How To Polish Rocks On A Hi-Tech Diamond Flat Lap

In this video, I give an in depth tutorial/review of how to polish rocks using a flat lap. I made this video because some of you have reached out to me after purchasing the Hi-Tech Diamond Flat Lap with questions. Well I am hoping this video answers those questions and more!
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Пікірлер: 152

  • @sharonschwab7104
    @sharonschwab7104 Жыл бұрын

    I have been polishing on this machine for several months and have been satisfied with my rocks, but they just didn't have that hight polish. After listening to this tutorial, I'm sure there will be a difference now. Thank you for helping beginners.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Hope it helps!!

  • @dougodette4582
    @dougodette4582 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the outstanding review Jason! I really appreciate you taking the time to explain the proper use of this machine!

  • @kylaabegglen1275
    @kylaabegglen1275 Жыл бұрын

    Great explanation and overview. Really helpful video with a lot of awesome, detailed information. Thanks for sharing Jason!✌️🤠

  • @ronemslie447
    @ronemslie447 Жыл бұрын

    Great video thanks for the tips

  • @veronicasilbaugh-pf4oo
    @veronicasilbaugh-pf4oo Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much. You really helped out this old rockhound who is new to polishing!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @EpicsodeOne
    @EpicsodeOne3 ай бұрын

    Absolutely agree on the disks.

  • @Mike-br8vb
    @Mike-br8vb8 ай бұрын

    What a fantastic, informative video! I learned something here today, and that's just so helpful to my rockhounding journey. Thanks Jason. 🍻🇨🇦

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    8 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @CurrentlyRockhounding
    @CurrentlyRockhounding Жыл бұрын

    I agree with everything you said here. I would like to add that I have a the water pump and I run a lot of water on my pads because I started to see what I would call a semi-permanent build up of rock bits in the fibers of the pads when I would look at them under the microscope but when I run with a lot of water, like more than you think you need I don't get that same kind of build up. It could also be the rocks that I polish on it but its just something that I have observed. I think you can also see this build up with your naked eye and its when the pads start to turn more pale in color that's not the resin fibers loosing their color or just getting old that's build up of rock dust and that's why I think you see it more so in the lower grit and not in the higher since you're removing less material at those stages. I'm not sure if it really matters a whole but its something that I have observed. Great video!

  • @andrewp.schubert2417

    @andrewp.schubert2417

    2 ай бұрын

    Do you think the extra water prolongs the life of the disc ?

  • @elizabethlewis3509
    @elizabethlewis35093 ай бұрын

    Thank you for educating me prior to purchasing a flat lab.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    2 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @danielkarczewski2467
    @danielkarczewski2467 Жыл бұрын

    As always you give good advice, keep up the good work, eh..

  • @donnalantz7981
    @donnalantz7981 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for all the great advice. I too have the same machine, but didn't buy extra disc's or pads. I will definitely use your pormo code when i do. Will do now though. Love your videos.

  • @nhrockaholic6038
    @nhrockaholic60389 ай бұрын

    Great video. Lots of tips! Thankd

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    9 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @dixieschwab4422
    @dixieschwab4422 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much I just purchased one of these so this was SUPER helpful

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad I could help!

  • @sfbaykc
    @sfbaykc Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your video! It's super helpful!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @michaelames6317
    @michaelames6317 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome educational video for us rookies...Thank you Sir!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    My pleasure!!

  • @largent45
    @largent45 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your review and opinion of the hi-tech diamond flatlap. Its always helpful when someone that has used the machine for several years, can talk honestly about the product and experiences with it. I know that it works well for certain things and not so good with other things, and the tip about the extra diamond disk and the 220 polishing disk before jumping into the rest of the polishing disks and the 3000 polishing wheel vs diamond paste and the polishing pad. Ive seen what the machine is capable of with just the disks it come with, and ive seen get a much better shine with more. Honestly, if you are already spending the money on the machine itself, then the little bit extra for the extra disks is well worth it. To get the best shine possible without spending $1200 on up for a cabking or a slant lap. Its a good machine for beginning lapidary artists. Thanks Jason!

  • @davidsheridan6142
    @davidsheridan61429 ай бұрын

    Great video! Very informative! Keep up the great work!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    9 ай бұрын

    Much appreciated!

  • @davidsheridan6142

    @davidsheridan6142

    9 ай бұрын

    Used the code to purchase suggested items! Thanks again for all of your insights! Looking forward to trying out some of the tips you suggested!

