How do I make a lapidary unit, inexpensively?

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you mean by a lapidary "unit"...

Are you're talking about making the equipment that's often used in lapidary work like tumblers and buffers and grinders, etc., or talking about arranging a workarea for lapidary work, or some particular piece of equipment, etc.?

You can get some inexpensive ideas for tumbling and buffing on this page at my site if you want to check it out. My site is about polymer clay which is much softer than stone though, so the actual techniques and materials may not be quite the same:
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/sanding_tumbling.htm
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/buffing.htm
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/tools_Dremels_worksurfaces.htm

Perhaps you could clarify what you mean a bit to get a better answer...

Diane B.

Answer 2

Last month's issue of Lapidary Journal had an article about that very subject, if you can get your hands on a copy.