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[ILMSteve]

Has anyone tried using a wool felt that can be bought at Joann's or similar for polishing purposes? What can you tell me regarding how it worked out for you? Thanks!

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Sometimes felt pads are the best (if not the only) type that work for some stones. Recently cut a lepidolite that required felt with diamond and extender fluid at lower rpm. Nothing else worked.

Don't know about products from specific suppliers, but if you have (or get) a felt pad from an established lapidary supply company you can compare products from other places to it.

It is good to shop around. Anything marketed for lapidary use is usually priced a lot higher than the same thing sold for other uses.

[Felicia]

If it matters, the felt from the fabric store is a synthetic.

[ILMSteve]

Sometimes felt pads are the best (if not the only) type that work for some stones. Recently cut a lepidolite that required felt with diamond and extender fluid at lower rpm. Nothing else worked.

Don't know about products from specific suppliers, but if you have (or get) a felt pad from an established lapidary supply company you can compare products from other places to it.

It is good to shop around. Anything marketed for lapidary use is usually priced a lot higher than the same thing sold for other uses.

Thank you. I had some sticker shock when I went to order wool felt pads. I am going to try to make one from some felt I have laying around and back it with contact paper. I suspect it may be too flimsy but I think it's worth trying.

[ILMSteve]

If it matters, the felt from the fabric store is a synthetic.

Thanks. I noticed that while trying to educate myself. I'll try it and if it doesn't work out, my plan B is to order some stiff marino wool felt and try that.

[gemfeller]

One of the best cutters I know salvages old felt hats from thrift shops and turns them into very effective polishing pads.  They're much cheaper than pads from lapidary suppliers.

[vitzitziltecpatl]

Well there we go then. We'll all be off to the thrift shops now... .

Thanks for the tip Rick!

[hummingbirdstones]

I would have never have thought of that.  What a great idea!  I'm going hat shopping once we're allowed out of the virus gulag.

[ILMSteve]

One of the best cutters I know salvages old felt hats from thrift shops and turns them into very effective polishing pads.  They're much cheaper than pads from lapidary suppliers.

Great idea! Thanks!

[Felicia]

marino felt is a better quality, never thought of old hats. Good idea

[ILMSteve]

marino felt is a better quality, never thought of old hats. Good idea

Thank you! Marino felt seems like the best for the pad and for the economics.