[Rockhounds] Information on Lapidary Equipment

[Ted Kowalski]

BJ:
Welcome to the list!

OK; I'll start with the classic advice to visit with your local rock club
and hook up with experienced lapidarists. It sounds like you have some
excellent equipment to start with.

That said, here are some links you can use.
The Genie: http://www.diamondpacific.com/thegenie.html (download the pdf
catalog for more info)

(watch the links wrapping several lines) You may have to cut and paste
separate lines into one link.

Some how-to at Diamond Pacific:
http://www.diamondpacific.com/howtoinformation.html

Lapidary how to books at Bob's rock shop (just a quick link; Check with list
members and our host site for lapidary books when you want to buy one):
http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/books/lapidary.shtml

Quick cabochon making how to at Bob's:
http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/oplc_cab.shtml

Ron pretty well covered the grits issue, especially if you're looking at
bags labeled with the grit numbers. You'll use the loose grits on both the
sphere maker and the flat lap grinder.

The wheels on your Genie are also defined by what grit they are. Newer
Genie's have diamond grinding wheels where the grit parts are sized diamond
particles. Older Genie's can have carborundum wheels, they still work well
but the wheels need occasional dressing to keep them even. The grit size
should be on the side of the wheels, it helps to write the grit on a piece
of masking tape above the wheel till you get used to them.

Depending on hardness of the stone you are cutting and how much you need to
grind off defines the grit coarseness you start with. How hard they are to
polish defines which grit you will finish with. Your finest grit wheel is
likely 600; you might have pads installed on the sides of the end wheels,
these should be pre-polish and polish pads.

There are a number of little things that an experienced lapidarist can help
with, yeah you can learn them from a book; it's easier from a friend who can
teach them in a timely manner. 

Ted Kowalski
Fredericksburg, VA USA



-----Original Message-----
From: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com
[mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com] On Behalf Of B & B
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 7:47 PM
To: rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com
Subject: [Rockhounds] Information on Lapidary Equipment

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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