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[Sifu]

Covington, and maybe others, make these doohickeys. Has anyone used them? I think they are all designed to run wet - price range is $500-$1000.

I need to polish many slabs, and am looking for an efficient alternative to dry sanding. Dry sanding and the resulting copious clouds of silica dust freak me out. My shop is indoors. The giant Rociprolap might be an option, but they are so freaking expensive.

[Gergis]

Might wanna take a look at the richardsons ranch high speed sander. Its run dry.. but it works pretty fast and efficient for slabs I think. Heres a link for ya :-) http://richardsonrockranch.com/lapidary.html

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

[Sifu]

Yep, I've looked at those. They're in the running, along with the bull wheel and Barranca's portable wet polisher. The other option is to pick up an old top loading washing machine and use it to build my own flat lap, and just go with using a slurry.

The Richardson's model might be the best way to get the speed of dry sanding with the least amount of dust though - as it has a vacuum hook up. I just wish the disc were larger than seven inches. Maybe I should drive down there and take a look at it? I live pretty close.

[Slabbercabber]

I've recently started to use a horizontal belt sander dry with a linear vacuum pickup.  So far there has been no evidence of dust not picked up.  It works very fast.

[Gergis]

Yeah worth the drive and its a fairly inexpensive tool and will last for years and years.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

[Sifu]

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-PW5001C-4-Inch-Electronic-Polisher/dp/B0002HC2HU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Anyone used something like this, Makita's right angle wet polisher?

The main thing is I'd like to be able to finish slabs and large (12 x 24 inch) intarsia pieces indoors - which means dry sanding is problematic. I could probably use an old shower surround to build a wet sanding station.

[phrankhansen]

has anyone tried the Makita or Makita like polisher?  Bobby1's posts on two step dry sanding are awesome, but like others I'm a little worried about the dust and would like a cheap, wet option.  Doesn't seem like that is possibility though.

[Trails]

I was given a Secco wet polishing for aiding with large slab polishing and intarsia work, my friend has been doing intarsia murals in India and her whole crew used these things in the beginning. They are neat little things, but you really have to pay attention to applying pressure just right cause the edges of the diamond pads will leave grooves if you're not. I ended up just mounting it sideways and placing a hood on it so I could use it like an end-cap on my highland unit, that was for doing the large cabs. I managed to pick up a 12" Gemco oscillating sander for polishing granite countertops and cut out my discs from sandpaper or emery.. place a little water on the project and sand till it starts to dry, add more water.. etc. Much quicker for large projects.

But back to the question of those wet angle grinder/polishers.. they're neat, they do the trick if you have the patience and don't let it get carried away.

[Back]

Wow

New transfer here.

The main thing is I'd like to be able to finish slabs and large (12 x 24 inch) intarsia pieces indoors

Link please if you have some done.

Shawn

[jakesrocks]

"The main thing is I'd like to be able to finish slabs and large (12 x 24 inch) intarsia pieces indoors"

Shawn, The belt sanders by Covington are nice to have, But for pieces as large as you're planning to do, I think one of those Makita wet sanders would be your best bet. Even the large Covington horizontal or upright sanders will barely give you 12" of work space, and only about 10" of belt surface to work on.

If you have a place near you that works with granite or other types of stone to make counter tops, you might want to stop in and see if they'll let you see the equipment they use.

[Sifu]

Trails - this 12" sander you mentioned, is this repurposing a wood sander? That's the only kind I can find online. It looks like most professional countertop folks are using wet angle grinders like the Makita linked above. So I guess I have two practical options: (a) build a wet grinding station, or (b) scavenge a washing machine motor and cobble together a BIG lap and do the work with loose grit. Option (a) seems easier and more efficient, frankly, as I wouldn't have issues of grit contamination etc., but option (a) also seems less idiot-proof. I've used wet polishers before and there is definitely a learning curve to finishing your stone "just right".

You mentioned that your friend in India used the angle grinder units "in the beginning". Did she find a better solution???

[jakesrocks]

One of these might work for you, but they're expensive. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Covington-761WBS-Deluxe-Commercial-Wet-Belt-Sander-Lapidary-/310246857994

[Trails]

Sorry, not gemco but Gem Industries, called an Orbit I. I found one similar to image at a thrift store for 15$.. picked it up originally just for the motor alone for the price, only to have come in handy as a whole. I had used this machine in the rougher stages of sanding, and followed up with the Secco 5" for the 1000/3000/14000 stages. That process I could stand..

I'll ask soon about the going on's in India later this month when she's in town. I know her crew mastered the Secco's for their murals, but I know her buying habits and increase in project/lapidary concepts the last year, I'm sure they've perfected a larger machine by now. For the sake of the crew... as these murals are an easy 8' x 10'.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gem+industries+orbital+buffer&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjrxoTY6OTMAhWIlh4KHd1mDhwQ_AUICSgD&biw=1600&bih=802#imgrc=wmDsElzj5p6VDM%3A