roykirk
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2013
Posts: 11
|
Post by roykirk on Aug 1, 2013 8:16:43 GMT -5
I apologize in advance if this is the silliest question of the day. If so, feel free to make fun of me. :-) I'm new to lapidary work and recently have been creating some cabs with a 6" flat lap using various grit diamond disks. I've been putting the first few in sterling silver backed bezels that I've created, but the trim work to get rid of the sharp edges on back drives me nuts. A hand file would take forever, and my first attempt with a Dremel skittered across the back and gouged the heck out of the silver. So this morning while thinking of my dilemma I glanced over at my flat lap. I'm thinking: diamond disks that have been grinding away on rubies for weeks without much trouble...how much harm could some sterling silver do to it? But it's not something I want to try without running it by people here. For all I know those disks could fail if you come at them with some sharp piece of metal.
Thoughts? I don't have a grinding wheel, but if using the flat lap won't work, I've thought about using my large belt sander, turned upside down and mounted to my workbench.
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Aug 1, 2013 8:36:22 GMT -5
I think it can. folks who make knife scales often grind the rounded edge on both the scale and the case at the same time.
but the easiest/quickest tool is a small HarborFreight $35 belt sander. Also, many folks use a jewelry saw to cut the backplate close to the bezel, then it is just a few minutes with a hand file.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Aug 1, 2013 8:58:54 GMT -5
You could certainly try it. But silver being soft may clog your diamond disc. I think your best bet might be a bench stand for your Dremel, so you can control your piece with both hands while grinding.
Best would be a jewelers bench lathe with dust collector, so you can save all of your silver dust and filings to recycle.
|
|
roykirk
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2013
Posts: 11
|
Post by roykirk on Aug 1, 2013 9:22:16 GMT -5
Thank you for the advice! I do cut around the back plate as close as possible with a pair of tin snips, but it still leaves some border that needs to be removed. At the end of the day what I probably really need to get is a proper jewelry saw. I was just trying to avoid buying more tools and having one more thing mounted to my crowded work bench if at all possible. I may give my belt sander a try first to see how that works. I'd rather screw up a belt than I would an expensive diamond lap disk.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Aug 1, 2013 9:30:30 GMT -5
I can't say for sure, but I think Dremel has a bench clamp which can be clamped to your bench when needed, then easily taken off for storage when not in use. I haven't used my Dremel for years. They used to make a heavy stand to hold the tool which could either just sit on the bench, or be screwed to the bench. I'm pretty sure they've improved on the design with a removable clamp. This is the bench piece I'm speaking about. I think they call them a Pana Vise. Mine has rubber feet which can be removed to screw the mount to the bench. By loosening the collar at the bottom, the Dremel can be moved into a comfortable position for use.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 11:09:27 GMT -5
If the silver clogs your diamond lap, it is super duper easy peasy to clean.
I sharpen knives using what is essentially a diamond flat lap. Diamond stones really. Just a different shape is all. If my stones or strops get clogged from softer knife blades (some really crappy ones exist!) I take one of those synthetic urethane rubber erasers and erase the clog away. Natural rubber erasers have pumice in them and may be hard on the lap. Urethane ones do the trick every time.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Aug 1, 2013 11:42:13 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 12:39:12 GMT -5
Don, that is an expensive way to do it. The cheap erasers sold in dollar stores are perfect. I printed up 500 with my logo for less than $0.50ea! roykirk, if you want one, PM me your addy and I'll mail one to you. No charge at alll.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Aug 1, 2013 13:15:53 GMT -5
Don, that is an expensive way to do it. The cheap erasers sold in dollar stores are perfect. I printed up 500 with my logo for less than $0.50ea! roykirk, if you want one, PM me your addy and I'll mail one to you. No charge at alll. Hey Scott, they're not really that expensive when you figure the life of them. I have one that I bought in the early 90's that is less than half gone.
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Aug 1, 2013 18:53:03 GMT -5
I grind brass and nickel silver bolsters all the time with no effect on my diamond discs and belts.
Ken
|
|
roykirk
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2013
Posts: 11
|
Post by roykirk on Aug 2, 2013 15:20:47 GMT -5
Well, not being brave enough to try it on my diamond disks (and because I didn't want to get things dirty having to run water) I decided to just use my existing belt sander, first with the 80 and then the 120 grits. Worked perfectly and then gave everything a glossy shine with the Dremel polishing brush. I appreciate the advice everyone.
|
|
|
Post by connrock on Dec 14, 2013 10:03:26 GMT -5
For what it's worth,,,,,I snip off what I can around the setting and then using a series of different grit 1" or 3/4" emery disks on my flex shaft sand away what's left of the settings backing. I tthen use a very fine file to slightly round off the edge of the back of the setting and then buff it with a 1" felt or muslin buff with tripoli and then Zam. This blends in the bezel wire,silver solder and the back plate to where everything looks as one solid piece. connrock
|
|
|
Post by roy on Dec 14, 2013 13:01:00 GMT -5
i have done lots with no problems with clogging ! hey jake were could i find one of those clamps ?
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Dec 15, 2013 15:19:34 GMT -5
That's an old 1980's model Roy. But I'm sure Dremel still makes them.
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Dec 27, 2013 2:50:34 GMT -5
If you know any facetors their old worn out diamond laps are fantastic for metal, I have an old cheapy metal toolshop grinding machine with the wheels taken of and the 6" flat laps installed, 240 grit one end and 600 the other, fabulous for knives, wood plane blades, chisels you name it, even the occasional cab back, a squirt of WD40 before you start will stop softer metals clogging it. Careful grinding Silver, the heat from friction travels almost instantaneously through the metal causing you to drop it, the lubrication keeps it cooler. I often cut and grind aluminium with an angle grinder and have a lump of bees wax that I plunge the blade into before I start and as I am cutting and never (well Only rarely) get clogged blades.
|
|
|
Post by pauls on Dec 27, 2013 2:51:24 GMT -5
If you know any facetors their old worn out diamond laps are fantastic for metal, I have an old cheapy metal toolshop grinding machine with the wheels taken of and the 6" flat laps installed, 240 grit one end and 600 the other, fabulous for knives, wood plane blades, chisels you name it, even the occasional cab back, a squirt of WD40 before you start will stop softer metals clogging it. Careful grinding Silver, the heat from friction travels almost instantaneously through the metal causing you to drop it, the lubrication keeps it cooler. I often cut and grind aluminium with an angle grinder and have a lump of bees wax that I plunge the blade into before I start and as I am cutting and never (well Only rarely) get clogged blades.
|
|
rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428
|
Post by rykk on Dec 31, 2013 19:48:48 GMT -5
I've used a diamond disk for metal lots of times. Works great on steel and aluminum, though the aluminum will clog the disk up some. It comes off the next time you grind a rock. Metals are pretty low on the mohs scale and diamond cuts them almost like butter. I use a 2in diamond lapidary cutting disk to cut metal a lot, too. Way less dust and lots faster than those "waffle disks" or masonry cutting disks. Rick
|
|