Could I please have your help with choosing some flat lap disks? 16", no hole, magnetic backing. Using a converted pottery wheel.
Main use will be grinding the edges of some 3 to 9 mm ( 1/8” to 3/8”) thick bowls. Horizontally, parallel to the base. Would like to achieve a “gallery quality” finish on the bowls. Imagine that some bowls will be ok with a matte finish, but some will need a polished border.
Have a convington wet belt sander for vertical borders, but think I need a flat lap for horizontal borders...is this correct?
Have looked at His videos, read the flat lap and polishing sections in J Schmuck book, and as much as I could find here. My head is just whirling with information.
Still confused if I need diamond 60, 140, 270, 500 (which gets rather expensive, specially since I am new to making larger items and don't know what the future holds in respect to selling them successfully).
Also confused re use of smoothing disks compared with diamond.
![Think :-k](./images/smilies/eusa_think.gif)
The smoothing disks are cheaper, though not as long lasting. But I still don’t quite understand if they replace diamond disks, or fit somehow in between the sequence of diamond grits. Is anyone here using them?
Since this is a completely new project for me, with unknown results, would it make sense to start with a sequence of diamond 140 and 270, then something on float by hand (pumice? which grit?) to get to the equivalent of 400 grit, then felt with cerium for final high polish?
This would be a purchase of 2 diamond disks and one felt. The felt disk for the final cerium polish is reasonably priced...at least when compared with the price for the diamond ones.
Or do I need to get somehow to equivalent of 600 grit before felt and cerium?
Is 140 grit enough to start with to get flat horizontal border or should I use 100 grit? Or 80 grit? The lower grits are quite a bit more expensive, but the disks are going to last me a long time, no savings if I buy the wrong ones.
I will contact His, but would love to hear from the experience of this board members before I do.
This is a big thing for me. A big step from jewelry making, a big step into the unknown business wise, a big challenge technically…and big fun. Well, I am sure it will be big fun when this is solved, feels somewhat like a headache at the moment.
Many thanks in advance. I am really looking forward to sorting this out, placing the order and moving on with these projects. Have been dreaming about this for a long time
![Pray [-o<](./images/smilies/eusa_pray.gif)
All best wishes, seachange