Lapidary guides
Learn the tools behind the craft.
Start with the work you want to do. Each guide explains what to compare, which details affect the real setup, and the machines documented in the finder.
Learn Before Buying Equipment
Compare classes with member workshop access and check the prerequisites, supplies and practice time before booking.
Find your first step →National learning directoryClasses, Schools & Workshops
Find instructors, destination schools and club workshops. Check documented techniques, prerequisites and equipment-access rules.
Find a place to learn →Interactive · Planning toolSetup Planner
Build a cabbing, faceting, or sphere-making plan, remove equipment you already own, and see the remaining source-backed cost.
Build your plan Decision guideFlat Lap vs. Cabbing Machine
Compare the disc and multi-wheel workflows by project, workspace, setup needs, and current official-source examples.
Compare the workflows →Buying guideWhere to Buy Lapidary Machines
Compare documented models by manufacturer, price, and machine type, then continue to the official product page.
Explore official buying paths →01 · Machine guideCabbing Machines
Compare multi-wheel cabbers, slant cabbers, and compact gem makers by wheel size, water handling, included abrasives, speed, and bench footprint.
Explore guide →02 · Machine guideFlat Laps
Compare compact and heavy-duty flat laps by disc size, speed range, included disc sequence, water management, and usable bench footprint.
Explore guide →03 · Machine guideLapidary Trim Saws
Compare lapidary trim saws by blade capacity, vise and table design, coolant system, speed control, and what arrives in the box.
Explore guide →04 · Machine guideLapidary Slab Saws
Compare slab saws from compact benchtop machines to production equipment by blade size, feed system, voltage, coolant, weight, and working footprint.
Explore guide →05 · Machine guideFaceting Machines
Compare faceting machines by angle system, index hardware, speed control, included laps and dops, transfer equipment, and manufacturer support.
Explore guide →06 · Machine guideSphere Machines
Compare two- and three-head sphere machines by capacity, cutter cups, abrasive workflow, power, weight, coolant handling, and preform requirements.
Explore guide →07 · Machine guideRock Tumblers
Compare rotary tumblers by barrel capacity, motor, included barrels, noise and location needs, and the consumables required for a complete cycle.
Explore guide →08 · Machine guideLapidary Band Saws
Compare diamond band saws by throat capacity, blade type, water system, speed, replacement parts, and the shapes they can realistically cut.
Explore guide →09 · Planning guideSetup & Supplies
See realistic entry pathways for cabbing, faceting, and sphere-making, including the tooling and supplies that sit beyond the machine price.
Explore guide →