ashley
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937 
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Post by ashley on Apr 2, 2023 7:43:46 GMT -5
Hi guys I was looking through old posts for directions on using a flat lap but couldn’t find any. So, anyone want to give a rundown of using a flat lap? I will specially be using a Covington 8” maxi lap, but I assume it would be the same technique for any flat lap. Thanks guys!  |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 2, 2023 10:47:02 GMT -5
Hi guys I was looking through old posts for directions on using a flat lap but couldn’t find any. So, anyone want to give a rundown of using a flat lap? I will specially be using a Covington 8” maxi lap, but I assume it would be the same technique for any flat lap. Thanks guys! There's a bunch of videos on YouTube. To start I'd watch a few of these and then if you have specific questions you can always ask. Personally, I think it's easier to actually see some techniques visually than to read them (but that's just me). www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+make+a+cab+with+a+flat+lap |
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 2, 2023 11:35:02 GMT -5
I agree with Robin in searching YouTube videos for general techniques. Try them and see which works for you the best.
If you are making polished flats at all, and perfectly flat is important to you as it is to me for doublets and triplets, I have one bit of advice. For flats and glue joins I run the lap with water on to get it wet, stop it, place the stone where I want it, hold it there, then start the lap with downward pressure only, I do not move the stone at all. I also stop the lap before lifting the stone. This is because ANY movement from side to side will slightly tip the stone and the surface will not be flat. My Intarsia and Doublet/triplet teachers both taught this method. It's good to not pick the same spot to hold it every time to you get even wear on your disc, but when it's spinning don't move or twist it.
Also, for sanding scratch removal, if you turn it 1/4 turn every time you change grits it's easy to see when the previous grit scratches are gone.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 2, 2023 11:55:32 GMT -5
Someone who got started here...
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937
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Post by ashley on Apr 2, 2023 21:09:08 GMT -5
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hoolligan1938
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2022
Posts: 253
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Post by hoolligan1938 on Apr 3, 2023 18:05:09 GMT -5
Ashley - Welcome to the fun stuff! I like using a flat lap for pendant shaping and for ear-ring stones. The only fault I find is that the discs seem to wearout awfully fast. I did get some of those white diamond saw blade cleaning sticks from Kingsley North and use them after each session on a disc. They (KN) advertise them as blade cleaning sticks but they work just as well on a diamond disc. Don't feel bad if a disc doesn't seem to hold up very long, I think it's just the nature of the beast. If you don't already have a Kingsley North catalog, be sure to order one. All kinds of stuff to devour your money.
Jim
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937
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Post by ashley on Apr 3, 2023 19:39:11 GMT -5
Ashley - Welcome to the fun stuff! I like using a flat lap for pendant shaping and for ear-ring stones. The only fault I find is that the discs seem to wearout awfully fast. I did get some of those white diamond saw blade cleaning sticks from Kingsley North and use them after each session on a disc. They (KN) advertise them as blade cleaning sticks but they work just as well on a diamond disc. Don't feel bad if a disc doesn't seem to hold up very long, I think it's just the nature of the beast. If you don't already have a Kingsley North catalog, be sure to order one. All kinds of stuff to devour your money. Jim Thanks Jim! Its for at work so thankfully its not my wallet! I am almost always going to be using it for polishing slabs and larger rocks, not really cabs. |
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Apr 4, 2023 17:28:44 GMT -5
Maybe you should look at large vibrating laps if you intend to polish larger slabs and rocks? A lot less labor intensive than a rotary lap and great for polishing flats. I use a rotary lap to thin down cabs for earrings and sometimes to polish flat backs of cabs that will be set in open back settings and to make flat top cabs for belt buckles and bracelets.
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937
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Post by ashley on Apr 4, 2023 20:55:34 GMT -5
gunsilWe have a vibrating flat lap at work. The tray was ground down a little so we might need to replace it before I start running it.
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bgoodz
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Bill
Member since January 2023
Posts: 85
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Post by bgoodz on Apr 5, 2023 22:41:03 GMT -5
I agree with Robin in searching YouTube videos for general techniques. Try them and see which works for you the best. If you are making polished flats at all, and perfectly flat is important to you as it is to me for doublets and triplets, I have one bit of advice. For flats and glue joins I run the lap with water on to get it wet, stop it, place the stone where I want it, hold it there, then start the lap with downward pressure only, I do not move the stone at all. I also stop the lap before lifting the stone. This is because ANY movement from side to side will slightly tip the stone and the surface will not be flat. My Intarsia and Doublet/triplet teachers both taught this method. It's good to not pick the same spot to hold it every time to you get even wear on your disc, but when it's spinning don't move or twist it. Also, for sanding scratch removal, if you turn it 1/4 turn every time you change grits it's easy to see when the previous grit scratches are gone. Everything Lee says is spot on Rockoonz. I’m starting to become acquainted and friends ( kinda) with my flat lap, which wasn’t used much in the past. I’ve taken his advice and tips on application methods while working on Intarsia flats and 90 deg strips and angles, which has helped. I sit in a bench chair and get eye level with the lap so i can observe any tilt with the finger control. It’s amazing how easy it is to tilt a piece with finger control thinking you’re level. Another thing to keep in mind is pressure control. And water control, too much and the piece will hydroplane, i use a very small drip and adjust if need be. But, I’ve mostly been doing flats, strips and angles. Hope this helps somewhat ashley |
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Post by Pat on Apr 5, 2023 23:07:37 GMT -5
I use my Ameritol flat lap to flatten the backs of cabs and to make right angles for intarsia.
Always use water dripping onto the flat lap.
Enjoy!
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937
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Post by ashley on Apr 5, 2023 23:56:06 GMT -5
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937
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Post by ashley on Apr 5, 2023 23:56:24 GMT -5
PatThank you Pat!
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