calybos
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2023
Posts: 8
|
Post by calybos on Dec 3, 2023 21:08:51 GMT -5
I've seen videos demonstrating slab and trim cutting that stress how important it is to have lubrication and specifically diamond on the saw blades... which makes sense. But then when they go on to the cab machine (or flat lap, or even sanding with a rotary tool or by hand), they only mention "sandpaper." Really? just regular hardware-store sandpaper? What happened to the extreme hardness that could only be worked with diamond grit?
So, what sort of sandpaper is needed for a rotary tool, for example? Assume a standard cutting/grinding specimen like agate or jasper. And while cab machines and flat laps seem to still use water or oil lubricant, the hand-sanders and Dremel-polishers I've seen don't mention anything but dry stone.
--A bit confused in Atlanta--
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Dec 4, 2023 0:39:43 GMT -5
When I first started making cabs, I started with a Dremel. It didn't last too long before I moved on to a slant cabber! LOL
You can use wet/dry sandpaper with the rotary tool...just make sure you drip water onto the piece when you're sanding it. I would get sheets of sandpaper, then "repurpose" the few sanding disks I had bought by cutting circles of sandpaper and gluing them onto the used sanding disks. You can get the various grits. I think I got mine on eBay where I could get a selection of the different grits in one package deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Dec 4, 2023 7:43:14 GMT -5
If you look at the old literature on rock grinding & cab making, you'll notice that they all use silicon carbide wheels & sand paper. Always with water. Which certainly works.
Diamond blades, wheels, burs, etc do the same thing just faster.
For sand paper you want to buy silicon carbide, NOT aluminum oxide (often white in color) as the silicon carbide is harder.
Always use water - rock dust is BAD for your lungs.
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by southernlakehuronguy on Dec 4, 2023 11:49:57 GMT -5
I've seen videos demonstrating slab and trim cutting that stress how important it is to have lubrication and specifically diamond on the saw blades... which makes sense. But then when they go on to the cab machine (or flat lap, or even sanding with a rotary tool or by hand), they only mention "sandpaper." Really? just regular hardware-store sandpaper? What happened to the extreme hardness that could only be worked with diamond grit?
So, what sort of sandpaper is needed for a rotary tool, for example? Assume a standard cutting/grinding specimen like agate or jasper. And while cab machines and flat laps seem to still use water or oil lubricant, the hand-sanders and Dremel-polishers I've seen don't mention anything but dry stone.
--A bit confused in Atlanta--
Here is a video that talks of sanding drums and Nova points that are used for polishing with a rotary tool...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmgDKw3fwKA&t=392s |
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Dec 4, 2023 12:00:08 GMT -5
Sometimes SiC is better, especially while you're still learning. Fibrous stones that either orange peel, like jade, or have fiber inclusions like tiger eye of cacoxenite amethyst/rutilated quartz can turn out better using the less grabby SiC. It was the only thing I used for nephrite until I learned how to soft touch it with diamond.
|
|
calybos
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2023
Posts: 8
|
Post by calybos on Dec 4, 2023 18:35:26 GMT -5
Okay, thanks for clarifying. Are there certain types of SiC sandpaper (or sanding attachments) that work when wet, or will any kind do?
|
|
RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,625 
|
Post by RWA3006 on Dec 4, 2023 20:19:02 GMT -5
I have a friend, old timer, who grinds his cabs on wheels like usual, but he puts the final finish on them by cupping wet/dry sandpaper in his palm and sands the dopped cabs. He does nice work this way almost daily. He uses water on the paper then a buffing pad for last bit.
I believe he goes with 400 wet/dry and progresses to the finest grit he can find at the local hardware store. We had lunch last Friday and he complained to me about the price increases of sand paper.
|
|
wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,085
|
Post by wargrafix on Jun 27, 2024 7:24:18 GMT -5
I used regular wet/dry sandpaper for my polishing. By hand. Because I have to save up for a flat lap
|
|
