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Post by mohs on Jan 20, 2009 0:42:01 GMT -5
I'm using a worn out 600 grit sanding belt on my expandable rubber drum for polishing using cerium oxide. I've seen the leather belts for these rubber wheel (at a cost of 50.00) for polishing using cerium or whatever.
Is the cost of this leather belt worth it?
Would the cost of the leather belt be a significant improvement over my worn-out 600 grit sanding belt?
Well I guess that would be difficult to answer unless you've tried both methods. But any insight on the leather belts would be helpful.
Thnxs-Ed
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JEFFD
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2004
Posts: 242
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Post by JEFFD on Jan 23, 2009 11:22:40 GMT -5
I would go with the leather belt. I use a worn out 600 belt before going to the polish. Actually I use all of my worn out belts as the next step in the finishing process. 200 then wore out 200, 400 and wore out 400, etc etc... My machine has an end plate that I covered with elk hide then saturated with polish. The 600 may be worn out but there is a residue that will give you less than great results.
I think you will be suprised how much better the shine is with the leather belt.
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Post by mohs on Jan 25, 2009 6:14:45 GMT -5
Good method! Before I invest in the leather belt I need to take a lesson from you and work on getting a good finish before a buff. Otherwise all the leather stropping in the world not going to accomplish much.
When you use the end plate to polish does the stone need to be dopped to a stick ? Or can you hold it by hand? I'd like to dop my stones ( more control) but I don't have the set-up presently to do that. So everything is done by hand-held. Which works out o.k and I got great polished fingernails.
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Post by kap on Jan 26, 2009 14:39:15 GMT -5
Ed I use 5 min epoxy and golf tee's for dopping it works great. When you are finished with the stone just put it under hot water in the sink and use a thin knife and they will come right off. I also use the worn belts with polish and was wondering about leather. Keith
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Post by Woodyrock on Jan 27, 2009 1:45:34 GMT -5
Ed: I think you will like the leather belt over a worn sanding belt for the CO. Just remember that polishing starts when the cab starts to grab, and for me that is when the grabbed cab flys acrost the room if not dopped. I use super glue for dop, and that is working well for me, but have found you need to sand the paint off golf tees for a good bond. I use a mix of half mineral oil, half dish washing detergent with enough CO mixed in to a heavy cream consistancy that, at least for me works better than just water. Woody
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2009 7:45:11 GMT -5
Where do you find leather belts? I have looking for years, no one seems to make them anymore. If you have a place it would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for a 8x3.
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Post by kap on Jan 27, 2009 14:27:04 GMT -5
Woody I use the unpainted tee's from Walmart and dont have any problem with them comming loose with the epoxy. Keith
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Post by mohs on Jan 27, 2009 15:38:34 GMT -5
I just came back from jewelry supply house where I had seen the leather belts 3 weeks ago. None were on the shelf. I asked the proprietor. They were sold. Not going to get more in! The manufacture (RayTech) quit making them. They did come in both 8 & 6 inch and they also had ones made out of cork. That just the way it usually goes/
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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 28, 2009 13:15:49 GMT -5
At Santa Fe Jewelry Supply they have 3M custom make cerium oxide belts for expando drums. The warehouse manager Mike said that they work better than the diamond polishing belts which are $60. John "pebblepupdotcom" has one and stated that it is awesome. Oh did I forget that a 6" belt is only $4 and some change and the 8" is $6 and some change. www.sfjssantafe.com/items.php?Gid=484&DepId=tools&ItemSet=LapidaryA cheap alternative to leather belts. But I hear you on not finding the leather belts. Jason
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Post by mohs on Jan 28, 2009 22:36:12 GMT -5
Hey thanks the above web page info ! Those cerium oxide belts sound just like the ticket to the elusive shine for us on a thin dime :2cents:
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Post by mohs on Mar 3, 2009 1:31:25 GMT -5
At Santa Fe Jewelry Supply they have 3M custom make cerium oxide belts for expando drums. The warehouse manager Mike said that they work better than the diamond polishing belts which are $60. John "pebblepupdotcom" has one and stated that it is awesome. Oh did I forget that a 6" belt is only $4 and some change and the 8" is $6 and some change. www.sfjssantafe.com/items.php?Gid=484&DepId=tools&ItemSet=LapidaryA cheap alternative to leather belts. But I hear you on not finding the leather belts. Jason My order for Trizact belts showed up today! I got 3000 grit and Cerium Oxide. I went out in the dark and polished for an hour. I can tell there going to be a vast improvement over my old method of using a worn out 600 grit belt. Ha ha ed
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