  • @sandmaker
    @sandmaker Жыл бұрын

    A good description on how to polish using a flatlap. I use mine for cabs. Flat one side, domed on the other. Each step should take less time than the previous. 😷⚒

  • @scombridae1969
    @scombridae1969 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video! I just got into rockhounding + lapidary about 6 months ago. After starting on some DIY orbital sander/grinder setups, I purchased the Hi-Tech Diamond Slant Cab (basically the same machine tilted at an angle). I had high hopes that everything that was fighting me in terms of a nice polish with the starter DIY setup would be remedied with the Slant Cab. I was immediately frustrated and started to think I had a LONG ways to go even with the new machine. Of course, I started with the starter set of discs. Then I found your video. This changed everything and after purchasing additional stages I immediately started to get beautiful polishes and, when finding less than ideal results, I could see where things went wrong becuase of having the proper number of stages (and therefore seeing which stage(s) I had not spent enought time or paid enough attention for). Thanks again!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey that is awesome!! So glad our video helped with your polish! Rock on!!

  • @KT-rl1dy
    @KT-rl1dy Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this review

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    My pleasure!

  • @francoiselandriault8164
    @francoiselandriault81647 ай бұрын

    What a great video! I just bought a Hi-Tech Diamond Flat Lap and now thanks to you I feel a lot more confident. I know what to expect and how to polish my rocks adequately. Thank you so much for the info.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    7 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @dennisevelyndaniels4862
    @dennisevelyndaniels4862 Жыл бұрын

    Just found your channel and was impressed with your explanation and advice. I have the Hi-Tech slant lap and did buy the extra discs besides the 260. I will now be getting it on my next order. I did also buy the 60 grit for heavier grinding. Thank you for the advice and keep up the good content.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Dennis, Welcome to the channel! If you do purchase extra discs be sure to use our affiliate kink in the video description and enter the discount code RHLIFE at checkout to get 10% off your order!!

  • @ricksmith1647
    @ricksmith1647 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video. It was very informative and well done. I got the Hi-Tech 8 in flat lap for Christmas after we watched you use it for the Rockmas gifts. I assembled it last night but had some of the same issues that you addressed in your video. We just ordered the extra disks that you recommended, using your promo code.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    It's great that you bought one. Did you use our affiliate link when you bought it? If so we would get a commision. Helps the channel out. Let me know if you need more help than what our videos give and ill be happy to share my experience with the machine.

  • @ricksmith1647

    @ricksmith1647

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife My wife bought the flat lap as a Christmas gift for me and didn't think to use your affiliate link. She felt bad when she realized that she could have used a link and helped get you some commission. I did use your link and promo code when I bought the extra disks. I may be buying a 10 inch saw in the next month or so, so I'll be sure to use your link if I do.

  • @RagnarRocks
    @RagnarRocks Жыл бұрын

    Great video, thanks Jason! I wish I would have seen this before I bought mine! Just fired it up this week and spent several wasted hours to determine that this kit is NOT "All-U-Need" for sure! HATE the felt polishing pad. I ordered the 80# and 3000# disc$$$ the other day, should be here tomorrow! Stoked! The only thing I got right was the pro-flow water system, it's very nice to just have 2 five gallon buckets that I can swap out quickly and they last for a while, worth the $25.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    I would also look at the 260 grimding disc as well. I believe its crucial to have for polishing the harder stuff. It is really good at getting all the grinding scratches out. You just cant have any scratches on the surface before you start on the 325 polishing disc. It will turn out being a dull polish. Just make sure you are checking the dry surface after using the grinding discs.

  • @RagnarRocks

    @RagnarRocks

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife Good call, bigtime money pit

  • @scottishwifie14
    @scottishwifie14 Жыл бұрын

    I am getting the hi tech slant cabber for my Christmas, I have ordered extra discs including the disc that is impregnated with cerium oxide. I cut and polish opals and Scottish agates. Can’t wait to try it out. I have also got the water pump system.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Sounds great! Let me know if you have any questions and I will gladly share my experience with the machines.

  • @gjackson6569
    @gjackson6569 Жыл бұрын

    Great overall explanation of how to use the machine and discs properly and effectively. I've got the 8" Hi-Tech and use it similarly in terms of extra discs. However, one difference I do is that I've purchased some diamond discs (no backing plates - non Hi-Tech diamond discs) from Amazon that I lay flat on top of the Hi-tech discs. For instance, I have a 60 grit diamond disc (no backing plate), that I lay on top of my 180 grit Hi-Tech disc. I use only 1 of the neoprene washers to hold down the two discs together on the machine. The motor is more than strong enough to run the two discs together. I then step through the grinding levels from coarse up to polishing.

