Post subject: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up with.
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:41 pm
Established Member
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm Posts: 41
So, I've been searching through posts for a while now but I'm having trouble deciding what laps I should be buying to start. I want the most efficient set I can assemble, so I'm not swapping or applying compound to laps 24/7. This is what I have so far. I'm planning on starting with Garnets (no quartz). Most rough will be 10 ct or less, so I don't think I'll be needing a 360 grit to chew through large material. The laps will be used every day for 4-8 hours so I don't want to use any toppers, or cerium sheets that wear out quickly.
600 NuBond or crystalite ->cutting (considered a 1200 Sintered, but wow, that price tag) Dominatrix with Pandemonium 3K on outer ring, Pandemonium 60K on inner ring. -> Pre-polish and polishing
I'm not sure if that's far too few laps, or just enough, any advice would be appreciated.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:40 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:01 pm Posts: 1902 Location: Pine City, NY and Dothan, AL
Very minimal set, but should get you started. One caveat - the Nubond will wear quickly and cut slowly. Go with the Crystalite (or similar - there are other decent steel laps). I'd spend the extra for the solid steel.
If you want to go first class, get the 600 steel and the Gearloose "Rapid Startkit".
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:12 pm
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Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm Posts: 41
AlBalmer wrote:
Very minimal set, but should get you started. One caveat - the Nubond will wear quickly and cut slowly. Go with the Crystalite (or similar - there are other decent steel laps). I'd spend the extra for the solid steel.
If you want to go first class, get the 600 steel and the Gearloose "Rapid Startkit".
Thanks for the advice, happy to know I'm at least heading in the right direction.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 12:37 am
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Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Completely agree with Al. If your going with the Poly-Metric consider a 600 solid steel from Zane, half the price of Crystallite and close enough to the quality. I have been using my 600 & 1200 I purchased several years ago and still going strong. Greg
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 2:13 am
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Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm Posts: 41
glhays wrote:
Completely agree with Al. If your going with the Poly-Metric consider a 600 solid steel from Zane, half the price of Crystallite and close enough to the quality. I have been using my 600 & 1200 I purchased several years ago and still going strong. Greg
Don't diss toppers, they work. A 600, 1200, and Darkside used with Pandimonium 60K diastik would create happiness with most stones. Your lab will need a small trim saw, too.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 2:05 pm
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Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm Posts: 41
pietra wrote:
Don't diss toppers, they work. A 600, 1200, and Darkside used with Pandimonium 60K diastik would create happiness with most stones. Your lab will need a small trim saw, too.
I don't doubt they work, I'll just hopefully be cutting a LOT (until upstairs neighbor complains about noise) and I would rather go the solid steel route so I'm not replacing toppers all the time.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:28 pm
Established Member
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm Posts: 41
Ok guys here's what I came up with, tomorrow I'm ordering my gear.
260 steel lap 600 steel lap 1200 steel lap <--All from Zane at Polymetric
Xristal-tec "87" from Polymetric
Dominatrix from Gearloose as well as diastiks in 3k and 60k (probably another lap for quartz in the future)
I'll be spending another $150 or so on a parcel of Rhodolite garnets in the 3.5-4ct range from Joe Henly (or new era gems, depending on who's the best value) and some Hydro synthetic sapphire to get started. As well as reserving another $1700 for "real" rough in the future and a Gem-e-wizard subscription.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2018 2:31 am
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 2:51 am Posts: 755 Location: South Africa
The 260 lap is not a bad idea if you want to grind down big chunks of quartz (and other stuff), but I prefer a 360 mesh for this. Aaron I suggest you also get a Darkside lap and set of oxide Battstiks for quartz (and other stuff). They are not expensive.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:04 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2016 8:07 am Posts: 134
Why would a 260 be a bad idea? I only rarely use a 600
I got my 260 used so it was broken in but I really like it and use it quite frequently and go straight to the 1200, never had a problem with it or the polish I achieve.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2018 2:15 pm
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Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm Posts: 41
thomas.adamas wrote:
I don't know why you want a 260 mesh lap, but you will learn why those are a bad idea.
For chewing down large material (large quartz, blocky synthetic etc.), I would prefer a 360 but the only option I could find was sintered, Polymetric doesn't sell a 360 grit.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2018 6:54 pm
Moderator: Lapidary Diamonds
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:32 pm Posts: 1747 Location: Florida, United States
aaronllewellyn wrote:
thomas.adamas wrote:
I don't know why you want a 260 mesh lap, but you will learn why those are a bad idea.
For chewing down large material (large quartz, blocky synthetic etc.), I would prefer a 360 but the only option I could find was sintered, Polymetric doesn't sell a 360 grit.
You never "chew down large material", you use a trim saw for facet rough. You are not grinding concrete.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 1:04 am
Established Member
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm Posts: 41
thomas.adamas wrote:
aaronllewellyn wrote:
thomas.adamas wrote:
I don't know why you want a 260 mesh lap, but you will learn why those are a bad idea.
For chewing down large material (large quartz, blocky synthetic etc.), I would prefer a 360 but the only option I could find was sintered, Polymetric doesn't sell a 360 grit.
You never "chew down large material", you use a trim saw for facet rough. You are not grinding concrete.
I'll word that better, roughing in large material.
Post subject: Re: First lap set, looking for input on what I've come up wi
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:46 pm
Moderator: Lapidary Diamonds
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:32 pm Posts: 1747 Location: Florida, United States
aaronllewellyn wrote:
thomas.adamas wrote:
aaronllewellyn wrote:
For chewing down large material (large quartz, blocky synthetic etc.), I would prefer a 360 but the only option I could find was sintered, Polymetric doesn't sell a 360 grit.
You never "chew down large material", you use a trim saw for facet rough. You are not grinding concrete.
I'll word that better, roughing in large material.
Still, the proper tool to cut off large pieces is a trim saw. You will never require a lap 400 u.s. mesh or coarser to remove large amounts of material.
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