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@OzoneFineArtVentures3 жыл бұрын
I love that you took your discs to the microscope, killer mission. You're illuminating what these are actually made of and do which is a service. It's useful for folks to see this so they take good care of their discs (I've seen some abysmal practices with cross contamination and the like). Dust, because it typically contains quartz, is ranked a 7 on the mohs scale. Even leaving your higher mesh discs out in the open can lead to scratching contamination. It was awesome to see the blue under the microscope with the little inclusion. I'm going to have to check mine out, I agree the value is definitely there, they last a long time. Thanks for an awesome video, really enjoyed this one.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I have been thinking of my storage of these as well which like you brought up can be an issue in a shop with the dust. I'm going to try and find some kind of Tupperware I think to store them in.
@OzoneFineArtVentures3 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding I have ziplock freezer bags with their corresponding grit/color (again to not contaminate) to keep them clean and then I always wash them before I mount them on the machine just in case. All you need is to drag a scratch through a great polish to get really uptight about your storage solutions! I also have a separate, large, bristle brush that is labeled for each disc. That helps with the cleaning.
@brushbros Жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding That is a good idea for polishing grits, but not necessary probably for coarser grits. I have used the same idea, it works very well.
@isaiahbreckbill17413 жыл бұрын
Damn! Consistently the best rockhounding/lapidary content on KZfaq. Keep it up, buddy!
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Thanks man I appreciate it.
@johnhodgson4216Ай бұрын
I use CLR to remove the deposits by tap water, which fills up around the diamond, so when I give it the CLR soak, the lap is very clean and sharp.
@paigelee63213 жыл бұрын
Very informative, interesting,thank you for sharing 😊💙
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it, I thought it was kinda neat to see the discs like this.
@mtonjum3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this! I bought the hi-tech slant lap about 5 months ago and it’s hard to tell when the discs are getting worn out. This video is helpful :)
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I think they are worn out when the black plastic disc can be seen.
@ambkbero23 жыл бұрын
I bought my 8" slant lap because of the first review you did and I was not disappointed (yes, I used your code). Although I must say that I prefer the diamond disks over the resin pads. I've reserved the pads for basic pre-polishing and a separate felt disk with cerium oxide for the final polish. thank you for the great adventures and product reviews, You ROCK!! (I know that was cheesy but I couldn't resist)
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
What grit of diamond discs do you have? I have been thinking about buying some higher grits to test out.
@ambkbero23 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding I getting all of them from 60# to 3,000# the resin disks w/pads seem to be more for polishing and the pad helps on softer material. But when it comes moving material quickly the diamond laps are my choice. I do most of my work in the winter so I'm planning to buy the whole diamond range of diamond plates soon.
@crystalday99953 жыл бұрын
Thanks again for being an amazing teacher.enjoyed this.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it.
@janetrychel58233 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jared. Loved this info. You never disappoint
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it!
@sandmaker3 жыл бұрын
I agree, the more water the better. Too much pressure will snap the diamonds out of resin, let the lap do the work. I have laps that are 10 years old and some new. Loved the photomicrographs. Keep the goodness coming. Be happy, safe and stay healthy😷⚒
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Oh I agree, its like cutting wood on a table saw, you let the machine do the work and don't force it.
@sandmaker3 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding love all the work you do to keep the rest of us informed and entertained.😎👍
@CarlDi3trich Жыл бұрын
Might be the manufacturer took into account some people not using enough water or cleaning them. Well done.
@Ontario_Rockhound3 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, great breakdown of the flat lap.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it.
@jimlancaster61203 жыл бұрын
Very interesting loved seeing the disc under the microscope that was really neat.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it.
@brushbros Жыл бұрын
Wonderful and informative video. The microscope tells the story (thanks to you.) To clean both metal and resin disks (and wheels) I use sink cleanser and a stiff brush under warm water. Use a lota lota water to avoid "mud" collecting in your drain. Both types are "dressed" because the softer "substrate" is abraded while the proud diamond is unfazed.
