nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 13, 2022 20:53:03 GMT -5
Can anyone that laps please show me how to properly load a lap pad with diamond paste? I think I ruined my 8000 and my 100000 pad the other night trying to load it tired.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,071
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Post by dshanpnw on Oct 13, 2022 21:19:52 GMT -5
I haven't done it, but I have seen videos where you just dot the paste around the pad and maybe use the stone to kind of smear it around. That's about all I know.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Oct 13, 2022 21:50:05 GMT -5
Yep - that's about it. It's good to have silicone extender fluid to go along with the diamond, too, although one person posting on the USFG message board says light mineral oil works just fine. That thread is here: usfacetersguild.org/forums/topic/extender-fluid/
I don't know how you could kill a lap by charging it, but tell us type of lap and how you did it. Might help troubleshoot any problems you're having.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 14, 2022 4:03:55 GMT -5
Yep - that's about it. It's good to have silicone extender fluid to go along with the diamond, too, although one person posting on the USFG message board says light mineral oil works just fine. That thread is here: usfacetersguild.org/forums/topic/extender-fluid/
I don't know how you could kill a lap by charging it, but tell us type of lap and how you did it. Might help troubleshoot any problems you're having.
hummingbirdstones2Instead of just putting 12 dots on I put 2 more staggered between those so there were 20 dots on there. I listened to a small rock shop owner that had a stroke and did things a little wierd so I should have asked here first. He said smear it in. I used a whole 10g syringe on an 8" pad (per what he said) when I smeared it in the entire pad is covered and not working at all. Hubby, who doesn't do anything with stones, said maybe there was to much and maybe the pad areas with no polish is supposed to buff. I have a hi-teck slant lap. The different shop I bought it from and practiced on as they were guiding me said they differ in their opinions on how to use the diamond paste. Husband wife team, 1 dry polishes with the diamond paste the other uses a small drip of water. They didn't have a polish pad there when we were, it was a gem show, so I didn't get to see one filled.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Oct 14, 2022 9:00:39 GMT -5
Okay - yeah, just a bit overloaded. When you say "pad" I'm guessing a typical "polishing pad", and not a felt or leather. With that much paste on there your rock is just moving the compound around, or just "hydroplaning" on it. Don't feel bad - I overloaded laps in the beginning, too.
If so, you might be able to use some kind of a scraper with a smooth edge to scrape some of it off of there. If it still isn't performing properly you could use a plastic bristle brush with maybe some Dawn (to cut the greasy compound medium) in a plastic tub. Let it dry, then try it again.
As for differing methods, I have used the slow drip method to create a slicker area an inch or two out from the center of laps. More friction and heat on the outer areas with the option of moving over the wetter section if there's too much drag. The extender fluid pretty much eliminates the need for that.
If you clean that lap in a clean tub, you might even have some re-claimable diamond goo after it evaporates a bit. Just don't let the different grits mix.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 14, 2022 9:48:36 GMT -5
Well dangit Kelly! If you try Vince's solution, please let us know the results.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 14, 2022 10:02:02 GMT -5
Okay - yeah, just a bit overloaded. When you say "pad" I'm guessing a typical "polishing pad", and not a felt or leather. With that much paste on there your rock is just moving the compound around, or just "hydroplaning" on it. Don't feel bad - I overloaded laps in the beginning, too.
If so, you might be able to use some kind of a scraper with a smooth edge to scrape some of it off of there. If it still isn't performing properly you could use a plastic bristle brush with maybe some Dawn (to cut the greasy compound medium) in a plastic tub. Let it dry, then try it again.
As for differing methods, I have used the slow drip method to create a slicker area an inch or two out from the center of laps. More friction and heat on the outer areas with the option of moving over the wetter section if there's too much drag. The extender fluid pretty much eliminates the need for that.
If you clean that lap in a clean tub, you might even have some re-claimable diamond goo after it evaporates a bit. Just don't let the different grits mix.
