Medium & larger pieces face polished using endplates
Jul 25, 2024 15:02:52 GMT -5
RWA3006, victor1941, and 6 more like this
Post by lapidary1234 on Jul 25, 2024 15:02:52 GMT -5
Not sure exactly where to post these. I chose the cabachon section because I used a cabbing machine to polish these.
I used magnetic end plates on a steel master lap I got straight from diamond pacific
This method has proven more difficult than I had initially imagined as larger surfaces have the tendency to develop flat spots and it is hard to keep a stone perfectly flat!
The sequence I've settled in on is starting by flattening the stone with an 80 grit metal lap then refining with a 150 grit metal lap. From here I move to the 140 nova disc and then the normal sequence (280,600,1200,3,000).
If the stone is a size I can manage on a wheel I will move to wheels after getting the initial flat surface. I've found that if a stone is flattened properly that the 280 wheel doesn't put much of a dome on it. Larger stones I have to progress on the end plate discs.
The magnetic novas are nice in that they don't have the foam back which while foam works great for contouring cabochons if you press a flat piece against foam it will work the edges more leaving even more flat spots.
It has been a learning experiment but I'm glad I invested in these as they allow me to work larger pieces!
Thanks for looking!
I used magnetic end plates on a steel master lap I got straight from diamond pacific
This method has proven more difficult than I had initially imagined as larger surfaces have the tendency to develop flat spots and it is hard to keep a stone perfectly flat!
The sequence I've settled in on is starting by flattening the stone with an 80 grit metal lap then refining with a 150 grit metal lap. From here I move to the 140 nova disc and then the normal sequence (280,600,1200,3,000).
If the stone is a size I can manage on a wheel I will move to wheels after getting the initial flat surface. I've found that if a stone is flattened properly that the 280 wheel doesn't put much of a dome on it. Larger stones I have to progress on the end plate discs.
The magnetic novas are nice in that they don't have the foam back which while foam works great for contouring cabochons if you press a flat piece against foam it will work the edges more leaving even more flat spots.
It has been a learning experiment but I'm glad I invested in these as they allow me to work larger pieces!
Thanks for looking!
