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Gadgets, Gizmos, and Dohickeys => Cutting, Grinding, Polishing => Topic started by: louisvillelapper on October 03, 2016, 09:32:50 AM

Title: for rotary sanding wheel-can sandpaper discs work for agate?
Post by: louisvillelapper on October 03, 2016, 09:32:50 AM

Sorry I'm such a noob, but I'm going to get a rotary sander to smooth and polish my 3" to 5" agates after I cut them. question- Do I need to get diamond discs or can regular sandpaper discs work well? Thank you in advance for any response.David in Indiana

Title: Re: for rotary sanding wheel-can sandpaper discs work for agate?
Post by: 55fossil on October 03, 2016, 10:22:05 AM

    If you are talking about silicon carbide the answer is "they work". I have been using a rotary disc unit I purchased from Richardson's Ranch for over 25 years. They are great for Thunder Eggs of course.

    Heat is not your friend with these. With coarse grit wheels you can burn jasper or cause pieces of agate to crack and break off if you get them to hot. Heat will produce a nice finish after the rough work is done. These units can also shred your fingers if you catch the edge. Eye protection is also wise along with a good mask. The flying dust is not so bad. But sometimes the rock can catch the sand paper and pieces start flying that can pop an eye out. Overall they are very safe but stuff happens.

Neal