[meteorite-list] Flat Laps
The time has come for me to buy a flat Lap for polishing slices. Who can recommend a tried and true Flap lap and what size? -mt -- McCartneyTaylor, IMCA 2760 __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Flat Laps
More of an issue of the flat lap brand is the making sure you do not cross contaminate the grit sizes. I had one here in Wyoming and kept getting dirt blown in on the finer grits because I had the flat lap out of doors. They can be messy so get a garage. I sold my like new 24" for $25 so I didn't have to look at it. To do over again, get about six flat laps and dedicate each one to a specific grit. Throughly wash and wash the pieces before moving to the next grit size and keep the dirt contamination away. I now use a contour polishing grinder. I might suggest trying out a flat lap with something else before working on a meteorite. Just my 2 Cents for your thought. It is a merry Christmas! Dave Freeman 82901 McCartney Taylor wrote: The time has come for me to buy a flat Lap for polishing slices. Who can recommend a tried and true Flap lap and what size? -mt -- McCartneyTaylor, IMCA 2760 __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
RE: [meteorite-list] Flat Laps
Dear Meteorite friends, I have been using flat laps for making telescope optics for over 50 years. So I will share some hard earned knowledge. May things have changed in the last 10 years that will make your life simpler? I used to use cast iron laps from 12 to 36" diameter. Each very heavy to assure long term ware surface and stability. I used silicon Carbide as an abrasive with water. My grinding rig was made of several gear boxes (1939 Chevrolet steering gear)and a Thor washing machine (1936)gear box. My grinding base turned around 6 times per minute - while a recipical device about 36" away turned at 22 times per minute. With an arm from the side held the specimen being ground in place the reciprocating arm guaranteed that the entire surface of the lap ground evenly assuring that all would remain flat. I placed lead weights over the arms and the specimen to add pressure downward. The biggest problems were the mess and the possible grit contamination. I would use the following grit sizes: 80,180, 250, 400, 600, 1000. and then move to a pitch and pine tare lap with aluminum oxide, and finishing with jewelers rough. I cleaned everything I touched with detergent and water and I did it outside or I had special water grit traps made. DO NOT USE YOUR HOUSE DRAIN as it will soon be clogged(UGH!) NOW I can share my present methods. I bought a diamond impregnated magnetic lap cover from Diamond Pacific. They have 12" 18" 24" I have a different grit 60,80,120,220,400,600,1200,3000. I use water mixed with a special non-rusting solution M-435 10:1 And yes you have to use a lot of water to assure both your meteorite and your hands are CLEAN, CLEAN, clean. When you finish one grade remove it and put the next diamond magnetic blanket on to the lap. I then dry and etch, neutralize and dry again and then coat with my own VCI-286 clear. Bill Mason "rusty" [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of McCartney Taylor Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 5:04 PM To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: [meteorite-list] Flat Laps The time has come for me to buy a flat Lap for polishing slices. Who can recommend a tried and true Flap lap and what size? -mt -- McCartneyTaylor, IMCA 2760 __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Flat Laps & diamond blades - questions
Hello I want to ask if someone use this flat laps offered by this seller. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2200269698&category=4843 I dont know which grid will be better for grinding met. slices. 180 or maybe 600 ? I know that grid 180 will be propably fast, but also leave deep scratches on grinded surface, so maybe for this kind of work suffuce grid 280 or 600? Maybe someone use similar items and can send me opinion. This seller have also some nice diamond blades. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2214232047&category=4843 But 10" blade is only 0.032" thin (0.8mm) so I dont know if this is not too thin for that big blade. Someone have idea how flexible is this kind of blades ? Ofcourse I want to use them for chondrites and from time to time on irons (Dronino arrived tooday :). All the time I using old blades made in USSR (20-25 years old but still in excelenc condition), but now I want to test something new. Thanks for all sugestions. -[ MARCIN CIMALA ]-[ I.M.C.A.#3667 ]- http://www.Meteoryt.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.PolandMET.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.Gao-Guenie.com GSM +48(607)535 195 [ Member of: Polish Meteoritical Society ] __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
