zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by zarguy on Oct 4, 2010 22:07:30 GMT -5
I've just recently built a new arbor with 10 wheels. I start with 80 hard diamond, 220 hard diamond, 360 hard diamond, 280 Nova type, 600 Nova, 1,200 Nova, 3,000 Nova, 8,000 Nova, & 14,000 Nova. The 10th is a hard felt wheel which I only use on softer stones. I find that 14,000 gives a good polish on agates & hard jaspers.
I added the 360 hard diamond because I saw that I was spending too much time on the 280 removing scratches from the 220. I thought it would be easy to remove scratches from the 360 with the 280. Not so! I'm spending too much time on the 280 & still can't remove some of the scratches. Now I'm thinking I need a 140 Nova before the 280.
I know many of you have Genies which go from 220 hard diamond to 280 Nova. How is that sequence for you? Are you having problems getting scratches out with the 280?
Any advice?
Lynn
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Oct 5, 2010 9:25:18 GMT -5
I'm guessing you are not removing 360 scratches but trying to remove 80 or 220 scratches. Genie sequence works great. Make sure when you use the 220 that you really have removed all 80 grit marks. Dry the stone and really look for any deep scratches.
|
|
rons
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2010
Posts: 450
|
Post by rons on Oct 5, 2010 9:27:57 GMT -5
Hardly use my 80 unless excess material on the piece... I start with 100 hard medium to light pressure depending on material to much pressure causes deep scratches or small fractures 220 hard than 220 soft, 360 soft, 400 soft, 600 and up.. just the way I've been doing it forever or so it seems everybody has their own way that works for them...
somebody else chime in on your steps
Ron
|
|
rons
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2010
Posts: 450
|
Post by rons on Oct 5, 2010 9:30:38 GMT -5
also as John said look at them dry, it makes a differance
Ron
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Oct 5, 2010 12:19:48 GMT -5
With that setup I vote 140, 80 to 220 is too much of a jump (ie you have to work too hard on the 220). Use magnification w/light at each step for inspection, only takes 3 seconds and your sure you can move on to the next step.
Dr Joe
.
|
|
zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by zarguy on Oct 5, 2010 13:11:31 GMT -5
John, They're definitely scratches from the 360. I think my Chinese 280 is a dud. It should be able to get out those 360 scratches. I put a brand new 220 SiC belt on an expando drum & those 360 scratches went away very quickly.
Lynn
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Oct 5, 2010 16:10:08 GMT -5
I've heard a lot of horror stories on Chinese wheels making scratchesinstead of removing them.. Wouldn't a 220 belt replace 360 scratches with 220 scratches?
|
|
zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by zarguy on Oct 5, 2010 21:57:40 GMT -5
I have a second machine, so I put a fresh SiC 220 belt on an expando & it removed those scratches from the 360 hard diamond in a few seconds. The 280 Nova type wheel should have been able to do that, but it doesn't. Like I said, I think it's a dud.
Lynn
|
|
|
Post by stonesthatrock on Oct 9, 2010 10:35:16 GMT -5
heres ralph set up, that you also see on your utube thingy jo made. He starts with 80 hard, 220 hard then 280 nova 600 nova 1200 nova 3000 nova for a polish he use super cerium oxide on a leather pad. Now, he thinks hes finished with each wheel, he does it again... Also, what he does it just hit it on the polishing pad to see the scratches easier. It really helps show them when you have older eyes.. lol use the optivisor and good light. This is how 98% of his cabs are made.
P.S. the two hard wheels 80 220 are Chinese wheels. mary ann
|
|