  • @tinadelaluz3197
    @tinadelaluz31978 ай бұрын

    I discovered your video because I have been so frustrated with my newly purchased flatlap from Hightech Diamond. You answered ALL my questions in this one video. I can't tell you how appreciative I am to you. Thank you so very much! I am ordering the extra disks asap. Plus, I have subscribed to your channel. Wishing you the very best, Tina😊

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    8 ай бұрын

    No problem, i am glad this video helped you. If you order more discs be sure to use our affiliate link in the description of this video and use the code RHLIFE at checkout and you will get 10% off. linktr.ee/rockhoundinglife

  • @tinadelaluz3197

    @tinadelaluz3197

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank Jason. I ordered extra disks yesterday and I used your code. I appreciate the discount. I'm looking forward to continuing my work once the disks arrive. Have a good one, 👍🏽

  • @tinadelaluz3197

    @tinadelaluz3197

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you Jason, lol

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    8 ай бұрын

    Awesome! Good luck and feel free to reach out if you have questions!

  • @gregorysilas3784
    @gregorysilas37848 ай бұрын

    Great video for this machine. I also quite using the felt pad. But I did buy the cerium oxcide disk. Works great after the 3000.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    8 ай бұрын

    Nice! I started using the felt pad again but with aluminum oxide instead of Cerium oxide. I'm much hsppier with the result.

  • @oregonaje4827
    @oregonaje4827 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @JensensAdventures
    @JensensAdventures3 ай бұрын

    Man I am so glad you made this video! I just bought my 8 inch a couple weeks ago and have been trying to polish one of my large Montana Moss agates that I found and it has been frustrating to say the least, many hours trying to figure it out so far. I did purchase the 80 grit disk but after the 180 grit it’s just been giving me heck, after I finish this comment I’m gonna order the other disks you mentioned! Just want to throw out a huge THANK YOU for this info!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    3 ай бұрын

    Glad it is helpfull! Make sure you use our affiliare link in yhe description and use the code RHLIFE at checkout for 10% off

  • @JensensAdventures

    @JensensAdventures

    3 ай бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife will do!

  • @tbberman
    @tbberman2 ай бұрын

    I just found your video after having the 8 inch Hi Tech flat lap for about a month. Such great advice! The salesperson at the company suggested that I buy the 80 and 360 grit grinding discs when I bought the machine, but the progression of 80, 180, 360 grinding discs still left scratches that the 325 polishing disc just couldn't get out. I just used your affiliate link and discount code to order the 260 grit grinding disc along with the 220 and 3000 grit polishing discs. Along with your advice on machine speeds (I missed reading that part and was grinding at the max speed), I hope to get good polishes on my geodes.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    2 ай бұрын

    Sounds like you have what you need now. If you are cutting the rocks make sure you are getting nice smooth cuts. That will help as well.

  • @trevorallen2274
    @trevorallen2274 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the info. Due to the upcoming substantial price increases from HI Tech, I pulled the trigger and ordered one. Hurray, it was in stock. Was wondering about additional disks. This helps. Just have to recover from the purchase price, LOL

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Congrats!! It's a great beginner machine and the extra discs are a huge help in the polishing process. Be sure to use our affiliate link in the video description and the code (RHLIFE) at checkout for a 10% discount on the discs.

  • @brianholcomb940
    @brianholcomb940 Жыл бұрын

    Great video, very informative! I do want to know if you prefer the diamond metal pad to the regular pad or vise versa? I got a couple of the metal ones (same grit 1000) with my machine (not hi-tech diamond) but bought the pads from hi- tech to use on it and they do awesome! I just need to watch the scratches! Thanks for sharing!

  • @travismiller5548
    @travismiller55485 ай бұрын

    a high pressure water spray AND scrubbing with a nylon bristle brush dedicated to the grit size I'm trying to remove, ultrasonic cleaning of the piece and the lap was the only way I was able to keep from cross contaminating subsequent, finer grit laps. It's a lot of work but it's made all the difference for me.