Vince and I were talking about this before he typed the above. I've been thinking about it since then and another possibility is to take a larger stone and just start working the diamond into the pad with the stone. Keep wiping the stone off with a clean rag (to avoid contamination) so it accumulates more of the excess compound. Add a couple of drops of extender fluid (oil or silicone) to make sure the diamond is spreading into the whole pad evenly. It may take a little longer this way, but you also will have a fully loaded diamond pad when you're done. It was my idea to use some dawn and a brush, but the more I think about it, I think I would use the work it in the lap with the larger stone method first. Give it a little pressure while you're working it in the lap at a slow speed. You don't want diamond flnging all over. At least that way, you're not losing as much of the diamond as you would with the dawn method. It will definitely take longer, but it might be worth it. I guess it just depends on how much time you have to devout to it. Since it's a polish pad, I'm guessing it's 14,000 grit? Once you have all that diamond smooshed into that pad, the good news is you probably won't have to charge it for a long time! FYI - don't use water with loose diamond. Diamond doesn't like water (they repel), so it defeats the purpose to use it. You have to use water on diamond that is on metal or resin wheels as a coolant, but the diamond is trapped and can't run away. Oil and diamond like each other very much.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 14, 2022 21:52:02 GMT -5
Well dangit Kelly! If you try Vince's solution, please let us know the results. Who is Vince jasoninsd? BTW I WILL be out there this time next week. Would be great to meet you and do a little pebble pirating.
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 14, 2022 21:58:57 GMT -5
Okay - yeah, just a bit overloaded. When you say "pad" I'm guessing a typical "polishing pad", and not a felt or leather. With that much paste on there your rock is just moving the compound around, or just "hydroplaning" on it. Don't feel bad - I overloaded laps in the beginning, too.
If so, you might be able to use some kind of a scraper with a smooth edge to scrape some of it off of there. If it still isn't performing properly you could use a plastic bristle brush with maybe some Dawn (to cut the greasy compound medium) in a plastic tub. Let it dry, then try it again.
As for differing methods, I have used the slow drip method to create a slicker area an inch or two out from the center of laps. More friction and heat on the outer areas with the option of moving over the wetter section if there's too much drag. The extender fluid pretty much eliminates the need for that.
If you clean that lap in a clean tub, you might even have some re-claimable diamond goo after it evaporates a bit. Just don't let the different grits mix.
Vince and I were talking about this before he typed the above. I've been thinking about it since then and another possibility is to take a larger stone and just start working the diamond into the pad with the stone. Keep wiping the stone off with a clean rag (to avoid contamination) so it accumulates more of the excess compound. Add a couple of drops of extender fluid (oil or silicone) to make sure the diamond is spreading into the whole pad evenly. It may take a little longer this way, but you also will have a fully loaded diamond pad when you're done. It was my idea to use some dawn and a brush, but the more I think about it, I think I would use the work it in the lap with the larger stone method first. Give it a little pressure while you're working it in the lap at a slow speed. You don't want diamond flnging all over. At least that way, you're not losing as much of the diamond as you would with the dawn method. It will definitely take longer, but it might be worth it. I guess it just depends on how much time you have to devout to it. Since it's a polish pad, I'm guessing it's 14,000 grit? Once you have all that diamond smooshed into that pad, the good news is you probably won't have to charge it for a long time! FYI - don't use water with loose diamond. Diamond doesn't like water (they repel), so it defeats the purpose to use it. You have to use water on diamond that is on metal or resin wheels as a coolant, but the diamond is trapped and can't run away. Oil and diamond like each other very much. hummingbirdstones It was 8000 and 100000. Maybe find a Petoskey ans use it to polish it as I am smooshing it in. I bought 2 more pads and diamond paste just in case this isn't salvageable. Thank you for the advice. I know better than to take anyone's advice other than the wonderful peeps on here. Thank you again
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nursetumbler
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2022
Posts: 981
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Post by nursetumbler on Oct 14, 2022 22:00:37 GMT -5
Okay - yeah, just a bit overloaded. When you say "pad" I'm guessing a typical "polishing pad", and not a felt or leather. With that much paste on there your rock is just moving the compound around, or just "hydroplaning" on it. Don't feel bad - I overloaded laps in the beginning, too.
If so, you might be able to use some kind of a scraper with a smooth edge to scrape some of it off of there. If it still isn't performing properly you could use a plastic bristle brush with maybe some Dawn (to cut the greasy compound medium) in a plastic tub. Let it dry, then try it again.
As for differing methods, I have used the slow drip method to create a slicker area an inch or two out from the center of laps. More friction and heat on the outer areas with the option of moving over the wetter section if there's too much drag. The extender fluid pretty much eliminates the need for that.
If you clean that lap in a clean tub, you might even have some re-claimable diamond goo after it evaporates a bit. Just don't let the different grits mix.
