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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 9:27:31 GMT -5
I am getting ready to order new nova wheels and was wanting to get a feel for what everyone is doing after they finish up with the 3000 nova wheel. Right now I jump from 3000 all the way to 14,000 then from there I either do a canvas pad with 50,000 diamond paste or a leather pad with A/O (ZAM on a buff for final polish on some soft stuff). I guess my real question is do most people jump from 3000 all the way to 14,000 or are some of you doing 3000 then 8000 then 14000? I am always searching for a better way to build the mousetrap Thanks Chuck
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 21, 2015 10:26:28 GMT -5
A standard Genie goes form 3000 to a canvas pad (4 Nova 280,600,1200, 3000). I have my Genie configured 3000,14000, 50,000 canvas and 100,000 canvas. I haven't replaced my canvas pads for a long time and I'm considering doing that. I'm also considering adding a 400 grit wheel between 280 and 600.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 21, 2015 11:38:55 GMT -5
I have a Genie. On mine I use the standard wheels, however, I have 8000, 14,000 and 50,000 right hand outside spin on laps. That gives me all the versatility that I feel I need. Not every grind needs the extra wheels, but it is nice to have them when you need them.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 12:00:16 GMT -5
I have a Genie. On mine I use the standard wheels, however, I have 8000, 14,000 and 50,000 right hand outside spin on laps. That gives me all the versatility that I feel I need. Not every grind needs the extra wheels, but it is nice to have them when you need them. Are you talking about the Nova diamond discs that go on the end like these? I have been wondering how those worked and it looks like they have some cushion too which is great. I also see that diamond pacific sells magnetic nova diamond laps all the way to 50,000 too but the steel backing plate is $60 plus $60 for each grit. These look hard though and probably have no give. I have my 80 grit galaxy wheel mounted in my Lortone LU6X and that makes it a great preform station with the attached trim saw. That leaves the genie open for 220 galaxy and five nova wheels. I was hoping to continue skipping 8000 but might have to bite the bullet and make that my last wheel then go to discs at the end of the shaft for the rest. I love the idea those nova discs in that first photo above but kinda pricey. Chuck
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 21, 2015 12:04:26 GMT -5
Yes, those are the ones. They are easy to change out. I like them and they seem to last a long time. I had considered the magnetic, too, but I already had one spin on when I saw those, so I stuck with the spin on.
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Post by stephan on Jul 21, 2015 12:06:35 GMT -5
Standard wheels, and then to 14,000, then either 50k Diamond on suede or Super-cerium (100k) on suede, if needed. The 50/100k is usually for jade and for softer materials. Many agates and jaspers are done at 3k or 14k. Things with multiple hardnesses like plume agates, I'm really careful about using the flat side wheel, because even at high grit, they sometime pluck out the softer material (especially the 14k pad, which has really rough matrix.
Has anyone used the magnetic pads? I am intrigued. If they work well, it might be a good option for T-eggs and agate nodules.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 12:11:33 GMT -5
Yes, those are the ones. They are easy to change out. I like them and they seem to last a long time. I had considered the magnetic, too, but I already had one spin on when I saw those, so I stuck with the spin on. So you don't usually use and powder or paste polishes? I really like the idea of going all nova and not messing with powder and paste on canvas and leather. Thanks for sharing the info. Chuck
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 21, 2015 12:22:22 GMT -5
Yes, those are the ones. They are easy to change out. I like them and they seem to last a long time. I had considered the magnetic, too, but I already had one spin on when I saw those, so I stuck with the spin on. So you don't usually use and powder or paste polishes? I really like the idea of going all nova and not messing with powder and paste on canvas and leather. Thanks for sharing the info. Chuck No, I don't use anything except for the diamond wheels. I think my polishes look just fine. Wait- I take it back- I have used a felt foredom wheel with zam a few times.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 12:36:41 GMT -5
So you don't usually use and powder or paste polishes? I really like the idea of going all nova and not messing with powder and paste on canvas and leather. Thanks for sharing the info. Chuck No, I don't use anything except for the diamond wheels. I think my polishes look just fine. Wait- I take it back- I have used a felt foredom wheel with zam a few times. Your setup sounds closest to what I am looking for. Figures its also the most expensive route,lol It is good to hear everyone's different methods though. I know tntmom gets some of the best shine around and uses canvas with diamond paste and the end of the genie. Chuck
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 21, 2015 12:44:04 GMT -5
No, I don't use anything except for the diamond wheels. I think my polishes look just fine. Wait- I take it back- I have used a felt foredom wheel with zam a few times. Your setup sounds closest to what I am looking for. Figures its also the most expensive route,lol It is good to hear everyone's different methods though. I know tntmom gets some of the best shine around and uses canvas with diamond paste and the end of the genie. Chuck I got the 14k with my genie, they used to send paste, now they ship with the nova wheel. So, I only needed to buy the other 2. Like I said, they last a long time, so the investment isn't as painful. At first, I didn't like the spin on 14k because Randy had taught me with paste, but I got used to it and now much prefer the ease of use. Edit to add complete agreement abt tntmom. She is the Queen!
