stevek216
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 7
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Post by stevek216 on Sept 2, 2020 19:30:26 GMT -5
Hi all, New to cabbing - I just received an Ameritech 8 inch flat lap in the mail the other day. I have done 2 cabs on it, both agate, and the 325 grit pad looks like this: It feels very smooth to the touch where it has worn and I had a heck of a time trying to get the scratches from the diamond wheel out when using this wheel. It seems like 2 cabs is wayyyyy too quick to wear out a wheel, but again I'm a noob. Maybe I did something wrong while cabbing? Perhaps this is to be expected? Maybe the wheel works fine and I just need something between the 180 diamond grit and this 325 to get most of the deep scratches out? Please advise! This community seems very friendly from the time I've spent on it lurking and researching machines so thank you in advance.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Sept 2, 2020 20:04:39 GMT -5
I have the Ameritool 8" flat lap, Steve, but I've never used their diamond sanding disks. I use mine with steel-backed disks for rough-shaping preforms before switching to wheels. Just guessing here: not enough water or possibly pressing down too hard? The jump from 180 to 325 skips their 220 disk, but it doesn't strike me as too big.
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Post by pauls on Sept 2, 2020 21:30:41 GMT -5
That looks like a woodworking sanding disk.
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Sept 2, 2020 21:43:59 GMT -5
Pauls, You beat me to it, that is (NOT) a disc you would use for lapidary work, it is a disc for woodworking. If 2 cabs were ground with it the pressure must have been light because if a lot of pressure was used the disc would probably be totally clean with nothing but glue residue left on it, no grit remaining !
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stevek216
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 7
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Post by stevek216 on Sept 2, 2020 21:51:27 GMT -5
Hmmm so I bought this directly from ameritool, it was marketed as a lapidary machine... Do you think they could have made a mistake with the included disks? I will say that I didn't feel I was using a ton of pressure by any means.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Sept 2, 2020 22:02:54 GMT -5
You may be pressing your stone too hard on the 180 making the scratches too deep and difficult to remove. Your 325 disc looks normal to me, but for just 2 stones, maybe a little bit too worn. The diamond resin laps are different from metal diamond laps and look different as you use them. Even though it feels smooth to you, the diamond is encased in resin and still works. Remember that you need to let the diamonds and the tool do the work. Pressing too hard wears the discs out before their time. Use a little less pressure and a little faster water drip.
Here's my 325 (don't judge me - it's filthy but it's also about 20 years old):
I've been using that disc for oh, 2+ years or so. It's about time to put a new one on, but they last a long time if you treat them right. I basically just use the flat lap to do backs anymore. You could get a 220 to make getting the scratches out a little easier if you wanted.
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stevek216
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 7
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Post by stevek216 on Sept 2, 2020 22:13:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice hummingbirdrocks. I will try using less pressure on the wheels and see if I get better results.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Sept 2, 2020 22:21:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice hummingbirdrocks. I will try using less pressure on the wheels and see if I get better results. Your welcome. Try holding the stone to the disc just firmly enough so that it doesn't skip or chatter on top of the disc. Also, I should mention that the resin discs do cut slower than diamond metal discs. You'll notice, especially on harder stones like agates, that it takes more time at the next grit to get the previous grit's scratches out. Softer stones don't take nearly as long.
You can always get metal topper discs in different grits to put on top of a backer plate and just use them if you wish. They are a bit quicker. Draw back to that is if you put rubber backers in between the resin discs and the backer plate it allows you to dome stones easier. Trying to get a dome on all metal discs on a flat lap is a major pain in the patootie.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,975
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Post by victor1941 on Sept 3, 2020 11:48:26 GMT -5
Did you use water?
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stevek216
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2020
Posts: 7
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Post by stevek216 on Sept 3, 2020 12:37:55 GMT -5
victor1941 Yeah used plenty of water, using the included drip system. Basically had a steady stream flowing. I did speak with someone from Ameritech and showed him the pictures and he said that looks pretty standard. He said the 180 grit would wear down a bit over time and wouldn't leave such deep scratches.
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