Hi,
I am new and started polishing cabs a year ago and picked up a lap machine from Inland, 8″ 180,360,600,1200,cut saw blade and polish felt pads and master acrylic lap for around $500. The quality of the laps are good and I was able to use them on my new Facetron from that I purchased from Jarvis Machine for just under $3000 delivered. I have also purchased sets of polishing films. I have found that Inland, Facetron and the Rock Peddler to be great places for the adventurist to get started. All I can say is I am having a great time learning and creating things of beauty from the earths rough and trade my work or give it away. It is my choice and the joy of it that I get from it is mind blowing. Right now I am working on the novice single stone, perfection is not as easy as one two three either.