  • @lawrencenoble1516
    @lawrencenoble15169 ай бұрын

    Good review. I found that 3,000 puts a nice acceptable polish on my cabs but the cerium oxide on the polishing disk takes it to another level.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    9 ай бұрын

    Yes i agree on the 3000 disc. Its a good polish. I haven't had good success with cerium oxide on the local rock i polish here in NS but have had pretty good success with Aluminum Oxide.

  • @earljohnson2676
    @earljohnson2676 Жыл бұрын

    I agree I want the 60 or 80 I live the diamond disk the others are for the polish processes

  • @earljohnson2676

    @earljohnson2676

    Жыл бұрын

    Last comment I like your channel cause your answering the question I ask Ty good video

  • @earljohnson2676

    @earljohnson2676

    Жыл бұрын

    The shape is hard I have to do some shaping today so and I let the rock tell me what design I may go for cause there all different and I don’t have a saw I do I need a new blade I start with a rock I think I can make into something nice

  • @jimmaddox5159
    @jimmaddox5159 Жыл бұрын

    I totally agree, the 180 grit just doesn’t cut it.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Nope. You need more grinding versatility.

  • @johannrockhound
    @johannrockhound Жыл бұрын

    It can be very difficult to get a good, scratch free, equally good polish all over the whole stone, especially with larger pieces. Thank you for this tutorial, i'm sure it will be very helpful for beginners. I've polishing for about 3 years, but still having some problems, i think that part of it is not moving it enough with the flat polish. I expect that the figure eight will help. Thank you for sharing your tips!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Very true!

  • @susanmcalvany6181
    @susanmcalvany61813 ай бұрын

    Love your video’s! Thanks for such detailed explanations. A beginner here, and I’ve learned so much watching your great videos. For the flat lap, do you have to buy HiTechs discs, or are ones on Amazon able to be used? Or do you “get what you pay for”? Thanks!

  • @shirineromankurth1633
    @shirineromankurth1633 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your great tips. I just got the 8’’ flat lap and was wondering if you recommend also, purchasing a sponge pad to put under the smoothing discs?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    I don't think it is needed.

  • @andthen3168
    @andthen3168 Жыл бұрын

    Hey there Jason, Absolutely love your vid’s especially on the flat tops. I am about to get the 6” Slant cab due to low funds but the opals I have are small. I have been pressured by the Hi-Tech agent to get the in between pads to reduce flat spots but read here that it really doesn’t make any difference, now taking it off my shopping list. So please correct me if I’m wrong as I’m about to press the buy button - I should also include 80 & 260 grit Electroplated grinding pads and the 220 & 3000 grit polishing pads. Would you recommend anything else as I also plan to use the cerium oxide? Thanks so much for your time and these vids you put out for us all 🙏👍

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    The slant cab is basically the same machine as the flat lap just at an angle. Just copy the same discs i use. 80, 180, 260 grinding. Then 220, 325, 600, 1200, 3000. That will get you mirror shine. Be sure to use our affiliate link in the description and use the code RHLIFE at checkout.

  • @BirdWhisperer46
    @BirdWhisperer4610 күн бұрын

    The one thing that would transform this machine into something really valuable for the trade is if some smart cookie could design and sell a replacement center "bolt" for the discs. An attachment that is flat and level with the discs, not sticking up out of the center an inch and getting in the way. Know what I mean Vern?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    10 күн бұрын

    I agree. Would make polishing larger stones easier

  • @BirdWhisperer46

    @BirdWhisperer46

    8 күн бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife that's what I was thinking, would turn an 8 in flat lap into a 16".

  • @geeder9086
    @geeder908610 ай бұрын

    Great video! What are the polishing disks made of -- silicon carbide?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    10 ай бұрын

    I think so

  • @jennifersolberg-vb8gw
    @jennifersolberg-vb8gw12 күн бұрын

    First, thank you for this. I just got one of these machines and this is the most guidance I have found anywhere about how to use it. I have been working with some jasper and agate, and as I'm going through the polishing discs it seems like I just get more and more scratches as I go. I'm going 80 - 180 - 320 - brown - red - blue. Are all the scratches supposed to be gone BEFORE the brown one? Also, if everything is clean between discs, what is a good first thing to try?

