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[drnihili]

The Highland park cab station we picked up came with carborundum wheels on it, and out of sheer laziness we've been using them.  Frank told me what kind of wheels to get, but my disorganization has overcome his excellent information and I no longer recall his advice.

So, what wheels go on the Highland Park?  (grit, style, etc.)  I'd happily take recommendations on brand and source too.

[lithicbeads]

I like jade carver wheels. 80 grit and 220 are a good combo.

[PhilNM]

How many stations?
if 4, and you have no other grinder etc, I'd go with 100 hard, then 220 hard, then 600 soft, followed by 1200 soft  and 3000 for the flat polish disk.
If 6, (much better)  100 and 220 hard, then 280/320, 600, 1200 and 3000 soft, again followed by 3000 on the flat polishing disk.

[drnihili]

Phil,  Currently there are two wheels.  While there is room for a third, or even fourth in between, there are only two drips in, so I'd have to work something out that way if we wanted to have a drip.  Right now, we're not using the drips, just keeping a spray bottle handy.  It's worked fine for our level so far.  We also have a sanding wheel and buffing wheel mounted, and there's room for a spin on wheel if I'll get around to tapping the end of the axle.  This is the unit.

[PhilNM]

Aha. That unit is designed for coarse grinding and shaping on the 2 inside wheels, so to convert them to diamond would be 100 and 220. Then the expanding wheel on the outside is where you continue your shaping and polishing by changing belts from stage to stage. SiC is cheapest at under $2 per belt, but you can get diamond belts for that wheel for about $60 to $80 per belt. Then the flat disk on the other end is for your final polishing using an oxide or ?? on leather, cotton, linen, or what have you.
Does that help?  Oh... get the water hooked up before you do any more. A spray bottle does not keep the dust from getting into your lungs, and I'm sure you want to get silicosis in your lungs....
The unit on the floor is a $400 Richardson Ranch polishing machine for hand grinding and polishing large flat slabs and facing geodes. Mostly to get the rough ridges and etc out of a slab or polished face of a geode. It's supposed to have a vacuum hooked up to it when running, as there is no way to use water. The vacuum is imperative if you're going to use it. Again, silicosis, which is a horrible way to die.

[lithicbeads]

You really need to use the drip as the spray will not be sufficient.

[PhilNM]

You really need to use the drip as the spray will not be sufficient.

really? My spray puts out so much water compared to a drip that I have to tone it down and add blockers! Or are you thinking of the underwheel spritzers?

[lithicbeads]

If you are grinding correctly you need a small steady stream of water on your wheels to wash the swarf away so as not to clog the wheels. The softer the stone the more water. Spriters are not as desirable as drip for me. With crystal based stones , especially quartz the water flow must be very even and adequate when sanding or the stone can easily heat and fracture.

[drnihili]

The main reason we don't have the drip set up is time and energy.  We got the equipment, stuffed it onto the porch and have sort of been hobbling along with it until I get the time to set it up properly.  Work exploded about the time we got it, and between that and the increasing backlog of "yard" work, we're not very far along.  I haven't even turned on the Richardson's Ranch sander yet.

The points about silicosis are well taken.  Does someone want to remind me about the code for an adequate respirator so I can keep my sweetheart safe?