What You Need to Get Started
1. A 1/3-1/2 H.P. electric motor, with a pulley and belt, running about 1700-1750 R.P.M. Less is OK, more is not.
2. A 1" diameter steel shaft, about 18-24 inches long, threaded at one or both ends, with nuts.
3. Two 1" inside diameter stop collars.
4. Two 1" inside diameter pillow block bearings.
5. A pully and bushing to fit on the shaft. It needs to be the same size as the one on the motor to insure the proper R.P.M.
6. A grinding wheel to fit the shaft. Green silicon carbide or diamond would be my choices. Naturally, the silicon carbide wheel is a lot cheaper than diamond. It also doesn't last nearly as long. I like anything from a 60-100 grit, with the coarser stone being my personal favorite.
7. Some sort of stand to set this contraption on. I simply made a small table type device that I can c-clamp to my regular work table. This way I can move it indoors when necessary.
8. A high speed fan. You need some sort of fan to keep the dust away from you.
9. A water drip system (optional unless you are using a diamond wheel)
Total cost for this system, including one 80 grit green wheel. About $110. Note that I already had a motor from an old drill press, so this part did not cost me anything.
Miscellaneous Items
1. Ceramic Tile cutter pliers - about $7-$10
2. Regular pliers - $3-$5
3. Pressure flaking tools (including edge shearers and notching tools)- home made- $.50-$2.00
4. Rubber pressure flaking pad or leather pad. I prefer a fairly hard rubber pad. Free-$20
5. Rubber notching pad. Free-$3
6. ROCK! Slabbed Material- Anywhere from $.50-$2 per square inch.
7. Safety glasses- $2-$5
8. Patience and Perserverance. Priceless!