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Post by tntmom on May 29, 2011 21:55:57 GMT -5
Hello!
I've been playing around with my new 8" Ameritool from johnjsgems and have a question....
The rough diamond disk that it came with is a 180 grit. I've noticed that it is taking me about an hour per preform to shape and dome. I'm using a light pressure to preserve the disk but its taking a long time.
When I used my dremel medium diamond disks to shape I could get them done in about 20 to 40 minutes, however, I used a lot more pressure because the disks only cost a couple of bucks versus $50 to $100 for the diamond laps.
Do most of you Ameritool or other flat lap users purchase an 80 or 100 grit disk to speed up the rough shaping?
I got the Kingsley North catalog in the mail today and it has the 100 disk bonded onto an aluminum backing plate on sale for $55.00. Also coarser disks for a tad more. Haven't called John yet to see what he recommends or can sale me. Thought I would ask opinions here first on whether it's even worth looking into!
Thank you!
~Krystee
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Post by jakesrocks on May 29, 2011 22:14:46 GMT -5
Krystee, do your disks have a 1/2" center hole ? If so, you might want to check the Inland disks. They run from 60 up to 3000 grit. The inland machines are garbage, but the disks are pretty good. They're bonded to a steel disk. I have the whole set, and use them for small geodes with very good results. Don
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Post by tntmom on May 29, 2011 22:37:52 GMT -5
Don,
Yes, 1/2" center hole. Do you start with the 60? If so, do you then go to the 180 for a bit to remove the 60 scratches? If so, does the time spent on both laps exceed or reduce the time spent doing it from start on 180? I would really like to get a finished dome in less than an hour.
Thanks!
~Krystee
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Post by jakesrocks on May 29, 2011 22:58:58 GMT -5
A lot depends on how rough the surface is to begin with. If it's a very rough or uneven cut I start with 60 grit. But I generally get a smooth cut, and start at 100 grit, and progress up through the grits to 3000. The Inland disks run 60, 100, 170, 275, 325, 600, 1200 and 3000 grit. I don't use my machine for cabs, so really can't give times on cutting cabs, but starting at 60 or 100 grit should cut down on time spent. Don
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Post by tntmom on May 29, 2011 23:11:17 GMT -5
Thank you Don,
My slabbed preforms are pretty clean for the most part. It's shaping/doming that is taking me some time. My machine came with 180, 325, 600, 1200 and polish pad with 14k diamond paste. I think I will purchase a coarser disk (thinking 100 would suffice). I have diamond paste here up to 50k so might get an additional one or two polish pads as well.
New toy and new things to figure out!
Thanks again! ~Krystee
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Post by NatureNut on May 30, 2011 7:56:54 GMT -5
Yep Krystee, I got an 80 grit topper and bottom from John soon after I got my Ameritool. You're not crazy, you could use something more coarse to start with. A 60, 80 or 100 will do the trick. My 80 lasted me a couple of years and then I just got a new one. Go get 'em Girl! Jo
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Post by roy on May 30, 2011 9:30:27 GMT -5
i use a 100 grit to cut the hard stuff it's a fast cutter
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Post by johnjsgems on May 30, 2011 10:16:05 GMT -5
$55 would be a very good deal with the aluminum backer. Just the topper in 100 grit would be $48 from me. You can usually just place it on one of the existing laps. I would stick to using either the plastic or aluminum backers. The steel laps may be too heavy. My supplier for solid steel laps says "these laps are very heavy and should be used on sturdy faceting machines". Now that I think about it, Inland uses top discs on plastic backers, not solid steel laps. Only steel is the thin disc diamond mixture is plated on.
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Post by johnjsgems on May 30, 2011 10:44:01 GMT -5
By the way, I use a 100 grit no hole lap on my Genie for flats. It is plenty aggressive for me without leaving big scratches. Ameritool and High Tech provide the 180 lap then jump to 325. I think if they gave you a 100 they would still need a 180 or 220 before the 325. Ameritool owner told me 70% of their units were bought by glass crafters. 180 would work just fine for glass, a little mild for agates. 180 is a good place to start when learning to dome on flat laps, then move up to something more aggressive.
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Post by tntmom on May 30, 2011 11:45:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback everyone!!
I think I'll go ahead and take advantage of the sale and get one!
John, You're right about the steel. The steel one's in the catalog show a shipping weight of 6lbs and my Ameritool instructions state that any lap used that is over 21oz will void the warranty.
