Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Jan 18, 2017 8:47:00 GMT -5
Okay, so, I have a CabKing which has a muslin polishing wheel on the right hand side. Actually I have several now with grits from 8k, 14k and 50k. I just got a bottle of extender to use with these wheels. There were no instructions and I couldn't find any doing a google search. So I dabbed on the diamond paste to the wheels and then put some extender over the paste on the wheel. The 50k polishes up real nice but leaves the cab oily. Am I using the extender correctly? Also, how often should I reapply the extender? Another question is; would these different diamond grit muslin wheels be sufficient for all my polishing needs? I have a approx. 30 MFR boxes of various material I've slabbed in the past year from Onyx/Jade to the very dense jaspers and agates.
Would it be worth my while to get an extra buffer?, and if so any recommendations on preferred models? Which type wheel material - leather, carpet ? I really haven't a clue after reading so many threads with all the different wheel covering. Help... I hear low rpm's are needed. I've read up on the Polishing tips here on this forum but these questions remain. Sorry for the long post.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 18, 2017 9:24:21 GMT -5
I would think that those muslin wheels with diamond paste would be enough. I never used the extender, but I have used paste. The paste alone makes an oily cab. I do know that you don't have to charge the wheel every time. 1 charge should last a few cabs. My only problem with the paste is that you really need to be careful about overheating the cab- else it could crack. Been there, done that! If you have it in your budget, then another polishing machine would be nice, but it doesn't sound like you need one- other than for convenience. I'm sure others will have better advice about a machine. Hope this was at all helpful.
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Jan 18, 2017 23:31:27 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply rockjunquie. Anyone else wanting to weigh in would be appreciated.
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Jan 19, 2017 8:35:10 GMT -5
I'm surprised that with 66 views there are no other answers to my questions. Doesn't anyone use extender fluid?, or use buffers that can recommend a model?
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 19, 2017 12:23:08 GMT -5
I'm surprised that with 66 views there are no other answers to my questions. Doesn't anyone use extender fluid?, or use buffers that can recommend a model? I bookmarked this thread because I don't know much about this subject either. My flat lap came with a bunch of different types of backings combined with different polishes. I have no idea when to use what. I haven't had much luck trying things either. Someone here knows the answers you seek!
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 19, 2017 12:37:02 GMT -5
Looks like you won the Stump RTH game.
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Post by MrP on Jan 19, 2017 18:23:59 GMT -5
Erich I have a Genie and use leather pads on the right end, 14,000, 50,000, 100,000. I use NAPA Silicone Spray Mac's 8300 11oz spray can. Cheap and works as good or better the high cost extender. I charge the pad very rarely and can do many cabs with a single charge. I use the spray for the first cab and can do several cabs before having to spray again. You can kind of feel when the pad starts to get 'dry'.
Remember you are going from a courser diamond to a finer grit as you progress so make sure you don't have any diamond paste that carries to the next pad.............................MrP
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,797
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 19, 2017 20:11:11 GMT -5
I suspect the reason you haven't gotten more replies is that everyone seems to have a different "formula" for polishing. The only things I've ever used muslin buffs for are turquoise, variscite and a few other soft stones, as well as silver and gold polishing.
Most people use either diamond or oxide polishes on leather, felt, pellon, wood, canvas -- the list is almost endless. I find I get a very good polish using soft Nova wheels on my Genie up to 3K or 14K. Some stones need a little more, depending on the type, but careful preparation between stages is essential. Polishing technique sort've depends on who you ask. We all tend to find personal methods through trial and error. I've never discovered a one-size-fits-all solution for polishing but maybe someone else has. I keep (sloppy) notes on successful methods but sometimes discover I've forgotten how I managed to get such a great polish on older stones. For me, polishing is a never-ending quest; I'm always experimenting.
Good luck and keep experimenting!
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Post by pghram on Jan 19, 2017 22:04:44 GMT -5
I also use leather laps, 14k and 50k. I use silicon spray from lowes to lubricant, but only when the leather drags or pulls.
I have used muslin with Zam, but not very often.
Peace,
Rich
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Jan 19, 2017 22:22:03 GMT -5
Alright, I knew you all would come thru! Using silicon spray instead of extender, leather pad - good info. I'll keep using the pads that came with the unit but will keep my eye out for 1-2 leather or felt laps. I learn so much here on RTH! Thank you everyone.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
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Post by QuailRiver on Jan 20, 2017 1:41:23 GMT -5
Covington Engineering has a chart that matches up recommended polishing compounds with the best polishing surface (buff) for specific common cabbing materials. It can be found on page 69 of their catalogue at the following link: covington-engineering.com/content/_pdf_files/Covington%20Catalog%202014%20No%20Cover%20Small.pdfPersonally I prefer Cerium oxide on hard felt for high silica materials like agate, jasper and quartz. And prefer aluminum oxide(alumina)[also sold under the trade names of Raybrite, Linde A, and sapphire powder)] on a damp leather pad for many softer materials like turquoise, malachite, howlite, tigeriron, etc.). Larry C.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,623
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Post by QuailRiver on Jan 20, 2017 1:47:34 GMT -5
Also I should have mentioned that it's best to have a dedicated polishing pad/belt for each type of polish. One for cerium, one for alumina, etc.. A cross contaminated polishing pad/belt that has been used for more than one type of polishing compound will never give optimal performance.
Larry C.
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Jan 20, 2017 9:14:19 GMT -5
Thanks Larry, I didn't have the Covington catalog, a lot of useful info in there. The chart is excellent!!!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jan 20, 2017 15:46:37 GMT -5
Hi Erich. I use a suede lap on my Ameritool. I like the variable speed for polishing, but it's not essential. Use what you have. I've only really ever used 14k diamond, although I own some 50k diamond that I should probably put on a different buff and try. Before I got the leather pad, I was using the felt one that came with the Ameritool. It worked fine.
My methodology is to charge the pad with little dots of diamond paste - maybe a total of a pea size blob of paste in total - and spread it around with my finger. Then I set the lap spinning, and give it one QUICK squirt of the silicone lube recommended above (not sure I have the exact same brand - it's just automotive silicone spray lube). Just a tiny squirt. (It smells really nice by the way!) I can do 3 or 4 cabs before it's time for another tiny squirt of lube.
From my research, I've concluded that most folks say Diamond seems to work on just about every stone. The other polishes might be slightly better for different stones (like if you do a ton of turquoise or jade or opal, do more research and get whichever one is best for those), but if you want to keep it simple, just get diamond polish (it's not so expensive, you don't use much).
I think you should be fine with your setup - you're probably using too much extender if your cabs are getting oily? That's just a guess though. With the silicone spray, if I use too much, the stones get really slippery and not very shiny. Not enough, and like they said above, the pad gets grabby. Maybe make a couple of test cabs of the same material to compare different amounts of extender.
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