[Rockhounds] Information on Lapidary Equipment

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

BJ,

Congratulations. It sounds like you have received a wonderful gift of
equipment. Now you need to learn how to use it to form and polish rocks.
The best way to learn is hand's on from an experienced lapidary. Most
rock clubs have at least one lapidary that is willing to teach. You
should find a rock club near you. AFMS has a list of US clubs on
their website at

        http://www.amfed.org

and CCFMS has a list of North American clubs with websites at

        http://www.ccfms.ca

As in sandpaper, small grit numbers mean coarser grains, and large grit
numbers mean finer grains. Your geni also has wheels/belts of different
grit sizes.

When cutting and polishing rocks you start with a coarse grit to rough
form the stone. You proceed on to finer and finer grits as you smooth
the surface and erase the scratches of the coarser previous stage with
finer stages. You end with a polishing step that actually smears the
surface of the stone to hide the almost invisible finest scratches of
the last grinding stage.

You will find books and websites (including mine) that will tell you
about polishing rocks. It is possible to learn lapidary that way, but
you will have better learning working with someone that is experienced.
Please take the time to find a rock club in your area so you can
appreciate the true value of the equipment and supplies that have come
your way. Learning to use it properly is the first step towards that
appreciation.

Someone has done you a great favor by giving you the means to become a
lapidary.

Kreigh




B & B wrote:
> 
> Hello Everybody
> 
> I am hoping that I can' get some help. I just recently received some lapidary equipment and I need anybody help with teaching material or information on the following products. Also can anybody help with the grits. I am not sure what each one means 60-100-220-400-500-600. Any little bit will help Thanks for all your help.
> 
> * 6 wheel polish unit I hear they call it a geni
> 
> * Egg and sphere Maker
> 
> * Lap Grinding Wheels on a stand.
> 
> Thanks BJ
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