ontariojoe
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 24
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Post by ontariojoe on Nov 11, 2014 21:13:39 GMT -5
Seeing i'm new to lapidary i don't know which grits i should buy. I'm just starting out and don't want to spend much money right away.
I already own a 80 grit and a 240. Which others should i purchase? The place i order from carries these grits
Grits 60, 80, 100, 150, 240, 320, 500, 600, 800, 1200, 1500, 3000
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Post by deb193redux on Nov 11, 2014 21:52:49 GMT -5
powder? wheels? discs?
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ontariojoe
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2014
Posts: 24
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Post by ontariojoe on Nov 11, 2014 22:19:44 GMT -5
ah, sorry about that.
i'm using a homemade flat lap, 6" diamond discs. Not working with anything special, just regular rock till i get more experience. I've been doing more searching, would a 600, 1200 and a 3000 be ok?
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spiritstone
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2014
Posts: 2,061
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Post by spiritstone on Nov 12, 2014 8:31:11 GMT -5
I would grab a 500 and a 800 for softer stuff then go directly into smoothing disks. Last longer then a diamond disk.
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Post by deb193redux on Nov 12, 2014 9:56:58 GMT -5
you want a course capability in the 80-120 range depending on how much initial shaping needed. The you want to double or triple the steps. Harder material can easily triple. Softer (e.g., obsidian, dolomite) may do better with doubling, or with an extra pre-polish step.
polish can be 14k or 50k or 100k depending on material and shine needed. usually an oxide on a buff is used and this is about 50k. If so, I would want to have 8k or even 14k before the polish.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 14:41:12 GMT -5
Unless your "regular rock" takes a polish, I would suggest practicing on cheaper materials like obsidian. It takes a good polish and you can clearly see the steps as you go.
"Regular rocks" that don't take a polish will punish you into thinking you have no skills when in reality it is the rock's fault. Shaping and polishing stones is quite simple. This is evidenced by the fact even I can do it. Spend a few bucks on obsidian (or other inexpensive stones like jaspers) and get to know the process really quickly.
Success!
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Post by pghram on Nov 14, 2014 15:12:13 GMT -5
My usual progression goes 80 & 220 on 8 inch wheels, then 220, 325, 600, 1200, 3000, (8000 for very soft stones) on 6 inch flat lap, soft laps, 14,000 paste & (50,000 for very soft stones).
Rich
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