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Post by stardiamond on Nov 7, 2022 20:18:09 GMT -5
I could have posted this under equipment but I thought there would be more visibility here.
I like to try out different manufacturer's wheels. DP unless I snag something on ebay is too expensive. Hard wheels it's the Lithuanian TOP. For soft it has been Johnson brothers supernova with the exception of one Lithuanian REZ. I was interested in trying the Highland Park. The problem was for some reason that the 6 inch wheels were only available in 2 inch width. Since I have an extra arbor, I could deal with that. I went to their site and they are now offering 1.5 inch wheels at the same price as JB. They also have a Thanksgiving sale for 10% off. Free shipping and in stock.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,498
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Wheels
Nov 7, 2022 20:26:14 GMT -5
Post by realrockhound on Nov 7, 2022 20:26:14 GMT -5
You have a question? Or are you just talking out loud. I'm confused what you're trying to convey.
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Post by rmf on Nov 7, 2022 20:43:35 GMT -5
stardiamond Thanks for posting this. I found this 3 min after you posted and have some of the same questions. However I am using 8" wheels. Since DP has killed the 220grit Nova wheel I am reevaluating how to get from coarse to 600grit. There was someone on here that suggested using hard wheels down to 600. Then going to Nova wheels from 600 on. I have been looking up prices and plated wheels vary all over the map. With DP hard wheels being about half of what Sintered wheels cost, which seem out of line. I have searched prices on: DP, Covington, Jade Carver, Highland Park, CabKing, Covington, Baltic Abrasives, Hi-Tech, Cutteng Edge Supply, Kingsley North. Question 1: Does anyone here have experience with other wheel vendors/mfg? especially wheel quality. Question 2: I was thinking of moving to 80, 140, 270-360, 600 Then Nova 600, 1200, 3000, 8000 Has anyone tried this or similar? My old method was all DP wheels: 80galaxy hex, 220galaxy smooth followed by Nova 220, 280, 600, 1200, 3000, 8000. Question 3: There have been discussions here sintered vs plated. For those that have used both is does a sintered wheel last 2x or 3x or more than a plated? Question 4: Would a 60 sintered cut as fast as a 80 grit plated? should I adjust grit size of the wheels in Question 2 if I go with sintered? I am trying to keep costs down and find wheels that will not make me dependent on one vendor. this may not be possible. Question 5: Are there any gotchas I should know about when going to sintered? My only experience is DP plated wheels.
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Wheels
Nov 7, 2022 20:45:26 GMT -5
Post by rmf on Nov 7, 2022 20:45:26 GMT -5
One more question. Has anyone used the REZ wheels. Do you like them? Had problems?
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,498
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 7, 2022 21:09:04 GMT -5
I just use 80 galaxy, 220 galaxy, 280 nova, 600 nova, 1200 nova, 3000 nova. Then finish with cerium. If you spend the time and don’t leave flat spots or scratches in your work, you’ll end up with a super nice polish in the end.
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Wheels
Nov 7, 2022 22:07:42 GMT -5
rmf likes this
Post by stardiamond on Nov 7, 2022 22:07:42 GMT -5
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Wheels
Nov 7, 2022 22:31:54 GMT -5
rmf likes this
Post by stardiamond on Nov 7, 2022 22:31:54 GMT -5
I'll add another comment. jadecarver 8 inch wheels are very good and less than dp. They have a plastic core. The 6 inch wheels only come in steel core. He said that the 6 inch with a plastic core weren't true. jadecarver.com/product-category/grinding-wheels/ I only used jadecarver on my 8 inch machine. My first cabbing machine was the stardiamond. It only had hard wheels. I bought a genie. I decided to retrofit the sd to have 3 more soft wheels. I thought 8 inches was the way to go. It was time to replace the 80,220 and 280 wheels. I bought them. It is a pain to change wheels on that machine and I was developing arthritis in my thumbs. The Genie has a more comfortable position for my hands, so I was only using the sd for 600 and 1200. I found that how I am grinding and aggressive 6 inch 80 will be as fast as an 8 inch. Recently my sd started to bind so I abandoned it. It can be fixed but I'm happy working on the Genie. At some point if you are interested, I have some new in box 8 inch wheels. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 8, 2022 7:09:32 GMT -5
stardiamond Thanks for posting this. I found this 3 min after you posted and have some of the same questions. However I am using 8" wheels. Since DP has killed the 220grit Nova wheel I am reevaluating how to get from coarse to 600grit. There was someone on here that suggested using hard wheels down to 600. Then going to Nova wheels from 600 on. I have been looking up prices and plated wheels vary all over the map. With DP hard wheels being about half of what Sintered wheels cost, which seem out of line. I have searched prices on: DP, Covington, Jade Carver, Highland Park, CabKing, Covington, Baltic Abrasives, Hi-Tech, Cutteng Edge Supply, Kingsley North. Question 1: Does anyone here have experience with other wheel vendors/mfg? especially wheel quality. Question 2: I was thinking of moving to 80, 140, 270-360, 600 Then Nova 600, 1200, 3000, 8000 Has anyone tried this or similar? My old method was all DP wheels: 80galaxy hex, 220galaxy smooth followed by Nova 220, 280, 600, 1200, 3000, 8000. Question 3: There have been discussions here sintered vs plated. For those that have used both is does a sintered wheel last 2x or 3x or more than a plated? Question 4: Would a 60 sintered cut as fast as a 80 grit plated? should I adjust grit size of the wheels in Question 2 if I go with sintered? I am trying to keep costs down and find wheels that will not make me dependent on one vendor. this may not be possible. Question 5: Are there any gotchas I should know about when going to sintered? My only experience is DP plated wheels. Lots of good questions. I can't answer them all, but I can chime in about the sintered wheel. I got a 60grit sintered Inland from JB. I haven't had it a very long time, but with lots of life left on it, I have used it at least twice as long as a plated 80. I used to burn through 80 grit wheels. I do most of my forming on it.