@michaelspeckert64512 жыл бұрын
I'm alittle late to the party here, but this video is awesome. I just bought an 8" a couple weeks ago and am loving it. I have a good saw and a cab machine also, so its been nonstop lapidary even more so lately. Love the channel! High Fives from southwest Utah
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I'm glad you like the channel. I think the hi-tech lap is a good machine but the water cups are pretty meh but that's an easy upgrade, have you changed yours out?
@trevorallen2274 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your work!
@CurrentlyRockhounding Жыл бұрын
Thank you! :)
@brianholcomb940 Жыл бұрын
Very informative! Thanks for sharing!
@CurrentlyRockhounding Жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it.
@rockswatersky34422 жыл бұрын
Excellent. Feels like a college class. Real information..
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@theruggedrockhound3 жыл бұрын
I plan to get one of those down the road, but it will probably be a while since it is not very high on my list. Thanks for the tech demo video!
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I do think its a pretty good little machine for the price range.
@Mike-br8vb10 ай бұрын
I enjoyed nerding out here! Lol! Very good information!
@marcosofsky260511 ай бұрын
Nerding out is waaaaay cool! Attention to detail is important, and you do that. I had wanted a microscope for my horticulture studies, still do not have one, but your video showed me what I mihght want to know about the discs! Thank you, you are doing a mitzvah-a good deed!I am still in the process of setting up a proper system, and it is a challenge. I picked up a dial gauge on a magnetic base-for determining the true of my machines and discs, I guess-I bought an inexpensive faceting machine and wanted to be sure the grinding wheel sat just so on the hub before I tried to facet any gemstones. Also I bought some low quality rough TO PRACTICE ON111 Very economical!!!! Just thought I would pass on an idea or two-the only thing holding us back is our imaginations-YOU GOTTA USE IT! ha ha!! Thanks again, until next time -Marc in Medford, Oregon
@nancycampbell68003 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this video. As a raw beginner this has helped me identify one of the pieces of equipment that was left to me. Sure, I could have looked in a book or catalog, but I hadn't gotten around to it yet. Now I know what I have AND I know more about the disks. Microscopes are super handy. I've put off buying one and have one in one of my amazon wishlists that I've been thinking about for my saltwater aquariums and my koi pond. I'll go compare the one you have to the one I've been thinking about, the more versatile one is for me, the better. I have way too many "hobbies" that need to have one. I hate having to wait until I get to work to sneak look at something under the 'scope. LOL
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh the Microscope is amazing, and if I'm not careful with my time I could get lost looking at things under it.
@nancycampbell68003 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Lab work is my favorite part of my job. I'm such a nerd. LOL
@derasnan Жыл бұрын
Great video dude - thanks very much!
@CurrentlyRockhounding Жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it.
@RockandRoadRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
This was a really neat perspective! I would have never thought to look at them under a microscope. Very cool.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
The microscope is really a view into an unseen world.
@patriciamckean4186 Жыл бұрын
Thanks, those discs were in much better shape. Increased water and washing the discs when your done. If you take good care of your equipment, it will take good care of you.
@camplapidary3 жыл бұрын
Great video! Now show us what it looks like when a pad is loaded up? Just a suggestion..
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I thought about that and I kinda don't want to load up my pads for that since its as easy as washing them to prevent there's really no reason to ever load them up.
@drewwhitaker3153 жыл бұрын
Nice vid dude!
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@robertbuckingham4927 Жыл бұрын
You have sometimes a scientific approach to examining wear on saw blades,grinding wheels,or diamond flat lap discs I like it!
@juliemckenna5143 жыл бұрын
Another great video! Thanks for the tips Jared😊
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@dustinfindsrocks3 жыл бұрын
I don’t have a flat lap yet but I definitely see it’s a good piece of equipment. Good to know with care the pads will last a long time. Cool video Jared. Love your channel man. Thanks for putting all the good information out there 👍🏼
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Thanks man, I try to put good things out there. I feel like anyone can show rocks on video, but I want to do more and produce helpful content.
@brushbros Жыл бұрын
I used a cabbing unit for years and years. Then I discovered flat laps. There is no comparison.
@charlesfosterrocks10 ай бұрын
On the 1200 I noticed what looks like a blue medium that possibly has diamond dust included.