  • @jennifersolberg-vb8gw

    @jennifersolberg-vb8gw

    12 күн бұрын

    One other dumb question: if you are using the polishing disc that comes with it, how wet do you keep that?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    11 күн бұрын

    Hi there, glad you have found it helpful so far. First thing is you should practice on smaller stones first, like 1 - 2 inches max. Then work you way up to larger stones. Smaller stones are much eadier to polish on the flat lap. Second, you should avoid using the 80 grit and 180 grit discs if you can. Only use them if you have bad saw marks in your surface. Try tonget a smooth cut off of your saw. This will allow you to use a 260 or 360 grinding disc starting out. Lastly, if the last grinding disc you use is a 260 grit, for example, then your first polishing disc should be the 220 ( purple). Similarly, if the last grinding disc you use is 380 grit then you start polishing with the 325 disc (brown). Doing it this way will help you get all those annoying scratches out.

  • @jamesov12
    @jamesov12 Жыл бұрын

    Do use the sponge backing underneath pads for making cabs ? Is it necessary ?

  • @RyanWeishalla
    @RyanWeishalla4 ай бұрын

    Nice video. I'm just starting using a 6" flat lap. (no facets). I'm having an issue where the outside of the flat surface has a different polish than the center. I'm going to try this the next rock I try on it, but can having a foam sponge disk between the master lap and the resin bonded polishing wheels cause that? Or is more likely that I'm just a little heavy handed while learning and I'm putting more pressure on one side of the rock and it is causing a slight rounding of a ring on the outside that will not come out with the final 3000 and cerium oxide discks?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    4 ай бұрын

    Unpolished edges usually means the surface isnt flat. Need to make sure you are spending enough time in the early grinding stages and not rushing it. If the cut wasn't smooth you need to spend a lot of time on those grinding stages

  • @Surreal_Wizard
    @Surreal_Wizard4 ай бұрын

    Big problem for me with trying to do flat polish- I start with an 80 grit (As in the video) and use the "Felt tip marker trick" to make sure it is grinding to a level surface. But it can take many hours- even DAYS- at the 80 grit stage, running full-speed- grinding and grinding away, to get it to a perfectly flat surface so it will take a polish. Otherwise, you get what I got on my first attempts- a rather dull matte finish, or uneven finish, even on hard agate.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    4 ай бұрын

    What are you using to cut your rocks?

  • @Surreal_Wizard

    @Surreal_Wizard

    4 ай бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife a Lortone 12" Oil lubricated slab saw.

  • @biker9835

    @biker9835

    4 ай бұрын

    So would a fairburn agate be a hard agate if you know if not it's cool I started rock hounding 3 years ago in South Dakota I have learning disabilities and find reading hard because I get pissed off about a lot of miss in formation people give online for South Dakota

  • @kn2656
    @kn26567 ай бұрын

    FYI, you mentioned a vibration (7:06). I had a bad vibration when using one of my electroplated diamond disc because to plate slide slightly off center on the base plate. I removed it and recentered it and the vibration went away.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    7 ай бұрын

    Yes i ended up doing the exact same thing. The back plates move pretty easily after a bit of wear.

  • @andrewp.schubert2417
    @andrewp.schubert24172 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your review. I just ordered one. Are the extra discs from Hi-Tech or will others work ?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    2 ай бұрын

    Any discs will work that have the 5/8 arbor.

  • @andrewp.schubert2417

    @andrewp.schubert2417

    2 ай бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife Thanks do you have any recommendations ?

  • @stormymountainrockworks
    @stormymountainrockworks6 ай бұрын

    I have found that the mid-grit grinding wheels are too unpredictable. You can get a nice level surface with an 80 grit wheel with very few scratches and then some random irregularity in the 180 can just chop up the rock. The method I settled on is to use the vibrating lap for 60 and 120 grit then transition to the pre-polish wheels on the flat lap. I’m getting very consistent results.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    6 ай бұрын

    That is interesting. The 180 grit disc is the toughest to master i find. I bypass it completely by making sure my saw cuts are smooth (Keeping blades sharp etc). If i can do that i go to the 260 disc as my first stage which has been working well for me.

  • @stormymountainrockworks

    @stormymountainrockworks

    6 ай бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife maybe I just got a bad 260 but that wheel appears to be just as damaging as the 180. Last agate I was working was a coyamito with a little vug and that 260 wheel absolutely chewed up the edges of the vug. Like worse than any 80 could if you pressed down on it. Could just be an irregularity in the wheel but it just got to the point where is was so frustrating, I had to find an alternative.

  • @danielkarczewski2467
    @danielkarczewski2467 Жыл бұрын

    On the white polishing disc , do you use water with the polish paste ?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    No. You use it dry.