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Post by tntmom on Jul 21, 2015 12:53:00 GMT -5
No, I don't use anything except for the diamond wheels. I think my polishes look just fine. Wait- I take it back- I have used a felt foredom wheel with zam a few times. Your setup sounds closest to what I am looking for. Figures its also the most expensive route,lol It is good to hear everyone's different methods though. I know tntmom gets some of the best shine around and uses canvas with diamond paste and the end of the genie. Chuck Actually I don't use canvas! I use Novas to 14k and then I switch to my Amertool flat lap and depending on stone, use either felt or leather disks with paste. 50k and 100k. I never liked the canvas. It always seemed too rough on really delicate stones. Plus the lap is nice because you don't have to spritz it and can run full water on heat sensitive stones like opal and fluorite. Many stones (agates and jaspers) don't need the laps and the 14k Nova wheel gives a perfect mirror finish. It takes almost a month to break in though, lol!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 13:20:59 GMT -5
Your setup sounds closest to what I am looking for. Figures its also the most expensive route,lol It is good to hear everyone's different methods though. I know tntmom gets some of the best shine around and uses canvas with diamond paste and the end of the genie. Chuck Actually I don't use canvas! I use Novas to 14k and then I switch to my Amertool flat lap and depending on stone, use either felt or leather disks with paste. 50k and 100k. I never liked the canvas. It always seemed too rough on really delicate stones. Plus the lap is nice because you don't have to spritz it and can run full water on heat sensitive stones like opal and fluorite. Many stones (agates and jaspers) don't need the laps and the 14k Nova wheel gives a perfect mirror finish. It takes almost a month to break in though, lol! Thanks for chiming in! I forgot you used the felt instead of canvas. I know I had asked you a long time ago but could not find the post when I looked today. I am not sure if your setup is 100% responsible for you shine though. I think you just have the magic touch Do you swap out your wheels on the right side to use novas all the way to 14,000 or do you have a different set up beyond the standard 6 wheel arbor? Do you use an 8000 wheel or skip from 3000 to 14,000? Thanks Chuck
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 13:25:56 GMT -5
I like this thread. I think everyone does fine with their genie, cab king, and lortone 6 wheel arbors (etc) all the way to the stock 3000 soft wheel but what happens after that is where the magic happens and where things begin to get confusing and more complicated.
Thanks to everyone that is willing to share
Chuck
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Post by tntmom on Jul 21, 2015 14:06:35 GMT -5
I have a single arbor that used to have an expando on it. When I used the belts I would do 8k, 14k, 50k and then 50k and 100k diamond paste on felt or leather. 50k diamond paste sands better than 50k belts. I switched out the expando for an 80 Galaxy and use my 6 wheel for 220 galaxy then Novas, 280, 600, 1200, 3000 and 14k. Then I go straight to diamond paste. The Novas cut so cleanly that I skip 8k now and go straight to 14k. I have never replaced my 14k Nova. It lasts forever. I replace my 280 and 600 every 4 months or so because those get the most abuse. I cab every day though so 4 months might not be the norm for others.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 14:10:18 GMT -5
I have a single arbor that used to have an expando on it. When I used the belts I would do 8k, 14k, 50k and then 50k and 100k diamond paste on felt or leather. 50k diamond paste sands better than 50k belts. I switched out the expando for an 80 Galaxy and use my 6 wheel for 220 galaxy then Novas, 280, 600, 1200, 3000 and 14k. Then I go straight to diamond paste. The Novas cut so cleanly that I skip 8k now and go straight to 14k. I have never replaced my 14k Nova. It lasts forever. I replace my 280 and 600 every 4 months or so because those get the most abuse. I cab every day though so 4 months might not be the norm for others. That was perfect information. Thank you. Chuck
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Post by orrum on Jul 21, 2015 15:54:23 GMT -5
I lub this tread berry much... huh huh huh. LOL Mine don't shine hardly ever. I did master the Genie with Opals in Quartzsite at the club. Must say I agree the Genie needs a 400 soft wheel. Ideal would be 80 and 200 hard wheel, 8 inch, on a Poly type arbor. Then put the 400 soft wheel and the 5000 or so soft wheel on the Genie. Too much nasty in the tray with the hard wheels on the Genie and the 8 inch arbor let's you shape easier and better.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jul 21, 2015 16:33:02 GMT -5