I use the same wheels as usual except I use a 220 soft to replace the 280. I have one in reserve now since they are getting so hard to find. I had to get a JB wheel and have not used it so I can't comment on it.
I have used the 80 grit plated wheel from Lithuania. My first was an off balance dud, but they quickly sent me a new one. I was quite happy with the wheel, but then went to sintered. If I were to get another plated 80, it would be the Lithuanian one. I hated their soft wheels, though.
The 60 sintered is more aggressive initially. Mine is now more like a newish 80 plated. Still a fast cutter.
Frankly, I don't think there are any gotchas making the switch- other than cost. But, your mileage may vary. It's hard to give a pat answer when everyone has different experiences. I can tell you, however, that my experience has been good and I can recommend a 60 sintered.
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Wheels
Nov 8, 2022 11:18:21 GMT -5
Post by rmf on Nov 8, 2022 11:18:21 GMT -5
All thanks for the info. I purchased a galaxy 60 hex wheel for hogging thicker slabs. you must be careful due to chipping. I usually rough with the 80 grit except for thicker agates/jaspers. It has been my experience with the DP Galaxy Hex that they slow down after the first 100 stones or so. I have noticed this to be true on all the hard wheels. I am getting between 1000 to 1500 40x30 stones from a plated wheel. I do not cut just 40x30s but a full range of stones. but for comparison purposes I would want to get at least 2x to 3x more stones from a sintered. If the sintered 60 cuts like a new 80 plated I would be happy. I am assuming it chips less than a 60 plated.
Novas in the 1200 -> 8000 don't wear much.
I complained to DP because the 280Nova was wearing out too fast and that is why I went to the 220Nova followed by the 280 Nova. This cut faster and I had much less wear on the 280. So that is why I am looking for a new process. If I can make it faster cutting I am for that too.
I have not seriously looked a johnson brothers due to all the problems listed on here.
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Wheels
Nov 8, 2022 14:38:10 GMT -5
Post by stardiamond on Nov 8, 2022 14:38:10 GMT -5
One of the biggest mistakes with wheels is overuse of the 220/280 soft. Everyone wears them out because they like an aggressive soft wheel. When a 280/220 soft is only used to remove scratches from the previous, coarser wheel they will last a long time.
I use a worn 80 grit DP wheel to remove scratches from the 80 grit Lithuanian wheel and refine the shape. I use the 220 hard to remove the DP 80 scratches.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,498
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 8, 2022 15:13:31 GMT -5
Maybe some know this, maybe some don’t. Be gentle on your 80 and 220 hard. Get your dome on your 80 with minimal flat spots then clean it up on 220 hard. 280 soft is just used to clean up scratches and minor imperfections. It’s a journey, not a race. 600 and up is strictly for removing scratches. If you put in the time on your hard wheels, you’ll yield better results in the end. This is just a general statement, not directed at anyone in particular. If you cant get a damn near perfect dome with even abrasions across the face, you’re either doing something wrong, rushing the process or something is wrong with your wheels.
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 8, 2022 16:04:17 GMT -5
The 80 grit scares people.
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Post by rmf on Nov 10, 2022 12:10:07 GMT -5
This is to pass along some Diamond wheel information: stardiamond I will not be moving forward with your surplus wheels. I have gone another way. After reviewing 9 different Diamond wheel vendors/manufacturers I ordered 4 sintered wheels this morning from Baltic-Abrasives in Lithuania. With the U.S. Dollar being on par with the Euro. The sintered wheels are going for $393.42 and their 8"x2" REZ wheels are going for $70.26. List price for DP Galaxy wheels (plated) are 80 grit $392. (lesser cost for smaller grits). DP Nova in 8" are $255. For all you cabbers in the U.S. if ever were considering sintered wheels now is a good time due to the exchange rate. www.baltic-abrasives.com/en/ Other factors that made the decision easy they have a wider range of grits available and they offer an 8"x2" wheel where all the hadr wheels at most of the other wheel vendors are 1.5 inches wide. this way all my DP Novas which are 2" wide will match the hard wheels. I am hoping these will be the last hard wheels I order. I will be trying 60, 140, 280, 600 sintered wheels. |
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Wheels
Nov 14, 2022 18:28:59 GMT -5
Post by stardiamond on Nov 14, 2022 18:28:59 GMT -5
My wheels arrived today. They look like wheels. I got a 3,000, 14,000 and 50,000 since those are the ones that needed to be replaced. I was sure they were charging sales tax when I checked out. I bought a 140 soft today and no tax was charged. I checked my credit card statement and no tax was charged on the previous order. The 1 1/2 six inch wheels are not an option they replaced the 2 inch width. I messaged them that they should offer a 220 soft.
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,160
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Wheels
Nov 23, 2022 18:48:56 GMT -5
Post by dshanpnw on Nov 23, 2022 18:48:56 GMT -5
Hello all, I am grateful for all this information as I am considering the sintered 80g wheel. Thanks for sharing all your experiences.
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