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Post by holajonathan on Jan 27, 2022 21:19:51 GMT -5
holajonathan when I originally got my Genie it went from 1500 to 14k, I switched to the new 3k recently when it needed a 280 nova. Cabbing definitely goes faster without that jump. I almost never use cerium, haven't unpacked my slow wheels so far. 1500 to 14k is a crazy jump. The 3k resin is a great wheel that puts a very respectable shine on hard agates and jaspers. They last for a long time as well. Twice as long as my 600 and 1200 resin wheels. 280 and 600 wear the fastest for me. I just bought an extra Genie right hand arbor adaptor that just spins on and off. I am going to mount 8k, 14k, and 50k resin wheels on it to see if I can get as high of a polish with just diamonds as I can get with cerium. Many others get a great polish using only diamond, so I know it's possible. It would be a lot cleaner than messing with cerium and then fighting to get it out of any cracks or vugs. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jan 27, 2022 21:36:01 GMT -5
holajonathan - Robin and I both have the right-hand adapters with the 8K, 14K, 50K setup on them. It does work really well.
After that we might hit them with optical-grade (white) Cerium or 0.3 micron Aluminum Oxide.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller 
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,504
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Post by realrockhound on Jan 28, 2022 1:09:08 GMT -5
That Montana is crisp. Great work!!!
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,183
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Post by rockbrain on Jan 28, 2022 14:21:24 GMT -5
They're all beautiful, but I absolutely love #3.
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Post by holajonathan on Jan 28, 2022 21:19:53 GMT -5
They're all beautiful, but I absolutely love #3. I absolutely love your baby alligator (and your beard). I'm glad you like the cabs.  |
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Post by holajonathan on Jan 28, 2022 21:25:27 GMT -5
holajonathan - Robin and I both have the right-hand adapters with the 8K, 14K, 50K setup on them. It does work really well.
After that we might hit them with optical-grade (white) Cerium or 0.3 micron Aluminum Oxide.
I've got optical grade cerium (white) and the cheaper (pink) cerium. I can't tell the difference in how they polish, except it seems like the pink stuff sticks to the polishing pad (leather or felt) a little better. In other words, it takes longer to wash off, if too much water is applied, or fly off in the form of dust, if I run it a little too dry. I've read that cerium readily fractures under heat and pressure, so my theory is that the pink cerium -- which is something like 1-2 micron -- quickly breaks down into something similar to the optical grade cerium while polishing the cabs. They are both expensive, and with as little as I use when polishing cabs, there is no good reason not to buy the highest grade. But, for what it's worth, I can't tell the difference. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 28, 2022 22:02:55 GMT -5
holajonathan - Robin and I both have the right-hand adapters with the 8K, 14K, 50K setup on them. It does work really well.
After that we might hit them with optical-grade (white) Cerium or 0.3 micron Aluminum Oxide.
I've got optical grade cerium (white) and the cheaper (pink) cerium. I can't tell the difference in how they polish, except it seems like the pink stuff sticks to the polishing pad (leather or felt) a little better. In other words, it takes longer to wash off, if too much water is applied, or fly off in the form of dust, if I run it a little too dry. I've read that cerium readily fractures under heat and pressure, so my theory is that the pink cerium -- which is something like 1-2 micron -- quickly breaks down into something similar to the optical grade cerium while polishing the cabs. They are both expensive, and with as little as I use when polishing cabs, there is no good reason not to buy the highest grade. But, for what it's worth, I can't tell the difference. It's my fault that we use optical grade. When I first started cutting opal, I used Paul Downing's book to teach myself. He said to use it, so I did.  I have become a cerium snob.  |
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Post by holajonathan on Jan 29, 2022 2:27:20 GMT -5
I've got optical grade cerium (white) and the cheaper (pink) cerium. I can't tell the difference in how they polish, except it seems like the pink stuff sticks to the polishing pad (leather or felt) a little better. In other words, it takes longer to wash off, if too much water is applied, or fly off in the form of dust, if I run it a little too dry. I've read that cerium readily fractures under heat and pressure, so my theory is that the pink cerium -- which is something like 1-2 micron -- quickly breaks down into something similar to the optical grade cerium while polishing the cabs. They are both expensive, and with as little as I use when polishing cabs, there is no good reason not to buy the highest grade. But, for what it's worth, I can't tell the difference. It's my fault that we use optical grade. When I first started cutting opal, I used Paul Downing's book to teach myself. He said to use it, so I did.  I have become a cerium snob.  High maintenance, are you Robin? You and your fancy cerium. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jan 29, 2022 8:34:03 GMT -5
It's my fault that we use optical grade. When I first started cutting opal, I used Paul Downing's book to teach myself. He said to use it, so I did. I have become a cerium snob. High maintenance, are you Robin? You and your fancy cerium. Indeed!  |
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