Vince and I were talking about this before he typed the above. I've been thinking about it since then and another possibility is to take a larger stone and just start working the diamond into the pad with the stone. Keep wiping the stone off with a clean rag (to avoid contamination) so it accumulates more of the excess compound. Add a couple of drops of extender fluid (oil or silicone) to make sure the diamond is spreading into the whole pad evenly. It may take a little longer this way, but you also will have a fully loaded diamond pad when you're done. It was my idea to use some dawn and a brush, but the more I think about it, I think I would use the work it in the lap with the larger stone method first. Give it a little pressure while you're working it in the lap at a slow speed. You don't want diamond flnging all over. At least that way, you're not losing as much of the diamond as you would with the dawn method. It will definitely take longer, but it might be worth it. I guess it just depends on how much time you have to devout to it. Since it's a polish pad, I'm guessing it's 14,000 grit? Once you have all that diamond smooshed into that pad, the good news is you probably won't have to charge it for a long time! FYI - don't use water with loose diamond. Diamond doesn't like water (they repel), so it defeats the purpose to use it. You have to use water on diamond that is on metal or resin wheels as a coolant, but the diamond is trapped and can't run away. Oil and diamond like each other very much. It is the paste stuff in a syringe not the loose diamond powder.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 14, 2022 22:09:30 GMT -5
Vince and I were talking about this before he typed the above. I've been thinking about it since then and another possibility is to take a larger stone and just start working the diamond into the pad with the stone. Keep wiping the stone off with a clean rag (to avoid contamination) so it accumulates more of the excess compound. Add a couple of drops of extender fluid (oil or silicone) to make sure the diamond is spreading into the whole pad evenly. It may take a little longer this way, but you also will have a fully loaded diamond pad when you're done. It was my idea to use some dawn and a brush, but the more I think about it, I think I would use the work it in the lap with the larger stone method first. Give it a little pressure while you're working it in the lap at a slow speed. You don't want diamond flnging all over. At least that way, you're not losing as much of the diamond as you would with the dawn method. It will definitely take longer, but it might be worth it. I guess it just depends on how much time you have to devout to it. Since it's a polish pad, I'm guessing it's 14,000 grit? Once you have all that diamond smooshed into that pad, the good news is you probably won't have to charge it for a long time! FYI - don't use water with loose diamond. Diamond doesn't like water (they repel), so it defeats the purpose to use it. You have to use water on diamond that is on metal or resin wheels as a coolant, but the diamond is trapped and can't run away. Oil and diamond like each other very much. hummingbirdstones It was 8000 and 100000. Maybe find a Petoskey ans use it to polish it as I am smooshing it in. I bought 2 more pads and diamond paste just in case this isn't salvageable. Thank you for the advice. I know better than to take anyone's advice other than the wonderful peeps on here. Thank you again You're most welcome. A nice big Petoskey would work really well. Both the pads are salvageable. You just need to get that excess goop off because you need some friction for the stones to polish. Another thing to keep in mind is when you are using the Petoskey, if it gets too hot dunk in a container of water to cool it off. I don't know if Petoskeys are heat sensitive or not, but I do that with opal when I'm using a felt or polishing pad with them. It will at least save your fingers if you're holding the stone in your hand and not on a dop. ETA: Just noticed your other comment about it being paste and not loose diamond. It really doesn't matter which form it is. The paste is just an oil base with loose diamond in it. The oil base is what's hindering you because it's just making a big old slippery barrier between the lap material and your stone. The diamond will embed itself in the lap material as you work it in. Basically you just have too much lube.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 14, 2022 22:20:14 GMT -5
Well dangit Kelly! If you try Vince's solution, please let us know the results. Who is Vince jasoninsd ? BTW I WILL be out there this time next week. Would be great to meet you and do a little pebble pirating. Hummingbirdstones = Robin Hummingbirdstones2 = Vince Sounds like Robin had the better idea anyway! LOL I'm totally game for meeting up and going hounding! When the time gets closer, and you know when you'll be available, shoot me a PM and I'll give you my cell phone number.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Oct 14, 2022 22:48:09 GMT -5
Yeah jasoninsd - hers might be better but mine might be quicker. Squeegee some of that goop off and then get after it with a rock.
Ah - wait - the "quicker" thing is how I usually manage to screw up more things in a shorter period of time... .
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 14, 2022 22:59:40 GMT -5
Yeah jasoninsd - hers might be better but mine might be quicker. Squeegee some of that goop off and then get after it with a rock.
Ah - wait - the "quicker" thing is how I usually manage to screw up more things in a shorter period of time... .
Truth!
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