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Post by mohs on Jan 19, 2009 23:04:22 GMT -5
I bought a Gemini brand 80 grit wheel in November. Its made by Norton. I bought it from a industrial supply house that specializes metal cutting products. Its a vitrified bond wheel. My question is: Is there difference in this brand of wheel --from a Cascade brand that I saw at jewelry supply house? Is vitrified bonding the right type for rocks? I got what I think is poor life out of this wheel. It is 3/4 used up after only about 50 hours of work. But I'm new at this lapidary work and I'm sure my inexperience is a big contributing factor. Thnx- Ed
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 19, 2009 23:12:58 GMT -5
Silicon carbide wheels go fast. 50 hours.... that's about right. Actually, you did good!
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Post by mohs on Jan 19, 2009 23:23:44 GMT -5
Right on! That's helpful!
I'm planning on making another purchase of a 120 grit wheel and want to continue to do business with these folks. I would expect a rougher grit wheels wear faster than the finer grits.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 19, 2009 23:33:14 GMT -5
Not necessarily. Since the coarse grit wheels take more surface off faster, they last about the same. Then you use the finer grit wheels to smooth out the scratches from the coarse grit. What are your intentions? Are you gonna round off some stones into shapes and them vibe tumble them? Alot of people do that. I did it for three years. You can make tumble-cabs and pendants with a Workforce tile saw, silicon carbide grinder and a vibratory tumbler.
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jan 20, 2009 0:21:26 GMT -5
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Jan 20, 2009 1:02:15 GMT -5
I use a 100 grit silicone carbide wheel on one side of my arbor and a expando drum on the other. The silicone carbide wheel is used to grind the rough shape of the cab. The expando drum is just to sand and polish. Your wheel may last a little longer if you don't force the stone against the wheel.
Jason
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Post by mohs on Jan 20, 2009 2:05:46 GMT -5
No---I'm just cabbing rocks. I bought the 80 grit-the Gemini brand- and had gotten an worn out 120 grit silicone wheel from a machine shop. At least that what I think it is. I can't read the label to see what brand or what grit it is. But I saw this different brand of wheel - Cascade- at the jewerly supply. So I was wondering if there was big differnce? If the Cascade brand was more suitable for rocks? Being that it was at jewerly supply house. I'm starting not to believe so.
So I'm using the 80 grit for roughing- going to the 120 for smoother finish and finishing the best I can on an expandable drum and sanding paper. Getting fairly good results--- but I know it can be perfected. Time, money & experience will solve that problem. Short on all 3 of course.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 20, 2009 9:24:23 GMT -5
The old standard was a 100 grit and 220 grit wheel then on to 400, 600 and a worn out 600 bnelt followed by polish. The S/C wheels my suppliers carry are green or gray. I'd say 50 hours use is pretty good. Remember to let the wheels run after use with the water turned off for about 5 minutes.
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Post by mohs on Jan 20, 2009 11:42:22 GMT -5
I keep forgetting to let the wheel spin dry. When I first started grinding rocks I used a silicone wheel on my bench grinder. I was wetting the wheel using a spray bottles. After a many hours of frustration I decided I better figure out what I really trying to do. Those early rocks tho--- I'm pretty proud of.
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Post by akansan on Jan 20, 2009 12:34:33 GMT -5
When you look at the difference in price between diamond and SiC, you have to think about how many SiC wheels you'd purchase during the life of your diamond wheel. I have jadecarver diamond wheels, and they have over 500 hours on them now and are still grinding strong.
I don't think there's a difference in SiC wheels - as long as it's the same grit, it's the same material.
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UtahRockHound
spending too much on rocks
Sometimes your the Windshield, sometimes your the Rock.
Member since May 2008
Posts: 301
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Post by UtahRockHound on Jan 20, 2009 12:42:55 GMT -5
I gave up my SiC wheels and replaced them with Diamond. I have not regretted it yet. Only a few dollars more, and loke Akansan says, they last a long, long time.
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pebblepup
has rocks in the head
Succor Creek Thunder Egg
Member since July 2008
Posts: 515
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Post by pebblepup on Jan 20, 2009 15:49:57 GMT -5
A while back I purchased a 80 grit diamond wheel from jadecarver.com. It has been a great addition to my arsenal of tools. It is cutting as good as it did when I received it and is going to last much longer than the SiC wheels I used before. Plus, you don't have to waste time dressing it like you do with SiC. www.jadecarver.com/DiamondTools.htm
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Post by mohs on Jan 20, 2009 22:10:27 GMT -5
I agree about the dressing of the wheel. Done wrongly and it really eats up the wheel fast. I'm using a diamond strip dresser--$20.00 tool-- & not always real happy with my technique. The best plan is not to get the wheel loaded up in the first place.
Its the darndest thing tho. One 1/2 of the wheel or so we'll get a white streak that indicates its loaded. The other half is the natural green color. So I dress to get the whole wheel to its natural green and the wheel doesn't seem to cut any better. I know that not a good expalnation and would be hard to visualize. But dressing the wheel is a challenge. I'd like to discuss it, while grinding, with someone of experience.
Well I'll probably go all diamond abrasive soon. That what most recommend
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