I lub this tread berry much... huh huh huh. LOL Mine don't shine hardly ever. I did master the Genie with Opals in Quartzsite at the club. Must say I agree the Genie needs a 400 soft wheel. Ideal would be 80 and 200 hard wheel, 8 inch, on a Poly type arbor. Then put the 400 soft wheel and the 5000 or so soft wheel on the Genie. Too much nasty in the tray with the hard wheels on the Genie and the 8 inch arbor let's you shape easier and better. I use a clean water only drip feed on my genie so no worries about contamination but I do have my 80 grit mounted in my lortone unit. The lortone LU6X is designed for two wheels but I prefer to just mount one so I have more room to work with especially on rough grind since sometimes I'll face grind a pretty decent size rock on it to hi-grade rocks. Chuck
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,652
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Post by Tommy on Jul 26, 2015 9:55:12 GMT -5
I know I'm late to the party Chuck but wanted to toss in my two cents. I run strictly Nova wheels through 50K and have never once used pad or paste or any other polishing means other than the Nova wheels. As a result I probably spend more time on the polishing wheels (above 3000) and my actual production is quite low. I go back and forth on the wheels a lot.
I started off using (six) 8" wheels but lately I've been converting to 6" as the eights wear out. My current setup is seven wheels - on the left I've got 6" Nova wheels (140, 280, 600, 1200) and on the right I've got 8" wheels (3000, 14k, 50k). The weight balances out and it's a well-built homemade machine and it runs true and good and doesn't wobble.
I plan on eventually converting the remaining eights to sixes and adding the 8000. There are many times when I wish I had a step between 3000 and 14k.
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 26, 2015 12:25:35 GMT -5
I know I'm late to the party Chuck but wanted to toss in my two cents. I run strictly Nova wheels through 50K and have never once used pad or paste or any other polishing means other than the Nova wheels. As a result I probably spend more time on the polishing wheels (above 3000) and my actual production is quite low. I go back and forth on the wheels a lot. I started off using (six) 8" wheels but lately I've been converting to 6" as the eights wear out. My current setup is seven wheels - on the left I've got 6" Nova wheels (140, 280, 600, 1200) and on the right I've got 8" wheels (3000, 14k, 50k). The weight balances out and it's a well-built homemade machine and it runs true and good and doesn't wobble. I plan on eventually converting the remaining eights to sixes and adding the 8000. There are many times when I wish I had a step between 3000 and 14k. We are RTB neighbors. I live in Lafayette. I can understand giving your setup why you would be going to 6" wheels, because more fit and only using Nova because of the weight. I started with a machine that had only a 80 and 280 grit Galaxy and then bought a Genie. I retrofitted my original machine to 80 and 280 8" galaxy and 220, 600 and 1200 8" Nova. After going to 8", I didn't want to go back to 6". I use the 280 Nova on my Genie after the 220 Nova and then the 3000 and 14000 Genie after the 8" 600 and 1200. I ordered a Johnson brothers 325 to replace the wearing out 280 Nova.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,652
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Post by Tommy on Jul 26, 2015 12:42:58 GMT -5
We are RTB neighbors. I live in Lafayette. I can understand giving your setup why you would be going to 6" wheels, because more fit and only using Nova because of the weight. I started with a machine that had only a 80 and 280 grit Galaxy and then bought a Genie. I retrofitted my original machine to 80 and 280 8" galaxy and 220, 600 and 1200 8" Nova. After going to 8", I didn't want to go back to 6". I use the 280 Nova on my Genie after the 220 Nova and then the 3000 and 14000 Genie after the 8" 600 and 1200. I ordered a Johnson brothers 325 to replace the wearing out 280 Nova. Awesome - I didn't know that. My wife works in Lafayette - it's just a few minutes from us. I was trying to stay on the scope of Chucks topic and didn't mention that I also have a 4-wheel machine devoted to grinding with four 6" Galaxy wheels (60-hex, 80, 100, 180). I try to have the stone in pretty good condition before hitting the soft wheels. Like I said my production is pretty slow haha.
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