cccbock
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2011
Posts: 499
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Belts
Dec 30, 2011 6:48:36 GMT -5
Post by cccbock on Dec 30, 2011 6:48:36 GMT -5
Ok I am a future newb ....in other words I don't cab yet but am planning to buuild a machine in the coming weeks. I understand he superiority of diamond and will use as much diamond accessories as I can but I do have some questions. 1. As far as life span goes how do diamond belts fair against diamond wheels such as the nova and flexwheels ?
2. I read on a lapidary supply website that as far as grit grade goes that a 600 grit SC belt will cut similar to an 1800 grit diamond belt. Is that true? Or even close to true?
3. I was thinking of initially buying 100 grit and 220 grit SC wheels to get me started. Now suppose I really like cabbing and find myself doing 15 or more in a week , how long can I expect the SC wheels to last before I need to replace them?
That's all for now. I am sure I will need allot of guidance along the way as I travel along , so thanks in advance......Charles
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Belts
Dec 30, 2011 7:20:53 GMT -5
Post by jakesrocks on Dec 30, 2011 7:20:53 GMT -5
I've never used diamond belts, so can't answer # 1.
# 2. A well worn 600 grit belt will give a very nice pre-polish. By well worn I mean almost worn out.
# 3. 100 and 220 grit diamond wheels if properly used will outlive SC wheels by at least 4 to 1. However, you might want to invest in one set of SC wheels to start with. This will let you get the feel for cabbing without a big investment.
Don
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Belts
Dec 30, 2011 20:19:05 GMT -5
Post by Rockoonz on Dec 30, 2011 20:19:05 GMT -5
The diamond belts I have last a long time, but I have not owned my own Nova wheels so I can't compare them. I would use Silicone Carbide belts at first to learn. Diamond does cut faster than the same grit of SiC, often when you don't want to cut that fast.
The hard SiC wheels life expectancy varies a lot depending on what you cut and how you cut. hard diamond wheels are subject to the same variables but to a lesser degree.
Lee
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Belts
Dec 31, 2011 10:19:23 GMT -5
Post by Tonyterner on Dec 31, 2011 10:19:23 GMT -5
1. I've used diamond belts from several manufactures, Nova wheels and the cheaper chinese wheels. The diamond wheels will out last the belts by at least 4 to one. I think the belts wear down pretty quickly, especially the courser ones.
3. I didn't really use my SC wheels for very long. I will say that if I was going to invest in a diamond wheel I would choose a 80 grit. SC will take quite a long time to shape, especially on harder stuff like agate, compared to diamond. The chinese made wheels are pretty inexpensive. Stonesthatrock has a good supplier for these. Maybe Mary Ann will chime in.
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