isellwood
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2006
Posts: 119 
|
Post by isellwood on Aug 30, 2006 18:40:24 GMT -5
I want to get a 50,000 grit diamond belt, but it looks like a resin belt with diamond paste and extender is cheaper. What are your thoughts on the best way to go?
|
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Aug 30, 2006 18:44:14 GMT -5
I use a leather belt and 50k diamond paste and it works great for me. Sorry, I can't give you a comparison betwwen the paste and the belt.
|
|
isellwood
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2006
Posts: 119
|
Post by isellwood on Aug 30, 2006 19:03:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply, I can't find a 8" x 3" leather belt anywhere. Do you have a suggestion where to buy, and second if I may, do I need extender fluid?
Thanks
Pat
|
|
|
|
Post by gemkoi on Aug 30, 2006 19:46:33 GMT -5
The only problem i can see with resin belts is they can hold onto other particals easier than diamond belts. And depending on how much you cab, a diamond 50k belt could last an easy 5 years before replacement.
Some stones do polish out better with extender fluild, lapis would be a good example.
|
|
offbeat
no posts
Member since May 2010
Posts: 0
|
Post by offbeat on Aug 30, 2006 20:17:15 GMT -5
Here ya go Pat! I was looking around the other day to replace one of mine and also was having a hard time locating one. $39 plus shipping, a good price! Ed, Stoner, pointed me in the right direction. www.alpha-supply.com/lapidary/index.php?id=1&scid=mnx&gid=679I do have to add though, I ordered it on the 27th and still haven't received order confirmation yet, hope they aren't back ordered.  |
|
offbeat
no posts
Member since May 2010
Posts: 0
|
Post by offbeat on Aug 30, 2006 20:32:17 GMT -5
While were on the subject, does anyone know what the extender fluid is? How do most of you clean up between 14k and 50K? I have been washing with dish soap, seems to work OK. They are kind of slippery little buggers if you get too much extender fluid on them!! Bill
|
|
offbeat
no posts
Member since May 2010
Posts: 0
|
Post by offbeat on Aug 30, 2006 20:47:25 GMT -5
While I was looking around I found the below at Kingsley North. At $79 for an 8 X 3 50k belt I wonder how long it would last? How much diamond paste would you have to use to break even? I do like the fact that it is meant to run wet, should make for a cleaner running belt. I sure would think it would last a long time as I don't think you would use that much pressure to shine a cab. Oh well, food for thought! Bill
Copied from Kingsley North web site...
<<3M Diamond - Polishing Cloth Belts Cloth backed diamond abrasive bet for lapidary finishing. Also for cutting, shaping, and smoothing almost any material. Will produce an ultra-high finish. Effective on materials harder than 7 on Mohs scale. Belts should be run wet for best results. Sold individually.>>
|
|
|
|
Post by sandsman1 on Aug 30, 2006 21:13:25 GMT -5
alpha is back ordered on the leather belts i was just talkin to them today unless you got the last one haha
|
|
|
|
Post by rockds on Aug 30, 2006 21:24:16 GMT -5
I use 50K paste right now but plan to go with the 50k nova wheel sometime in the future.
|
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Aug 30, 2006 21:44:19 GMT -5
Hey Bill, are using the extender fluid? Does it say what it is on the bottle? I'm thinking it's like a silicon oil of some kind. Sands had a good idea of just spraying some silicon on the belt when it seems the paste isn't doing it's job anymore, and it seems to work really well.
|
|
offbeat
no posts
Member since May 2010
Posts: 0
|
Post by offbeat on Aug 30, 2006 21:55:50 GMT -5
Yup, I'm using extender fluid now, Ed. I bet silicon spray would work, it is really slick if you use too much extender fluid! Esp. after it comes off the 14k.
Geez, John! I sent them an email tonight. I was hoping I would check my mail tomorrow and they would say my belt was on the way! Must be some kind of shortage of belts for some reason. I checked all over and couldn't find one even listed till Ed sent me to alpha. Figures. Guess I will have to stick to my old 8 X 2" cork wheel for a while longer. Thanks guys, Bill
|
|
isellwood
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2006
Posts: 119
|
Post by isellwood on Aug 31, 2006 8:51:35 GMT -5
Thank you everone for the feed back on my questions. I am getting back into my love of rock hounding and trying to learn cab making. This forum is a wealth of knowledge.
Thanks
Pat
|
|
offbeat
no posts
Member since May 2010
Posts: 0
|
Post by offbeat on Aug 31, 2006 12:39:23 GMT -5
OK, got a email from them telling me I haven't ordered anything from them since last Feb. grrrrr. Sent them a cut n paste when I was logged in. They did say they were out of the belts too.
The search for a new leather belt will continue.......
|
|
offbeat
no posts
Member since May 2010
Posts: 0
|
Post by offbeat on Aug 31, 2006 12:50:38 GMT -5
Well, bad news! Worked the phone for a bit. I did manage to get 2 of the belts from Kingsley North, the last 2 they had. According to them and a few other places I called, the 8 X 3" leather belts are NO longer being made. So if you can find them you had better get an extra or two. Sorry to hear this, maybe my info was bad, but I had 3 different places tell me this. Bill
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
|
Post by stefan on Sept 6, 2006 9:45:54 GMT -5
I use the resin belt and paste- It really works well for me- too bad that the leather belts are going to be discontinued- I wonder why?
|
|
Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
*
Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
*
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