  • @user-vb2ne7oq1u
    @user-vb2ne7oq1u Жыл бұрын

    I am in the process of setting my machine up and I have a question about applying the smoothing discs to the acrylic backing plates. Am I supposed to remove the cardboard/paper sheet from the sides of the backing plate or just leave it on and attach the smoothing discs to the backing plates as they are? Thanks in advance

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Email us at rockhoundinglife@gmail.com

  • @MikeG-js1jt
    @MikeG-js1jt11 ай бұрын

    is an electroplated disk the same as sintered?

  • @babajaiy8246

    @babajaiy8246

    11 ай бұрын

    Electroplated disks are basically a 'single' layer of diamonds electroplated on. They wear the diamond until the disk is no longer usable. A sintered disk are multiple layers of diamonds embedded in a carrier material.(There can be different carrier materials for different purposes). As the sintered disk is used it continuosly exposes new diamonds. so it essentially is always cutting like it is new. This also gives cleaner and more precise cuts. Sintered disks last longer but are also more expensive. But for the type of grinding/polishing you saw in this video, you might not see a difference. I'm not sure one could easily find sintered disks....there are more common with burs where their composition becomes more useful, i.e. cutting precises shapes, concern for unnecessary chipping, etc. Some professionals though never use sintered which means you can go a long way with just electroplated.

  • @danasaavedra1232
    @danasaavedra1232 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this video. I have a quick question! After watching your video, I now realize why I'm getting scratches on my agate geodes. Can I start the process over at 80? I would assume it wouldn't hurt anything to start over. I got all the way to the 1600 with them and realized either I give up, or I start over. 😖

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    If you dont know what stage the scratches are from then you should start over. Make sure to check the piece dry after each stage to make sure you are happy.

  • @danasaavedra1232

    @danasaavedra1232

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife Thank you! So, I have the 8" flat lap and these geodes are at the maximum size... I can barely do a piddly figure-8 pattern with them. However, I noticed after I made the effort of a figure-8 pattern and I didn't press down on the rocks (that's one thing I *for sure* did wrong), most of the geode faces now have a nice "frosted" matte face after hitting them with the 80 grit last night.

  • @stangrove6153
    @stangrove6153 Жыл бұрын

    Something I have not yet seen addressed in several reviews of this machine. What do I do when grinding a fairly large flat surface and it keeps grabbing and trying to rip it out of my hand? Am I using too much water? not enough water? bad technique? thanks

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    I can honestly say i have not had that issue yet. I try to keep a firm grip but only apply light pressure. Just a bit more pressure than the weight of the stone.

  • @nhrockaholic6038
    @nhrockaholic60383 ай бұрын

    Are any of your discs the soft backer plate??

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    3 ай бұрын

    I have the hard back plate onnall my discs

  • @sorenhauge2794
    @sorenhauge2794 Жыл бұрын

    Just curious how long the polishing disc's last you? I've only had my machine for a month and wondering how long before I'll have to get new polishing disc's

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    Ive been using mine heavy for 2 years and i dont have to replace them yet.

  • @sorenhauge2794

    @sorenhauge2794

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife yay! I was worried they might wear out quickly

  • @naturalearthgems
    @naturalearthgems Жыл бұрын

    I've been getting scratches on my loupe clean quartz, scratches very small and only seen in bright light and under loupe. Any help would be great

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    What grit wheels are you using in your process?

  • @steveegbert7429
    @steveegbert742911 ай бұрын

    Do you see any difference by occasionally switching the rock inside to outside? I ask because the surface speed is greater the further from center you get.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    11 ай бұрын

    Yes i do. Not only because of speed but because i tend to use the inner half more so amy time i go outside the disc the diamonds are less worn.

  • @chuckneese1282
    @chuckneese1282 Жыл бұрын

    So what is your sequence you use if starting with the 80 grit grinding?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    I do an 80 grit grind then a 260 grit grind. Then a 220 polish followed by 325, 600,1200 & 3000.

  • @chuckneese1282

    @chuckneese1282

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife thank you so much. I just received my 8 inch and ordered the discs you recommended and can't wait to start!!!

  • @andthen3168

    @andthen3168

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLife Your sequence for polishing are they on the standard grits that come with the cab machine or other purchased pads?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    On the cabking i use the standard grit wheels that come with the machine. But i recently aquired a 6 cabking and equiped it with 8000, 14000 and 50000 grit wheels for additional polish.

