much room and easy to attach anywhere its a convenient water system you can order the bag online from a medical supplier or if you have a medical supply store in your town you can just buy one. And if you happen to know someone working in a hospital maybe they can grab on for you. I got my first one from when I was in the hospital but I've bought more from a online supplier... just a little trick I found that might be helpful to you. Thanks for the info on the drill press, great idea...

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.

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!

Impressive!!!  I am learning to work with semi-precious stones, and this is very helpful.  Thank you.