thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Oct 6, 2008 9:24:19 GMT -5
If I rough my cabochons with a diamond wheel, can I finish from there with a wodden "Bat" lap? Or do I HAVE to use sanding wheels etc.?
Thom
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mirkaba
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 321
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Post by mirkaba on Oct 6, 2008 11:14:53 GMT -5
If the BAT lap is like a spool polisher I usually shape and sand my cabs down to at least 400 ( 600 is better) before hitting the wood . I haven't tried but have the feeling it might take a very long time to shape on the BAT, spool lap/polisher...............Bob
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Oct 6, 2008 12:52:03 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply. I shape my cabs on an 80 grit diamond wheel. What I was wondering is if the smoothing and polishing could be done on a wooden lap with 220 diamond paste on down to 1-2 micron paste. You say it would take a longer time that way? Maybe I could get another wheel of a smaller grit diamond to work the cabs with and then go to the wood. I just can't spring for a cab machine with my budget! Would that work?
Thom
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Oct 6, 2008 14:35:53 GMT -5
Have you considered silicon carbide wheels or an expanding wheel & diamond or silicon carbide belts and change them for each stage.
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thomtap
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2007
Posts: 237
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Post by thomtap on Oct 6, 2008 15:26:26 GMT -5
Can you get carbide wheels at 400 and 600 grit? If so, that would be a good alternative! Maybe expanding drum with belts would work too, but I've never tried them.
Thom
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mirkaba
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 321
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Post by mirkaba on Oct 6, 2008 16:15:27 GMT -5
If you get an expanding drum and carbide belts I think it would work out all right. Rio Grande still has very good prices on carbide wheels if you wanted to add a 220 grit wheel. Then the spool polisher would be a lot more manageable albeit a slower way to go. I think I might know where there are a couple used expandos. I will check..................Bob What size wheel would you want if they are still to be had?
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Jan 28, 2009 20:39:56 GMT -5
There has been someone using a spool polisher at the Houston Gem & Mineral Society Show for these two years that I've been going. I would like to get into cabbing, but it's quite an investment in equipment and space. I wish I could use the spool polisher for most of the cabbing steps. I wish I had asked him more questions....
What if I tumble preforms from slabs, then fine-tune the shape and dome on a spool polisher?
Any thoughts? I'm really trying to avoid getting a big piece of equipment that will take up room in the garage. And, like Thom, I'd like to avoid the cost of a big machine.
Any chance I can go from tumbled preforms to cabs this way? Thoughts? Thanks!
Amy
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jan 30, 2009 15:29:51 GMT -5
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