  • @user-tf9sj3kl5i
    @user-tf9sj3kl5i7 ай бұрын

    What do you use for polishing compound

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    7 ай бұрын

    I use aluminum oxide

  • @kn2656
    @kn26567 ай бұрын

    A reply by someone on the Hi-Tech payroll I'm sure.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    7 ай бұрын

    Nope. 3 years, heavy use, no issues. Maybe it's user error?

  • @tattoofthesun
    @tattoofthesun4 ай бұрын

    Do you use the diamond paste?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    4 ай бұрын

    No. I use aluminum oxide instead. Its my go to for polishing.

  • @jimstauffer4636
    @jimstauffer4636Ай бұрын

    What kind of time are you spending at each stage?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Ай бұрын

    The first grinding stage takes the longest. Depending on the cut and saw marks up to an hour. But each stage after only takes a couple minutes each.

  • @kevinunger433
    @kevinunger4339 ай бұрын

    They have a 60 grit I’ve gone through 2 they wear out fast and just don’t grind anymore. And I’ve spent hours on 1 slab that actually looks flat but you can see dry spots and no grind spots. And even if you get one to go flat ,even up to the 3,000 grit there’s still micro scratches everywhere. I’ll bet if you look close on your shiny rocks there’s micro scratches. I’m not happy with mine, I’ve bought 2 of every disc.

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    9 ай бұрын

    I don't get the micro scratches you speak of. Flat polishing is tough on this machine but doable. We can discuss further by email. Rockhoundinglife@gmail.com

  • @kevinunger433

    @kevinunger433

    2 ай бұрын

    @@RockhoundingLifetried again,still have micro scratches. Oh it’s shiny like a mirror,but the scratches are visible in the sunlight,and looks like spider silk. I even use a vegetable brush to clean my discs

  • @tombeilman5579
    @tombeilman5579 Жыл бұрын

    I’ve had a lot of problems with flat spots, orange peel, fish scale

  • @shirineromankurth1633

    @shirineromankurth1633

    Жыл бұрын

    Me too. The red polishing pad, it leaves sometimes small patches on the rock and it’s hard to take it out. I don’t have this issue with the other polishing pad grit

  • @earljohnson2676
    @earljohnson2676 Жыл бұрын

    I live my High Tech Flat lap . What stinks is I’m disabled arthritis and it spread so bad in two years n not to mention I went to my Doctor on May 5th 2022 and my next appointment is tomorrow 1/10/23 n this is the blood guy it’s not the hip doctor . Anyhoo I can’t get out and rock hound witch sucks but was walking the dog and found a nice fossil mixed with some jasper I wanna cab it up today hopefully the back arthritis is about to flare I can feel it and if it does that’s it I’m done it’s brutal the pain

  • @SistaJaine
    @SistaJaine9 ай бұрын

    You shouldn't have to buy all the extra discs tho.....It's supposed to be a grinder/polisher?......so, the appropiate discs for polishing/shining the rocks should also be included in the kit...after all the machine isn't cheap!

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    9 ай бұрын

    Its one of the least expensive machines on the market. You don't HAVE to buy the extra discs, ive just had an easier time getting the results I want with them.

  • @shirineromankurth1633
    @shirineromankurth1633 Жыл бұрын

    Also, what is the difference in between electroplated diamond disc ( the one that came with the all you need in #180grits) and the electroplated diamond laps?

  • @RockhoundingLife

    @RockhoundingLife

    Жыл бұрын

    I think the laps come with the backing plate and the discs do not.

  • @shirineromankurth1633

    @shirineromankurth1633

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you that might explain the double price. Your video is outstanding and really appreciated. Happy holidays

  • @mitchellzastey
    @mitchellzastey Жыл бұрын

    260 to 220 to 325?

  • @jamescrosby7777
    @jamescrosby77776 ай бұрын

    Plus if you have all the right pads they will last longer 👀🚬💁🏼

  • @MikeG-js1jt
    @MikeG-js1jt11 ай бұрын

    its not the machine, it would be the laps if anything

  • @richardbinell2053
    @richardbinell2053 Жыл бұрын

    Why not just strap a bigger water jug, like a 2-gallon, somewhere above the machine? Of course you'll need a 5-gallon drain bucket. You can get a 2-gallon with a spout at the grocery store.

  • @kevinunger433
    @kevinunger4339 ай бұрын

    Don’t get marker in cracks or vugs,you’ll never get it out.

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