Equipment

Lisa Allen · Post by **Lisa Allen** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:41 pm

If you could afford only one of these, would you pick a full size wet belt sander or a 12" diamond lap wheel for seaming edges?

Thanks, Lisa

Brock · Post by **Brock** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:42 pm

WBS. Brock

Lisa Allen · Post by **Lisa Allen** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:48 pm

Brock wrote:WBS. Brock

Why? Lisa

Brock · Post by **Brock** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:50 pm

Lisa Allen wrote:
Brock wrote:WBS. Brock
Why? Lisa

I knew you were going to say that. Versatility. You can do curves. Brock

charlie · Post by **charlie** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 6:00 pm

different horses for different courses.

you can do outside curves on a flat lap. it's really hard, if not impossible, to do inside curves on a lap.

it's hard to get a really flat base on a wbs. it's hard to get a planar rim on a finished bowl on a wbs. both of these are easy to do a lap.

what are you going to do with it? the answer to that question will give you a better idea on which is 'better'.

Patty Gray · Post by **Patty Gray** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 7:45 pm

Hi Lisa,

I love both the wetbelt and the lapwheel. You can set up jigs to get your glass pretty flat on a wetbelt. One really nice thing about a 12" lapwheel is it doesn't take too much space and you can move it where the fullsize wetbelt usually stays where you plan on using it. I find the lapwheel isn't quite as wet. The two are similar on costs so think about what you are going to use it for. I use my lapwheel (I have a 24" for personal use and an 8" one I use for teaching) pretty much every day. My wetbelt (I currently have 2 full sized ones) are wonderful and I invested in two diamond wet belts. Remember to tie back your beautiful long hair when using either machine. It was fun getting to know you at the WGW.

Patty

Lisa Allen · Post by **Lisa Allen** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 9:43 pm

Thanks for the responses. I am just looking for crisper edges on flat pieces and bowls before they are slumped. So, it sounds like the wbs is the way to go for me.

And, yes Patty, I will be sure to pull the hair back.......not looking for a scalping any time soon!

Lisa

Bert Weiss · Post by **Bert Weiss** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 12:24 am

Lisa

I am in general agreement about the WBS. I see a larger lap wheel as a useful tool to create the flat ground bowl rim. I don't think a small one will really do the same job. It really helps to put the entire piece on the wheel to grind it flat.

You can get a less than full sized WBS and do just fine. The belts don't last as long, but they work.

Bert