Sure is a fun machine though! Much easier to dome too than the dremel!
~Krystee
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 4, 2011 10:41:42 GMT -5
The plastic bases are the best thing to use with the Ameritool. Even the Aluminum is a tad heavy for the motor. When you're using it don't put so much force on the rock that it slows it down, if you need to cut faster turn the speed up. With the direct drive motor used on these your lap is supported by the bearings on the motor so putting less force on it will make it last longer.
Lee
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Post by tntmom on Jun 4, 2011 15:17:44 GMT -5
Thank you Lee,
Very good advice! I haven't ordered my coarse lap yet because I've just been working all of the obsidian slabs that I have and the 180 seems to be the perfect grit for that. I will price the plastic bases and diamond tops and go that route if it will extend the life of my machine. Also thanks for the advice on pressure. I knew that a light touch was a must but understanding why is very helpful!!
~Krystee
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Jul 24, 2011 14:25:28 GMT -5
Thanks for this thread. It answered some of the same questions I had. Time to go shopping!
Amy
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Post by roy on Jul 24, 2011 17:50:03 GMT -5
krystee i bought 100 grit i use first then my 180
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Post by tntmom on Jul 24, 2011 18:47:06 GMT -5
You bet Amy! The info I got from here helped me tremendously when I first got my lap! ....Actually..... most everything I have accomplished with stone has been based on the advice I get here! I ended up going with the 80 and it really speeds things up. I still start with the 180 though for ob or soft stuff.
Roy, It was a debate choosing between the 80 or 100. Went with Jo though on the 80, I like it! It's working well and the 180 cleans up the 80 very fast!
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Jon
starting to shine!
Member since June 2011
Posts: 41
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Post by Jon on Aug 5, 2011 0:20:53 GMT -5
So, I finally got an ameritool, and its great so far. I'm using it to face polish agates. I also got an 80 grit disc like krystee did. Got a couple questions if anyone cares to provide some insight...
1) For the 14000 diamond paste and polishing pad, whats the best way to spready that around? Do you use the whole 5 grams on the polishing pad, and if so, how long does it last? Does it dry out after a while? Are there other recommendations for a final polishing step? Should I consider getting a step between the 1200 and 14000 diamond paste. Would a 3000 or 6000 disc give nice shine without having to mess around with the diamond paste?
2) The first rock I did seemed to turn out fairly well, I started on the 180 disc and didn't do the final polish but ran it on all steps up to the 1200 disc and it has decent shine already. The next rocks I did I all started on the 80 grit, I get through the 1200 and there's still an aweful lot of scratches that I think came from the 80 and I probably didn't spend enough time on the 180. Whats the best way to look for scratches and figure out if a rock is ready for the next step?
3) How long do these discs usually last for grinding agates? Should I think about stocking up on some spares from Kingsley North since they're on sale if I'm planning on doing a lot?
Thanks, Jon
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 5, 2011 8:14:49 GMT -5
Uou need to dry the stone between steps to find scratches. On my 5.5" buffs I use 5 or 6 drops of compound and rub in with my finger. Then work it in by hand. Spray the disc first with silicon spray. Once you see 14K diamond polish you will appreciate the effort. 3K would still be a pre polish though pretty nice. 8K would be good.
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Post by johnjsgems on Aug 5, 2011 8:22:23 GMT -5
I meant to say work in by pressing stone against pad.
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 5, 2011 8:43:48 GMT -5
I put a little diamond paste around the pad after spraying with silicon spray, dotting around in a circle about 3/4 in, then spin the pad on slow and then take an old credit card and work it around the pad by pulling the card out toward me while re-spraying. Helps to spread it evenly. When you polish a stone, you will spread the paste more.
How long the pads last depends on how many you do. They do last a long time even when worn. Figure about a year if you cab about one or two weekends a month. Believe it or not, agates will take more grinding first (more wear on your 180 pad), but will polish up faster as you progress.
If they are on sale, consider getting a 100 or 80 grit metal wheel that has more grinding power, then maybe one of each color just for a backup if you can. Then you're set.
Good luck and congrats! Jo
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Post by NatureNut on Aug 5, 2011 8:51:26 GMT -5
I just checked and Ameritool has the sanding discs for 10 percent off, and you might want to check with John on an even better price. Jo
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