Gemstone Sanding and Polishing Using Both Silicon Carbide and Diamond Abrasive Belts
Everything I do in regards to sanding all the way up to the polish has always been done with silicon carbide type abrasive belts.
In the final couple of sanding stages, I will take it from a 600 grit that is for the most part new, to a rather worn 600 grit. Just to give it that little bit of a final sanding buff prior to polishing.
A lot of Lapidaries use diamond abrasives for sanding from course all the way down to some really fine meshed belts.
Because of the expense, I have been using the silicon carbide. This sorta sucks, because diamond abrasives can really give top quality results.
Been thinking about the possibility of using just one fine meshed diamond abrasive for the very last sanding stage, because of the difference that I believe may show itself after polishing.
After inquiring, one of the forum members suggested to go with a 1200 Diamond belt.
He also shared with me that in fact a 3M diamond abrasive belt can be very inexpensive. Although you do get what you pay for. As the more expensive full resin coated belts out preform the 3M belts considerably.
So because of what was shared with me, combined with considering the expense of the diamond abrasives, I have decided to not mess around with the quality of this one 1200 diamond belt. It will be playing an important part in the final sanding. I will spend the 40 or 50 dollars rather than 13 for the 3M.
Just food for thought if your like me, and on at least some kind of limited budget.
I suppose, again depending on the budget and just how much more we would have to increase cab prices due to the use of the diamond belts, maybe could use two or three diamond belts towards the end.
I do truly believe that the silicon carbide will always suffice for the first several sanding stages. I don’t see that changing for me, but certainly can see how utilizing one or two diamond belts at the end, will likely offer our cabochons a nicer pre-polish surface, resulting in a higher quality finish.
I will post my success story down the road after I do some comparing !
Thanks for stopping by and reading through.
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