NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 23, 2011 17:54:46 GMT -5
I'm planning on making some leather pads to move to diamond paste for my polishing. I purchased some craft foam from Michaels and plan to glue to leather to this foam so it's softer to sand out flat spots.
I have 2 questions:
1 - Should I glue the leather rough or smooth side out?
2 - What glue should I use to attach the leather to the foam? I'm thinking rubber cement or something similar that will remain flexable.
Thank you, Nate
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jan 23, 2011 18:49:09 GMT -5
Rough side and smooth side both have their uses. For diamond you might be better using the smooth side. For adhesive, get the 3M disk adhesive. If you have the Kingsley North catalog, it's item # 5 on page 62. Rubber cement will be a hastle when it comes time to change disks, where as the disk adhesive holds good, but peels right off.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 23, 2011 20:26:38 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I've done some searching & reading here and I thougth I read that in one of the threads. I wasn't positive so I decided to ask. I'll look up that glue too.
Nate
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jan 23, 2011 22:24:22 GMT -5
I would use a permanent glue to hold the foam to the metal or wood disc and the 3M to hold the leather to the foam. As far as smooth or rough most use the smooth out for diamond.
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jan 23, 2011 22:33:05 GMT -5
Before using that craft foam for a backing, you might want to test the glue on a small scrap. If it's the wrong type of foam the glue may dissolve it. The foam rubber backing used in lapidary is much like the material used in a divers wet suit. If you could find an old wet suit, you'd have a lifetime supply of backing material.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 23, 2011 23:05:40 GMT -5
Good point John. I was hoping to make 5 different leather/foam pads and exchange them on one lap disc. My lap has the motor shaft arbor and the discs are held down with the flange/nut, they're not the spin on type. Running that speed I may get some flopping if the foam's not rigid enough. I guess I may need to glue the foam down.
Another good point too, Don. I'll make sure the glue doesn't react with the foam.
Thanks guys! Nate
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jan 24, 2011 9:14:17 GMT -5
The foam discs used on pads are fairly inexpensive and would probably last much longer than light weight foam.
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Jan 24, 2011 10:41:00 GMT -5
Most foam mouse pads are the neoprene jakesrocks is talking about and come in 1/8" & 1/4" and work well (closed cell material doesn't absorb water).
Dr Joe
.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 24, 2011 15:37:53 GMT -5
I forgot about the mouse pads. I want to do 8" discs though, and the 2 mouse pads I have here are only 7" wide... I do have the craft foam under my SiC discs I use now, and it works well. I believe it is also closed cell.
Nate
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 25, 2011 19:20:47 GMT -5
I got the leather glued on the foam last night. I cut them out this afternoon. I used rubber cement, because that's what I had available. We'll see how it holds. I still need to punch out the center hole and I'm set to add the diamond compound. I ordered some cheap diamond compound on ebay. It was $20.00 for five 5 gram syringes. I got 600 (red), 1,200 (blue), 3,000 (orange), 14,000 (white), and 60,000 (gray) grit. I used yellow and black foam instead of orange and gray to coincide with the grit. Once my diamond paste arrives, I'll give these a whirl. Any other advise? Nate
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 28, 2011 21:41:58 GMT -5
|
|
chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
|
Post by chromenut on Jan 29, 2011 17:57:58 GMT -5
Love it when a plan works!
|
|
ernie
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2010
Posts: 10
|
Post by ernie on Feb 6, 2011 12:31:02 GMT -5
I got my diamond paste in the mail today, charged up the leather pads and gave 'em a whirl. im still figuring this stuff out, can you explain "charged up" in some detail? than ks,...
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Feb 6, 2011 17:19:16 GMT -5
You apply a coating of diamond powder or paste to a leather/felt/cotton pad or belt and work it into the material till you have an even coating and this is now your polishing pad(s). These re used dry with a silicone extender fluid to give some lubrication.
Dr Joe
.
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Feb 9, 2011 0:29:43 GMT -5
Remember that you don't need a whole lot of diamond paste. A little goes a long way. When it seems like it's fading, just use a silicone spray on the pad and it will work like brand new.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Feb 9, 2011 17:12:34 GMT -5
I bet I can't even register on the syringe that any paste was used to charge these pads. They will last forever!
Thanks for the info on the silicone spray Ed. I was spraying some on the lap before each cab, and now realize that was WAY too much!
Nate
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 12, 2011 11:25:15 GMT -5
Hmmmm now I'm thinking about trting thi with my grinder. My arbor shaft has threaded ends. Thiz could be cool
|
|
|
Post by stoner on Feb 13, 2011 4:20:45 GMT -5
I still am using the first syringe of 50k paste, and I gave away about half of it a long time ago, right Stefan? ??
|
|
|
Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Dec 15, 2011 14:38:01 GMT -5
I am getting ready to make me some leather discs. I have deerskin that I plan on using and nice rough out cowhide. I started with the cloth discs and they are starting to show a lot of wear so when they go the leather with be used and I bet they will last a long long time
|
|
|
Post by Woodyrock on Dec 16, 2011 1:34:13 GMT -5
Ms Froggy, If you are using diamond, use the leather skin side out. The rough side will eat the diamond. Oxides do better on the rough side. The best glue to use on leather is Barge Cement....in the yellow tube (old formula) the new one is in blue tube, and water base. Woody
|
|