@jmsdvs53 жыл бұрын
I feel honored that you find a reason to use the microscope and share with use. It is a donation worth doing. Now if only I can get mine working.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Oh man, what's the hang up with yours? Is it the software?
@hockeyrace2 жыл бұрын
I love that you used the microscope to check these out. I was just googling to find out why I feel like I blow through these discs. I found this video and I’m super surprised I missed watching this one 😳 I bought another set thinking they were done. I’m now thinking they probably are not. I still feel like I’m dong something wrong because I can’t seem to get a really good end result. I clean each of them with soap and water and brush them with a soft toothbrush. I spend ALOT of time making sure I get all the scratches out and look all the time with a jewelers loupe. I can’t afford to keep buying so I do everything I can possibly do to extend the life. As for contamination, I absolutely do have a disc that I believe is ripped. I don’t have a microscope, so I’m not 100% sure. But results are certainly telling. It happened with a rhyolite/agate. . Anywho, I’m happy to have found your video while googling. 👍. Thanks for sharing. Stay Crystal 💫 Maribeth
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
What are the grit stages that you have been using? You should be able to get a really nice finish on your rocks.
@hockeyrace2 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding diamonds discs- 80, 150, 180. HI-Tech resin discs- 220, 325, 600, 1200, 3000. I’ve worked through all kinds of troubleshooting too. Speed, Water, Time, Drying to Look for scratches, Loupe. I get good results on about 20-25 cabs. After that, everything is garbage. I use a lot of grits to get a good finish. They just don’t seem to last for me. I’m not a brute! I’m an intelligent person who can usually troubleshoot anything. I’m stumped with the hi-tech flat lap discs. 🤷♀️
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
@@hockeyrace From the sounds of it you're doing everything correct. Maybe we could continue this conversation over email and then we could also share some photos on the subject. Something has to be going wrong if you're only getting 20 or 25 cabs out of your discs. Shoot me an email please. currentlyrockhounding@gmail.com
@treasuresunderfoot78763 жыл бұрын
Great idea for a video. The microscope is a huge asset for this. Thanks bro👍
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I continue be in amazement by the microscope.
@treasuresunderfoot78763 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding I agree. Agates are so interesting. But the closer you can view them, the COOL factor goes up. Such amazing formations in the microcosm. 👍
@ocklawahaboyrocks3 жыл бұрын
Great video. Didn't expect to get the up close and personal. I need to find someone who uses a flat and get an in person demo. I'm pretty invested in wheels.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I do think a flat lap is a nice tool to have but its not for everyone that's for sure.
@kslinaz56683 жыл бұрын
Thank you, that was very informative.
@jimv.6613 жыл бұрын
Great idea for a video and very useful since I bought one a few months ago at your recommendation.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
How are you like it?
@jimv.6613 жыл бұрын
It's great fun and quite easy to use.
@Parry6353 жыл бұрын
Flat out, another great video
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@RockHoundQuest3 жыл бұрын
Very interesting to see the sanding disks under the microscope. 👍
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you liked it, it really is opening a new world to me.
@christopherort28893 ай бұрын
I agree. I use lots of water and my pads last forever.
@stephenappleby54653 ай бұрын
I just made my own flat lap. I have pads that go to 3000 grit. How long should I grind on each grit to get a good polish off of the 3000. Thanks
@mikemarcus2143 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate the content - I was wondering how long the lap disks would last! I love the Hi-Tech Slant Lap… it really helps in shaping rocks prior to tumbling. I own the 80-grit lap - it really chews through the rock. If a lap gets clogged - what is the best way to remove the clogged material? By the way, thanks for the video on sharpening notched blades… works perfectly! You saved me a bundle! Thanks!
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I'm happy you liked the video on the saw blades. As for cleaning the laps I just use warm water and dish soap and it seems to clean them really well.
@kylaabegglen12752 жыл бұрын
As always a very informative and awesome video. Thank you! You have a amazing way of teaching and explaining things so we can understand clearly. Just curious, do you use a scrub brush, toothbrush, or denture brush with the water and dish soap when you wash your discs? I hope to be able to get a flat lap in the next couple of years. Thanks for another very interesting video Jared!✌😎
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I do clean my discs with dish soap and brush.
@biscuitEMT3 жыл бұрын
This is my next purchase, great to learn about the discs. Do you have any ideas about the flat one as opposed to the angled one ?
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I would go with the flat one. It just gives more options for using it the way I see it.
@CacklingChick Жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding how does the flat vs. angled lap give more options for use? Thanks!
@CurrentlyRockhounding Жыл бұрын
@@CacklingChick I guess I should have been more clear about that, sorry. I think the flat one has more options cause you can stand at it, sit at on a stool and if need be you can tilt it some. How do you plan on using it and what do you plan on doing with it?
@faithrigolosi10282 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this. I’m seriously thinking about getting a 8” and my question was how long do the discs last. Love your videos.
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
The discs last a long time. I have a video up that you can find under my lapidary playlist on the topic.
@faithrigolosi10282 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding yes
@faithrigolosi10282 жыл бұрын
Thank you for that. You helping me make up my mind.
@faithrigolosi10282 жыл бұрын
You helped me make up my mind.
@KT-rl1dy2 жыл бұрын
I just watched this. Thank you. It was very informative. Do you think a flat lap is easier then a slanted one? What is your opinion?
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! That's a good question. I prefer this one but I can see the value in the slanted one if you plan on sitting as you work.
@julietgamarci87422 жыл бұрын
Great video and great channel, I've been learning so much! I was curious if you have ever stuck these PSA resin discs to BOTH sides of the black acrylic disc to economize and conserve space. I know there's a higher chance of grit cross contamination but if they are rinsed and kept clean I'm not sure that would happen
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
I have not tried that but I have been thinking about that. Contamination would be the only issue I could see really.
@julietgamarci87422 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Thanks for your reply! I should be receiving a new 8" All U Need in the next couple of days bought on the strength of your recommendation. Thank you for the informative videos, I will experiment with using both sides and let you know how if goes
@CarlDi3trich Жыл бұрын
Forgot to ask....do the pads with acrylic backing have some give? Do you really need the "spongy" backing Diamond sells?
@CurrentlyRockhounding Жыл бұрын
They really don't have much give to them at all. If you want to make cabs then sponge backed wheels or pads is important.
@CarlDi3trich Жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Ah...ok. I know that should be obvious but it's not. Thanks!
@timlee201423 күн бұрын
Is there any advantage of the resin smoothing discs Vs. Electroplated diamond discs of the same grit?
@CurrentlyRockhounding22 күн бұрын
Yes and this is a subject of another video! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/isylktadqZi8oZ8.html
@mwilson143 жыл бұрын
You know that I pan the synthetic diamonds out from my wet tile saw water right? LOL. I have a collection of them, but they are more of a byproduct from me panning my tile saw water to find anything at all that is heavy, like gold and zircons as well. I just can't pass up the diamond collecting and I also pick them out of my rinse cups for my masonry files. You should also hit those synthetic diamonds up with UV light. They typically glow bright blue, which is fun.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
So you're saving the slurry from your saw then or are you doing it after each use?
@mwilson143 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding I sometimes pan it after one use depending on what I've cut, and this is usually a mix of different rocks I cut for a single cutting session.--typically rocks rich in sulfides and other minerals which are worth my time to process for element extractions. I have old milk jugs stored away with the drained slurry from many sessions that typically are more silica rich. It settles out over time and the water is decanted into another container so I can filter it and safely poor it down the drain or water the plants out front. I'll save the dried powder in containers for chemistry experiments or for use in homemade refractory ceramics.
@mwilson143 жыл бұрын
...so in other words, I don't pan every single batch of rock slurry to get the diamonds. It's fun to find them if I've got a day where I don't really feel like studying and need a break from searching for other things.
@melisalynn58959 ай бұрын
I’m to the point of wondering how my disks are wearing. This is a great way to show how they work and wear, but I wish you would have mentioned what to do if we do have buildup or need to expose more diamonds on the 80/180 grits. I use the hell out of my 80 grit and have heard dressing it will help, but I have no idea what grit to use. Can’t really find 80 grit sticks. Can I use the 180 or the 220?
@CurrentlyRockhounding9 ай бұрын
Things like dressing sticks really do nothing at all. You can clean discs out with dish soap and hot water but once the diamonds on the electroplated disc are gone there's not much you can do since its such a thin layer.
@669wildcat11 ай бұрын
Have you ever tried cleaning discs with a large eraser?
@CurrentlyRockhounding11 ай бұрын
I have not.
@BridgettMcDaniels-Russell10 күн бұрын
I keep getting scratches from the diamond discs…how do I avoid that?
@CurrentlyRockhounding8 күн бұрын
What is your current progression of grits?
@anitawilliams21873 жыл бұрын
Can you wash/scrub the polishing resin discs like you can the Diamond get grinding discs?
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Yup! I just use warm water and dish soap. I don't scrub it really with anything, other than rubbing the soap in with my fingers.
@mattcorbitt2522 ай бұрын
You said you started using a lot more water.. how did you do that?
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 ай бұрын
You can control the amount of water you use, just turn it up.
@iainwhitford76023 жыл бұрын
How does this compare to the Richardson dry polisher?
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Two different worlds really. The Richardson High Speed Sander is really good for big rocks that can really take some heat but other than that it really starts to lose to the wet flat lap. You can make a cab on this as an example vs. the Richardsons.
@J-racks6 ай бұрын
Hey everybody, newbie to the lapidary arts here but avid rockhound. Just bought an 8-inch hi-tech flat lap like the one shown. Went ahead and bought the 260 and 3000 grit electroplated wheels from their site. Any recommendations moving forward as far as what else I might need? My wallet is hurting, but it’ll just have to get over it if I need some more wheels 😂
@CurrentlyRockhounding6 ай бұрын
I have a number of videos on this subject that you can check out. It's far too big of a topic to cover in a comment. Also, congratulations on the machine.
@J-racks6 ай бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Sorry if the comment was off topic, just looking for help and I think I found it in your channel. Thank you for the service you provide to rock-loving individuals like myself
@nhrockaholic60388 ай бұрын
Have you ever tested generic laps, like you have trim saw blades.
@CurrentlyRockhounding8 ай бұрын
I have not, but that is something I would like to do.
@lindamalcovsky2 жыл бұрын
When you buy new discs do you have to buy them from hi-tech or are there universal discs ghat will work on the machine?
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
All of the ones I know of are from Hi-Tech but there might be some other companies making replacements.
@CacklingChick Жыл бұрын
How long does it take to polish a cut slab? Thanks!
@CurrentlyRockhounding Жыл бұрын
That really depends on the material you're working with.
@CacklingChick Жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding ok, thanks!
@markattardo3 жыл бұрын
👍cool!!
@DonohueLabs3 жыл бұрын
Maybe it was a typo and they meant 70 stone instead of stones i.e. 1000 pounds of rocks 😆
@geraldrhodes59483 жыл бұрын
Do you ever find you wish you had a bigger disk or is this fine for pretty much every you want to polish?
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
I wish I had something bigger like the 12" grinder from Covington Engineering, but at $2300 that's very out of reach for me. I think lapidary equipment should always be looked at in the context of price. For the cost I think this is really good.
@geraldrhodes59483 жыл бұрын
@@CurrentlyRockhounding Thank you for the reply, sir! Pretty much what I expected which is good; that way I won't go out and do something stupid like try plunk down $2300.
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
@@geraldrhodes5948 I think the best option of course is to find the largest lapidary machine you can afford in great condition on the used market but that's not always going to be practical for a number of reasons.
@TarnishedViking.3 жыл бұрын
Awesome EDU video Bro! Answers for newbies & oldies and all in between. Rock on man! {>
@CurrentlyRockhounding3 жыл бұрын
Thank you I'm glad you liked it.
@cours4582 жыл бұрын
how noisy is it? can I use one in an appartment (not very often) without my neighboor murdering me?
@CurrentlyRockhounding2 жыл бұрын
The flat lap is pretty quiet but I dont know if its apartment friendly.
@robertbuckingham4927 Жыл бұрын
These machine are ultra quiet because they are directly connected to lap.Nowl belts.Very low h.p. does the job,especially when at the final polishing stage.